There are two words that can bring instant anxiety to parents all over the world: school holidays. Keeping the kids entertained while balancing work commitments can be a challenge, while the cost of some activities and events can blow a family’s monthly budget.

As a children’s entertainer, I have learnt that boys and girls of all ages love anything that engages their senses, and they particularly love it when you get involved too. Whether it’s imaginative play around the house or an educational field trip to the local museum, the key is to KISS: Keep it Simple Silly.

Indoors, outdoors, no cost, low cost, informative or pure and simple fun – here are 20 boredom-busting Easter holiday ideas to get you started:

1. Catch the Monorail before it shuts down. Ask for the scavenger hunt and pirate map.
2. Get on your bikes! Ride a bike around a park, feed the ducks, have a picnic, or practice kicking a ball around.
3. Visit the Zoo and get up-close-and-personal with the cuddly Australian animals.
4. Go on a bush walk in Ku-ring-gai National Park. The Aboriginal Heritage Track includes one of the most popular rock art sites in the area.
5. Check out the award-winning Sculptures in the Scrub walking track in Timallallie National Park – NSW. It’s a fun way to introduce kids to local Aboriginal history and culture.
6. Hang a disco ball up at home, switch off the lights, turn on their favourite music, and let them dance their little hearts away. It’s a great way for kids to let off steam when it’s raining outside, or you have stuff do to at home.
7. Baking is always a hit and licking the spoon is obviously the best part! Sure they might make some mess but they love getting involved in the process. Check out Sarah Wilson’s blog for some great tips and sugar-free recipes.
8. Do a scavenger hunt at an Art Gallery. It’s free but does require some planning. If you don’t want to leave the house, set up a scavenger hunt at home. For ideas, check out ‘The Activity Mom’ here
9. Take them to a cooking class, such as Healthy Kids Association free cooking class at Hornsby Leisure and Learning Centre (NSW). This way you don’t have to clean up the mess!
10. 10. Olympics for kids. We are still talking about the Olympics in our dance classes, and are training our bodies for the next instalment. You can hold a new event everyday and all you need is colourful painting tape! Use your imagination and use the tape to create obstacles course, a long jump pit, a balance beam or hurdles. Check out ‘The Activity Mom’ for more ideas here
11. Get out and about, and explore your local parks. Hunt dragons in the Botanical Gardens or create a fairy garden at home.
12. Introduce them to pen pals
13. Kids love cuddling farmyard animals and Calmsley Hill City Farm has plenty of furry and feathered one. It’s close to Sydney and you can either bring your own picnic lunch or use one of the electric barbeques to cook your own lunch while you enjoy the beautiful grounds.
14. Explore the many attractions around Darling Harbour, including the Darling Quarter playground, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife Park or navy submarine. On hot days kids will love a splash around in the giant spiral water feature (this is one of my favourite childhood memories).
15. Build a tree house or a cubby house with mum or dads sheets- Ghost stories are fun to tell here.
16. Get out of the city and have a change of scenery. Spend a day in the Blue Mountains. Climb the thousands steps at the Giant Stairway, catch the Scenic Railway or brave the heights while riding Scenic Skyway over Jamison Valley
17. Create a spaceship in the living room out of boxes and cushions from the lounge. Collect boxes from your local supermarket and let the kids’ imaginations run wild or learn how to build one at Filthy Wizardry
18. Plant a herb garden in a corner of your garden or in a big balcony pot
19. Make your own movie, or music video. Get the kids to write the script, use costumes and props and choreograph dance moves to New Direction or PSY! You can film it for them and replay it at their 21^st Birthday.
20. Create your own outdoor cinema experience. You will need cushions, blankets, pillows and some healthy treats. If you are in Sydney go to Parramatta River Bank and take in a variety of family-friendly films by the river.