The Summer holidays are long and it can be hard to keep the kids entertained, we all know the struggle is real, especially when you’re on a budget and the kids keep saying “I’m bored!”

Add some extra fun to the kids school holidays this Summer with these great ideas!

Go camping: Even if you don’t want to venture far, set up a tent in the backyard and have a sleep out.

Make a cubby: My kids love building their own cubby in the backyard. I help them hang up some sheets in a tree and they then spend hours creating a fantasy world

Cook: Kids always seem to be hungry on the holidays and never stop eating (or is that just my kids!) Get them in the kitchen making fruit skewers, icy poles, smoothies and treats. I’ve found my kids will more likely try new things if they make it themselves.

Paint outside: Get the kids to paint up a mural on a plastic tablecloth or sheet. OR if you’re not into mess, get the kids to ‘paint’ the fence with water!

Gardening: Buy some seeds or little vegetable seedlings and get the children to help look after them – it’s a great learning experience for them.

Sprinkler: Set up a sprinkler and let them go wild, my kids think this is the best thing ever to run in and out of.

Pool: Paddling pools can be heaps of fun and can help the kids keep cool at the same time.

Music: Get the kids to make a band, a noisy activity but the kids will have lots of fun. Even if you don’t have any instruments, see aht you can find in the house you can use.

Movies: You don’t have to go out to the movies to have fun. Rent some new movies or family favourites and buy some treats from the supermarket.

Park: Take the kids to the park early in the morning before it gets too hot. If you can rotate the parks you go to, this will add to the excitement.

Picnic: Pack a picnic and head off to a new park or even just your own backyard. My kids love picnicking.

Beach: If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach, this is great way to keep the kids entertained for a day. Swimming, sandcastle building, games etc!

Sports: Get the kids outside playing cricket, badminton, footy etc. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved.

Chalk: Give the kids chalk and let them draw up roads or games outside. My boys draw whole cities and will drive their cars and planes around on it all day. My girls draw hopscotch and zoos to put their animals.

Obstacle course: Set up an obstacle course in the backyard for the kids to do.

Craft: There are plenty of craft activities the kids can do, get them paining, sticking, building with boxes, drawing etc. Check out some great ideas here!

Science: Look up science experiments you can do with simple kitchen ingredients, the kids will be fascinated. Here is a great site to try!

Bubbles: Buy or make some bubble mixture (enough to last more than 5 mins) and the kids will be entertined chasing and popping them for ages.

Treasure hunt: Set up a treasure hunt for the kids with a map.

Do you have any ideas to add? Add your comment below!

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