It can be challenging to keep the kids entertained during the Winter school holidays when warm weather options like swimming at the beach are out. Here are some ideas to make a happy Winter holiday:
Set the tone with a simple plan – think about how to make the holiday stand out – you don’t need to schedule everything, the aim is just to set some intentions. You might make a list of places to visit, make a reading or watching list or aim to spend some time outside.
One useful way to think about this is to ask family members: what do I want to do more of these holidays? What do I want to do less of? Holidays are meant to be a break from the busyness of everyday school and sports activities so some rest is important.
Invent a family holiday tradition- it could be something simple like, on the first day of school holidays we eat dessert before dinner. Or in the holidays, the kids have pancakes for breakfast.
Get outside everyday- take a trip to the beach to make sandcastles (just rug up beforehand), a short hike is good exercise, add a picnic and you’ve got a great day out.
Or simply go for a daily walk around your neighbourhood. Visit somewhere in your area you’ve never been to- it could be a park, a gallery, a café, a local shop. Or try a walk at night with beanies and torches.
Conquer your local parkrun — Find a parkrun event near you and head along for a morning run or walk with the family. Whether you’re keen to set a new personal best or just enjoy a leisurely stroll, it’s a great way to get outdoors, stay active, and be part of a welcoming community.
Get in the weeds — Make the most of the cooler weather by tackling some Winter gardening jobs. Clear fallen leaves, pull out pesky weeds, and give your plants a tidy trim to keep everything healthy and looking its best. It’s a satisfying way to spend time outdoors and set your garden up for a vibrant Spring.
Hit the books – visit your local library and borrow books for free. Kids not into reading? Try audio books, you can download for free through your library. You could choose a novel that the whole family is interested in and listen to a chapter or two every night.
Clear out the cobwebs- it sounds boring but the holidays are a good opportunity to go through your kid’s room, their wardrobe, clean and clear out, ready for the next school term. You might even do a 'mini makeover' by rearranging the furniture. Collect unwanted items for donation or for those older kids, it might be a great way to make a few dollars by selling good quality items online.
Op shop crawl- it might undo some of the good work you’ve done on de-cluttering but an outing to an op shop can be a welcome diversion as well as a source of inexpensive books, games and clothes.
Get busy in the kitchen – put the kids in change of planning a dinner menu and baking some treats. If you don’t eat them all, you could freeze them for when school goes back.
Plan a housekeeping huddle – kids can take on extra jobs around the house- like doing the washing, folding, loading and unloading the dishwasher. Have a music-filled "10 minute tidy". Payment or rewards for service can be negotiated like a trip to the movies for the cleaning crew.
Have a pyjama day – no one has to get dressed! Build a pillow fort, plan a movie marathon, make some popcorn and settle in for a cosy day.
Designate a screen free time each day- it’s easy to fall into the trap of too much screen time, especially if the weather isn’t great. So, lock in a daily tech break- everyone can be on screens all day, except for this hour or two. Try board games, lego, drawing or card games. Turn the wifi off if you have to!
Write a letter or send a postcard – it’s such a novelty to receive something personal in the post, someone in your life will be delighted. It could be a grandparent, a friend or distant family member. Do the whole process from writing the letter or buying the postcard, writing the address, buying a stamp and posting it.
Good luck and enjoy the holidays!
