School holidays again? Before you ponder over how you should have become a teacher, check out these entertaining ideas that won’t make a major dent in anyone’s piggy bank.
1. Home cinema
Everyone loves the movies, but cinemas can be prohibitive when you add up the transport, tickets and snacks for all your favourite rug rats. The answer? Set up a home cinema.
No, you don’t need an underground cavity and some sharp reno skills. Just create your own Cheap Tuesdays in the lounge, and put the kids to work (it’s more than half the fun).
For this activity, you’ll need:
-
1 x streamed movie
-
Seating + ottomans (or makeshift footstools)
-
Microwave popcorn + paper cups
-
Red crepe paper roll (or similar)
-
Red marker, cardboard, scissors & tape
Want to make an evening movie an all-day activity? Get the kids to create their own film tickets, striped popcorn boxes, drink bottles, name tags and a cardboard box ‘box office’. Make gold class ‘recliners’ with the addition of footstools. Hang a crepe ‘velvet’ rope at the entrance. Play usher, showing patrons to their seats (or even director with a Q+A after the movie). And enjoy all the fun of the cinema (with a pause button for bathroom breaks) for the price of a single ticket.
2. Backyard campout
You don’t need a 4WD and a week off to enjoy camp life. With a little imagination, you can pick a global destination and ‘go there’ any day of the week.
For this activity, you’ll need:
Each week, let one child close their eyes and point to a spot on the globe/world wide web/atlas (a what?). Know nothing about Uzbekistan? Encourage the kids to spend the day learning a few fun facts about the country, then make some cardboard landmarks, flags and an easy national dish (mmm, rice pilaf).
No tent? A lounge room camp out is just as fun (and cosier in winter) – just hang some sheets over the dining table. Spend the night discussing local titbits under the ‘stars’, and the kids will gain a global perspective without the need for passports and airline food.
3. Not-so-bored games
If it’s been a while since you dusted off the Monopoly or Uno (or even if it hasn’t), it’s time to get competitive. Set aside a weekly game night and low budget prize (dare we say a little extra screen time – it’s free!), and enjoy a lively night without the hit to the hip pocket.
For this activity, you’ll need:
Nuttin’ in the cupboard? Did you know many local libraries lend boardgames as well as books? You can also rent from game stores or subscription services for a small one-off or monthly fee. Otherwise, try borrowing from friends, or DIY with some imagination and post-it notes to play a side-splitting game like Celebrity Heads.
4. Trivia night
Much as you might prefer it, you don’t need a pub and a pint to enjoy a ‘pub’ quiz at home. And, the kids can come too.
For this activity, you’ll need:
-
1 x online quiz
-
Pens + paper
-
1 ‘prize’
First, find a family friendly quiz online (not all pub quizzes are designed for little ones). Then, just bring your thinking caps and enthusiasm, and reward the winner with a little treat. To add to the atmosphere, you can even download a buzzer app. And for the rest of the holidays? Pick a new topic (like sport or movies) and turn it into a weekly event, or set the kids up to do online quizzes with their friends when winter weather or distance gets in the way.
5. Kid swap
The idea is simple. Send your kids to their friends’ houses (and remember to return the favour), and let them partake in any of the above. They’ll entertain themselves for hours, and you’ll get some time to yourself. Start a swap group with other parents, and rotate the kids around each week.
For this activity, you’ll need:
So there you have it. Five fun activities that can fill a whole day, and take more imagination than money. See what sticks with the kids and make it a weekly activity … and school will be back before you know it.
This article is prepared based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.