Boredom-busters to keep the kids happy these holidays
School's out, and the kids are ecstatic, at least until they run out of things to do, and the two words every parent dreads - "I'm bored"- start to echo through the house. To prevent this, it's crucial to keep them engaged and entertained during the school holidays. Planning fun activities in advance is a great way to stay ahead of the game. Here are some of our top fun kids' activities to consider:
1. Head outside when the weather's nice
When the weather's warm, it's a great time for kids to head outside and enjoy the fresh air (after they slip, slop, slap - slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a sunhat!). Here are some ideas they'll love:
- Gardening – they're never too young to learn how things grow. Give them their own little plot so they can water and care for their plants.
- Picnic – everyone loves a picnic! If you let the kids plan and prepare the food, it'll be even easier for you. Ask them to pack a picnic basket with their favourite foods (including some healthy options) and head to the local park or beach for a fun family day out.
- Scavenger hunt – this is always fun and something you can do in your backyard or at the local park. Develop a list of items that can be found around the yard or park, and the first one to collect them all wins a prize. Mix some easy items with harder ones to make the hunt more challenging. The kids will be kept busy for a decent chunk of time!
2. Or stay inside when it's not
On days when the weather outside isn't great, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep the kids entertained. You could bring out old board games to keep them occupied the traditional way, or provide them with some art or craft supplies and encourage them to explore their creativity with some of these 50 easy crafts for kids.
Alternatively, you can teach them some basic recipes so they can bake their own cookies or cakes for afternoon tea. Or, if all else fails, let them enjoy some popcorn and watch a good movie on TV.
3. Teach them while they have fun
Your kids' education is not limited to school days alone. Learning can happen every single day, and there are lots of opportunities for you to turn teaching into fun. Some enjoyable educational activities you can try with your kids are:
- Visiting the local museum or art gallery.
- Conducting simple science tests like these 45 easy science experiments for kids – they'll be busy for hours and learning while they're at it.
- Sit with them and play some interactive online games. PopSugar has put together a list of 20 educational game sites that you can trust to keep your kids engaged for hours while they learn!
4. Get creative
There are many ways for kids to explore their creativity besides arts and crafts - here are some ideas:
- Encourage them to create and act in their own play. To help get them started, here's a list of scripts and musicals for the kids to perform.
- Let them put on a puppet show using sock puppets or toys - and don't forget to incorporate a cardboard box as the stage.
- Enrol them in music or dance classes, or try fun apps like Just Dance Now (available in the App Store or Google Play) or Spotify Kids (also available in the App Store or Google Play).
- Create a bowling alley at home using toilet rolls, paper towel tubes, or anything that can stand independently and be knocked over as pins. For the bowling ball, use a tennis ball or any other ball you have at home. This is a great activity to improve their motor skills like hand-eye coordination and aiming.
- Download a camera app or two and let them learn how to create and edit awesome photos. Here's a list of some awesome camera apps for Android and iOS.
Keep it balanced and structured
The secret to busting boredom during the holidays is to strike a balance between structured activities and free time for the kids to use their imagination and explore. It may also help to involve them in the planning process to make the activities more enjoyable for them.
However, if the boredom blues are wearing you down and you think your family needs a break in the form of a mini holiday, we can help you make it happen. Our cash loans up to $5,000 are quick and easy to obtain, giving you the extra funds you need. Once your loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours - so you can whisk your family away to a new destination that's just waiting to be explored!