Top 10 FREE activities to do during the School Holidays

Whether you love them or loathe them school holidays are here. I've always found it helps to make a rough calendar of events so the whole family is onboard with whats going to happen over the next few weeks. This helps take the stress out of deciding each day what to do.

I also stick to a similar routine regarding bedtimes, eating and morning wakeups otherwise things become quite feral.

Top 10 FREE activities to do during the School Holidays

1) Baking

Kids love to help out in the kitchen. I always save this for a rainy day. Start by writing a shopping list and head off to the shops. Don't forget your reusable bags. Get some cute mini aprons. Mix it up with some savory and sweet options.

2) Bush Walks

The best thing you can do with kids is getting out into Nature. Choose a few different walks depending on the ages of your kids. We are blessed in New Zealand to have the most beautiful Bush Walks at our fingertips. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes and comfortable warm clothes. Guaranteed no fighting :) Link here

3) Visit your local library

Libraries nowadays are so different from years ago. It's a fun place to go with kids and they have a long list of fantastic free activities for you to enjoy. From treasure hunts to making fun crafts there's always something different for kids to enjoy.

4) Museums 

We always visit the Auckland Museum during school holidays. Not only is it free but it's interactive and above all fun for all ages. The Butterfly exhibition is on right now and well worth a visit. If it's raining park in the undercover parking lot, so much easier than getting the kids to and from the car in the pouring rain. Link here

5) Arts and crafts

Write down all the upcoming birthdays of friends and family and get the kids to make them a greeting card. Buy lots of coloured cards, glue, pens, crayons, glitter (well maybe not) feathers anything that can be used creatively and let them use their imaginations. Hours of fun. Check out this link to make cool Crystal Geode Eggs Link here

6) Visit local parks

Great parks are popping up all the time in your local area. Some even have scooter and bike tracks. I find 4pm a great time to head off to the park for a few hours to burn off some energy and build up an appetite for dinner.

7) Make Slime

Not for the faint-hearted but kids absolutely love making slime. Keep it simple and prepare the area that everyone has to stay in. We also make a rule of where they can play with the slime in the house. Heres a very easy recipe to make your own slime. I like the idea of not using Borax and glue. This video has some fun ideas. Here

8) Let them be bored

Sounds so simple but kids never seem to be allowed to be bored anymore. Everything is organized and pre-planned, they have electronic devices at their fingertips and some struggle to make up their own fun. Have a day or two with no electronics, we do this on a Monday and Thursday. Have no rules and try and not get involved you'll be amazed at the creative play they come up with.

9)  Visit your local Shopping mall

This sounds like a crazy plan with kids but most Shopping centers now have free activities for kids of all ages. Check for details online and sign them up. Activities include things like arts and crafts, animal shows and treasure hunts. Grab a coffee and let them have a few hours of fun.

10) Movie day/night

Get some big cardboard boxes and have fun turning them into cool cars and pretend you are watching a movie at a drive-through cinema. Kids love this activity. Make your own popcorn and sit back and enjoy a fun movie with the whole family.

Check out our Godzown General Store for some great gift ideas for the whole family. Link here