Finally the spring school holidays are here! One more term then we can all relax into summer, it feels like it’s been a long time coming this year right? I am quite surprised at how Ethan has finished the term; usually he slides into the holidays in a state of mental and physical exhaustion which takes him a few days to shake off. This time, he’s happy, feeling good and pretty much ready for action!
I’ve been thinking about the next two weeks, what we are going to do and what I would like to achieve as a family. Following on from my #100daysleft post , I realise that thinking “ermagad, two weeks of holidays, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO???” is a bit scary and totally counterproductive. Breaking it down into thinking about daily activities and planning one day at a time is going to set us up for a pretty wicked two weeks. It will also keep the cost of activities at a minimum and prevent last-minute {read:expensive} boredom busting scrambles.
So, here are 20 ideas to get you and your kids into creative holiday planning mode. I’ll expand on each idea below;
1. Baking
Why not use the holidays to teach your child a skill? Pick one day each week and use it to teach them something you love doing or are passionate about. It could be cooking, gardening, sewing, building, whatever floats your boat, they will find your enthusiasm contagious and this is a guaranteed memory maker.
2. Hit the Pools
Around Auckland we are lucky enough to have lots of swimming facilities. All Auckland City council pools are free to kids under 16! Find out more here. If you fancy venturing further afield, Parakai and Waiwera are great options as the thermally heated water is still entirely doable even at this time of year.
3. Hit the Library
Stock up on some fresh books early on in the holidays so the kids have something quiet to do when they need to chill out after all of your awesome adventures : )
4. Go for a hike
Easy peasy, FREE and awesome. Hiking is one of our fave family activities, E loves getting out in the bush. Not sure where to go? Start here for ideas in Auckland
5. Rock Pooling
This is another of Ethan’s favourite past-times. Grab a bucket, kick off your shoes and head to the beach!
6. Game Day
Our kids pretty much all love their digital technology so how about embracing it for one day and plan an official Game Day. Set up a gaming station, maybe around the dining room table, invite friends, plan some snacks and a fun lunch and leave them to it!
7. Movies
Plan a movie date, at home or the theatre
8. Picnic
Pick somewhere you love to visit or somewhere you’ve never been ie the North Head tunnels. Get your kids input on the menu and require all hands on deck to prepare the picnic. It could be lunch or dinner, just take the kai outdoors and have fun!
9. Farm Day
On Sunday the 6th October, Ambury Regional Park in Mangere Bridge is hosting it’s annual Farm Day! It’s free and there are heaps of activities on offer. Find out more here
10. Indoor Climbing
Have you tried this? So much fun and a great workout for you and the kids. Not too expensive either {Clip n Climb charges $10-$15 per climber}, try googling indoor climbing to find a venue near you.
11. Art Gallery
Get some culture into the kids these holidays! The Auckland Art Gallery currently has a very cool installation called The Cubic Structural Evolution Project which basically means the kids can build with Lego at the Art Gallery! Fancy & free!
12. Zoo
13. Plan a Party
Parties don’t have to be just for birthdays, Simone from Great Fun For Kids plans a party just about every holidays and I think it’s fair to say all those in attendance love them! Check out her School Holiday Book Party idea here
14. Plan a ‘Fancy’ Lunch
Put the sammies away for a day and plan a special lunch that’s a bit out of the ordinary, it could be Fish ‘n Chips, homemade Sushi, high tea, or a trip to a new cafe or restaurant.
15. Plan a sleepover
Easy-peasey. Kids too young? Plan a sleepover in the lounge with Mum and Dad as the guests, put the tent up and go indoor-camping, holidays are about a break in routine so make sure you bust out and surprise your little ones every now and again, they will love it!
16. Catch a bus or a train!
Cheap fun, kids LOVE public transport and you don’t have to worry about parking! Take a trip just for the sake of it, plan a scavenger hunt or make some eye-spy bingo cards for the trip.
17. Fishing
Pick up a couple of hand-lines and some chicken hearts from your local butcher {these are SO cheap $3 and you’ll be sweet} and head to a wharf, jetty or even a boat ramp. It won’t matter if you don’t catch anything, trust me!
18. Nana Date
Take advantage of the time off and get your kids to help plan a date with their grandparents. It could be as simple as taking over a shared lunch or including them on one of your outings. Think about some interesting conversation starters that will get the kids immersed in a story form ‘the Olden Days’. Both the grandies and your kids will love and appreciate some special time together.
19. Challenge
Set your kids a challenge to complete before the end of the holidays. It could be build a fort, write and illustrate their own picture book, invent a recipe, complete a self-portrait, learn a new loom technique……anything that will encourage persistence and creative thinking.
20. Explore!
This my favourite. Pick a place in your town, or slightly out of town, where you have never been and go and explore! There are so many corners of Auckland I have never been to the possibilities are endless.
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