If the phrase “Mum/Dad, I’m bored” continually fills your ears during school holidays, then this is the blog for you.
Did you know that 30% of a child’s waking time is spent in front of a screen? Instead of popping them in front of the TV, keep them entertained with these 5 boredom-busting, screen-free activities!
Head to the playground
This activity is a no-brainer. Your kids get to run around in the fresh air and sunshine, and you get to (mostly) sit back and relax on a park bench! Head to the playground with other families to share the load of responsibility. It’s also a great way for your kids to remain connected to their friends during the holidays. Here’s an awesome Playground Finder resource — visit a new one occasionally to shake things up!
If you don’t have a playground near you, consider buying (or making) a little backyard jungle gym or play area. We really love this Nature Play Equipment — there’s balancing and climbing equipment, cubbies, forts, swing sets and much more!
Get in the garden
This one requires a little more effort, but your kids will benefit so much from it. Involving them in the process of digging, planting, watering, growing and harvesting will give them invaluable skills for life. It will also give them a better understanding of where our food comes from, and how it ends up on their plate!
We absolutely LOVE The Little Veggie Patch Co Kids Seed Kit. With five easy-to-plant seeds (beans, peas, carrots, sunflower and strawberries) in compostable propagating pots, you’ll be enjoying a bountiful harvest in no time! They are easy to germinate and grow fast so it’s a great learning experience for kids. Plus, kids love being outside and getting their hands dirty!
Bake something delicious
Having kids in the kitchen is usually a messy affair, but it’s loads of fun for them! We’ve got a couple of products that will keep your kids entertained and fed, with minimal clean up for you!
The Gluten-Free Food Co Quick Cupcake Mix is SUPER quick to prepare. All your kids need to do is add water and oil, and you’ve got yourself some delicious vegan cupcakes.
Want something even quicker to prepare? Melinda’s Gluten-Free Goodies Choc Fudge Mug Brownie Mix literally takes one minute to make. Simply follow the instructions, pop the mug in the microwave for one minute and you've got a fudgy brownie that can be topped with vegan ice cream or cream. You can switch it up by also adding chopped nuts or berries. It's THAT easy!
We also have plenty of vegan recipes on our blog, including our Vegan Double Chocolate Smarties Cookies. Absolutely delish.
Book, puzzles & chill-out time
Your kids need some quiet chill time (and so do you!). Books and puzzles are great for your kids to learn skills like problem-solving, patience and persistence. Books, especially, open your kids up to brand new worlds, new ways of thinking, and allows their imagination to run wild!
Reading shouldn’t be a chore, and that’s why it’s great for you to lead by example. If you need some chill-out time too, we recommended setting up a reading nook for you and your kids. Choose a soft, bouncy beanbag for the nook, and pop up some fairy lights for extra sparkle. No phones, no noise, no stress — even just for 10 minutes!
We have an awesome range of nature and animal-inspired Books, Puzzles & Toys. Definitely take a look!
Get crafty with gift-making
Kids love making stuff. It’s great to boost their motor skills, creativity and self-confidence! Let their imagination run wild with crayons, paint, homemade playdough, cardboard, and more. If you find yourself dreading craft time due to the resulting mess, we recommend putting newspaper on the floor for a quick clean up — consider using aprons as well!
It’s really nice for your kid to make a gift for someone else. It might be for their grandma, grandpa, auntie, uncle, sibling or friend. It definitely adds more purpose and care into the craft time. Plus, they’ll have the satisfaction of gifting it!
We also recommended tackling one thing at a time. Yourself, and your kids, will become easily overwhelmed if there’s too much stuff. Plan ahead what activity you’ll do and what tools you’ll need, and set a time limit (say, half an hour) so nobody gets overwhelmed or bored.
For inspiration and countless craft ideas, head to the ABC Kids Play School Craft website.
We hope you and your kids have a fun, productive and stress-free school holiday. We’d love to hear what you get up to with your kids, and feel free to share any other screen-free activity ideas that you have!
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