🌟 School Holiday Activities for Kids, Teens, and Families
- claire2876
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
School holidays can be a welcome break from the usual routine — no homework, no school lunches, and more family time. But they can also feel long if you run out of ideas to keep everyone busy. The good news? School holidays provide the perfect opportunity to build skills, try new things, and strengthen family connections.
As occupational therapists, we know that play and activity are powerful tools for development. The activities you choose can support fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, sensory regulation, and independence — all while being fun and engaging. Below are some practical, low-cost ideas for kids, teens, and families.
✨ School Holiday Activities for Kids
Children thrive when they are given opportunities to explore, play, and create. Holiday activities don’t need to be expensive — many of the best ideas can be done at home or in your local community.
Creative Crafts 🎨Set up a craft station with paints, playdough, stickers, or recycled materials. Crafts build fine motor skills, creativity, and patience. Try themed projects like “under the sea” collages or holiday decorations.
Outdoor Adventures 🚴Get moving with bike rides, playground visits, or nature walks. Outdoor play builds strength, balance, and sensory regulation while providing a healthy energy outlet.
Reading Nooks 📚Transform a corner of your home into a cosy reading nook with cushions, blankets, and a basket of books. This encourages a love of reading while also giving children a calming retreat.
Mini Chefs 👩🍳Involve children in the kitchen with simple recipes like fruit skewers, muffins, or sandwiches. Cooking together builds life skills, hand strength, sequencing, and independence.
Family Games 🎲Board games, card games, and puzzles are fantastic for turn-taking, problem-solving, and building social interaction skills. Plus, they create great family bonding time.
🎧 School Holiday Activities for Teens
Teens often crave independence but still benefit from structured, engaging activities that give them purpose and connection. Encourage them to explore their interests while building resilience and confidence.
Music Making 🎶Encourage teens to create playlists, learn an instrument, or experiment with music apps. Music promotes creativity, self-expression, and emotional regulation.
Movie Projects 🎥Suggest they write and film short movies, vlogs, or TikToks. This combines storytelling, technology, teamwork, and creative thinking.
Active Days 🏀Support your teen to stay active with sports, gym sessions, or even parkour at the local park. Physical activity is vital for mental health and energy regulation.
Photography & Journaling 📷Encourage teens to capture nature photos, experiment with editing, or combine photos with journaling. This is a great way to reflect, build creativity, and record memories.
Volunteering 🤝Local opportunities such as community projects, helping at sporting clubs, or assisting neighbours with small jobs can build social skills, confidence, and responsibility.
👨👩👧 School Holiday Activities for Families
Holidays are a wonderful chance for families to connect and make memories. Shared activities build communication, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
Day Trips 🏞Plan visits to the beach, zoo, museums, or a favourite local spot. Day trips encourage exploration and provide natural opportunities for learning and social interaction.
Picnic Fun 🥪Pack a basket of snacks and head outdoors. A picnic provides novelty, outdoor time, and a change of scenery without much cost.
Theatre at Home 🎭Encourage children to put on a play, puppet show, or talent show. Family performances foster creativity, teamwork, and confidence.
Challenge Time 🧩Escape rooms, scavenger hunts, or puzzles at home are exciting challenges that strengthen problem-solving and collaboration.
Connection Time 💬End the day with family chats, a gratitude circle, or storytelling. These moments build emotional regulation, reflection, and positive relationships.
💡 Conclusion
School holidays don’t have to be expensive or screen-heavy to be fun. With a little planning, you can create meaningful experiences that help kids and teens develop important skills while enjoying quality family time.
Whether it’s crafting, cooking, exploring the outdoors, or simply playing a game together, these activities provide opportunities for growth, connection, and lasting memories.
👉 Looking for more structured ideas? Our occupational therapy team can design holiday-friendly home programs that are fun and goal-focused, tailored to your child’s needs and NDIS goals. Contact us to learn more or book an appointment at our Shoalhaven or Shellharbour clinics. Book Online
