Coming up with school holiday ideas that are engaging and fun can be challenging at the best of times. Let alone when events such as zoos , play centres, pools, fun parks, arcades and just about everything else are off the cards! Not to mention, you might only have a 5-kilometre radius to work within.
Even if you’re not in lockdown, these ideas can be a blast for the children at home during school holidays – or anytime!
- The movies at home
An outing to the movie theatre is a favourite pastime for many, but not only can it be a little expensive, it’s also off-limits for many due to the pandemic restrictions. Not to worry – let’s bring the cinema home! Set up your lounge room or playroom as a movie theatre by lining up some chairs and turning the lights out. Add in some craft to this experience by encouraging children to make tickets and pretend to sell them. And don’t forget the movie snacks – create your own ‘Candy Bar’ in the kitchen offering all the favourites like warm popcorn and ice creams in a cone. A memorable school holiday experience that children will love.
- Head outdoors
Being outdoors is proven to calm the mind, improve mood, boost immunity and so much more. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a garden, the beach, a park area – anywhere that brings you closer to nature. You could even take your yoga out into the backyard!
- Dance party time
Movement is a must to optimise your child’s mood and burn off all that energy they have. But why not make it into a fun activity? Time for a dance party! Dress up, play with some face paint and create a dance party space with room for big moves and access to music. There are plenty of playlists to stream music that children will love simply by entering search terms like ‘kids party’. Get moving to Bonkers Beat tunes too! The perfect way to get physical and have fun doing it.
- Do smiley things
That is, things that make you all smile! When things feel tense or emotions are running high, a fun activity that is guaranteed to make everyone smile is what you need. Pop on a funny movie, play your favourite music, sing at the top of your lungs or try painting portraits of one another! Need more ideas? Take a look over here.
- Learn something new
Children’s brains are so stimulated by new things, and while they are young it’s the perfect time to acquire new knowledge and skills. Why not commit to daily practice of something new these school holidays. From soccer to Aussie rules, dance choreography to singing or even playing a music instrument, set aside a little time each day to practice a new skill. Who knows, your child may have a secret talent waiting to be discovered! If you’re unsure of how to teach your child, there are YouTube tutorials for just about anything you can think of that will support you in getting the right information to your child.
- Stay calm and relaxed
Learning ways to stay calm and relaxed even in stressful times is a useful skill for adults and children alike. And these techniques are pretty handy right now, when you may feel overwhelmed in the lockdown period (depending on your location). Meditation and yoga are incredible techniques for relaxation, helping us to be more mindful, focusing on the present moment and connecting with ourselves.
- Online Support
The internet is a wonderful tool for when we can’t be physically close to others, so reach out and use it to sustain your family during this time. If you haven’t joined us over at Music Kinder at Home yet, make sure you do! Our lovely Facebook community provides support to families thanks to videos and content from our amazing educators. You’ll find yoga for children videos, story time, sustainability fun, craft ideas and so much more! Not to mention, you can connect with a bunch of other parents in the same boat! Best of all, experiences like the ones below are suited to children right up to the age of around 8 (but many bigger kids will probably love them too!)
These are not only incredibly powerful tools for helping children to stay relaxed, engaged and stimulated during the lockdown period, but can be hugely beneficial for adults too. In fact, embarking on some of these ideas together can bring you and your children closer and even more capable of tackling life’s challenges.
We’d love to hear your ideas too — share with us on social media!
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