Planning for the school holidays can be a challenge for parents and caregivers, but with the right preparation, it can also become an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. Whether you are navigating the two-week Easter break or the long six-week summer holiday, finding balance is key. This comprehensive guide provides 50 actionable ideas for family-friendly fun, ranging from completely free local adventures to budget-friendly outings that won’t break the bank. With options suitable for babies, toddlers, active kids, and even teenagers, there is truly something for everyone, whatever the weather or the budget.
School Holiday Ideas: Outdoor
Outdoor activities provide an essential outlet for energy and are a great way to teach children about the natural world. These suggestions focus on active, low-cost engagement that encourages kids to explore their local area. When planning these days, consider the age range of your group, current weather conditions, and travel time to ensure the experience remains enjoyable for both children and adults.
1. Go on a Picnic
A picnic is a fantastic way to spend a day out with the kids while keeping costs low. To make a simple meal feel more special, involve the children in the preparation by letting them help pack the basket. Choose local parks, riverside spots, or woodland areas as your destination. Remember to bring a simple checklist of items like a blanket, sunscreen, water, and basic ball games to keep the family entertained once you arrive.
2. Try Footgolf
Footgolf combines the precision of golf with the accessibility of football, making it an excellent choice for active kids. Most courses are suitable for children as young as five, and many venues across the UK offer family rates that won’t break the bank. Research nearby venues online to find sessions that cater to mixed age groups, allowing younger siblings to practice their kicks while older children compete.
3. Learn Basic Bushcraft
Bushcraft offers a structured way to introduce children to survival and nature skills. Families can practice shelter building, knot tying, and safe fire-starting demonstrations in supervised settings. Many local forest schools offer taster sessions during the holidays, providing a safe environment to learn under the guidance of experts who prioritize safety and educational engagement.
4. Try an Orienteering Challenge
Orienteering transforms a standard walk into a mission, encouraging critical thinking and navigation skills. Many local parks provide downloadable maps and orienteering courses designed for different age levels. For older kids, you can increase the difficulty by setting a time limit or adding specific challenges to find certain markers, making it a great way to keep kids motivated during a hike.
5. Hunt Hidden Treasure with Geocaching
Geocaching utilizes GPS-enabled devices to find hidden containers, effectively turning your local area into a giant scavenger hunt. The Geocaching app provides a user-friendly interface that shows locations near you, making it an engaging way to explore new trails. Always ensure you have a fully charged phone and appropriate footwear, as this activity often leads off the beaten path.
6. Fly a Kite
A windy day at the beach or a large open park is the perfect setting for flying a kite. Inexpensive kites can be purchased at most toy shops, or you can find simple instructions online to make your own. To make it more exciting, organise a mini-competition to see whose kite can reach the greatest heights or perform the most impressive manoeuvres.
7. Hold a Stone-Skimming Competition
Stone skimming is a classic, free activity that creates lasting memories at any lake, river, or beach area. Teach children the technique of choosing flat stones and throwing them at an angle to maximize skips. Always ensure the area is safe for children to be near the water’s edge and establish clear rules for the competition to keep the atmosphere fun and friendly.
8. Go Tadpole Spotting
Tadpole spotting is a wonderful way to introduce children to seasonal changes in nature. Visit local ponds or slow-moving rivers and bring a magnifying glass and a small viewing container for a closer look, taking care not to disturb the wildlife. Discussing the life cycle of frogs encourages observational skills and provides a quiet, educational experience that children often find fascinating.
9. Try Wildlife Watching
Wildlife watching, such as bird spotting or butterfly counts, is an excellent, calm activity for kids of all ages. Many organizations offer free printables and guides to help children identify local species. Choose a quiet spot in a woodland or nature reserve and encourage the children to stay silent to increase their chances of spotting animals, which teaches patience and respect for wildlife.
10. Explore a Forest Trail or Join a Forest School Session
Woodland play can support children’s development by giving them the chance to interact with nature in a hands-on way. You can organize your own scavenger hunt with a list of items to find, such as specific leaves or pinecones. Alternatively, check your local area for organized forest school sessions that provide expert-led activities, ensuring kids stay active and engaged throughout the day.
School Holiday Ideas: Indoor
When the weather turns or you need a quiet day, indoor activities provide a vital backup to keep kids entertained. These ideas range from creative projects to energetic games that can be hosted at home or in local venues. Focusing on these indoor options ensures that children remain stimulated and happy, regardless of outside conditions.
11. Visit a Board Game Café
A board game café is a perfect way to keep kids entertained in a social, screen-free environment. These venues often have a vast library of games suitable for all ages, from simple toddlers’ games to complex strategy games for older children. They provide a unique atmosphere where families can spend hours trying out new games together for a small cover fee.
12. Make Your Own Stop-Motion Movie with LEGO
Using LEGO bricks, children can create their own stop-motion animation movies using a smartphone and a free app. This activity encourages creativity, planning, and storytelling as children build sets, design characters, and direct scenes. It is a highly effective way to keep older kids engaged for several hours while developing their digital literacy skills.
13. Try Easy Origami
Origami is a low-mess, quiet activity that helps develop fine motor skills and patience. Start with simple designs like boats or paper planes, and progress to more complex animals as the children gain confidence. You can find many step-by-step video tutorials online that are suitable for beginners, making it an easy way to spend an afternoon.
14. Create a Papier-Mâché Masterpiece
Papier-mâché is a great multi-day project that can result in impressive creations like masks, bowls, or dinosaur models. While it can be messy, setting up a dedicated workstation with newspaper and a plastic tablecloth makes cleanup manageable. This activity provides children with a sense of achievement as they watch their project evolve from raw materials into a finished masterpiece.
15. Do Science Experiments at Home
Kitchen science experiments use common household items to demonstrate fascinating scientific principles safely. Activities like creating a baking soda volcano or a vinegar-based rocket are visually exciting and help keep kids engaged with learning during the holidays. These experiments are excellent for children of all ages, provided they are supervised to ensure safety.
16. Host a Family Board Game Tournament
A family board game tournament adds a layer of healthy competition to a standard game night. Create a simple bracket and scorecard to track progress across multiple rounds of games, ensuring a mix of quick and longer games to suit everyone’s attention span. Offering small, non-monetary prizes keeps the stakes fun and encourages participation from every family member.
17. Set Up an Indoor Treasure Hunt
An indoor treasure hunt is a highly effective way to occupy kids on a rainy day. Design a series of clue cards and riddles that lead from one room to the next, building excitement as they get closer to a “treasure.” This activity is customizable for different age groups, with younger children using pictures and older children solving more complex word puzzles.
18. Make a Family Time Capsule
A family time capsule allows children to record their interests and memories, which they can reflect on in the future. Have everyone contribute items such as drawings, lists of their current favourite snacks, or letters to their future selves. Sealing the capsule to be opened at a specific future date turns this into a meaningful, long-term activity.
19. Plan a Fancy-Dress Day
Hosting a fancy dress day encourages imaginative play using clothes and accessories already found at home. Create a theme, such as “superheroes” or “historical figures,” and have the children organise their own costumes, runway show, or photo challenge. This is a low-cost, high-engagement activity that stimulates creativity and emotional expression.
20. Host a Movie Night at Home
Elevate a movie night by turning it into a full event with themed snacks, a ticket station, and a blanket den. Instead of just pressing play, involve the children in choosing the film and preparing the environment to make it feel like a special occasion. This approach turns a routine evening into an exciting holiday treat without the need to travel or spend significant money.
Cooking & Baking School Holiday Ideas
Cooking and baking combine fun with essential life skills, providing a perfect indoor activity that results in a delicious reward. By involving children in the kitchen, you encourage them to explore new foods and take ownership of their meals. These activities are excellent for screen-free time and can be adapted to suit any budget.
21. Bake Simple Iced Biscuits
Baking biscuits is a quintessential holiday activity that children love due to the decorating process. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters and provide a variety of icing colors and sprinkles at a dedicated station. This hands-on activity is perfect for younger children who enjoy messy play and older children who can practice precise decorating techniques.
22. Make Chocolate Crispy Rice Cakes
Chocolate rice crispy cakes are an incredibly simple, no-fuss baking idea that toddlers and older children can manage with minimal help. There is no baking step, so younger children can take part more easily, with close supervision during the melting and mixing. You can add seasonal toppings like mini eggs at Easter or festive sprinkles at Christmas to keep it relevant to the time of year.
23. Make Homemade Pizza
Pizza night can be transformed into a creative activity where everyone designs their own individual pizza. Use budget-friendly dough shortcuts like pre-made bases or wraps, and provide a range of toppings for children to experiment with. This is particularly effective for picky eaters, as they are more likely to enjoy a meal they have assembled themselves.
24. Make Cake Pops
Cake pops are a special treat that requires more precision, making them a great activity for older children and teens. The process involves crumbling cake and mixing it with icing before molding and dipping, which keeps kids occupied for a significant portion of the day. They make excellent gifts for family members or neighbours.
25. Host an At-Home Cookery School
Turn a standard lunch or dinner into a mini-event by hosting an at-home cookery school for half a day. Provide “chef hats,” menu cards, and a specific challenge to prepare a savory dish and a sweet treat. Adding a judging component, where family members taste and rate the dishes, fosters teamwork and adds an exciting competitive element.
26. Pack a DIY Picnic Lunch
If you have an outdoor activity planned, get the kids to help pack their own DIY picnic lunch beforehand. Let them assemble their own wraps, choose their fruit pots, and prepare small snacks, which encourages autonomy and healthy eating choices. This simple step turns the preparation into part of the day’s adventure.
27. Serve Homemade Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a fantastic way to combine pretend play with actual baking. Have children help bake scones or decorate small sandwiches, then arrange them on a tray with tea or juice for a “grand” experience. Inviting grandparents or family friends to join makes the event feel even more special and encourages social interaction.
28. Make Fruit Rice Paper Rolls
For a healthier, colourful and hands-on food activity, try making fruit-filled rice paper rolls. The assembly process is very engaging for children as they learn to handle the rice paper and choose their favourite fruits for the filling. Providing a yogurt or chocolate dipping sauce makes this activity feel like a treat while still being nutrient-dense.
Arts & Crafts School Holiday Ideas
Creative projects are essential for a balanced holiday break, providing quiet-time activities that support cognitive development. Whether focusing on sensory play for toddlers or complex DIY crafts for older children, these activities are excellent for expressing individuality. The following list features ideas that utilize basic materials, ensuring that creativity doesn’t have to cost a small fortune.
29. Make Playdough
Homemade playdough is significantly cheaper and longer-lasting than store-bought versions. A simple recipe using flour, salt, cream of tartar, and water allows you to customize colors and scents. Provide various cutters and tools to help kids create sculptures, which keeps the activity engaging for much longer than standard playdough.
30. Mix Edible Slime
Slime is a favorite for many children, and creating an edible version removes the stress of potential mess for parents. Using ingredients like marshmallows or cornstarch ensures the slime is safe for younger children to play with. This provides a fantastic sensory experience that is both fun and safe for toddlers and young children.
31. Make Potato Stamps
Potato stamps are a classic, low-cost craft that requires only basic household items. By cutting shapes into halved potatoes and using paint, children can create unique wrapping paper, cards, or posters. It is an excellent activity for children of all ages and is very easy to clean up afterward, making it a favorite for parents.
32. Make Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are a fun chemistry-meets-craft activity that results in a practical, useful end product. Children enjoy mixing the dry and wet ingredients, choosing scents and colors, and pressing them into molds. They make perfect personalized gifts for friends or family members, adding a sense of purpose to the creative process.
33. Paint Ladybird Rocks
Collecting smooth stones during an outdoor walk and then painting them at home is a two-part activity that spans the whole day. Using acrylic paints, children can turn rocks into ladybirds, monsters, or other designs. These painted rocks can then be hidden in a local park or placed in the garden as decorative pieces.
34. Make Salt Dough Creations
Salt dough is a classic, evergreen holiday craft used for making handprints, ornaments, or personalised gift tags. The dough is simple to mix from salt, flour, and water, and once shaped, the creations can be baked or air-dried to harden. Painting the items the following day extends the activity, providing a lasting keepsake.
35. Put on a Puppet Show
Puppet shows are a wonderful way to encourage storytelling and performance skills. Children can make puppets using old socks, paper bags, or other craft leftovers, and then devise a short script to perform for the family. This activity can occupy children for days as they plan the characters, write the script, and rehearse the show.
36. Start a Family Jam Session
Creating homemade instruments from items like jars, rice, and elastic bands is an engaging musical activity. Once the instruments are built, children can organise a family jam session, play rhythm games, or even create a choreographed dance break. This is a high-energy, creative activity that encourages expression and group collaboration.
Family School Holiday Events & Activities
For days when you want to venture further, there are many experiences that offer something for everyone. Whether looking for something active for older kids or an educational outing for younger ones, these ideas are designed to fill a half-day or a full day. Always remember to check if you need to book in advance to ensure a smooth experience.
37. Book a Junior Driving Experience
For older kids and teens who love cars, a junior driving experience can be a memorable holiday treat. These sessions allow children to get behind the wheel of a car in a safe, controlled environment. Research local junior tracks online to compare prices and ensure the experience is suitable for your child’s age and experience level.
38. Head to the Slopes for Dry-Slope Skiing
Dry-slope skiing is an excellent activity for children who crave novelty and movement. Many centres offer taster sessions for beginners that include equipment hire and professional instruction. It is an active way to spend a day and provides a unique experience that most children find incredibly exciting and rewarding.
39. Try a Diving Taster Session
For teens and older children interested in swimming, a diving taster session can be a highlight of the school holiday. Many local leisure centers offer beginner lessons in a safe, supervised pool environment. This activity is memorable, builds confidence in the water, and is a great way to try a new sport under expert guidance.
40. Take a Scenic Bus Ride
For a low-cost day out, choose a scenic local bus route and plan a mini-adventure. Research interesting stops along the way, such as a new park, a small museum, or a library, and hop off to explore. This turns a simple journey into a discovery tour that feels like a genuine day out for children.
41. Visit a Local Museum
Museums are fantastic hubs for learning and exploration during the school holiday. To make the most of the visit, check the museum’s website beforehand for specific scavenger hunt sheets or themed workshops designed for kids. Many local museums offer free entry and changing exhibitions, ensuring that every visit offers new experiences.
42. Spend a Day at the Local Library
Libraries are often underrated holiday destinations that offer far more than just books. Most libraries organize reading challenges, craft mornings, story sessions, and free events during the school break. They provide a calm, welcoming environment where children can engage in new activities and borrow materials to keep them entertained at home.
43. Head to the Beach
A trip to the beach is a classic way to keep kids entertained, offering infinite possibilities for play. Beyond just swimming, children can engage in sandcastle building, shell hunting, or searching for crabs in rock pools. Pack a simple, budget-friendly picnic and always have a weather backup plan, such as visiting a nearby arcade or museum if it begins to rain.
44. Camp Out in the Garden or at a Campsite
Whether you choose a garden campout or a short stay at a local campsite, sleeping outdoors is an adventure children love. A garden campout is free and easy to organise, allowing you to quickly retreat indoors if needed. Bring torches for games, make hot chocolate, and tell stories to create a special, memorable experience without leaving home.
Free & Cheap School Holiday Ideas
Finding ways to keep children occupied without spending a fortune is a top priority for most families. The following ideas focus on maximizing value, utilizing community resources, and taking advantage of deals to ensure the holiday remains affordable. Planning ahead is the best way to enjoy these experiences without breaking the bank.
45. Use Kids Pass or a Local Discount Pass
Family discount passes, such as Kids Pass, can significantly reduce the cost of attractions, dining, and other days out. Before purchasing, evaluate how often you plan to use it to ensure you will break even. These passes are highly beneficial if you have a busy schedule of activities planned throughout the holiday period.
46. Invest in an Annual Membership for Free Return Visits
For attractions you know you will visit multiple times, such as zoos, farms, or museums, an annual membership is often the most cost-effective option. Calculate the “break-even point” – the number of visits required for the membership to cost less than individual tickets – to determine if it is a sound investment for your family.
47. Sign Up for Free Sports Sessions
Many local councils and community clubs organize holiday programmes that include free sports sessions such as football, tennis, or multisport activities. Check your local council’s website or notice boards in community centres to find these opportunities. This is a great way to keep active kids engaged without any cost to the family.
48. Find Free Family-Friendly Events
Keep an eye on local community resources to find free events, such as park festivals, outdoor cinema showings, or museum workshops. These events are often designed for children and adults alike, providing a great atmosphere and the chance to explore new aspects of your local area for free.
49. Check Kids Eat Free Deals
Many restaurants and cafés offer “kids eat free” deals during the school holidays, which can significantly reduce the cost of a day out. Always check the specific terms, such as date ranges and booking requirements, before planning your trip. Integrating these deals into your day out planning helps keep costs low.
50. Find Free or Subsidised Holiday Clubs
Many local areas offer subsidised holiday clubs for children, providing a range of activities, food, and care during the break. These are invaluable for working parents and often include provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Always look for these early and book well in advance, as places can fill up quickly.