It’s the school holidays and the kids want to have fun! Fun activities with the family is great, but can be expensive. It’s understandable if you’re hesitant to dip into the family budget in today’s economy.
If you’ve been practicing moderation, a little creativity can help you come up with dirt cheap activities the kids will enjoy while away from school. You can even join the fun! Aside from going to the beach or having a Super Soaker water blast game, here are some ideas for you.
Camp out
You don’t have to leave the house to go camping. The family can set up the campsite in the backyard. It is a less expensive option and not as time consuming. Just borrow a tent from your neighbor or friends instead of buying a new one.
Go online for stress-free camping food ideas you can easily make. Meal preparation will be quicker with extra hands so ask the kids to help in preparing the s’mores and hot dog on a stick. This will also train them to be responsible with the food they will eat.
The family can relish the night sky by stargazing or swapping campfire stories. Have a contained campfire area where you can cook food and enjoy warmth. Keep it safe by clearing the surrounding of trip hazards and flammable materials. Never leave the fire unattended and don’t forget to extinguish it before going to sleep.
If the weather won’t cooperate, have a living room camp out. This can turn into something even better. The kids would love to build their fort using boxes, sheets, and pillows. Help them put the sheets over a washing line to make a perfect hideout.
Plant a vegetable patch
Aside from planting, this activity involves recycling and painting. If you don’t have a yard, the kids can plant the seeds in pots.
The fun starts in finding recyclable materials around the house. The kids can paint and decorate their own pot using the materials they will find.
Plant fast growing seeds in these custom-made pots so they can see the results quickly. Watch their amazement whenever they see them grow.
Movie night
A movie night is a traditional bonding time with the kids at home. There are thousands of binge-worthy films to choose from. Rent a few dinosaur or superhero movies or just Netflix and chill.
Create something different by putting the telly outside for an outdoor cinematic experience. Lay doonas and pillows everywhere and munch on popcorn. You can also set up a picnic and cook on the barbie.
Cheap Activities for School Holidays the Kids will Enjoy Click To TweetTake public transport for an adventure
Take the kids on a bus or a train adventure. This is a great way for all of you to enjoy the sights because you are not required to drive. The bunch can also appreciate the local culture by making a stop to visit museums or art galleries. Most cities have free entry museums and galleries that feature some art collection suitable for kids.
You should also visit your local library. The kids will surely enjoy reading the classics like Possum Magic (1983), Animalia (1986), or The Magic Pudding (1918). Aside from school holiday activities and courses, the library also host free story time. Let their imagination run wild among other children while the storybook lady keeps them entertained.
Treasure hunt
The adventure continues when the kids embark on a treasure hunt. First, watch tutorials on Youtube for DIY pirate costumes then put them in it. This also involves face painting and making beaded jewellery and treasure box.
Invite their friends over to join in. Give the kids a map and compass to follow a trail where you leave clues. Hide things around the house or bury a few toys in the garden and let them dig. The game will be more challenging and help enhance their problem-solving skills. Then afterwards, they can act out their favourite pirate movie.
Work out a budget
It’s a good idea to work out a budget for these school holiday activities. This is the best time to discuss budgeting with the kids and get them involved in it.
Make a list of what the kids would like to do and how much it would cost. Put it on the fridge so everyone can see. The family can then agree on which ones to do without spending too much money.
If your paycheck is still to come, quick cash loans or instant cash loans can help you with the expenses for these activities. Just remember to only borrow the amount you can repay for these easy loans.
Fun and cheap activities with the kids are possible. It doesn’t have to be expensive for everyone to enjoy. Just make sure to spend within the budget limit and use some creativity.
