Learning
READ, COUNT and EXPLORE
School Holiday Activities to Make Literacy and Numeracy Fun at Home
The school holidays are a wonderful time for families to relax, spend quality time together, and keep learning alive through everyday experiences. Literacy and numeracy don't need to feel like schoolwork—many of the best learning opportunities happen naturally through games, conversations, reading, cooking, and play. These simple and enjoyable activities can help children maintain and build important skills while creating positive family memories during the holidays.
Literacy Activities
Prep – Year 2
1. Create a Family Reading Routine Set aside 10–15 minutes each day to enjoy books together. Read before bed, after lunch, or during quiet time.
| 2. Become Story Detectives As you read, talk about:
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3. Retell the Story After reading, encourage your child to retell the story in their own words, act it out, or draw their favourite scene.
| 4. Family Reading Challenge Create a holiday reading chart and track books read together. Celebrate milestones with a special family activity.
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5. Read Everywhere Read recipes, shopping lists, signs, instructions, menus, and catalogues to show how reading is used every day.
| 6. Be Reading Role Models Let your child see family members reading books, magazines, newspapers, or instructions for enjoyment and information.
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Years 3–6
1. Start a Family Book Club Read the same book together or share different books and discuss them over dinner. Questions to explore:
| 2. Book-to-Movie Comparisons Read a book and then watch the movie adaptation. Discuss similarities and differences.
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3. Holiday Reading Bingo Create a bingo card with challenges such as:
| 4. Word Detective Challenge Keep a notebook of interesting new words. Use a dictionary to discover meanings and challenge family members to use the words in conversation.
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5. Interest-Based Reading Encourage reading linked to hobbies and interests such as sport, animals, cooking, technology, history, or craft.
| 6. Create a Reading Nook Design a cosy reading space at home to encourage daily independent reading.
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Numeracy Activities
Foundation – Year 2
1. Kitchen Maths Help measure ingredients while cooking. Talk about:
| 2. Count Everything! Count:
Challenge children to count forwards and backwards from different numbers.
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3. Number Hunt Around the House Search for numbers on:
See who can find the most numbers.
| 4. Play Shop Set up a pretend shop using household items.
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5. Card and Dice Games Play games such as Snap, Memory, or simple dice games to practise recognising numbers and counting.
| 6. Shape and Pattern Hunt Go on a scavenger hunt to find:
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Years 3–6
1. Sports Statistics Challenge Use favourite sports to explore maths:
| 2. Family Weather Station Record daily temperatures and rainfall.
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3. Cooking with Fractions Cook together and:
5. Money Matters Build financial literacy by:
| 4. Holiday Travel Planner Plan an imaginary holiday or day trip.
6. Board Games and Problem Solving Play games that involve strategy, counting, money, or probability to strengthen mathematical thinking while having fun.
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Holiday Learning Tip
The most effective literacy and numeracy learning happens through everyday conversations, play, reading, and real-life experiences. Whether you're reading a story, baking together, playing a game, or planning an outing, every activity provides an opportunity to build skills, confidence, and a love of learning.