Holiday Boredom Busters

The September holidays are here. Some of you may be going away, many will be staying at home. The weather is unpredictable and that means being flexible and creative to keep everyone happy.

Here are some ideas to help keep both you and kids entertained (and to keep your sanity):

• Get outdoors – if the weather is fine, take the kids out – to the park, playground, a bushwalk
• Campout inside – if you can’t pitch the tent outside, then get the sleeping bags and have a camping holiday in the house. 
• Host the Olympics – in your home. Go sock skiing, slipper skating, blow ping pong balls with straws and then make your own medals (I am thinking donuts on string!!)
• Board Games – there are some amazing board games out there that are often neglected in favour of screen time. 
• Organise a Scavenger Hunt – this can be played inside or outside. Give the kids the challenge of finding things starting with each letter of the alphabet, or 10 things that are blue, green and so on. 
• Build a Lego World – Who doesn’t love Lego? Challenge the kids to build a world of Lego. 
• Pyjama Day – Nominate a day when everyone stays in their pyjamas. Curl up on the couch and read a good book or 2 or 3, make popcorn and watch some movies.
• Go to the Library – we are so lucky to have a warm, cosy library with great books and movies to borrow. 
• Bake, cook, eat – most kids love to bake cakes, muffins and cookies. Ask them to plan and cook a simple dinner for the family. Yum!
• Have a theme day – choose a letter, a colour or a different theme and eat things, do activities relating to the thing. E.g. A red day – wear red clothes, eat red foods, make red Lego houses.
• Screen time – Check the weather app and schedule screen time for those cold, rainy days.
• Boredom, at times, is OK - that is what will stimulate their imagination. 

Please have a happy, safe and healthy holidays.

Katrina Victor-Gordon

Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator