The winter school holidays are a welcome pause for children—an opportunity to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a break from their academic routine. But for many parents, this break comes with a familiar challenge: how to keep the kids entertained without resorting to screens—or spending a fortune? While overseas trips and big excursions sound appealing, they’re often not practical or budget-friendly. The good news? Winter holiday fun doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagant. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can turn your home (and your backyard) into an adventure zone filled with memory-making moments.

Here’s a list of budget-friendly, screen-free activities that are not only entertaining but also support your child’s creativity, learning, and emotional well-being—all while making your winter holidays a little more magical.

1. Bring the Magic of the Movies Home

Transform a cold afternoon into a cozy home theatre experience. Close the curtains, microwave some popcorn, pile on the blankets, and turn it into a themed movie marathon—think superheroes, Disney classics, or animals in the wild. Need inspiration? Try these family movies for siblings to watch together that aren’t too scary for preschoolers or too “babyish” for older children.

2. Let Them Take Over the Kitchen (Safely)

Get kids involved in lunchtime prep with fun food projects. Think cookie-cutter sandwiches, fruit kebabs, or DIY mini pizzas. Cooking together not only teaches valuable life skills—it’s also a fantastic way to boost their confidence and independence.

3. Find Local Freebies and Holiday Specials

Don’t overlook local gems. Many restaurants, museums, and play centres offer school holiday specials, like “kids eat free” deals or discounted entry. Check websites for up-to-date listings on winter activities and family-friendly events near you.

4. Build a Blanket Fort or “Under-the-Table Tent”

Encourage creative play. According to Bold Science children benefit from fewer toys and minimal intervention from adults. A stick becomes a wand, sand becomes a castle, or mud becomes a cake. When it’s too cold to go outside, use old blankets and chairs to build a fort or hideaway under the table. Add a torch, books, and a picnic basket, and suddenly your child has their own cozy kingdom to explore. Imaginative play encourages storytelling and problem solving.

5. Turn Recyclables Into Treasure

Don’t throw out those cereal boxes, egg cartons, or yoghurt containers—turn them into dragons, castles, or robots with paint, glue, and glitter. Kids love crafting, and it’s a powerful outlet for creativity and self-expression. Find clever DIY craft ideas that are perfect for all ages.

6. Host a Backyard or Indoor Picnic

Even the simplest meal feels special when eaten outside on a blanket—or indoors on the lounge floor. Pack up sandwiches, fruit, and hot chocolate, and have a picnic with your kids in the garden (or near the fireplace if it’s cold). Need a few recipe ideas? Visit The Reluctant Explorers for inspiration.

7. Schedule Playdates and Swap Hosting Duties

Coordinating with fellow parents can make school holidays much smoother. Hosting a playdate gives your kids built-in fun—and might earn you a return invitation too. Plus, it’s a great way to keep kids social and active without relying on screens.

8. Try Jewellery-Making or Beading

Bring out the beads, string, clasps, and even pasta! Jewellery-making is a hands-on activity that’s both tactile and satisfying. Younger children can make pasta necklaces, while older kids might enjoy crafting their own wearable creations. Try these fun, screen-free jewellery making ideas.

9. Decorate the Driveway with Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is one of the simplest—and cleanest—ways to keep kids active outdoors. Let them draw their dream house, design a race track, or create their own obstacle course.

10. Be a Local Tourist for the Day

Choose one day during the holidays to take a “staycation” adventure. Visit a new park, drive to a small town, or explore a nature reserve you’ve never seen. Look for family-friendly itineraries in your town that won’t break the bank.

11. Balloon Games for Rainy Days

Blow up a few balloons and let the games begin. Whether it’s balloon tennis or balancing challenges, it’s a safe way to get moving indoors—and guaranteed to cause giggles.
Try these fun balloon games for kids for more ideas.

12. DIY Bowling Alley at Home

No bowling shoes required! Line up empty plastic bottles and use a tennis ball to play. Let the kids decorate their “pins” and track scores.

 13. Make a Comic Book Together

Print blank comic book templates and let kids create characters, dialogue, and storylines. It’s a creative outlet that boosts writing and sequencing skills.

Make Winter Holidays Count

The winter school holidays offer more than just a break—they provide the perfect window to connect with your children in fun, affordable, and creative ways. Whether you’re crafting from recyclables or enjoying a backyard adventure, these shared moments help nurture emotional bonds and create lifelong memories.

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. So, as the temperatures drop, embrace the chance to slow down, laugh more, and make this winter break one your kids will remember for years to come.

References

• Brown, S. (n.d.). Winter hot picnic ideas. The Reluctant Explorers. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.thereluctantexplorers.com/blog/hot-picnics
• Fairlie, K. (2015). Free printable comic book templates. Picklebums. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://picklebums.com/free-printable-comic-book-templates/
• Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182–191. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/1/182/70699
• Hogenboom, M. (2024). Encouraging creative play. Bold Science. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://boldscience.org/encouraging-creative-play/
• KiwiCo. (n.d.). 39 easy jewelry projects for kids. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.kiwico.com/diy/cp/jewelry
• Parents. (2024). 10 best movies for siblings to watch together. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/movies/best-movies-for-siblings-to-watch-together/
• Sarah. (2014). Awesome balloon games for kids. HowWeeLearn. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.howweelearn.com/awesome-balloon-games-kids/
• Taste. (n.d.). Super easy lunch recipes kids can make themselves. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.taste.com.au/galleries/easy-lunch-recipes-kids-can-make-themselves/zyvxsb6a
• Zalewski, D. (2024). Creative craft ideas for kids. Darcy & Brian. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.darcyandbrian.com/craft-ideas-for-kids/