School holidays are a welcomed and deserved break for learners, and a special opportunity for parents and their children to spend quality time together. However, families can easily fall into the trap of too much screen time and struggle to find fun, engaging activities to enjoy together.
“Finding things to do to keep kids entertained during the holidays can be tricky, but keep in mind that there’s benefit to boredom too,” says Miroslav Říha, LEGO® South Africa country manager. “Planned, structured activity is great, but giving a child the space and freedom to explore with their imaginations can enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills too.”
Here are a few ideas to help parents and kids survive and thrive in the upcoming school holidays:
- DIY busy bags – Start the day off on a happy note with busy bags or buckets filled with items that can help keep smaller children engaged while Mom and Dad enjoy coffee or tick a few things off their to-do list. From homemade puzzles made using ice cream sticks and sensory bags filled with all things soft and squishy, and LEGO mini builds recruitment bags. Busy bags are a great way to not only keep kids occupied but engaged and learning too.
- Get some fresh air – Avoid cabin fever by planning a few fun and easy activities outdoor. Gardening, for example, is a great way to enjoy the sunshine and use the holidays as a chance to learn about the germination process firsthand. Explore nature by going on ‘excursions’ in your own garden or nearby park. As an added fun activity, let the kids create their own nature jewellery by wrapping a piece of tape sticky side up around their wrists. Have the kids fill their bracelets with flowers, seeds, and other bits and bobs from nature.
- Make room for quiet time – Time for solitude is also important when it comes to keeping a calm and relaxed home environment. Storytime podcasts are a great way to help kids wind down after energetic activities and a good alternative to screen time. You can also create a cozy reading nook near a window in a sunroom for some quiet time with a good book.
- Get kids involved in mealtimes – From helping to prepare meals to getting involved with cooking and even baking their favourite snacks and treats, getting kids to help out in the kitchen teaches important life skills and can be really fun too. A great way to get smaller kids involved is to clear out a cabinet or drawer that they can reach, and stock it with kid-friendly crockery and cutlery, as well as snack packs they can help themselves to, teaching them a sense of independence.
- Set up a holiday fun station – Get kids excited with a special space in the home dedicated to school holiday fun. Make sure it’s in a part of the home that’s easy to keep an eye on while you relax, work or get chores done, and where you don’t mind becoming a little messy for a while. Kit the space out with drawing, painting and crafting tools, as well as bigger LEGO sets to build throughout the holiday period. The LEGO Classic set, in particular, encourages creativity by allowing kids to build whatever comes to mind with no pressure. It keeps them busy away from screens, doing something creative without instructions, while still engaging them cognitively.
“Active playing and learning are crucial for children’s development,” says Jana Nel, an early childhood education specialist at Care for Education. “Activities like building with LEGO bricks not only foster creativity but also help children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.”
Take the stress out of school holidays and take this time as an opportunity for to bond, learn, grow, and have fun together as a family. Spend some time preparing ahead of term break by creating your own DIY activities and spaces dedicated to fun and learning in the home, but don’t forget to leave room for kids to use their own imaginations in keeping themselves entertained.
