21 ways to keep the kids busy during the school holidays
We still have a few weeks of holidays left, and if you're tired of hearing the dreaded "I'm bored" catch cry from your kids, you're going to want a solution to keep them occupied – especially when it's hot as an oven outside.
Instead of leaving them with the TV and the tablets, why not give them something new to try? Think: outdoor games, gadgets and creative activities that will keep kids of all ages busy and interested.
We've rounded up some out-of-the-box ideas that will keep you sane and your little ones entertained.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Our picks
University Games Scavenger Hunt Game
This fun family board game will take your kids on a scavenger hunt across the house. Flip over five cards and find what is on the cards the quickest. They will earn points by finding the items the quickest and putting them back.
50 Cool Things to Do in a Car
If you've got a long road trip ahead, this is the game for you. Entertain the kids with this set of 50 cards, with each one containing an activity or game that will kill some time as you wind your way towards your destination.
Outdoor activities
DIY Bird House Painting Kit
Building your own bird house is something a bit traditional but if you've got a backyard full of colourful birds, this could be a winner. Constructed, the house will measure 13cm x 13.5cm x 10cm. The kit comes with six different coloured paints and five paint brushes to help make it your own as you welcome all the neighbourhood birds.
POWERUP 4.0 Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Kit
Your typical paper plane has had a huge upgrade. Now you can fly and control your plane via Bluetooth with a built-in launcher and stabliser in the POWERUP 4.0 Paper Airplane Kit. The paper plane will have a flying range of 230 feet all controlled at your child's fingertips.
The plane can fly for 10 minutes on a single 30-minute charge and has different settings depending on how they want to fly it, like autopilot and acro mode to do tricks like barrel rolls and loops. It doesn't even have to be made from paper to work. You can experiment with different materials, including balsa wood – the launcher and stabiliser will make adjustments and calibrate the data to make it fly.
Bestway Slip and Slide with Built-in Sprinklers
When it's hot outside, and you haven't got a pool, a slip and slide is essential. This one measures 4.88 metres in length so your kids can slide along the wet mat for what will feel like forever. Hopefully, this will keep them occupied for hours.
My Little Xplorer World Outdoor Exploration Kit
Designed for children aged two to 10, this kit comes with all the essentials to help them feel like a real explorer, environmental scientist, or just have a lot of fun in the backyard. Included is a torch, compass, binoculars, magnifying glass, whistle, drawstring bag and backpack. This will be a great option to take with you if you're having a day at the park or going on a bushwalk.
VEPOWER 2-in-1 Hover Hockey Soccer Kids Toys Set
If your little one is missing their sport, this is a great way to fill the hole, and help them get rid of their energy keeping them awake at night. This hockey set comes with two hockey sticks, goals and three different balls to choose from: a hover ball, a floating air ball and an inflatable soccer ball.
Bunch O Balloons Water Balloons
Not much can beat a water fight in the middle of summer. These balloons are a great option as they are designed to fill 100 balloons in just 60 seconds. Best of all, there are 350 in a pack, meaning the entertainment will last.
Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500 Blaster
With a firing velocity of 27 metres per second, this Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500 Blaster isn't messing around. The blaster comes with five foam rounds and has a trigger lock to prevent any accidental firing.
Mint's Colourful Life DIY Kite Making Kit
This kite pack comes with three to be coloured and decorated before you take them for a spin.
Trekco Walkie Talkies, two pack
These walkie talkies are high tech enough for great two-way communication, but are safe for your children to use and play with. There is a key lock function so the radio connectivity cannot be easily modified to interact with others outside of the two walkie talkie users. There is also a built-in flashlight and has a range of 3km, so they can play with neighbours or nearby friends all holiday long.
Indoor activities
CocoMoco Soap Making Kit
Soap making has become a bit of a trend in recent years, and now kids can take part too. This soap making kit makes two unique soaps and comes with two plastic soap moulds, glycerin shavings, natural colouring and fragrances, dried flower petals and a natural loofah scrub. Mixing all these elements together will make them feel like a scientist at a lab, but no need to worry, as it's all 100 per cent natural. You can currently get this soap making kit on Amazon for $17.99 – that's 40 per cent off.
Krafun My First Sewing Kit
Most people can sew a button onto a jacket, but not much else – it's a dying craft that really needs a revamp. Luckily, this kids sewing kit is here to teach kids the basics. Designed for children aged over five, they can make six beginner sewing arts like bags, pillows and key rings. It is entirely safe for children to use as it comes with plastic tools and won't make any unnecessary mess as all the fabric is pre-cut and with pre punched holes – all the kids need to do is put it all together.
Ultimate Baking for Kids Kit
This starter kit comes with a recipe book as well as a notebook for them to add their own recipes in. It also has kid-safe and kid-sized cooking utensils, including measuring spoons, measuring cups, a spatula, and a wooden spoon.
Professor Maxwell's VR Magic Activity Set
While this magic kit has all the standard items, like cards, cups, balls and ropes, it also takes it a step further with a pair of VR goggles. The goggles are compatible with all smartphones, which can also interact with the 80-page magic book provided. Best of all, it comes with a magic wand and magicians hat, and is on sale for $64.90 – that's a 35 per cent discount.
READ MORE: The fun family board games you haven't heard of but need to play
Sticky Ball Dart Board Game
Made with foam and velcro, this sticky dart board game is fun for kids of all ages and won't cause any breakages indoors. Included in the set are two ball launchers, 12 sticky dart balls, and a large, colourful dart board.
Educational activities
National Geographic Earth Science Kit
School holidays aren't typically the time for learning, but if it's this fun to do, then why not? With this National Geographic Earth Science Kit, they will be able to test over 15 scientific experiments including how to make their own volcano, take part in a geological dig, make a mini water tornado and grow their own crystals.
Remoking STEM 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
Designed for children aged eight years and over, your child will be able to learn about the uses and capabilities of solar energy while developing their interest in science as well as their engineering and technical skills. This kit allows them to build 12 different shaped robots depending on their abilities ranging from entry level to advanced. You can buy their new robotic friend on Amazon for $39.99.
Galt Toys Horrible Science Chaotic Kitchen Experiments
While you might not want to get your hands dirty or your kitchen messy, this kitchen experiments kit is a great way to help kids learn science experiments all from the safety and familiarity of their home. Inside the pack includes two test tubes, a test tube rack, science goggles, string, cotton buds, magnifying glass and a 40-page lab notebook to write down the results.
3Doodler 3D Pen Set
Kids can make all the fun, weird and wacky 3D designs that pop into their heads with their own 3D pens. Simply turn on the pen, wait until there is a green light, insert some of the plastic and get creating. It is completely child-friendly and the pen will not get hot while in use. If unsure what to make first, the set comes with some templates to kick off their doodling.
Educational Insights BrainBolt Brain Teaser Memory Game
This handheld device is a great memory tester for kids and grown ups alike. The BrainBolt will make a light sequence and you'll have to remember the sequence and identify the order without breaking the pattern.
You've got to think fast if you want to get this game, as it's currently 44 per cent off on Amazon, selling for $32.78 for a short time only.
The World Game Geography Board Game
When you think of fun games, geography isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind, but this board game is both geographically educational and fun for the whole family. For two to five players, each must race around the world answering geography based questions, and the first one around the world wins. This will help the kids learn about flags, capital cities and locations on the map alongside 1,500 geographical questions and fun facts.
READ NEXT: The kid-approved toys for every budget