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School holidays are here again! And if you're looking for ways to keep the kids entertained at home then we’ve got you covered. These activities use simple things you already have at home — perfect for a rainy day, a quiet afternoon, or when the “I’m bored!” chorus kicks in.

Here are 22 easy, screen-free ideas to spark creativity, keep little hands busy, and make holiday magic from what you will already have at home.

🎨 Get Creative with Crafts

• DIY Cardboard Creations: Build robots, race cars, castles or anything their imagination dreams up using boxes, tape, and markers.
• Paper Craft Magic: Try origami, snowflakes, paper chains, or make-your-own board games.
• Homemade Playdough or Slime: Mix pantry staples like flour, salt, and water for hours of sensory fun. See Lisa's tried and true recipe below.
• Nature Art: Collect leaves and flowers and turn them into collages or seasonal art. 
• Daily Drawing Prompts: Choose a theme (e.g. “under the sea” or “robots”) and let the doodling begin. Create a school holidays wall to display each day's drawings.

🧪 Backyard Scientists & Explorers

• Sink or Float: Test different objects in a tub of water to explore science through play.
• Baking Soda + Vinegar Fizz: Add a little food colouring and watch the bubbly fun.
• Scavenger Hunts: Create a list of things to find around the house or garden (by colour, letter or texture).
• Time Capsules: Collect drawings, letters, and treasures to seal up and open later.

🎭 Imagination Station

• Puppet Show: Use socks or paper bags to make characters, then put on a performance.
• Dress-Up Days: Create stories and characters from costumes and household items.
• Indoor Obstacle Course: Use cushions, chairs, and tape to create a challenge course.
• Treasure Hunt: Hide clues around the house leading to a surprise (even if it's just a note or snack).

📚 Quiet Time Ideas

• Home Library: Set up a cosy book nook and let them “check out” books.
• Write a Book: Fold blank pages into a booklet and let them write and illustrate their own story.
• Journal or Scrapbook: Capture holiday memories with drawings, stickers, or printed photos.
• Podcasts or Audiobooks: Free resources online are great for quiet afternoons or car rides.

🧺 Everyday Adventures

• Kids in the Kitchen: Bake muffins, prep lunch, or set up a play café.
• Toy Rotation: Pack some toys away and bring them back later — like new!
• Blanket Forts: Add pillows, fairy lights and books for instant indoor magic.
• Dance Party or Karaoke: Pick a playlist and let loose. No talent required!
• Mini Helpers: Make chores into games — folding laundry, sorting recycling, or watering plants.

✨ Final Thought

It doesn’t take much to create special moments — just a few bits from around the house, a little imagination, and the willingness to embrace a bit of mess and a lot of fun.

🧑 Lisa's Playdough recipe

• ½ cup salt
• 2 cups flour
• 2 TBSP cream of tartar
• 2 TBSP vegetable oil
• 1 to 1 ½ cups of boiled water
• food colouring to colour

combine dry ingredients in a bowl, mix wet ingredients together in a separate bowl then pour into the dry ingredients. Mix together until it forms a sticky dough. Separate into separate portions if you want to create several different colours. Add food colouring and mix in. Let the dough cool slightly then tip onto a floured board and knead.  Its then ready to use. Enjoy!