10 Winter School Holiday Activities that Won’t Break the Bank
The winter school holidays is just around the corner. While kids are likely more than excited not to go to class for two weeks, parents are probably scrambling to find activities to do when the kids get bored. On top of that, parents have to be creative enough to figure out how to spend the winter school holidays on a budget.
Although the holiday is going to grant families the chance to spend quality time together, it’s going to be a bit of a challenge to find the right activities, fit for everyone, that won’t make a big dent in the household budget.
If you’re looking for a list of inexpensive things to do with your kids and family during the winter holiday, you have found the right article.
Inexpensive Winter School Holiday Indoor Activities
Depending on where you are in Australia and what the winter weather is going to be like in your area, there is a whole slew of both indoor and outdoor activities you can enjoy with the family. When it’s too cold outside and no one feels like going out, you can try doing the following activities:
1) Make your own hot chocolate.
Experiment with different ingredients and recipes you find online to create your own perfect cup of hot chocolate. You can go for the classic hot chocolate with floating marshmallows. Or, you can try other recipes that have spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Have you ever tried hot chocolate with a bit of peppermint? By the end of the activity, it’ll be a great treat for the kids.
2) Have a movie marathon.
Bring out the blankets! On cold days, there’s nothing better than curling up with blankets on the couch and watching movies. If you want to have an area to lie on, bring mattresses into the loungeroom. To make it extra special, you can whip out theater snacks like popcorn, cookies, pretzels and chocolate.
3) Have a board game tournament.
Gather the entire family and have a board game tournament. When playing board games, it’s an opportunity to experience cherished moments with each other. The tournament can last for an entire day and you can even create your own trophies or prizes to make it more exciting.
On top of this, doing a board game tournament also allows your family to detach from their phones and the digital world.
4) Bake winter treats.
Spend some time in the kitchen and bake some winter treats, such as chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, or warm bread. You can also try making cakes, cupcakes, or brownies. Baking is a great way for the kids to learn a valuable life skill, whilst having fun and being rewarded with a delicious treat at the end.
5) Have a DIY Pizza night.
It’s a fact that kids love pizza, but getting takeaway every time they have a craving for it can be expensive. The solution is creating your own pizzas with your kids at home. You can purchase all of the ingredients at the grocery store. Additionally, if you feel like amping up the fun, embrace the opportunity of making it a fun challenge, by even make the dough from scratch. Making your own pizza is a fun budget-friendly exercise to enjoy a family-loved meal together and spend quality time with each other.
Inexpensive Winter School Holiday Outdoor Activities
The indoors are great if the weather is cold with the winter-breeze, or the sky is full of rain clouds. But when we are outside, studies have found that we feel calmer and more peaceful. Being outdoors also improves our mood and keeps us active. There is plenty of great fun to be had when you’re outside with the kids and family:
1) Organise a playdate.
Other parents in your neighbourhood are going to want to find some activities for their own kids too. Why not organise a playdate for everyone? It builds a sense of community and it’s a fun way for the kids to socialise and interact with people that are not family members.
2) Visit your public library.
Many libraries run school holiday programs and activities for children, and they are usually free. There, you can read with your kids or you can explore the aisles to find your favourite childhood stories. If you’d like to find libraries that are nearest your house, the National Library of Australia (NLA) gateway might be of great help.
3) Go for a hike.
Going for a hike in the mountains or a national park can be a great way to get some exercise and explore the outdoors. Going for a hike is also the perfect chance to teach your kids about mother nature. Plus, if you live on the East coast of Australia, there are plenty of scenic coastal walks that you can take.
4) Visit a local museum or art gallery.
Visiting your local museum or art gallery with your kids can be a great way for them to learn something new. It inspires creativity and allows them to experience an educational setting that’s outside the usual classroom. Many museums and art galleries offer free entry for children.
5) Have a winter picnic.
If the cold, winter breeze outside isn’t too intense, go on a winter picnic. Pack some warm blankets, hot drinks, and winter snacks and have a cozy winter picnic in the park, or even in your backyard.
Ready to Tackle the Winter School Holiday?
Don’t limit yourself to the list that we have here. With some planning and a lot of creativity, you can find even more activities that your kids can do while they’re on their winter school holiday break.
When you’re looking for more activities for the kids, make sure that you stick with a budget, or better yet stick to activities that don’t cost a penny. But, if you’re finding it difficult to keep on top of your expenses whilst factoring in the winter holidays, it is always best to seek financial advice.
Speaking with a Vision Property & Finance financial planner can assist you in coming up with a plan to sort out your finances and get them under control, whilst providing your kids with fun these winter school holidays. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
