School holidays are exciting for kids, but they can sometimes be stressful for parents trying to keep everyone entertained without spending too much money.
With the cost of living rising across Australia, many families are looking for ways to fill the school holidays with fun activities that don’t blow the family budget. The good news is that there are plenty of free things kids genuinely enjoy, from outdoor adventures and creative play at home to exploring your local community.
School holidays can quickly become expensive if you’re paying for activities every day. If you’re looking for more ideas to keep costs down, take a look at our guide on how to survive school holidays on a budget.
Below you’ll find a collection of free school holiday activities that can help keep kids busy, curious and active without spending a cent.
Free Outdoor Activities for Kids
Getting outdoors is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to fill time during the school holidays. Fresh air, open space and a sense of adventure often keep kids entertained far longer than structured activities.
Some free outdoor activities to try include:
- Visiting local playgrounds
- Going for a family bike ride
- Exploring bushwalks or nature trails
- Spending the day at the beach or lake
- Building sandcastles or exploring rock pools
- Flying a kite at the park
- Having a picnic at a local reserve
- Playing backyard cricket or soccer
- Organising a nature scavenger hunt
Free Activities at Home
Not every day needs to involve leaving the house. Some of the most memorable school holiday moments happen at home when kids are given time to create, build and explore.
Free activities at home can include:
- Building cubby houses using blankets and chairs
- Creating a backyard obstacle course
- Baking simple recipes together
- Playing board games as a family
- Building LEGO creations
- Drawing, colouring or crafting
- Making homemade playdough or slime
- Creating a treasure hunt around the house
- Putting on a family talent show
These types of activities encourage imagination and often keep kids engaged for hours.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, explore our list of 125 free kids activities that families can enjoy at home, in the backyard or around their community.
Free Community Activities
Many communities offer free activities and places to explore during the school holidays.
Libraries, parks and local events can provide fun outings without costing anything.
Some ideas include:
- Visiting your local library
- Attending free library storytime sessions
- Exploring museums with free entry
- Visiting art galleries
- Attending free community festivals
- Exploring local markets
- Visiting public gardens
- Watching free outdoor performances
Checking your local council website or community noticeboards can often uncover free events happening during school holidays.
Free Rainy Day Activities for Kids
Rainy days during the school holidays can feel long, but there are plenty of indoor activities that keep kids entertained.
Some simple rainy day ideas include:
- Building pillow forts or cubbies
- Solving puzzles
- Creating craft projects
- Playing board games
- Watching a family movie
- Reading books together
- Creating LEGO challenges
- Doing simple science experiments
Rainy days can also be a great opportunity for quieter activities that kids don’t always have time for during the school term.
30 Free School Holiday Activities for Kids
Here are some quick ideas parents can turn to when kids say “I’m bored”.
- Visit a playground
- Go to the beach
- Ride bikes together
- Build a cubby house
- Bake cookies
- Play board games
- Do a puzzle
- Visit the library
- Have a picnic
- Go on a bushwalk
- Paint rocks
- Do craft activities
- Build LEGO creations
- Fly a kite
- Play backyard cricket
- Create a treasure hunt
- Make slime
- Watch a movie
- Draw or colour
- Explore rock pools
- Visit a park
- Play hide and seek
- Have a dance party
- Read books
- Try a science experiment
- Visit a local market
- Create a scavenger hunt
- Build a backyard obstacle course
- Stargaze at night
- Tell stories together
More School Holiday Ideas for Kids
If you’re planning the school holidays, you might also like these guides from Newy with Kids:
• School Holiday Guide in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter
• Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter
• Indoor Play Centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter
• Newy with Kids Scavenger Hunts
• Best Playgrounds in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter
These guides are packed with ideas to help families keep kids entertained during the holidays.
Enjoying the School Holidays Without Spending a Fortune
School holidays don’t need to involve expensive outings or paid activities every day.
Many children are happiest when they have time to explore, create and spend time with family and friends. By mixing outdoor adventures, creative play and simple home activities, families can enjoy the holidays without putting pressure on the household budget.
With a little planning, school holidays can be filled with fun experiences that kids will remember long after the break is over.