The school holidays are just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning some fun family activities! Woohoo! Whether you’re looking for something educational or just plain fun to keep the kids entertained, we’ve got you covered. From museums to the outdoors to fun at home, here are our 101 school holiday family fun ideas for you. So get out your calendars and start planning some amazing memories!
What Are the Best School Holiday Family Fun Ideas?
We’ve compiled a huge list of family fun activities for the whole family! You’re sure to find plenty of ideas that will work for your family’s budget, the ages of your kids, and your desired activity level. We’ve grouped the activities by season, to help you better explore the school holiday ideas.
WINTER
1) Create and Enjoy a Hot Cocoa Bar
Making a hot cocoa bar is a fun and easy way to get into the winter spirit. All you need is some hot chocolate mix, toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles, and some festive cups and spoons. Your family will love being able to customize their own hot cocoa drinks!
2) Look at Christmas Lights
Looking at Christmas lights is a fun, festive activity that the whole family can enjoy. You’ll love the cozy feeling of being all together, taking in the magic of the season as you drive around
3) Go Sledding
If you’re lucky enough to see some snow (sad Texan here), pull out the sleds and find a snowy hill. Not only are you guaranteed lots of giggles, you’ll also help your kiddos expend some energy!
4.) Make Snow Ice Cream
With just 3 ingredients, you can make this delicious 3 ingredient snow ice cream! And if you don’t have fresh snow, you can make your own with a shaved ice machine!
5) Build a Snowman
Building a snowman is one of the most classic winter activities. It’s an easy way to get outside and make some fun family memories! Check out these spunky snowman ideas!
6) Shaving Cream “Snow” Sensory Bin
If you have littles at home, they’ll love this indoor shaving cream sensory bin! Add some penguin or polar bear figurines and let your kids’ imaginations run wild!
7) Build a Bonfire
A cozy way to spend a winter evening is to build a bonfire. Invite your friends and their kids over for some hot cocoa and toasty marshmallows. It’ll be a winter night they won’t forget!
8) Go Ice Skating
Whether your ice rink is indoors or outdoors, it’s a great way to get active and have some laughs together as a family.
9) Take a Train Ride
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day and get in the holiday spirit, look for a Polar Express-themed train ride in your area. The kids will love it!
10) Watch a Hockey Game
If you’re looking for a fun winter activity, why not go watch a hockey game? Hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport that the whole family can enjoy.
11) Make Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs
Decorating sugar cookies is always fun for the kids. Who doesn’t love sugar, sprinkles, and icing?!! Find some fun cookie cutters and your favorite decorations and make some edible memories.
12) Build a Ginger Bread House
You can purchase a kit or gather your own supplies to build a gingerbread house. And you can work together or bring out your competitive side and have a gingerbread house competition. Creativity and patience is key!
13) Visit a Christmas Village
Find a local Christmas village and get a taste of the holidays. There’s nothing like walking around and enjoying the treats and decorations of the season. So get out your coats and hats and get ready for some holiday fun!
14) Read by the Fire
There’s just something magical about reading by the fire. Pick out some new books or bring out your family favorites. It’s a relaxing and cozy indoor activity for the whole family.
15) Help Those in Need
The winter months are often difficult times for people financially. Model helping others by finding ways to serve others as a family during the holidays.
16) Make Snowflakes
Create your own winter decorations by making beautiful snowflakes! You can use paper, coffee filters or even wax paper to make some gorgeous designs!
17) Make Snow Angels
Making snow angels is one of the simplest (and most fun) ways to enjoy the snow. All you need is some snow and a willing participant!
18) Have a Snowball Fight
What could be more fun than a good old-fashioned snowball fight? Round up the family and get outside for some winter fun! You’ll be laughing and dodging snowballs in no time.
19) Holiday Movie Night
Some of my favorite movies are holiday movies. Plan a movie night or an all-day holiday movie marathon. Be sure and have plenty of snacks on hand!
20) Visit a Nursing Home
When we think of the holidays, we think of loved ones, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have family nearby. You can spread some love and cheer by visiting the residents in a nursing home near you and taking small gifts or putting together care packages to share.
21) Have a Game Night
On a cold night, you can enjoy a game night with your family. Dust off the old board games in your closet or teach your kids some new games. Invite your friends and neighbors and make a new tradition.
22) Make Holiday Snacks
There are so many delicious recipes for holiday snacks! Make your family’s favorites together. You can also find some cute holiday tins, and give them out as gifts to your friends and family.
23) Host a Football Watch Party
Big kids and little kids will all enjoy a football watch party. With the right snacks, even non-football enthusiasts will have a great time!
24) See a Ballet
Get dressed up and enjoy a classy night out at the ballet. There are always opportunities to see a ballet around the winter holidays. The elegance and beauty of a ballet are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
25) Make Christmas Ornaments
Some of my favorite ornaments are the ones my kids have made over the years. Making ornaments is a fun way to pass the time and create lasting memories you’ll cherish every year.
26) Visit an Indoor Playground
When you’re all out of holiday cheer, the weather is a bust and the kids are driving you crazy, visit an indoor playground and let them get their energy out!
SPRING
27) Visit a Tulip Farm
Depending upon where you live, you can visit a tulip farm in early or late spring. Dress cute because it’s going to be an amazing photo op!
28) Visit Botanic Gardens
The botanic gardens are a great place to visit in the springtime. There are all sorts of beautiful flowers in bloom and it’s a great place to get some inspiration for your garden. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures!
29) Visit a Farm
One of the best things about spring is the baby animals! Visiting a farm in the spring is sure to bring some smiles.
30) Plant Flowers
It is such a mood booster to plant flowers in the spring. After the gloom of winter, the pop of color brightens up your home and is a great way for kids to get involved in gardening.
31) Plant a Spring Vegetable Garden
Planting a vegetable garden is a great science lesson and a genius way to get your kids to eat more veggies. You’ll be enjoying it all summer.
32) Take a Hike
Taking a hike in the spring is a great way to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. The flowers and trees are starting to bloom and the wildlife is out and about. It’s a great time for a nature walk.
33) Ride Bikes
The milder weather is a great time to get out those bikes that have been sitting most of the winter. It’s a fun way to exercise as a family.
34) Rent Electric Scooters
If you have older kids, rent electric scooters and take a fun family ride around town. It’s a great way to get to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time.
35) Build a Play House
Building a play house for your kids is a great way to spend some quality time with them. It will keep them entertained for hours on end and it’s a fun project for the whole family to work on together.
36) Go Camping
If you have never been camping before, this is a great opportunity to give it a try! You can either use a tent that you already have or rent a pop-up camper for the weekend.
37) Go to a Baseball Game
Baseball is a great sport to watch as a family. The sights and sounds of the ballpark make for a real summertime feel. And who can turn down ballpark food?
38) Feed the Ducks at a Pond
Grab some safe treats for the duckies and head to a local park or pond. You’ll make some new duck friends and the kids will have a blast. (Make sure you’re aware of any local ordinances first.)
39) Go Berry Picking
There’s nothing like visiting a berry farm in the spring. There are all sorts of delicious berries in season, and it’s so much fun to pick them yourself! Most farms have buckets and baskets you can use, and they’ll weigh your haul when you’re done.
40) Have a Picnic
Who doesn’t love a picnic on a beautiful weather day? Let the kids help pack the basket and be sure and bring a large blanket for lounging while the kids run around and play.
41) Visit a Nature Center or State Park
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, visiting a nature center or state park is the perfect way to spend a spring day and get some fresh air while you explore the great outdoors.
42) Play Mini-Golf
Ready for a throwback to childhood? Take the kids out for a round or two of mini-golf. And ride the go-karts or bumper cars while you’re at it.
43) Go to a Driving Range
If mini-golf isn’t your thing, you can take a chance at the driving range. it’s a great way to introduce your kids to the fundamentals of golf and gauge their interest in a new sport.
44) Play Pickleball
Another fun activity to enjoy as a family is a game of pickleball. If you’ve never heard of pickleball, you can learn all about it here. It’s fun for all ages and skill levels!
45) Visit an Amusement Park
Before the sweltering heat hits, enjoy an amusement park in the spring. You won’t sweat like crazy in the lines and can instead enjoy a fun day of rides, shows, and food with the family!
46) Go Kayaking or Canoeing
If you’re looking for some fun in the sun, adventure and exercise, rent or buy some kayaks or canoes and hit the water. Just be sure everyone wears appropriate life jackets.
47) Fly a Kite
Springtime breezes are the best for flying a kite. You can purchase one or if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own from inexpensive materials.
48) Find a New Park
One of my kid’s favorite things is exploring a new park. Bonus if it has a public restroom! Invite some friends, pack a lunch, and spend the afternoon letting the kids play.
49) Go Rollerblading
Dust off the old rollerblades and bring out your adventurous side. You can take your kids to an old roller rink (hello, childhood!) or find some smooth sidewalks to roll around on.
50) Walk Around Downtown
Explore a town or city near you by taking a stroll downtown. It’s fun to shop and eat your way through a city. Depending upon the time of year, you can even find fun activities or events for kids.
51) Have a Garage Sale
Now, this might not sound like a “fun” activity but hear me out. You’re clearing out clutter, and making money and the kids can help by setting up a lemonade stand or selling their own stuff. My kids LOVE having garage sales! It’s a win for everyone.
SUMMER
52) Have a Pool Party
Who doesn’t love being invited to a pool party? Wow your friends and family by throwing your own. No pool? No problem. You can rent a private pool using Swimply.
53) Visit a Splash Pad
If taking the kids to the pool sounds too stressful, find a local splash pad and cool off. And the best part about splash pads is that they’re often FREE.
54) Go Tubing on the River
You can spend a couple of hours or a whole day tubing on the river. Bring a cooler and float the day away.
55) Visit the Beach
When I think of summer, I think of the beach. Whether you are near an ocean or a lake, a beach trip can be the highlight of your summer.
56) Visit the Lake
A visit to the lake comes with so many options…boating, swimming, fishing, relaxing…the list goes on. It’s even more fun with friends, so invite some!
58) Have a Lemonade Stand
Who doesn’t love seeing kids selling lemonade? Encourage your kids’ entrepreneurial side by helping them set up a lemonade stand. (Or whatever they want to sell!)
59) Go to a Trampoline Park
When you’re trying to beat the heat but the kids have endless energy, take them to a trampoline park and let them bounce away. If you have young kids, check for toddler hours.
60) Visit a Museum
There are so many different museums that your children could enjoy. Between children’s museums, art museums, science museums to all kinds of special museums, you could plan several days of visits. And many offer special programs for kids during the summer.
61) Take a Painting Class
Painting classes are fun for adults and kids alike. You get to enjoy the experience and have a souvenir to take home!
62) Go to the Movies
We tend to watch movies at home most of the time, so a trip to the movie theater feels like a special event. Pro tip: Bring a blanket because it’s often freezing!
63) Plant a Fall Garden
Yes, it is summer, but now is the time to get started on planting your fall garden. Let your kids help, and they’ll be more likely to eat the veggies you grow!
64) Go to the Library
Avoid the summer slide by keeping the kids reading all summer. Most public libraries have awesome kids’ programs in the summer! Check out a library near you for more information.
65) Have an Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Invite some friends over and set up an ice cream sundae bar. You can even make your own homemade ice cream and toppings. One of our favorites is this homemade caramel sauce. Yum!
66) Sign up for Summer Camp
When you need to work and also keep the kids entertained, a summer camp is the way to go. You can choose from day camps or overnight camps. Check with local school districts and churches, as they often have discounted camps.
67) Visit a Water Park
You can keep the kids busy and playing all day at a waterpark. It’s one of our favorite ways to spend a summer day.
68) Rent a Boat
Renting a boat is a great way to spend a summer day. You can explore your local waterways, fish, or just relax in the sun. Be sure to check for regulations and safety requirements before you rent.
69) Take Music Lessons
Summertime is a great time to let your kids get involved in voice lessons or learn a new instrument! They have plenty of time to practice and can figure out what they enjoy before school starts back.
70) Go Bowling
Bowling can be a lot of fun. Take your kids and have some laughs together. You can even bowl for free at certain locations!
71) Play Laser Tag
Bring the video games to real life by playing laser tag. It’s great fun for adults and kids alike!
72) Visit an Arcade
Sure, you can play video games at home, but there’s something about visiting an arcade. Take a trip down memory lane with some old favorites and have fun with the kids!
73) Pet Sit
If you want to make a little extra cash and keep the kids busy, pet-sitting is a great activity during a school holiday. You can do drop-in pet sitting or offer to petsit at your own home.
74) Host a Backyard Barbecue
Invite friends and neighbors, fire up the grill, and host a backyard barbecue. It can be as casual or fancy as you’d like. But it’s a great way to relax and have great fun with friends.
75) Camp in the Backyard
For those times when a camping trip is out of the question, you can set up camp in the backyard. The kids will have a blast sleeping under the stars and still have full access to your house.
76) Visit a Farmer’s Market
Summer mornings at the farmer’s market are some of my favorites. Visit the various vendors, let the kids pick out produce, and sample new kinds of food.
FALL
77) Enjoy the Friday Night Lights
Friday night high school football just feels right. Grab a cup of hot chocolate from the concession stand and listen to the band as you cheer on your local football team!
78) Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patches have become so much fun! Even the older kids will enjoy a trip to the pumpkin patch and all the entertainment they often include.
79) Go on a Hay Ride
Find a hay ride in your area. Or if you have a friend with some land, a truck, and a utility trailer, you can create your own hay ride experience!
80) Have a Pumpkin Carving Party
Carving pumpkins is a fall tradition, so why not make a party of it? Have a competition by taking pics and posting photos online for others to vote. It might become a new annual tradition.
81) Go Fishing
The fall is a great time of year to go fishing. The weather is mild and the fall colors make for some beautiful scenery. Make sure you check with your state’s park and wildlife department about obtaining a fishing license before you go.
82) Plant Bulbs for Spring
If you’re wanting some beautiful perennials to bloom in the spring, now is the time to plant. Get the kids involved and make it a science lesson!
83) Jump in the Leaves
Ready for some free fun? Make some leaf piles and jump away. Make sure to have your camera ready!
84) Go to a Fall Festival or Trunk or Treat
Festivals and Trunk or Treats are everywhere in the fall. You can find plenty of free ones at local schools, churches, libraries, and community centers.
85) Go to a Haunted House
Is your family into spooky Halloween fun? Then a haunted house might be for you. Just use discretion when taking young children. It can be a lot to handle!
86) Tell Ghost Stories Around a Bonfire
One of the best things about fall is gathering around a bonfire with friends and family. And what’s better than telling ghost stories while enjoying the warmth of the flames and roasting marshmallows?!!
87) Make Pies
Take a break from screen time and get up and bake together. Making a pie for Thanksgiving can be fun and delicious.
88) Take Family Photos
Booking a photo session in the fall is guaranteed to give you a beautiful backdrop. Schedule a session with a local photographer. Or if your budget is tight, use these tips to capture your own family portrait.
89) Watch the Sunset
The brilliance of a sunset against the backdrop of the changing leaves is unbeatable. Take the time to catch as many sunsets as possible.
90) Rent a Cabin
If you have the opportunity to get away for a night or two (or more!) consider renting a cabin. The fall weather is a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and relax and have fun together as a family at the cabin.
91) Have a Chili Cook-Off
One of the first foods I make when the weather changes is chili. Share your love of chili when some friends by having a chili cook-off! Get the kids involved and teach them how to do the cooking
92) Go to a Basketball Game
Enjoy the beginning of basketball season by catching a game! Support your local high school or college or splurge on an NBA game.
93) Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner
Looking for a unique activity during the school holidays with your older kids? Find a murder mystery dinner! Or create and host your own!
94) Play Paintball
Cooler weather is the best time for paintball. Those extra layers definitely help when you get hit! Lol.
95) Decorate a Gratitude Tree
Scientific studies show the positive effect of gratitude on the brain. Make thankfulness a practice during the Thanksgiving school holiday by creating a gratitude tree.
96) Have a Halloween- Themed Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking for a fun game for the kids, get creative with a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. It’s the perfect indoor activity for a rainy day and is a great way to get the big kids and little kids working together.
97) Try New Recipes
The Thanksgiving school holiday is a great time to try out some of those Pinterest recipes you’ve been stockpiling for years. (Just me??) Try cooking something new with the kids this year!
98) Visit Family
Most of us see immediate family during the holiday, but perhaps you have some extended family your kids don’t even know. Make plans to visit a family member you don’t often see. It will mean the world to them.
99) Spend a Day Outdoors
Take a whole day and spend it outdoors. It will boost your mood, lower your stress and spur your creativity. Both kids and adults will benefit from this 100%.
100) Host a Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving is all about friends and food. Who doesn’t love those things?!! Plan a traditional meal or plan something unique! Kids and adults will have an amazing time!
101) Volunteer at a Food Pantry
If you’re looking for a way to give back during the Thanksgiving season, volunteering at a food pantry is a great option. You can find one in your area by searching online or by asking around. Most food pantries are always looking for volunteers, so you’ll be able to find one that fits your schedule.
Free PDF Download
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How Can School Holiday Family Fun Ideas Benefit You?
There are real benefits to planning some family fun during the school holidays! Do you have to have something fun planned every day? Of course not! But planning activities can offer these positive results:
- Cuts down on screen time
- Encourages an active lifestyle (which has tons of benefits!)
- Builds stronger relationships
- Makes lasting memories
- Can lead to new traditions
- Provides opportunities for learning and trying new things
- Reduces stress
Of course, it is possible to over-plan or have unrealistic expectations when you’re planning activities. It is important to remember that some boredom is very beneficial for kids and what works for another family might not work for you.
Give yourself some grace and do what’s best for you and your family members. And remember to have fun!
Wrap-Up
The school holidays are a great time to make memories with your family, explore all your community has to offer, and exercise some creativity! Whether you’re looking for activities to keep the kids busy at home, outdoors, or out on the town, we’ve got you covered. So get out there and have some fun!
And let us know your favorite family fun ideas during the school holidays in the comments below!
If you end up stuck at home during a rainy day over the school holidays, check out our ideas for rainy day activities at home.
