As parents, we know how busy the school term can be for our little ones. With packed schedules, homework and extracurricular activities, it's easy for kids to end up exhausted in the final weeks. School holidays can provide a much-needed break to unwind, relax and reconnect as a family.
Here is a list of some of our favourite budget-friendly ways to create meaningful memories for your little ones these holidays:
- Blanket Forts: A classic - simply use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a secret fort in your living room or bedroom. Kids can create elaborate worlds of make believe, play board games, read books or even have a picnic inside. For even more magic - add fairy lights. Also lots of fun to have a 'sleepover' in it too!
- Plan Nature Adventures: Spending time in nature is so rejuvenating for kids (and adults!). Plan free outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking or picnicking in a nearby park (or even the back yard). The cooling seasons don't have to mean the beach is off limits either! Check out our new nature scavenger hunt download to take on your next adventure.
- Cardboard Box Creations: Collect cardboard boxes of different sizes from around your home and let your little one's creativity soar. Use scissors, markers, tape and other craft supplies to turn the boxes into anything from a spaceship to a castle, or a bug hotel and more. They are also perfect to take outside and use for painting.
A DIY small world created from cardboard, tissue paper, moss and twigs.
- DIY Obstacle Course: Use furniture, cushions, pillows and other household items to create an obstacle course in your living room or backyard. You can design challenges such as crawling under chairs, hopping over pillows, balancing on cushions and time each other to see who can complete the course the fastest.
- Autumn is the perfect time to go foraging for treasures. Take a basket, gather some flowers, leaves, seed pods, feathers or anything interesting that you come across and create some nature art when you get home.
Foraging for natural treasures is (in our opinion!) the perfect free activity - you can then use your finds for small world play, nature displays or arts and crafts.
- Create a DIY Foot Spa: Treat your kids to a relaxing foot spa experience at home. Fill a large bowl with warm water, add some Epsom salts and a few drops of your favourite essential oil or bubble bath for a soothing aroma, and let your kids soak their feet. You can also create a foot scrub made from natural ingredients like sugar and coconut oil for a gentle exfoliation. Finish off with a foot massage using lotion or oil. This simple and affordable DIY foot spa can help your kids unwind, relax, and feel pampered during the holidays. Plus, it's a fun sensory activity and a beautiful way to connect.
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt using items from around your home. Write down clues or create a treasure map to guide players to find hidden objects or complete tasks. You can use common household items as clues or even hide small treats or surprises as rewards (check out our Easter Hunt cards if you need some inspo for this coming weekend too!)
- Get Messy with Potions in the backyard: you can do this easily (and for free!) with tools the kitchen and natural treasures foraged from your garden or local beach - "just add water"!
- Encourage Unstructured Play: Unstructured play is essential for kids' development and well-being. Encourage your little ones to use their imagination, be creative and have fun by setting up a play area with open-ended toys, such as blocks, small world figurines or dress-up clothes and play freely without any agenda or schedule.
When you can, opt for outdoor play. Even if you're doing something as simple as reading a book in the garden, nature offers endless opportunities for exploration and relaxation and is a powerful way for kids to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the natural world.
It can be hectic trying to juggle it all - but we hope this will help with some ideas to relax and recharge and encourage longer periods of independent play. It's often the simple and meaningful experiences that create the most cherished memories in our little one's worlds.
If you try any of these or have any other ideas to add to the list - comment below, would love to hear what you get up to!
Mandy x
Potion play doesn't have to be elaborate - just add water and foraged treasures and you are good to go!