6 Ways to Make Your Kids’ Holiday Fun and Magical

Do you dread the school holidays because you don’t know what to do with them? Love having your children at home for the break, because you can sleep in? Do they drive you up the wall with say-ings like ‘Mum, I’m bored!’ or ‘Mum, ‘he broke my Barbie’s arm!!!’? I do love having them around, but boy, sometimes they can get the better of me.

I bet you run out of ideas of what to do with them even though you have the best ideas before the holidays. If you’re anything like me, you forget all the things you had planned and wished that you had access to a list of activities that are fun and cost-effective at the same time. I always used to envy a friend of mine who had a list of things to do with her kids.

I so hear you! As a mum of 3 I have seen way too many school holidays and run out of ideas time and again of what to do. Alt-hough my youngest is now a teenager, every term break (boy do they come around quickly) I still rack my brains to keep my chil-dren’s holidays eventful, before the dreaded b-word ‘bored’ even forms on their lips. Or what about this one: ‘There’s nothing to do’, yet whatever you suggest, is not good enough.

I do firmly believe that we don’t need to pack too many activities in-to the school holidays. Holidays are meant to be a time for families to wind down, to spend quality time together, to regroup and to de-stress from the ever-increasing busy schedules families get sucked into in our society these days. By giving our children breathing space and space to just be, we are gifting them with a valuable trait when they grow up and have families of their own. Humans need to have quiet time and rest. Being on familiar ground at home with family around them is the best place, where they can do just that.

Some time ago a close friend of mine and I went away to Phillip Is-land with our children. During this time, we lovingly and jokingly in-vented ‘Manners 101’ when it came to table manners. From there it spiraled to fun and hilarious activities (spur of the moment ones, mind you!), such as ‘back to front’ and ‘opposite’ day’. ‘Back chat days’ were an all-time favourite. The kids had an absolute ball with this.

When deciding what to do, consider their ages. Here are 6 activities my kids have loved over the years.

1. ’Back to front – Turn it around’ Day
Be as creative as you like. Have dinner instead of breakfast, then breakfast at dinner time. Turn your meals around, having dessert first. Having meals with ingredients that would normally not go together.

2. ‘Opposite’ Day’
Everything anyone says has to be the opposite of what is meant to be said. This can turn into fun, lots of laughter and confusion. Like ‘I don’t want to go to McDonalds – it’s way too healthy!’

3. Spend time with them alone
Go on a date (if you have more than one child, take it in turns). I like to call it ‘Laura’ / ‘Emily’ / ‘Tim’ Day. It can be as simple as going to watch a movie, shopping, craft activities, walk, play games, ice cream.

4. ‘Choose your favourite meal’ Day
Your child/children take/s turns to choose what they would like to eat. This can also become a “Mini-Master Chef’ activity where they cook or bake.

5. Take a train into the city
Spend the day there. Free tram ride or free holiday activities. Botanical Gardens – have a picnic.

6. Go on a Night Walk
My kids loved walking with torches on Phillip Island – swamp boardwalk and beach, listening to the sounds of the night.

Create your own activities, allowing your children to suggest some. This empower them in the process and will make their holidays absolutely magical. Create long-lasting memories that they may want to pass on to their children one day. Remember, keep it SIMPLE. After all, you need a holiday, too!

About the Author
Ruth Stuettgen is the published author of From Misery to Mastery – Journey to Freedom and Empowerment and The Book of Inspira-tion for Women by Women. Ruth is a mum of 2 girls and a boy, based in Melbourne. As Speaker and Coach, she is passionate about helping mums empower themselves to make delicious changes in their lives and business, all whilst creating a magical family life.

Her free resource101 Super Cool Ways to make your Child’s Holidays Magical! is available via www.ruthstuettgen.com.au