School holidays. It is a time when kids think it’s going to be endless fun, and parents realize… it’s actually endless work. The first few days? Easy. Late mornings, cartoons, and maybe a bit of fort-building. But then, the boredom monster creeps in. The “I’m bored” chorus starts. And suddenly, you’re on a mission: how do you make this holiday amazing without losing your sanity? Here’s how. No boring, predictable stuff—just real, exciting, memory-making fun.
For more on this topic, check out the full Winter Activities collection
1. Organize a “Yes Day”
If you haven’t tried this yet, you’re missing out. A whole day where you say “yes” to (almost) anything your kids ask for? Yep. Do they want pancakes for dinner? Done. A midday dance party in the living room? Absolutely. The best part? They have to plan it all the day before—so no sneaky, last-minute, unrealistic requests. Pro tip: Set a budget and a few ground rules (because, no, we’re not getting a pet llama today). Watch their excitement skyrocket as they realize they’re in charge for once.
2. Create a DIY Escape Room at Home
This is where you get to be the evil mastermind. Kids love a challenge, so turn your home into a puzzle-filled adventure. Hide clues in the fridge, under the couch, behind bookshelves. Maybe they need to crack a code to open a “treasure chest” (which is really just a shoebox filled with snacks and small prizes). The weirder the theme, the better—spies, pirates, time travel. Get dramatic. Wear a villain’s cape. They’ll love it.
3. Host a Backyard Movie Night (With a Twist!)
Sure, movies in the backyard are cool. But you know what’s even cooler? Turning it into an event. Watching Finding Nemo? Make fish-shaped cookies. The Wizard of Oz? Everyone wears a themed outfit. Give them a homemade “ticket” when they arrive and set up a mini concession stand with popcorn and drinks. The little details make it feel like magic.
4. Plan a Secret Mission Day
This one is pure fun. One morning, hand your kids a top-secret envelope with their mission for the day. Maybe it’s a scavenger hunt through town. Maybe they have to “spy” on Dad and report his daily coffee intake. You could even lead them through challenges—like a ninja obstacle course in the backyard—before they unlock their final prize (which, let’s be real, will probably be ice cream).
5. Enroll Them in an Epic Camp
Let’s face it: sometimes, kids need a break from us just as much as we need a break from them. Enter Got Game Camp. It’s the perfect way to give them a mix of sports, fun challenges, and making new friends while you get a few glorious hours to breathe (or, you know, clean the house in peace). Plus, they come home exhausted and full of stories, which is a win-win for everyone.
6. Set Up a Science Lab in Your Kitchen
Time to get messy. Kids love science experiments, especially the ones that explode, bubble, or glow in the dark. Make slime. Build a baking soda volcano. Freeze different liquids to see what happens. Does it sometimes end in a ridiculous mess? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Every single time.
7. Go on an “Unplanned Road Trip”
No agenda. No plan. Just pick a direction and drive. Stop at weird roadside attractions. Find a hole-in-the-wall diner. Let the kids pick where to go next (even if that means detouring for 20 minutes to see a giant rubber duck statue). The randomness makes it an adventure.
8. Start a Family Business for a Week
Got a little entrepreneur in the house? Let them start a business. A lemonade stand? Classic. A mini-bakery? Even better. Teach them the basics of pricing, marketing, and customer service. Maybe even let them keep the profits (or, if they’re feeling generous, donate to a local cause). It’s learning but sneaky.
9. Have a “Country Swap” Theme Week
Pick a country and go all in. If it’s France, eat croissants for breakfast and learn a few French phrases. If it’s Brazil, dance to samba music and try cooking feijoada. Every day, something new. By the end of the week, they’ll feel like they’ve traveled the world—without leaving home.
10. Let Them Be the “Boss for a Day”
Want to flip the script? Hand over the power. Let them decide everything (within reason). Meals, activities, house rules. Will bedtime get pushed back? Probably. Will they learn pretty quickly that running the show isn’t as easy as it looks? Definitely. Bonus: They’ll love the responsibility, even if it’s just for a day.
11. Create a Family Talent Show
It doesn’t matter if no one in your family is actually talented—this is about fun. Magic tricks, dance routines, terrible knock-knock jokes. The more ridiculous, the better. Throw in some DIY awards at the end (“Best Dramatic Performance” or “Most Likely to Start a Career in Comedy”). Guaranteed belly laughs.
12. Take a Night Walk and Go Stargazing
Kids love being outside when they’re not supposed to be. Take them on a late-night adventure. Bring flashlights, find constellations, and tell stories about the stars. Maybe even let them make a wish on a shooting star. Feels a little like magic, doesn’t it?
13. Write and Illustrate a Family Book
This one’s a keepsake. Start a story together—maybe about a family of superheroes or a cat who solves mysteries. Each person writes a part, and someone else draws the pictures. Bind it together, and boom—you’ve got a one-of-a-kind family masterpiece.
14. Surprise Them With a “Reverse Christmas”
Pick a random day and make it a gift-giving day, but with a twist: everything has to be handmade. A letter, a drawing, a poem, a homemade bracelet. It turns out that the best gifts aren’t always the ones you buy.
15. Camp in the Living Room (or the Backyard!)
Camping? Great. Camping, where can you still use indoor plumbing? Even better. Set up a tent, grab some blankets, and tell ghost stories. If you do it outside, bring marshmallows. If it’s inside, make s’mores in the oven. Either way, kids will eat it up.
Making Holidays Count
What are the best school holidays? They’re not about spending a ton of money or planning extravagant trips. They’re about the little things—the silly, the creative, the unexpected moments that make your kids’ faces light up. Whether it’s an escape room in your living room or a last-minute road trip to nowhere, those are the memories that stick. So go on, make this school break something they’ll never forget.
For more on this topic, check out the full Winter Activities collection
