School breaks allow the strengthening of that indestructible bond between you and your precious child by spending quality time together, creating rituals and proving your immense love for each other. However, all parents know that as soon as they hear the words “I am bored.”, everything is doomed because this seemingly innocent phrase already spreads the negative vibe, not to mention that it is very difficult to keep an active kid busy without prior planning. For this reason, you should avoid doing the exact same routine until reaching the pinnacle of numbness or, as your little one says, boredom. On the contrary, you should start thinking about interesting indoor and outdoor activities that will help you two kill the monotony. In fact, every year during school holidays, you should keep in mind the following quote: the less routine, the more life. The main idea is that routine equals monotony, which kills happiness. It does not matter if you benefit from a big or limited budget, the important thing is to enjoy unforgettable moments together.

Engage in different indoor and outdoor activities together

Holidays come with many benefits because, apart from allowing you and your child spend valuable time engaging in different entertaining activities, they also help you to nourish his creativity by reading funny stories, decorating cookies, coloring and making homemade decorations, keep him active by exploring the outdoors or taking a walk through the park, swimming, organizing a treasure hunt or an obstacle course and strengthen his relationships with family and friends by going to the cinema together, playing board games or camping, outside or in the living room, if you do not live in a cramped space. If you do, how about initiating a home update project with the phrase “out with the old, in with the new” at the forefront? More specifically, you pick out those outdated items or decorations that you no longer need and choose if you want to store, donate or throw them away. Obviously, involving your child in this activity is fundamental; just make sure that you let him express his own opinion regarding the things that you should keep or eliminate from his room. This represents a great opportunity to join forces and redecorate the house.

Fun ideas for parents who are struggling financially

Taking into account that not all parents can afford to go out of their way and plan spectacular activities for their children, having several cheap ideas available is very helpful. Whether you are going through a divorce, you are desperately trying to find a job or you are struggling to save for a new family vehicle, keeping your little one happy during school holidays still represents a priority, with a minor detail: you are able to invest less money, but more time and effort in his entertainment. Do not worry because there are plenty of options that you can resort to for achieving this objective. For instance, have you considered spending some time in the library choosing and reading fantasy books or staying at home and attempting one of the most difficult recipes found in your cookbook? It may sound exaggerated, but the truth is that libraries nowadays provide far more services than just sitting on a chair and reading; you can watch movies and play video games. As for the cooking, your kid has to eat during the school break, right? Instead of going out, you can both prepare a delicious dessert.

Board games and crafts will soon become your favorite activities

If you are trying to make ends meet, your child does not have to know it, but you must be resourceful and consider any idea that has potential. As a result, after a copious meal, you can play board games. Whether we are talking about Trivial Pursuit, Battleship or Monopoly, if you do not have them, you can easily and cheaply purchase them from Goodwill. The main advantage is that it disconnects your kid from the digital world, not to mention that it gives you the chance to engage in various conversations and teach him a few valuable lessons. Of course, you can always replace board games with arts and crafts from the dollar store. Take your child to the location and tell him that he can select whatever he wants from there; you will instantly notice an incommensurable delight on his angelic face. Moreover, he will never forget this magical moment. Once you return home, you can both come up with DIY projects that you can complete during the school break, such as building a birdhouse or making masks for Halloween.

Use school holidays to invest in your kid’s future and happiness

On the other hand, if you do not struggle financially, then sky is the limit. You actually have the luxury to make all your kid’s dreams come true. For instance, if you noticed that he loves watching other people dance, nothing stops you from paying him some classes. It does not matter the dance genre, from step and creative movement, west African and hip hop to ballet and tumbling, if your little one has talent, maybe one day he will compete and have Strictly Judge Craig evaluate his dance performance including technique and stage presence. Shortly, your child can enjoy his passion during school breaks and train to become a star. Needless to say, this type of activity comes with numerous benefits including improved physical health and self-esteem, enhanced social and communications skills, increased focus and discipline leading to higher education. You are practically investing in your little one’s future.

Other great ideas refer to planning a family road trip, going on a vacation or sending your kid to camp. The first two options allow everyone in the family to have fun and create memories together while the second one might leave you wondering about certain things like safety and separation. Of course, allowing your little one to go away from home for a while will undoubtedly make you worry, but you cannot keep him forever locked inside the house.