Looking for budget-friendly activities for the school holidays? Use our round-up of fun holiday activities for kids.

School is out so your kids need entertainment! No need to run for the hills, though. From a movie night to baking and educational trips, here are a few affordable, fun activities to tide you over during the school holidays.

Create an at-home movie theatre

Have a movie marathon with your family’s favourite movies. This could be themed (e.g Christmas, horror or comedy). Stream movies on Showmax or Netflix, or dust off some of your DVDs. You could host your cinematic experience indoors or set up your ‘theatre’ in the backyard. Lay out a blanket, prepare snacks like popcorn, ice cream and pizza, and enjoy!

Go museum hopping

Learning doesn’t just happen inside the classroom, so take your child on interesting field trips. Museums are a great choice, as they offer engaging lessons on culture and history. Best of all, plenty of them are free on the first Thursday of every month or really affordable. Some good options include the:

• Iziko Museums
• Military Museum at the Castle of Good Hope
• Apartheid Museum
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum
• Port Natal Maritime Museum

Start a veggie garden
Summer is the ideal time to spruce up your garden. Making it a family project means extra hands on deck and a great way to keep kids busy too. You can save seeds after eating fruit and veggies, or you can buy some budget-friendly seeds, for example for radishes, beans, lettuce, spring onions and cherry tomatoes. The kids can get crafty by upcycling containers for plant pots and bird feeders.

Have a picnic

One of the best outdoor activities is a picnic – all you need is fresh air and some grass and you’re good to go! You could have one in your backyard, or try one of South Africa’s picturesque spots. Some good options to try are:

• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
• Green Point Park
• The Wilds Nature Reserve
• South African National Biodiversity Institute

Besides food and drinks, remember to pack sunscreen, hats and a cosy blanket. Taking your picnic to the beach on a less windy day is also a good idea.

Pay it forward
The best way to teach your kids the importance of giving back is to get them involved. Here are some ways you can pay it forward with your kids:

• Create gift packages for the less fortunate which may include soap, clothes, food, sanitary products and treats.
• If your kids are older, take them with you to volunteer (e.g. at a soup kitchen).
• Put items of clothing together for a donation drive.
• Prepare and drop off gifts for orphans.

Whichever activity you choose, remember to unwind and enjoy the quality time! The festive season ends as quickly as it begins. For more tips on kids and budgeting, read this article: Kids and money: saving for the upcoming holidays.

References:

https://www.davidluke.com/blog/23-school-holiday-activities-beat-boredom

https://www.news24.com/parent/child_7-12/fun/10-cheap-holiday-activities-20111114