Looking for fun and motivating things to do during school holidays? We’ve listed all the best boredom busters that’ll leave you feeling fresh and prepared for the new school term.
Figuring out what to do in the school holidays can be a little daunting. During the term, you’re begging for more time to yourself – for hobbies, hanging out with friends or simply watching TV. Then suddenly, the school bell rings signalling the end of class, and weeks of free time are spreading out ahead of you.
Whether you’re looking for things to do in the school holidays at home or activities, workshops and projects that take you out into the community or out of your comfort zone, we’ve got you covered.
Get crafty
Pouring yourself into a new craft is possibly one of the best school holiday activities around. It can be as simple or complicated as you like, you can craft alone or in a group, and it doesn’t have to be super expensive either.
Here are some quick tips to help you pick and get into your new favourite craft:
- Search #craftok #makersoftiktok #craftersoftiktok and #diyprojects on TikTok for inspiration.
- If organised classes are more your thing, have a look at ClassBento – they offer online and in-person paid classes.
- Craftsy have paid online classes and a selection of free video tutorials.
- YouTube is another great place for inspiration and free tutorials.
From macrame to pottery, brush lettering and everything in between, you’ll be crafting up a storm in no time.
Learn a new skill
Crafting not really your thing? No worries. There are heaps of other ways you can fill your time and learn something new. Here are a few ideas:
- Brush up on your coding skills with free apps like CodeCademy, SoloLearn and Programming Hub.
- Learn a new language. Sign up for a class and learn face to face at your local community college or youth centre, or go solo and use an app like Duolingo.
- Hit the kitchen and learn how to cook. This is a great activity to do with friends and family. Ask someone close to you to walk you through their favourite recipes – some may have been passed down for generations.
- Teach your pet new tricks. Watch some YouTube videos on how to train your cat or dog to perform everything from ‘sit’ and ‘shake’ to more complicated actions. You could even try your hand at building an agility course in your backyard.
Start a club
If you have a hobby that you absolutely love, connecting with others who share that passion can be super fun and fulfilling. You could form a book club for a genre you enjoy, a club for gamers in your area, or an outdoors group interested in geocaching.
Many clubs can be held either online or in person, meaning you can focus on your local community or go further afield and invite people from different parts of the world (just make sure you do this on a secure platform – no imposters invited!).
Starting a club isn’t just a way to fill your time during the school holidays either. It can help you hone skills in:
- leadership
- teamwork
- communication
- organisation.
Find out what skills employers are looking for, and how you can perfect them.
Volunteer
Looking for a rewarding way to spend your time over the school break? Volunteering is a great option, and it looks pretty good on your resumé too. There are lots of places where you can volunteer your time to assist others.
You can look into charities that have specific youth volunteer programs, such as:
Alternatively, you could visit local organisations to enquire whether they have any volunteering opportunities available over the holiday period. These may include:
- nursing homes
- libraries
- youth centres
- animal shelters.
Think about your own strengths and skills and how these could be useful in your volunteering. For example, you could help your local animal shelter create content for their social media platforms or assist a youth centre with maintaining or enhancing their website.
Whether you’re undertaking employed work or volunteering your time, it’s important for you to know your rights. Read up on policies for youth volunteers and fair working conditions for youth.
Get a seasonal job
Start your savings account, build important professional skills and add to your resumé by getting a seasonal job. This could be anything from washing the neighbour’s cars for cash, to securing a Christmas casual position in retail.
The type of employment available to you will depend on your age. Find out the minimum working age in your state or territory.
Here are a few examples of odd jobs you could carry out in your neighbourhood or for family and friends for pocket money:
- dog walking
- pool cleaning
- lawn mowing
- letterbox dropping.
Check out community noticeboards in your local shopping centre or online to see if anyone is hiring for seasonal work. Christmas is a great time to pick up short-term paid work, with shopping centres often looking for gift wrappers, ornament personalisation artists and photo booth helpers.
Always take a parent or guardian with you when meeting potential employers for the first time. Look over your contract of employment together, so you both understand what’s required.
Redecorate your room
They say a change is as good as a holiday. Well, you can have both! Start the new year right by optimising the layout of your room. Thinking about things such as lighting, fresh air and where your desk is situated can actually make or break study habits. So, redecorating and rearranging your personal and study spaces can totally help you get good grades.
While you’re at it, have a good clean out of the things you don’t use or wear anymore. See if you can rehome these items amongst friends or by giving them to a charity shop. Clutter can be the thief of productivity, so make sure you have space to pack everything away and out of sight. This will help minimise distractions when revision time rolls around during the school term.
Practise self-care
What better time is there to practise self-care than the holidays? It’s a period of rest and recuperation after another busy school year, and the perfect opportunity to set positive habits in motion. Here are few ideas to help you get started:
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Get in the habit of good hydration (a great excuse to get one of those cute drink bottles to help you smash your H2O goals).
- Track your sleeping habits on your smartphone and set a healthy sleeping schedule.
- Be strict with yourself about screen time and put down your phone once you’ve reached your limit.
- Create a new playlist or discover a new podcast.
- Dedicate time to going outdoors. Whether it’s to do exercise, take the dog for a walk or have a picnic with friends, being outside can boost your mood.
- Work on developing your emotional intelligence.
When it comes to choosing the best school holiday activities for you, remember to be led by your interests and consider what will help you prepare for the year ahead. This break in your studies is a great time to explore, create, reflect and have fun!
Looking for ways to enhance your study habits? Read up on the apps that can help you stay focused and excel at school.
