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It’s hardly surprising the terms ‘surviving’ and ‘school holidays’ are often used in the same sentence. Keeping the kids entertained can be difficult at the best of times, and near impossible if you’re trying to budget after the wallop your wallet took during Easter.

Here are five strategies to survive the school holidays in one financial piece:

1) Keep it local

Head online and check out the school holiday programs run by your local library or museum. These programs are packed with activities the kids will love from movie nights and craft sessions to treasure hunts, just without the exorbitant prices.

Local bushwalking trails and parks are also great destinations for school holiday fun and limiting screen time during those couple of weeks.

2) Eye out deals

Subscribe to keep ahead of any coupons and school holiday deals offered by online sites such as Groupon and Scoopon. Depending on which state you live in, you may be able to score massive discounts on movie tickets, horse-riding lessons and arts classes.

3) Get crafty

Bring out their creative genius with a day of painting and paper mache. Most of the materials you’ll need such as toilet rolls, string, paper plates and PVC glue may already be laying around the house or can be bought cheaply and reused.

And if you’re worried about the messy aftermath, it isn’t much of an effort to head on outside for an arts and crafts session.

4) Role play

Get the kids to have a go at being a Masterchef with an hour or two in the kitchen whipping up homemade pizzas and decorating cupcakes. With a quick online search, you’ll be able to find plenty of recipes that are both delicious and kid friendly.

Once your aprons are off, put an eye patch on and organise a treasure hunt by burying a small bounty in the backyard and creating a map for the kids to find it. Ahoy!

5) Backyard camping

Got a tent, sleeping bags and a couple of torches? Go on a camping trip in your backyard! What’s even better than scary stories and toasted marshmallows is the added bonus of access to a bathroom and running water.

Do you have any other fun activities to add to the list? Please share in the comments below.

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  • I always loved the school holidays. If we could afford it we went somewhere but if not we stayed home and made our own fun.

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  • Surviving! Lol. Some great tips here; thanks.

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  • Great ideas! I am enjoying any day that isn’t raining when we are able to go outside.

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  • since it will be cold and wet we are going to be chilling out together spending quality time because Mummy has time off work!!

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  • There are free activities you can do. Buy a packet of popcorn and ice-cream and have a movie day at home instead of paying at the movies. Improvise and set up a picnic out the back. Check with your local community centres and check google free activities for your state/home.

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  • time costs nothing :) take the kids swimming at the beach which is free, to the park, have a movie night outdoors, buy a storage container and fill it with some cheap craft items to keep the kids amused. Turn on the sprinkler and let them play in it.

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  • Beaches, parks, camp outs in the back yard and surprise sleep overs – all at no cost and guaranteed to keep children happy and worn out by being out in the fresh air.

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  • Parks. Always parks. Most towns have them, and you can venture out for the larger ones. And Shopping Centres always have some free activities whether it’s a performance or a craft area. You can travel to close by towns for different options.

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  • nice ideas !
    We always do a lot play dates, sleepovers, picnics in the park, groupon deals, cooking and baking and crafting.

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  • I haven’t got the space for backyard camping but indoor or backyard picnics are a good substitute.

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  • That’s funny, I just posted this question about 5 minutes ago. Great ideas, I’ll definitely do a few of these. Thanks. Cheap and fun!

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  • These are such great ideas for kids.

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  • All really great ideas. Doing craft is a fun idea

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  • Love these tips we will def be trying these thank you

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  • Thanks for sharing these great tips; the little one’s are always big on arts and crafts, a family favourite!.

    Reply

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