What To Do with Your Kids This School Holidays

School holidays. The kids wake up full of energy, the chaos kicks in, and you're instantly wondering, ‘What on earth are we going to do today?’

If you’ve ever found yourself typing ‘what to do with kids in the school holidays’ into Google while reheating your coffee for the third time, you’re in good company.

Whether you’re juggling work, keeping sibling squabbles to a minimum, or just trying to avoid another day of screen time, we’ve rounded up a bunch of easy, low-fuss ideas that’ll keep the kids entertained and active, without the stress, the price tag, or the need to leave the house.

Because sometimes, the best answer to what to do with kids in the school holidays is right outside your back door. So if you're stuck for inspiration, here are 8 easy, screen-free ideas to make the most of the break, without leaving your postcode.

Plan for Your Sanity's Sake

Hot Tip: Sit down with the kids at the start of the break and create a ‘holiday activity jar' filled with slips of paper featuring your favourite ideas from this list. That way, when boredom hits, they simply pick one, and boom! Instant plan with zero overthinking.

 

1. Backyard Obstacle Course Bonanza

Your backyard is a ready-made adventure zone. Start simple: pool noodles for hurdles, cones or buckets for weaving, ropes for limbo lines. If you’ve got a Funky Monkey Bars set, you’re already ahead of the game. Climbing ladders, hanging grips, and rocket rings bring the ninja course to life.

Let the kids draw a course map, set up time trials, or create different ‘levels’ to complete. You’ll be amazed how long it holds their attention, especially if you let them compete against you.

2. Water Play Wonderland

Water play is a school holiday classic for a reason. No need for a pool, just turn on the sprinkler, fill up a few buckets, or set up a DIY splash station with plastic tubs, sponges, and water balloons. Try ‘target practice’ with wet sponges or ‘car wash' roleplay with bikes and scooters.

Want to level it up? Freeze small toys in ice blocks and give the kids tools to excavate them. It’s part science experiment, part splashy fun, and a great way to cool down.

3. Bushwalks & Bug Hunts

You don’t need a mountain hike; just your local nature reserve, park, or even a walking trail will do. Grab a scavenger list (or make your own), pack some snacks, and head out for a bushwalk. Look for feathers, listen for bird calls, and spot different plants or insects.
Encourage kids to take photos or sketch their discoveries in a little “nature notebook” when they get home. It’s screen-free time that doesn’t feel like a chore.

4. Build a Cubby Kingdom

Indoors or out, cubby building is a crowd-pleaser. Drape sheets over chairs, outdoor furniture, or even your Funky Monkey Bars frame. Add blankets, pegs, fairy lights, or a ‘no grown-ups allowed' sign and let them take the reins.
They can turn it into a castle, a café, a jungle hut, or a reading nook, just follow their lead. Pop in some snacks and soft toys and enjoy a rare moment of peace.

5. Create a Backyard Mini-Olympics

Sack races, wheelbarrow relays, egg-and-spoon runs, and backyard limbo, it’s all fair game in the Backyard Olympics. Let the kids form teams, create their country flags, and take turns being competitors and commentators.
You don’t need fancy gear, just use what’s lying around. And if you’re feeling ambitious, host an opening ceremony, with costumes and music.

6. Funky Monkey Play Sessions

Your Funky Monkey Bars aren’t just for climbing; they’re a stage, a fortress, a training course, a flying fox, and a rocket ship, depending on the day. Our modular designs grow with your kids, keeping them engaged year after year.
Encourage themed play days: ninja training camp, jungle expedition, pirate ship adventure. Add timers, scavenger lists or obstacle routes to keep it fresh.

7. Backyard Camping Night

There’s something special about sleeping outdoors, even if it’s just a few steps from the house. Pitch a tent, roll out the sleeping bags, and bring the marshmallows. Add fairy lights, torches and a few spooky (or silly) stories.
If the kids are into it, download a stargazing app or bring out the binoculars for a look at the moon. And if someone gets cold feet at bedtime, it’s an easy move back inside.

8. Let Them Be Bored

It’s tempting to pack the holidays full, but a little boredom isn’t a bad thing. That’s often when the most creative moments happen. Give kids space, and they’ll invent games, dream up their challenges, and find wonderfully weird ways to entertain themselves.
Keep a stash of open-ended materials on hand, cardboard boxes, paper, markers, dress-ups, kitchen utensils, and see what happens.

Backyard Fun, Big Memories

So the next time you hear the dreaded ‘what are we doing today?’ you’ll be ready, with a few simple ideas, a little creativity, and maybe a cheeky Boredom Jar to back you up.

And if you’ve got a Funky Monkey Bars set in the backyard? You’re already halfway to winning the holidays. Because when the kids are swinging, climbing, flipping and laughing outside, something magic happens: they sleep better, play longer, and those memories? They stick.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be fun.
Here’s to backyard adventures, muddy feet, happy chaos, and the kind of tired that comes from a really good play. You’ve got this.

Make Your Backyard the Best Thing about the School Holidays

Discover our range of Australian-made, modular Funky Monkey Bars, built tough for Aussie backyards and designed to grow with your kids. Whether they’re climbing, swinging, flipping or dreaming up their next big adventure, Funky Monkey Bars brings the fun (and the chaos) home in the best possible way.

Because when kids have the space to move, explore and imagine, school holidays go from ‘what do we do today?’ to ‘can we play outside all day?’
Make these school holidays their best yet. Explore our range of monkey bar sets and let the backyard adventures begin.