10 fun, cost-effective outdoor activities perfect for school holidays

School holidays provide the perfect chance to spend a little time together; but school holiday activities don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there are some fun, cost-effective outdoor activities you can do in your own backyard that’ll keep the kids busy for hours! 

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1. Outdoor activities should always include a scavenger hunt

No need to hunt for ideas on how to fill your school holidays; this is one of those outdoor activities that could keep them entertained for days at a time! Note: the more items they have, the longer they’ll be kept busy!

What you’ll need:

• Paper
• Coloured pencils/crayons
• Stickers or stamp (optional)

Method:

1. Have the kids make lists of all the items they need to find on their scavenger hunt. 
2. Once the list is finalised, declare the beginning of the scavenger hunt! 
3. Optional: have a stamp or some stickers ready and mark off each item on their lists when they find it. 
4. Pick a fun reward for the winner! 

Opportunity to: explore their surroundings, practice their investigation skills, and discuss good sportsmanship in competitive situations.

2. Veggie gardens make great outdoor activities for the whole family

A DIY vegetable garden for the family is the gift that keeps on giving! This is a great one for older kids who may not want to play games or make crafts, but still enjoy spending time outdoors creating. Depending on how much room (and energy) you have, you could plant a modest garden in planters or a whole veggie patch!  

What you’ll need and method: read our complete guide to building a thriving veggie patch here!

Opportunity to: grow your own food, discuss healthy eating, introduce household chore responsibilities, teach gardening and building skills and introduce cooking skills.

3. Tea party picnic

Transform your backyard into a magical tea party setting with a simple picnic. Lay out a blanket, set up some cute tea sets, and enjoy an afternoon of imagination and delicious treats. 

What you’ll need: 

• Picnic blanket 

• Toy tea sets 

• Sandwiches and snacks 

• Juice or tea 

Method: 

1. Spread out the picnic blanket in a shady spot. 

1. Set up the tea sets and arrange the sandwiches and snacks. 

1. Let the kids enjoy their tea party, creating their own stories and games as they dine. 

Opportunity to: engage in imaginative play, practice social skills, and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. 

4. Leaf crowns

Crown your team as school holiday outdoor activity royalty with leaf crowns! From foraging in the backyard, to crafting, dress-ups and character play, this outdoor activity offers something for everyone. 

What you’ll need: 

• Leaves 

• Paint and brushes 

• Cardboard (enough to wrap around head) 

• Stapler 

Method: 

1. Forage outside for attractive leaves; try to find some that have fun shapes or interesting edges. 
2. Paint your leaves in crazy colours and patterns. 
3. Make your crown base by wrapping a length of cardboard around your head (across your forehead) and stapling at the correct tightness. 
4. Once leaves are dry, staple them to the crown base. 

Opportunity to: discuss the life cycle of trees and mulch, engage creativity and look absolutely fabulous! 

5. Create your very own fairy garden

Bring a touch of magic to your backyard with a DIY fairy garden. This activity allows children and adults alike to create a whimsical world where their imaginations can run wild. 

What you’ll need: 

• Small plants and flowers 

• Miniature fairy figurines and houses 

• Pebbles and decorative stones 

• Soil and a container 

Method: 

1. Choose a container and fill it with soil. 
2. Plant small plants and flowers to create the garden. 
3. Arrange fairy figurines, houses, and decorative stones. 
4. Encourage the kids to add their own touches and create stories about their fairy garden. 

Opportunity to: nurture creativity, learn about plant care, and create a magical play area. 

6. DIY Fort

Build an epic fort that can serve as a secret hideout, reading nook, or even a mini castle. This activity is perfect for sparking imagination and providing hours of fun. 

What you’ll need: 

• Old sheets or blankets 

• Clothes pegs or clips 

• Cushions and pillows 

• String lights (optional) 

Method: 

1. Drape the sheets or blankets over furniture or a clothesline to create the fort structure. 
2. Secure the sheets with pegs or clips. 
3. Fill the fort with cushions and pillows for comfort. 
4. Add string lights for an enchanting touch. 

Opportunity to: inspire creativity, promote teamwork, and provide a cozy space for imaginative play. 

7. Recycled herb planters

Add some flavour to the holiday outdoor activities and teach valuable life and healthy eating lessons with recycled herb planters. 

What you’ll need: 

• Recycled cans or jars (washed and labels peeled off) 

• Fabric & twine 

• Glue 

• Herb seedlings 

• Potting mix 

• Teaspoon 

Method: 

1. Using the glue, wrap your jar or can with the fabric. Tie the twine around and finish with a decorative bow. 
2. Take herb seedlings and plant them in a jar or can. Ensure the roots aren’t exposed, and the stalks aren’t too buried. 
3. Fill in gaps with potting mix, using a teaspoon to get into the small cracks. 
4. Water and watch them grow! 

Opportunity to: discuss recycling, grow your own food, teach gardening skills and give them the opportunity to take care of something. 

8. Rock monsters

This idea doubles as a harmless, cheeky prank: hide a Rock Monster in a sock drawer, the fridge or even in the cookie jar to surprise someone! It’s sure to fill the school holidays with giggles and create a daily task they can look forward to. 

What you’ll need: 

• Rocks, leaves and grass 

• Googly eyes 

• Glue 

• Paint or textas 

Method: 

1. Go hunting for rocks, leaves and grass outside. 
2. Glue the googly eyes onto your rock, and build the rest of the face from there! 
3. Use grass for hair, moustaches or beards, leaves for ears, and draw/paint on mouths or noses. 
4. Hide them around the house as a sneaky surprise! 

Opportunity to: discuss how every face has unique features, teach resourcefulness, test fine motor skills and engage creativity. 

9. Chalk mural

Let your kids unleash their inner artists with a giant chalk mural on the pavement or driveway. Simple yet incredibly fun, this idea allows for endless creativity. 

What you’ll need: 

• Sidewalk chalk 

Method: 

1. Choose a large, flat surface in your backyard. 
2. Let the kids draw and colour to their heart’s content. 
3. Encourage them to create a theme or story within their mural. 

Opportunity to: enhance artistic skills, promote self-expression, and create temporary outdoor art. 

10. Cloud gazing

Look to the sky for a fun outdoor activity for the family. A relaxing way to spend an afternoon in the fresh air! 

What you’ll need: 

• A mild, temperate day with a few clouds (but no rain!) 

• A picnic rug or outdoor mat for added comfort  

Method: 

1. Find a flat area with uninterrupted sky views.
2. Lay out a picnic rug or outdoor mat.
3. Take turns to tell stories inspired by the sky and clouds.

Opportunity to: engage in imaginative play and develop active listening and storytelling skills. 

Outdoor activities that will keep kids entertained for hours

We hope these ten outdoor activities have inspired you and the kids to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors these school holidays. A home is a safe space; a happy place – create an outdoor haven for your little ones. Protect your family with a privacy or security wall that you can rely on. Our premium wall and fence solutions provide the ultimate safety and peace of mind so your little ones can enjoy uninterrupted playtime.