There’s no shortage of time during the school holidays, just a shortage of things worth spending it on (unless of course you’ve jam packed the those two weeks with holiday programs, family getaways, playdates, and local outings). Passive entertainment and screen filler are over before they’ve really started, leaving nothing to show for it. Might we suggest a micro-project? Kids can sink into it, make some progress, pick it back up tomorrow, and eventually reach the end of something.
Family Newsletter: Design a structured, real-looking publication using free templates (you can find some in word, google docs, canva etc). Include a headline story, weather report, life updates, classifieds section (for trading/selling items), and a “last night’s dinner” review. Distribute via email or pin it to the fridge.
Stop-Motion Mini-Movie: Sketch out a storyboard or scenes on paper first. Use Lego, Play-Doh, or small action figures as characters, and animate frame-by-frame using free apps like Stop Motion Studio. Finish it off with voiceovers and background soundtrack/sound effects.
Comic Book: Create a comic featuring the family as superheroes or an entirely fictional cast. Outline character names, unique powers, and flaws to make the narrative engaging before drawing full comic pages.
Interior Design Model: Craft a miniature 3D model of a bedroom or living space using household scraps (cardboard, fabric offcuts, bottle caps). Experiment with furniture layouts and design ideas before making real-world changes.
Custom Board Game: Focus on gameplay mechanics as much as design: draft clear victory conditions, write interactive event cards, and playtest with family members to tweak rules when gameplay issues arise.
Magic Show: Focus on quality over quantity by mastering 2–3 solid tricks over several days. Build a short performance script and engaging stage patter for a live family show.
Dance Routine: Select a favorite song, divide the choreography into manageable sections, and rehearse daily. Put on a final performance, or teach the steps to parents/siblings.
Family Cookbook: Collect favorite or heirloom recipes from parents, grandparents, and older relatives. Transcribe them, add hand-drawn illustrations, and include notes or star ratings to track recipe variations.
Time Capsule: Gather current-day artifacts (receipts, trending topic lists, magazines) along with letters to future selves. Conduct short video or written interviews with family members about their 5-year predictions before sealing the capsule away.
Mini Museum: Gather natural or historical items (rocks, shells, old family objects), categorise them, and create a curated display on a windowsill or inside a shoebox with handwritten description placards.
Herb Garden: Plant easy(ish)-to-grow herbs (basil, mint, parsley) in recycled tins or terracotta pots. Maintain a daily growth log tracking height, watering schedules, and fastest-growing plants.
Toy & Book Donation Drive: Sort through personal items and ask neighbours for contributions. Categorise and box up the donations, then research local shelters, schools, or op shops for drop-off.
Celebration Planner: Map out upcoming family birthdays and events over the next few months. Plan schedules, keep track of dates, and DIY thoughtful hand-drawn cards or crafts ahead of time.
Eco Brick: Pack clean, dry soft plastics (wrappers, bags, foam) tightly into an empty plastic bottle using a stick, building it up over several days or weeks, until the bottle is rock solid and won’t dent when squeezed. Once finished, you can log and donate it, or find a way to use it in gardening or outdoor furnishing projects.
Entrepreneurship: Pick a small venture, a lemonade stand, a dog-walking round, a handmade jewellery stall, and work out costs, pricing, and simple signage before opening for business. Track sales and expenses in a notebook and tally up the final profit (or loss) at the end.
