Tips to enjoy winter school holidays on a budget

School is out, but now comes the challenge of keeping the kids occupied during colder days. It can be done — without breaking the bank. Check out our list of useful tips and tricks, courtesy of the Salvos Moneycare team, that will help you navigate the holidays enjoyably, warmly and affordably!

Look for community activities

The Salvation Army, as well as many local councils around Australia offer school holiday programs that include free and low-cost activities. Visit your relevant state or council website to find out what’s on offer in your area that the kids may be interested in. But be quick to sign up or register, as these activities often require bookings and spots fill up fast.

Escape to a library

Many public libraries — in addition to a wide selection of entertaining and educational books and reading resources — offer holiday activities for kids. Some may even have video games and other child-friendly facilities. Find out what’s available near you and enjoy some free fun

Op shop treasure hunt

Op shops are a great place to find inexpensive board games, books and toys — something for kids of all ages. A fun day out idea — plan an op shop treasure hunt with the kids, armed with a list of items they can look for, such as books, TV shows or games. The items they buy can be enjoyed over the holidays, and beyond!

Enjoy budget-friendly nature adventures

True to the adage, ‘the best things in life are free’ — an adventure-packed day outdoors is a fun and free way to enjoy all that is magical about winter. You could plan a walk or hike with the family to a nearby trail or scenic spot, homemade snacks in hand, or head to the beach for some whale-spotting and shell-collecting (if allowed), and watch the waves roll in. Longer winter nights can also be a good time for stargazing, and encouraging young minds to get curious about science and space.

Get cooking

Cooking is a very useful life skill, and holidays are the perfect time for kids to learn and enjoy some of their own culinary delights. Depending on their age, you could plan a meal with the kids, and help them make a shopping list and meal prep. Research shows that cooking and eating at home is cheaper than eating out or takeaway meals. Bonus advantage — kids always love what they cook more, so time to sneak some veggies in!

Chores, but make it fun

A great way to keep kids busy and help them understand and appreciate the importance of a clean and tidy home, is to get them to help around the house. Chores aren’t always fun, so think of ways to gamify or incentivise household duties such as loading the dishwasher, folding the laundry or turning off extra lights around the house with a points system or awards. Celebrate wins and accomplishments to encourage kids to continue these good habits long after the holidays are over.