Fun Ideas for the Winter School Holidays
In just over a week, school will be out in Victoria, and thousands of kids will be let loose for a fortnight of winter fun. By planning ahead and scheduling some fun events, day trips or activities at home for the holiday time, you can manage their expectations (and the family budget), so everyone knows what to expect.
“What are we doing today?” – it’s the most asked question over the school holidays, which leaves most parents exhausted at the mere thought of it all! We’ve put our heads together at Torquay Toys to help you skip ‘school holiday syndrome.’ Read on to discover how a few ideas on the board can help you to look forward to spending quality time with the kids, making the most of spending a couple of weeks together, 24/7.
Travel Toys
If you're heading away on a car trip (like this cute little Camper Van family), or even on the train or plane, plan ahead with some great mobile activities to keep everyone happy en route.
A bag full of travel fun for little adventurers! The Play'n Pack is a backpack filled with imaginative play for small folk. Whether you're on the road, boat, plane or at your favourite cafe, the Play'n pack will bring hours of creative fun for your little adventurer. Inside you'll find a Playpa Colouring Roll, a Pack of Stickers, Non-toxic Crayons, Wooden Binoculars and 52 Play'n Colour Alphabet Cards. Get ready, get set, play!
We also carry a huge range of the ever-popular Tiger Tribe boxed activity sets, to suit all children's interests. Economical, and great quality, the sets vary from Squadron Paper Aeroplane kits to Animals, Rainforests, Unicorns and Ballerina inspired play sets. Check them out here and in-store.
Activity suggestions for at home, or away
Anyone with early childhood and primary school aged children will love these activities that cost little or nothing:
- Play Dress Ups! Dress as characters from your favourite movies, the job you want when you grow up, or even an amazing animal! Act out the role, and be imaginative with the props you can use at home.
- Make a magazine. Interview your parents and grandparents about their childhood memories, favourite jobs, best friends and funniest memories! Ask them to explain how things have changed since they were kids (ie: did they use computers at school, what inventions have changed the world (it's so fun to stump the kids with defunct technology like cassette tapes, VHS tapes, a walkman, and what on earth is a teledex?!
- Crafternoon - make a collage from magazines and catalogues. It could be about designing interiors, fashion trends, inventing new cars, or even recipes! Whatever gets your kids excited about the future, let your imagination run free
- Go on Excursion! Pack the binoculars for a day out in nature, or visit the zoo. Go to an animal shelter, chocolate factory, indoor swimming pool or a skate park. Get the kids thinking about 'a day in the life' of the people who work there (or animals who live there), and encourage them to imagine themselves in their favourite role... e.g. at the zoo there’s roles such as vets, safari bus drivers, marketing, café staff, cleaners and customer service staff. At the pool there are lifeguards, swimming teachers, fitness instructors, reception staff and the people who test the water quality (budding scientists love this one!).
- Draw a Poster! Bust out the textas, pencils and crayons and use the alphabet to get creative. Think of all the different songs/animals/movies you know in the world, starting from A-Z! The wackier, funnier, and most wondrous, the better!
- Heading to the supermarket? Have your juniors make a plan for their favourite meals, and get them to help write a list of ingredients to create a restaurant experience at home... Little ones love this Indigo Jamm - Kitchenette Diner, a role play category award winner.
... Budding chefs get to set the theme, help prepare the meal, set the table, write the menu and even decorate the table for the night. Think 'Mexican Fiesta' or 'A Night In Italy' to help steer their creativity. Extra points if dinner time includes some native words - Ole! Bellissimo!
- Bust out the board games! We've got all the favourites in stock, from Cluedo to Catan, Battleships to Pictionary. Our current fave celebrates the iconic Bells Beach, right here on the Surf Coast; Ride The Surf is a great game for surfers, families, young and old - just roll the dice, paddle, surf and score!
We hope you've enjoyed our suggestions for things to do with little (and bigger) kids during these holiday weeks. Competition time! We are running a colouring competition for the school holidays. Download our very own Torquay Toys colouring-in sheet here, as designed by local artist Jenny Laidlaw, or pop in-store to pick one up now. Tag us on Instagram (@torquay_toys) so we can see your special work! Winner will be announced on Sunday 14th July.
If you’re looking for a game, activity or toy over the winter holidays, rest assured the staff at Torquay Toys can give you advice on purchasing a suitable product or gift for a child with any interest, at any age and stage. Pop in and see us at Shop 1a Gilbert St Torquay, follow us on Instagram, or check out our website for our wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and games. Can't see something online? Call us on 03 52 615594 and we'll organise shipping or click n' collect for you.
Come rain or come shine, happy holidays!