5 Screen-Free School Holiday Ideas

Remember the days of climbing trees, making mud pies and mixing up garden potions? Those were just a few of my fondest childhood memories, with most of my free time being spent in outdoors playing with friends. In retrospect, I feel very lucky to have had the childhood that I did. Nowadays, kids tend to have their eyes glued to some kind of screen – whether that be their phone, iPad or computer. Technology has become a staple in every household, making it very difficult to avoid in the modern day. The school holidays can be a great time to explore your own backyard and swap the gadgets for a hiking pack. New Zealand is well known for its beautiful natural landscapes and incredible wildlife – and you don’t have to travel very far to see why. To have such beauty on our doorsteps is a privilege and getting amongst it can give you a newfound appreciation for the world around you. So what are you waiting for? Get the kids out from behind their screens and have them making memories in the great outdoors instead!

If you need a little inspiration, check out our top 5 school holiday ideas that don’t require a WiFi connection or a screen.

Camping

Nothing builds character like a family camping trip! If you aren’t able to travel far from home, simply set up camp in the backyard. Pitch a tent and bring the full camping experience to your front door. This is especially great for younger kids, as it gives them a chance to acclimatise to the idea of a full-blown camping trip in the middle of nowhere. Do your best to create an authentic experience for the kids that they will never forget by keeping it strictly outdoors (apart from using the bathroom). Set up the tent with sleeping mats, sleeping bags, torches and extra blankets if needed. If you have the resources, consider a backyard campfire! Purchase some long marshmallow roasting sticks and toast marshmallows under the moonlight for that quintessential camping experience. Make sure to rug up warmly and treat yourself to a hot chocolate under the stars. Make sure you stock up on bug spray to prevent any mosquitoes from ruining your evening. Want some extra magic? String up some fairy lights!

Baikang Yuan via Unsplash

Hiking

Living in New Zealand means we are lucky enough to have a variety of picturesque hiking trails right on our doorstep! If your children have never done a hike before, make sure to ease them in slowly. There are plenty of great child-friendly trails dotted around our country. Some of these hikes include: Wairere Falls, Cathedral Cove, Mount Maunganui and many more. We would recommend checking out the website All Trails to find other child friendly trails. Choose a hike that is relatively short, not too physically challenging and filled with fun lookouts and stops along the way. Keep the children placated by bringing a bunch of fun snacks and drinks. A lot of hikes feature picnic tables at the halfway mark, which is the perfect place to sit, eat and break up the hike. Get your children excited to explore by getting them their very own hiking backpack like this one from Deuter. If you have super little ones that need to be carried, get your hands on a child carrier. Keep the journey exciting by having your child look out for signs of wildlife along the way. Take photos of all the interesting plants, birds and bugs you can find and identify them all when you get home.

Holly Mandarich via Unsplash

Bike Riding

A great way to get the kids outdoors is by planning a family bike ride! Don your helmet, put on some warm clothes and pedal off on an adventure. Cycling is a great way to get to and from your destination and also has the added bonus of tiring your kids out by the time evening rolls around. Bike to a nearby park and let your kids run, climb and slide until their heart's content. A must-have for all family adventures is food – so be sure to pack water and snacks in your backpack so you can enjoy a nice lunch in the fresh air.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, try a mountain biking trip instead! Our local mountain biking trail is the Redwoods in Rotorua, which is free to explore with the whole family. The Redwoods has a variety of trails suited to different skill levels ranging from beginner to extreme. For young ones, we would recommend the Kids Loop. This track is safe for children with limited experience, allowing them to grow their confidence on the trails.

Next Bike via Unsplash

Beach Trip

Many people rule out a beach trip in the winter, deeming it too cold to enjoy. However, we beg to differ! Our New Zealand winters are a lot more tolerable than a lot of overseas countries. Although it might be a little cold to take the kids swimming, the beach still has a bunch of hidden treasures to enjoy. Pack your sandcastle equipment and have a sandcastle building competition! Get creative and decorate your castles with shells, sticks, seaweed – you name it. If your kids aren’t the competitive type, work together to help them create one massive sandcastle that they’ll be proud of. My personal favourite pastime at the beach is collecting shells and taking them home to use for arts and crafts. Search up “shell DIY” on Pinterest and get inspired! Make necklaces, photo frames, jewellery holders, wall decor and whatever else you can come up with. Kids are naturally creative so let them run wild with their unique ideas.

Hello I’m Nik via Unsplash

Roller Skating or Rollerblading

The holidays are the perfect time to try something new! We have noticed that skating seems to be a favourite amongst many kids at the moment, with skate parks and indoor skate rinks steadily growing in popularity. Roller skating or rollerblading is a fun way for kids to get outdoors and stay active. Have your child begin practising on school courts or on the footpath down the street. Once they’ve got a solid grasp on how to maintain their balance and generate a bit of speed, you can take them to their local pump track, skate park or indoor rink. If you are located in the Bay of Plenty, I would highly recommend checking out Skatescool. There is also a really good outdoor skating area located in Papamoa, which has both a pump track and a skate park. Head to Gordon Spratt Reserve on Parton Road to check it out!

Don’t let a slight chill in the air stop you and the children from exploring these school holidays. Prepare for some school holiday fun with our wide range of outdoor equipment. Getting off the iPad and into nature will do them the world of good – trust us!