Collection: School Holiday Activities for Kids

Make the school holidays a time for exploring, experimenting and discovering something new. Our school holiday activities for kids combine science, nature, creativity and hands-on learning — giving curious minds plenty to do beyond screens.

Explore the backyard with a magnifier, discover a hidden world through a microscope, build something that moves, experiment with solar energy or tackle a hands-on STEM project. These activities make learning part of the adventure, whether kids are at home, outdoors, visiting the grandparents or heading away for the holidays.

School Holiday Activities for Kids

Find Something to Explore

Explore outdoor discoveries, microscopes, creative science and hands-on STEM projects designed to keep curious minds busy these holidays.

Explore. Make. Discover. Learn.

Turn the school holidays into an adventure. Head outdoors, investigate the microscopic world or build something from scratch — there are plenty of ways to keep curious minds busy, creative and learning.

  • Explore the Outdoors

    Turn the backyard, beach or local park into a place to explore. Discover insects, plants, rocks and other natural finds with magnifiers, viewers and simple observation tools.

    Explore Outdoor Activities 
  • Discover the Microscopic World

    There’s a whole world waiting to be seen up close. Explore everyday objects, plant material and prepared specimens and discover details that are difficult to see with the naked eye.

    Explore Microscopes 
  • Build, Experiment & Create

    Build it, test it, change it and try again. Hands-on STEM projects encourage children to experiment, solve problems and discover how things work through making.

    Explore STEM Activities 

Ideas for the School Holidays

A little curiosity can turn an ordinary day into an adventure. Here are some simple ways to get kids exploring, investigating and creating these school holidays.

  • Go on a Backyard Safari

    Grab a magnifier and see what you can discover. Look under leaves, inspect tree bark, search for insects and compare the different plants growing around you.

  • Create a Nature Discovery Table

    Bring together interesting leaves, shells, rocks or other natural finds from your adventures. Compare their shapes, colours and textures and find out more about what you've discovered.

  • Look Closer

    Choose something ordinary and investigate it under a microscope. Try a leaf, feather, fabric fibre or another suitable specimen and discover details that are difficult to see with the naked eye.

  • Build Something That Works

    Take on a STEM challenge and build a working project. Experiment, test your ideas and see what happens when you change the design.

Learning That Doesn't Feel Like Schoolwork

Some of the best learning happens when children are simply curious about what they see around them. School holidays give kids time to explore their own interests, ask questions and discover how things work without it feeling like another lesson.

Hands-on science and STEM activities encourage children to observe, experiment, build and solve problems. Whether they're investigating something found in the garden, looking through a microscope or building a working project, they're developing useful skills while having fun along the way.

And the exploring doesn't have to stop when the holidays end. These activities are great for rainy days, weekends, home learning, family projects and curious kids who are always looking for their next discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good school holiday activities for kids?

Hands-on activities such as exploring nature, using a magnifier or microscope, building STEM projects and trying simple science activities can keep children busy while encouraging curiosity, creativity and problem-solving.

How can I encourage kids to spend more time outdoors?

Give outdoor time a purpose. Try a backyard nature hunt, collect interesting leaves or rocks, investigate insects with a magnifier or take simple exploration tools on a trip to the park or beach. Having something to discover can make getting outdoors much more engaging.

Are STEM activities suitable for doing at home?

Many STEM and science activities are well suited to home learning and holiday projects. Choose activities appropriate for the child's age, follow the instructions supplied with the product and provide adult supervision where required.