School Holiday Babysitting
Back in the day you knew exactly when the school holidays were. Now I suspect the only reason you might be aware that school is out is when public transport and the roads are quieter on the way to work OR you get a phone call from the Parent seeing if you are ‘free’ for 2 weeks in June. Fortunately you can plan ahead by visiting Australian School Term Dates and checking out when you might be invaded.
NB: There are also “pupil free days” now which, amazingly, follow public holidays.
Your next challenge is to decide what to do with the cherubs that doesn’t cost too much money or energy from you. Indoors or outdoors activities? – the weather might decide.
In addition to trips to the beach, the parks, museums, and the movies there are lots more activities around than we had to keep the kids out of trouble during the holidays. Many art galleries are now spaces for exploring and creating for kids of all ages (even you). City councils put on holiday events. And even the local mall might put on shows and other entertainment to take you into the retail hubs.
Below are some links to government and private organisations that offer free activities or provide other ideas:
Australia wide
- Kmart school holiday activity calendar
- School holiday directory – school holiday activities around AUS
New South Wales
- Go Play – your school holiday calendar for NSW
Queensland
- School holiday information and ideas in the Sunshine State
- Myfun.com.au – the box office for Australia’s favourite theme parks
Victoria
- School holidays in the Garden State
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
- Tasmania Online – school holiday activities
General
- Holidaying with kids – place to stay, things to do
- Activity Village – great resource when you run out of ideas to amuse the children
International sites
- Rip Curl School of Surf – catch some waves
- Disney family fun
- School holiday in the UK
- Holidays in the USA
Other ideas for outings during the School Holidays
- A trip to town – the heart of your city rather than the local mall or shopping centre (there’s often free activities and entertainment during school holidays)
- Markets (Supermarkets, Craft, Fruit and Vege, Flea)
- Swimming – beach or pool (you might need to pay for swimming lessons beforehand)
- Teach them how to build sandcastles
- Water slides (a tarp and a hose might just be enough)
- Live theatre
- Aquarium
- Petting zoo
- Railway museum
- The zoo
- State or local library
- Museum
- A train, bus, ferry or tram ride
- Go to the airport to watch the planes
- Make sock puppets
- Cooking lessons
- Gardening
