How To Plan A School Holiday Routine For Kids

After working hard throughout the term, your kids will be looking forward to school holidays! However, if you aren’t careful, what you envision as lazy and care-free may become exhausting and chaotic. To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, consider planning a school holiday routine.

We suggest three strategies: taking each day as it comes, planning the entire holiday routine in advance, or finding a balance between the two. While over-scheduling isn’t recommended, having some plans in place can keep the holidays fun and productive.

Select the approach that suits your planning style and your kids’ needs. The ultimate goal is to create a routine that limits screen time and encourages outdoor play, new experiences, and continued learning.

One Day at a Time

This approach works for families with unpredictable schedules or those who value flexibility. It ensures children stay active and engaged without being tied to rigid plans. Incorporate daily chores and offline activities to maintain structure.

Here are some suggested daily activities:

• Wake up and make breakfast together
• Brush teeth, do hair, and get dressed
• Make your bed
• Read a book or magazine (20 minutes)
• Writing, coloring, or drawing (20 minutes)
• Play outside (30 minutes)
• Make or build something (30 minutes)

Once these are completed, kids can enjoy the rest of the day with their preferred activities.

One Week at a Time

If you prefer a balanced mix of downtime and planned activities, organizing the week with themed days might work best. This method encourages creativity, physical activity, and bonding with your children. Here are some ideas:

Make it Monday

Spend the day crafting, baking, building, or painting.

Thinking Tuesday

Engage in science experiments, quiet reading, or academic refreshers with a tutor.

Wander Wednesday

Go on an adventure, a hike, or a swim.

Take a Trip Thursday

Visit a library, zoo, museum, park, or playground.

Fun Day Friday

Have a family picnic, movie day, or play board games.

Selfless Saturday

Volunteer, help a neighbor, or do something kind for a family member.

Spontaneous Sunday

Let the kids decide the activities for the day!

Plan It All at Once

If you enjoy themed weeks, this method lets you focus on a specific topic for the week. Here are some ideas:

Under the Sea Week

Learn about ocean life, create crafts like paper plate jellyfish, and watch ocean-themed movies.

Disney Week

Host a Disney sing-along, make themed crafts, and watch favorite Disney movies.

No Waste Week

Teach sustainability through activities like cooking with minimal waste, picking up litter, or planting a tree.

Seasonal Activities

Winter Holiday Activities

• Play board games
• Make a blanket fort
• Learn a TikTok dance
• Painting
• Write a poem
• Do a puzzle

Summer Holiday Activities

• Go swimming
• Visit a local farm
• Go on a bike ride
• Make a summer scrapbook
• Home-made ice cream
• Fly a kite

If you're concerned about your child falling behind, we have online tutors and tutors in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town.