Family & Pets
30 cheap – or free – holiday activities to do with grandkids
Keen the grandkids entertained during the summer holidays doesn’t have to be expensive with these cheap – or free – activities!
- Grab the tent and sleeping bags and go camping in the backyard or if the weather’s bad, in the living room! The kids will particularly enjoy star-gazing at night.
- Get the grandkids interesting in gardening early by helping them plant some veggies in the garden. If you don’t have enough space, plant some herbs in pots.
- There’s nothing better on a hot summer’s day then spending a day at the beach. Pack some cold drinks and snacks and you’ve got a fun day splashing in the water.
- Introduce the grandkids to some culture with a visit to the local museum or gallery. They’re often free or only ask for a small entrance fee.
- Get busy in the kitchen by teaching the little ones some easy recipes.
- For rainy days, make an indoor obstacle course with cushions, boxes, chairs and blankets.
- Grab an empty notebook and get the children to write or draw picture for a school holiday diary. Personalise their very own storybooks by decorating the cover.
- Have a masquerade party at your house with homemade masks created from paper plates, feathers, and glitter.
- Explore the neighbourhood by bike.
- Or by rollerblades.
- Plan a treasure hunt in the backyard. Make a treasure map and hide clues around the house.
- When you’re visiting the beach or park, collect shells, leaves, sticks and anything else that strikes their fancy to make a collage at home.
- Make some jewellery with macaroni, pasta and beads.
- Grab some binoculars and go birdwatching.
- Become photographers with your smartphone. Challenge the grandchildren to transform everyday objects into pieces of art.
- Visit the local library and discover some wonderful new storybooks.
- Head over to the botanical garden with a picnic lunch. The kids can run around, while you relax under the shade.
- Bring out old-school board games and teach children about real games that don’t live in an iPad.
- Teach the grandkids how to fish.
- Make your own kites and head to the park to fly them on a windy day.
- Go bushwalking at one of our many National Parks.
- Head to the local pool for a swim.
- Make a scrapbook of the grandkids time with you.
- Go to the movies at an independent cinema, which often have much cheaper tickets than cinemas in high-rent shopping centres.
- Or have a movie night at home with the kid’s favourite DVDs. Turn off the lights and grab a bowl of popcorn and it’s just like the movies!
- Go to the bowling alley to duke it out for bowling champion.
- Visit shopping centres during the holidays as they often have kid-friendly activities and events on.
- For older grandkids, take them to the weekend markets or fairs. They’re always plenty to explore.
- Raid your wardrobe and let the kids put on a fashion show. Or get the kids making their own inventive creations from newspaper and magazines.
- Get the kids active by playing their favourite sport with them. Whether it’s kicking the soccer ball around or playing some backyard cricket, it’s a great way to get the grandchildren exercising.
Related links:
15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart
The funniest things grandkids kids say
Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents