Keep kids happily busy through the holidays with a mix of four kinds of activity: making something, learning something, moving and playing outside, and reading or writing. A light daily routine (a morning job, one planned activity, outdoor time, reading and a short "best part of my day" reflection) gives the day shape without timetabling fun away. Let children choose from a bucket list they helped write; they'll be far keener.
Start with a holiday bucket list
On day one, sit together and write 10–15 things to do before school restarts. Mix quick wins (make a paper boat) with bigger ones (read 10 books). Tick them off as you go.
20 screen-free activities
Make and create
- Make a paper boat and race it in a tub
- Build a fort with bedsheets and chairs
- Paint diyas or decorate a rangoli (for Diwali holidays)
- Make a greeting card for a grandparent
- Start a scrapbook of the holidays
Learn something
- Plant a seed and measure it every day
- Learn a card or board game from an elder
- Cook or bake one simple recipe with an adult
- Learn 10 words in a new language
- Stargaze and find three constellations
Move and play outside
- Have a picnic in the park or on the terrace
- Play a traditional game: kho-kho, pithu, gilli-danda or hopscotch
- Go on a nature walk and collect leaves
- Fly a kite
- Learn to skip 50 times without stopping
Read and write
- Set a reading goal, such as 10 books
- Write a letter to a friend or relative
- Make up a story using four random words
- Keep a one-line diary every day
- Visit a library or bookshop
A simple holiday routine
| Part of the day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Morning | Brush teeth, make the bed, one small job at home, breakfast |
| Late morning | One planned activity from the bucket list |
| Afternoon | Rest, then reading for 20 minutes |
| Evening | Outdoor play or a walk, before it gets dark |
| Before bed | Draw or write the best part of the day |
Keep it flexible: trips, festivals and visits from relatives are part of the holidays too.
Set four small goals together
- Learning: for example, times tables up to 12, or 10 books.
- Fitness: learn to cycle, swim or skip 50 times.
- Creative: finish a scrapbook or learn a song.
- Helping at home: water the plants every day, or help cook once a week.
Colour a star for each day your child works on a goal. Seeing the stars add up is motivating.
Printable activity booklet
The Summer Booklet works for any school holiday. It has an "All About Me" page, a bucket list of 12 activities, a goals page with 40 stars to colour, 6 "My Summer Day" pages with a routine checklist and a drawing box, a reading log, word puzzles and a memories page. Best for ages 6–12. A4, ₹249. Planning your own week too? See our family & home planners.
Frequently asked questions
What are good screen-free activities for kids?
Making things (paper boats, forts, cards), learning something (planting a seed, a new recipe, a board game), outdoor play (picnics, kites, traditional games like kho-kho) and reading or writing (a reading goal, letters, a one-line diary).
How do I plan a holiday routine for kids?
Keep a light shape to the day: a morning job, one planned activity, rest and reading in the afternoon, outdoor play in the evening and a short reflection before bed.
What holiday goals can children set?
One each for learning, fitness, creativity and helping at home, such as reading 10 books, learning to cycle, finishing a scrapbook and watering the plants daily.
How do I keep kids motivated during the holidays?
Let them help write a bucket list, tick activities off as they go, and colour a star for each day they work on a goal.
What age are these activities for?
Most suit children aged about 6 to 12. Younger children can do many of them with an adult's help.
Always supervise children for cooking, water and outdoor activities.