Summer Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy During the School Break

The summer holidays are just around the corner, and while the thought of no school runs is bliss, you might already know what’s coming next from the little ones:  the classic “I’m bored” scenario. While long summer breaks are something all kids look forward to, with so much time off, it can be difficult to keep them active, entertained, and away from their screens.

So, if you’re looking for adventurous and entertaining school holiday activities for your kids to get involved with this summer, we’ve put together an in-depth guide, packed with various options that you can consider. These ideas are all about having fun, exploring the great outdoors, and creating those precious summer memories.

Why keeping your kids active during summer is a must

It’s easy for kids to get caught up in screen time during the holidays. While a bit of downtime is fine, getting active is crucial for their well-being. When kids run, jump, and play, their brains release feel-good chemicals (Dopamine and endorphins). This not only busts boredom but also helps keep their mood steady and reduces stress.

The benefits of being active during the summer holidays go beyond just mental; there are also physical benefits that they will experience. Exercise can strengthen the heart, improving its ability to pump blood around the body. It can also lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and help maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems later in life. 

Another benefit of having a busy day of outdoor play is a tired kid at night. Better sleep means happier mornings for everyone! A good night’s sleep is not only good for your well-being but also essential for your child’s growth and development, as when they sleep, their bodies and brains restore themselves from the daily activities. This supports children’s physical development and their own emotional well-being.

The great outdoors also provides everyone with some time in the sun. Safe sun exposure helps children get enough Vitamin D, which is vital for strong bones. Just remember to have sunscreen on hand at all times, keep the little ones hydrated, and consider wearing a cap or hat.

Summer activities for kids to do during the school holidays

Your summer activity plans don’t have to be complicated; in fact, some of the best summer activities are the simplest ones. They involve getting muddy, being creative, and using the amazing Aussie backyard or local park. Here are some adventure ideas to help keep your kids entertained. 

Explore nature with bushcraft

The summer holidays are the perfect time for your kids to shake off the school year and reconnect with nature. How does learning basic survival skills in the bush sound? Bush survival games are not only exciting and fun for children, but they also teach them valuable life skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

• What to do: Turn your backyard or a local bushland reserve into a survival zone. Challenge them to build a shelter using only natural materials (sticks, leaves, branches). This teaches them how to be resourceful and even a bit of structural design. 
• Skills learned: They’ll learn key bush skills like knot crafting, finding north, or even learning to identify local plants (with strict supervision, of course!). Before you know it, they’ll be experts in bushcraft and begging you to take them camping!

The great backyard Olympics

Create a series of challenges that use simple household items. This is fantastic for a single afternoon or spread out over a whole week! And best of all, it is not very expensive, as you can use everyday items from your home. 

• What to do: Use plastic cups for a stacking race, a pool noodle for an obstacle course, or a bucket for a water relay. Simple summer activities for kids, like a three-legged race or a potato sack race, guarantee laughs and burn energy fast.
• Skills Learned: Coordination, friendly competition, and problem-solving, like how do we win the three-legged race without falling over? Or what is the best way to get the bucket of water to the point without spilling too much? 

Water fun and poolside challenges

When the heat is on, you might want to turn to summer activities that keep the kids cool and active. If you are lucky enough to have access to a pool, that is a great option. Otherwise, there are some great games you can play with a simple backyard hosepipe (Just try not to go over the top with water usage!)

• What to do: If you have a pool, invent some underwater scavenger hunts. If not, grab the hose and sprinkler for some classic backyard chaos, like a good old-fashioned water balloon fight.
• Skills Learned: Teamwork, quick movement, and energy management in the heat. All these skills learned while having a blast and keeping cool are a bonus!

How to keep everyone safe during all the summer activities.

The Aussie summer is fantastic, but it can also be a bit harsh. While we want our kids to be active and adventurous, keeping them safe is always the number one job. Before you get stuck into any of the above-mentioned summer activities for your kids, make sure you’ve ticked off these key safety considerations:

Beat the heat and sun

Remember to always “Slip, Slop, Slap”! That means slipping into a shirt, slopping on a healthy dose of sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher is ideal), and slapping on a hat. Keep kids in the shade, especially during the peak UV hours, which are usually from about 10 am to 3 pm.

It is also important for them to stay hydrated. Active kids sweat a lot, so make sure they have a drink bottle with them at all times and take regular water breaks. Dehydration can sneak up quickly in the heat. 

On those scorching hot days, it might be best to move the high-energy summer activities indoors (Get them playing charades or doing an indoor obstacle course) or keep them in the shade and wet (like sprinkler fun). Setting up a gazebo or staying under the shade of a tree outside is a great way to keep the fun outside while avoiding too much sun. 

Check the water that the kids are playing in

It is vital to make sure that water play is supervised at all times by an adult. Whether it’s a full pool or just a paddling pool, never leave children unsupervised near water. If you are near a beach, dam, or river, check the conditions. 

If you’re using water-based summer camp activities like raft building at home, ensure the kids know where they can safely test their creations (e.g., a shallow pool).

Always check the condition of any equipment you plan to use for summer activities

If you’re using ropes for a bushcraft challenge or setting up a trampoline game, always check that the equipment is secure and in good working order before the kids start playing. Make sure the space for your activity is safe by removing any sharp objects, toys, or other obstacles from the play area, especially during high-energy games.

It is also important for you to know their limits. Encourage your kids to challenge themselves, but also teach them to listen to their bodies. It’s okay to take a rest when they’re tired. It is also a good idea, as a parent, to encourage your child to speak up if they feel scared, overwhelmed, or unsure during an activity.

How summer camp activities can help take the stress off your hands

We hope we’ve given you some fantastic summer activities for kids to keep your children entertained throughout the holidays. But let’s be honest: juggling work, home life, and finding the energy to supervise endless, high-octane fun can be tricky. Sometimes, parents need a break too!

At PGL, we take all the stress off you and make sure that the kids stay active, entertained, and inspired. We turn the challenging logistics of adventure into safe, unforgettable summer camp activities.

Here’s how PGL guarantees the fun—and the peace of mind:

• Expert supervision: Our staff are fully trained to run all the unique summer camp activities safely and with maximum fun. You don’t have to worry about the setup, the risks, or the cleanup—we handle it all!
• Built-in socialising: Kids are with others their age, ensuring they make new friends and develop essential social skills that last long after the camp ends.
• Action-packed programs: Every hour is planned with electrifying, unique summer activities that you simply can’t do in your own backyard.

For example, your child could be spending their days:

Playing aeroball

You can’t beat a good old ball game. Aeroball is a cross between trampolining, basketball and volleyball, and is heaps of fun!

Played in a specially-designed aeroball court, four players aim to get the ball into the opposing player’s net, all while bouncing on a trampoline! This is a high-energy activity with team tactics and communication coming in very handy.

Raft building

Raft building is an exciting challenge that every kid should get to try. With PGL, kids are split into teams where they must design and create a raft using only the materials provided. And, with the ultimate test at the end of the task, will their raft sink or float?

A challenge to get your kids socialising with new people, this activity also promotes teamwork and fosters an environment where all suggestions are welcome. No idea is a bad idea.

Trying the leap of faith

This individual challenge demands determination and courage as kids scale a six-metre pole!

The ultimate moment of truth is the final dive for the trapeze. This activity is designed to help students discover the incredible rewards of stepping outside their comfort zone and to promote strong self-belief. Each student’s success is defined by their own limits and personal victories, even if the final leap isn’t achieved!

Book your kids’ thrilling holiday camp today!

Our holiday camps give your kids an unforgettable summer holiday! With kids of similar ages and staff who make sure the school holiday activities are done safely and with maximum fun, our holiday camps are perfect for an action-packed summer holiday.

At PGL, we have camps in Queensland (PGL Kindilan), which make an excellent fit for your kids to enjoy electrifying activities! 

So, contact us today to arrange your kids’ adventurous summer holiday camp.