Are you looking for simple activities to do at home during the school holidays—ones that don't need lots of planning, encourage creativity and are fun for the whole family?

You don't need a packed schedule or constant entertainment.

Often, 20 or 30 minutes together, a little imagination and a few things you already have at home are all it takes to create moments your family will remember long after the holidays are over.

These ideas need very little preparation, encourage children to explore independently and can easily be adapted to different ages, seasons and occasions.

• Salt dough ornaments
• Greeting card collages
• Window decorations
• Invisible glitter art
• A cosy reading den
• A DIY hot chocolate bar
• Homemade wrapping paper
• Family movie night
• A wishes and gratitude garland

When the holidays begin... and there are still plenty of days ahead

The holidays start.

You make breakfast, tidy the kitchen, step over yesterday's craft project and wonder what the day will bring.

Then it suddenly hits you.

There are still lots of holiday days ahead.

Of course you'll go on outings, meet friends or visit family. But there will also be those quiet days at home, when everyone is under the same roof, there are jobs to do, and sooner or later somebody asks:

"What shall we do now?"

Every parent knows that moment.

It's exactly when you wish you had a few simple ideas ready—without opening Pinterest and scrolling for half an hour.

Activities that are quick to set up, don't require shopping for supplies and are interesting enough that children happily carry on by themselves.

Here's our little toolbox.

✨ 1. Salt dough ornaments

A classic for good reason.

You'll need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup salt
• ¾–1 cup water

Mix until you have a soft, smooth dough.

Roll it out, use cookie cutters or simply let children create whatever comes to mind.

Bake at about 120°C (250°F) for around two hours until dry.

Painting them can become tomorrow's activity. If you'd like to keep them for years, finish them with a coat of clear varnish.

Hang them on branches, doors, gifts or in your child's room—they often become little keepsakes of time spent together.

✂️ 2. Greeting card collages

Old Christmas cards, birthday cards, wrapping paper, magazines or calendars suddenly become craft supplies.

Children can create landscapes, animals, fantasy worlds or abstract pictures.

If they need inspiration, suggest a theme—a castle, dinosaurs, space or their favourite animal—and see where their imagination takes them.

❄️ 3. Window decorations or sun catchers

Fold paper, cut simple shapes and decorate your windows.

A few minutes of cutting can completely change how a room feels.

Another lovely option is making simple sun catchers.

Glue feathers, glitter, pressed leaves, beads or tissue paper between two sheets of transparent paper or clear contact film.

Hang them in a sunny window and let the light do the rest.

✨ 4. Invisible glitter art

Draw a picture using a glue stick or liquid glue.

It can be anything—a landscape, a portrait or simple patterns.

Then sprinkle glitter or finely ground spices over the glue.

Try cinnamon for mountains, rosemary for forests or colourful spices for flowers and lakes.

Children love watching the hidden picture slowly appear.

🛏️ 5. Build a cosy reading den

A few cushions.

A couple of blankets.

Maybe a string of fairy lights safely tucked inside.

Add pyjamas and a favourite book, and suddenly even a rainy afternoon feels calm and special.

☕ 6. Create a hot chocolate bar

Set out mugs together with hot chocolate, marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles or leftover Christmas baking decorations.

Children rarely need much encouragement—they'll happily create their own perfect cup.

🎁 7. Design your own wrapping paper

Plain brown paper becomes something special with potato stamps, wax crayons, fingerprints or stickers.

Children love knowing that their artwork will actually be used to wrap presents, books or small surprises.

🎬 8. Make family movie night a tradition

Prepare snacks.

Dim the lights.

Choose a film together.

Sometimes a deliberately slow evening is exactly what everyone needs after busy holiday days.

⭐ 9. Wishes and gratitude garland

Cut stars from coloured paper.

Invite your children to draw or write something they're looking forward to, grateful for or simply thinking about.

Hang the stars on a string across a window, wall or bedroom.

By the end of the holidays you'll have a colourful collection of little thoughts and memories.

One last thought

School holidays don't always go according to plan.

Some days children get bored.

Some craft activities create more crumbs than masterpieces.

Sometimes enthusiasm lasts an hour. Sometimes five minutes.

And that's perfectly normal.

The goal isn't to make perfect decorations or create unforgettable memories every day.

It's simply about starting something together, enjoying the process and having a few easy ideas ready whenever everyone is at home and the afternoon suddenly feels very long.

Often, that's all it takes to make the holidays feel a little easier—and a lot more fun—for children and parents.