5 Things to Do With Your Kids These School Holidays

 

5 Things to Do With Your Kids These School Holidays (and Why You’ll Want to Remember Them)

School holidays can feel equal parts magical and overwhelming. The routine disappears, the days stretch long, and suddenly you’re responsible for filling weeks with memories — not just screen time and snacks.

As a photographer (and a parent who understands how fast this season flies by), I’m always thinking about two things during the holidays:

1. How can we enjoy this time together?

2. How can we actually remember it when it’s gone?

Here are five simple, meaningful things to do with your kids these school holidays — all low-pressure, budget-friendly, and worth remembering.

1. Plan a “Yes Day” (and Let It Be Imperfect)

Pick one day where your kids get to make most of the decisions — within reason. Pancakes for lunch? Sure. Bike ride before breakfast? Why not. Movie at the beach exploring rock pools? Absolutely.

These days don’t need to be big or expensive. What makes them special is the freedom and the laughter that comes with it.

📸 Photographer’s tip:
The best photos won’t be the posed ones — they’ll be the syrupy fingers, bed hair, and belly laughs. Keep your phone or camera nearby and capture the in-between moments.

2. Explore Somewhere Close to Home

You don’t need a big holiday to make memories. Visit a local beach, bushwalk, park, or small town you’ve never properly explored. Let the kids climb, wander, collect rocks, or race ahead.

Often, the most memorable days are the ones with no tight schedule.

📸 Photographer’s tip:
Wide shots work beautifully here. Step back and capture your kids in the landscape — tiny figures, big world. These images tell powerful stories over time.

3. Create Something Together

Bake, paint, build a cubby, plant a garden, or complete a puzzle - we are board game crazy in our house...what does this 'create' you ask? It creates bonding time. Creative projects slow everyone down and create space for conversation (and usually a bit of mess).

The result doesn’t need to be perfect — the experience is the point.

📸 Photographer’s tip:
Look for hands at work. Flour-dusted fingers, paint-splattered arms, focused faces. These details are gold and often become the most cherished images years later.

4. Schedule One-on-One Time With Each Child

If you have more than one child, carve out individual time with each of them. It could be as simple as a walk, a milkshake date, or a trip to the bookshop. I understand this isn't always possibly. Sometimes in our house this might just be an individual story or check in chat at night before bed. 

Kids open up when they feel seen — and these quiet moments often become core memories.

📸 Photographer’s tip:
You don’t need many photos here. Even one simple portrait or selfie. Or dare I say...don't even get the camera out for this one. 

5. Do Absolutely Nothing (and Let Boredom Work Its Magic)

Not every day needs an activity. Leave space for boredom — it’s often where creativity, independence, and imagination show up.

Some of the sweetest moments happen when kids are just being.

📸 Photographer’s tip:
These are the days to document real life. The couch forts, the backyard games, the way they sit upside down watching TV. This is the stuff you’ll miss and often make some of my favourite photos to look back on.

Why These Moments Matter

School holidays aren’t about ticking boxes or creating Pinterest-perfect days. They’re about connection, presence, and the small moments that quietly shape childhood.

As a photographer, I see it all the time:
Parents don’t regret not doing enough.
They regret not remembering it more clearly.

Whether you capture these moments on your phone, your camera, or by booking a session to freeze this season of life — they matter.

Because one day, these holidays won’t feel so long at all.

Interested in a family photo session? It can be as chill and candid as you like! I'll meet you at your house, the beach, bush walking, fishing, baking... whatever!! Click over to my website and check out my work and then send me an enquiry to say hi. 

Katrina x