We’re back to that time of year again and helping put the ‘YAY’ in School Holidays! Check out our top tips for keeping the boredom at bay while your kids are at home.

Buster #1 Get Experimental

From balloon speakers and DIY slime to milk art and erupting volcanoes! A fun science experiment never fails to spark pure awe and amusement amongst children. Plus, most are easy to set up and do at-home – in the kitchen, living room or backyard.

Looking for one to help get you and your junior creators started? Visit Coles to pick up these kid-safe supplies for homemade play dough.

Materials:

●      3 cups of flour

●      1 ½ cups of salt

●      6 tsp cream of tartar

●      3 tbsp of oil

●      3 cups of water

Instructions:

1. Dissolve salt in water and pour all your ingredients into a large pot.
2. Stir constantly over a medium heat until a small ball forms.
3. Scoop out the dough mixture with a heatproof spoon and set aside to cool. Be careful when transferring the dough.
4. Then knead the mixture for roughly 1-2 minutes, or until the texture resembles playdough.

Suggestion: add some colour by adding a few drops of food colouring before you start

kneading.

5. Store the mixture in a plastic container. It should last for at least 3 months.

Buster #2 Play Dress-Up

 Remember dressing-up when you were young? This simple activity allows kids to run wild with their imagination as well as build confidence, expressive language and social skills.

These holidays, let your kid pick out their favourite costume from Kmart and host a fun dress-up party. Or even better, get them involved in a small, at-home theatre production  so they can put their performance skills and new costumes to the test!

Optional: why not shop a few props or costume boxes for future dress-up sessions and performances? You’ll find a great range at [Better Home. 

Buster #3 Battle it Out

 Engage in some healthy competition and host an at-home games tournament using a range of family-friendly card, board and/or video games from Jb Hi-Fi and Kmart. It’s not only easy to organise, budget and wet-weather friendly – it’s something the whole family can get involved in.

Some popular games include:

●      Video games: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Overcooked: All You Can Eat, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Bluey: The Videogame

●      Board games: Monopoly, Scrabble, Battleship, Ticket to Ride, Scattergories and Hungry Hungry Hippos

●      Card games: Uno, Exploding Kittens, Herd Mentality, Kids Against Maturity and Taco! Cat! Goat! Cheese! Pizza!

Buster #4 Go Glamping

 Bring the magic of camping into the comfort of your own home or backyard! Simply pitch a tent and grab a torch with supplies from Kmart. Or alternatively, you can grab some bedsheets and fairy lights to build the ultimate pillow fort using supplies from Adairs. Remember, comfort is key.

For some after-dark fun, head to Daniel's Donuts for easy camping snacks (like popcorn, sausage rolls and s’mores) and to Dymocks for the best bedtime camper stories.

That way, your mini campers won’t get peckish or restless!

School Holiday Boredom BUSTED.

Head to your local Victoria Gardens today to shop the latest in school holiday entertainment.