Things to Do Over School Holidays to Keep Kids Engaged and Stimulate Their Minds

We all love the summer holidays… up to a point. Christmas, New Year, the beach and friends and family… but there comes a day, especially when the kids are younger, when we look at the calendar and count how long it is until they return to school. Getting out and about is fun, but when we’re at home, children are often hooked on devices, and entertaining them can be tough.

Nurturing reading habits helps – young readers rarely get bored. But what happens when all those wonderful books you got them for Christmas have been read from cover to cover? We’ve got some special book lovers treats for you below, so you can get the most out of your reading experience. We’re put together 5 PLUS fun and fabulous ways to keep kids entertained these holidays.

Get the most out of your child’s favourite books with activities, worksheets and resources that will keep kids entertained for hours, and give you a break too! There’s even a few fabulous storytime clips, with authors Alexa Moses, Cressida Cowell and Maxine Beneba Clarke reading their books.

Download and let these great worksheets and activity packs do the entertaining for you. There’s plenty of boredom busting fun here… Just click the links below.

Book-inspired activity packs

Kitty is Not a Cat by Jess Black

Kitty is Not a Cat… but Kitty IS an activity pack. Click here for great illustrations, unique activities, and a whole lot of fun.

Dare to be You by Matthew Syed

This ground-breaking, practical and positive book will help kids develop the inner confidence to LIKE themselves. Start with these positive worksheets…

Oi! Series by Kes Gray, Jim Field

Armadillos sit on pillows, bunnies sit on honey and cheetahs sit on fajitas… Now match your own pairs in the activity sheets attached. Colourful and fun.

Teaching resources or discussion questions

Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend

Can’t get enough of the Nevermoor series? Then you’ll love these teachers’ resources, not just for teachers, but for any fan of Jessica Townsend’s magical tales.

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals by Sami Bayly

Kids love this beautifully illustrated encyclopaedia by award-winning author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. And now they can enjoy 21-pages of incredible worksheets. Bumper holiday fun.

Rebel Gods by Will Kostakis

Newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky want to change the world – no biggie. But they're soon drawn into a centuries-old conflict that just might destroy it. Rebel Gods is the gripping conclusion to Monuments, from YA superstar Will Kostakis. Follow the book up with this great question sheet.

Colouring sheets

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

A breathtaking, enchanting series, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world – but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. Colour some of the book’s characters here…

Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt by Yvonne Mes, Jody Michelle Pratt

Yes, it’s Christmas, but we love Bilbies all year round. Besides, there are so many activities on this list, it will be Easter by the time you’ve finished.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Colour in these beautiful illustrations from Heartstopper, the LGBTQ+ graphic novel series about life, love, and everything that happens in between.

Read along with storytime videos

Santa and the Sugar Glider by Alexa Moses & Anil Tortop

Join author Alexa Moses as she reads from Santa and the Sugar Glider with a special guest, Kandi the Sugar Glider! With thanks to our friends at WILD LIFE Sydney.

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Author Cressida Cowell reads Chapter One of The Wizards of Once. Join in here…

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Maxine Beneba Clarke reads from her debut children's book The Patchwork Bike. Perfect for young children.

Activity books