15 Fun Activities for Kids During the School Holidays

Whilst for the kids the school holidays can be a blissful escape from the daily grind of the classroom, for parents, it can be a stressful time. Finding things to entertain and to keep your children productive throughout the holidays can be a difficult task. Luckily, New Forest Activities is here to help and if you need some inspiration, our list of 15 fun activities for kids below should be a useful resource, making their break from school fun and memorable for all!

Plant a herb garden – Give the kids some responsibility over the holidays and plant some herbs together. Seeds, pots and soil are fairly inexpensive from your local garden centre and you can then put them in charge of watering throughout the holidays. Get baking in a ‘Mud Kitchen’ – The thought of being caked in mud might horrify some parents, but the beauty of a mud kitchen is that it takes the mess outdoors. Host your very own ‘Great British Mud Off’ and see who can create the best mud pie! Learn Archery – Our Family Archery sessions are great for those looking to learn a new skill. Our expert instructors will take you step by step through safe shooting techniques before letting you test your aim with a bow. Find out more about Family Archery »

Play ‘Nature Bingo!’ – Download our Nature Bingo scorecard and start foraging! Hunt for dandelions, wildlife and critters and be the first to fill your scorecard. A great way to discover all that the great outdoors has to offer. Build a rope swing – Rope up an old tyre to your favourite tree and while away a relaxing afternoon swinging in the garden. Building the swing together will also provide the kids with a sense of accomplishment. Cycling – The New Forest boasts some beautiful cycle routes so pack a picnic and go and discover your own hidden corner of the forest. No bikes? No problem! You can hire some from us from as little as £10 per child for a full day. Find out more about Cycle Hire » Nature Art – Driftwood, pressed flowers, shells and stones. Gather them all and start creating nature-inspired works of art! Canoeing on the Beaulieu River – Those as little as 18 months can come along on one of our Family Canoeing sessions. Come paddling with us and discover the hidden creeks and waterways of the river’s beautiful nature reserve. Find out more about Family Canoeing »

Build a home for wildlife in your garden – From bird feeders to hedgehog hotels, bring more nature to your backdoor and build your very own animal habitat at home. Get some ideas from The National Trust » Go camping – Pitch up a tent in the garden, fill it with snuggly pillows and blankets and sleep under the stars. Don’t forget the midnight snacks! Battlefield LIVE – For thrill-seekers, come and take on the battlefield in this outdoor, laser tag experience. Lead your team to victory in a variety of action-packed gaming scenarios. And unlike paintball – it’s pain-free! Find out more about Battlefield LIVE » Head to the beach – Go rock pooling, dig holes and build sand palaces. And don’t forget to cool off with an ice cream or two. Family Adventure Day – Why not combine cycling and canoeing on a Family Adventure Day with New Forest Activities? Spend the day exploring the stunning Beaulieu River by boat and the New Forest National Park by bike. Great for all ages! Find out more about Family Adventure Days »

Go for a hike – Even if it’s raining, get the kids’ wet weather gear on and head outdoors. Splash in muddy puddles along your favourite New Forest hiking trail. Build a den – Whether you choose sticks and leaves or twigs and branches you’ll soon have your very own den to hide out in. Or combine den building with a host of other fun activities for kids, including Archery and High Rope challenges on a school Holiday Adventure Day! Find out more about Holiday Adventure Days »

Whilst for the kids the school holidays can be a blissful escape from the daily grind of the classroom, for parents, it can be a stressful time.

Plus, don't forget to share photos of your visit with us on Instagram or Facebook by checking into New Forest Activities using the hashtag #NewForestFun and you could win an activity of your choice for two! See how you can enter »