As schools are out and routines fly out the window, almost every parent faces the struggle of keeping kids busy and off their screens. It’s not that you have to be their personal entertainer at all times (since sometimes boredom is an opportunity for creativity and growth), but still, for your sanity and their memories, you want to provide fun garden toy options and activities.
Backyard Fun
If you’re like most parents, you probably already know the advantages of playing outside. So if you have a backyard, it’s only logical to make the most of it and turn it into a cool, refreshing space with fun garden toys that keep kids active and entertained. Kids can have a blast, plus, when the water fun is in your backyard, there’s no packing, no driving, no waiting in line, and no “we have to leave in 10 minutes” meltdowns.
When it comes to favourite kids’ garden toy picks, Aussie brands know best with plenty of options built for local lawns. If you want to embrace classic summer fun, water toys such as sprinklers, inflatable pools, water slides, and splash pads perfectly capture the carefree, adventurous essence of an Aussie summer.
You don’t have to go over the top to make the backyard exciting. Sometimes, a few well-placed sprinklers can turn the garden into a refreshing misty playground, while water cannons and guns can add that element of friendly competition kids love.
If you’ve got the space, an inflatable water park is the ultimate cool-down spot. These large, multi-feature inflatables combine slides, pools, climbing walls, and other elements in one single design. On the other hand, splash pads are perfect for smaller yards or little ones who aren’t ready for the big thrills just yet.
Kids sometimes need extra entertainment even when they’re outside, so turning water games into friendly competitions can add that extra spark of fun. Set up races with sprinklers or water slides, organise water balloon tosses, or time how fast they can fill and carry cups of water from one bucket to another.
These toys and activities are all fun and games, but safety should always come first. Having this kind of summer break entertainment also means taking a few precautions. You want to keep the area around the slide free from obstacles, and consider adding non-slip mats or rugs to cut down the chance of slips. Never leave children unsupervised, and remind them to take turns so everyone stays safe.
Indoor Fun
After hours of splashing, sliding, and running around outside, kids don’t have to lose the fun once they step indoors. Playtime simply takes on a new shape while on a summer break.
Many of the familiar activities and toys children enjoy at school can be re-created at home. You might already have crayons, colouring books, building blocks, and playdough tucked away from the school year, which can be brought out again. Using familiar toys and activities during summer break gives children the chance to explore new ideas, invent games, and experiment in ways they might not have time for during the busy school year.
Also, you can encourage your kids to get creative by trying art in new ways. For instance, instead of paint brushes, use other items, like cotton balls, sponges, or potato stamps to make fun shapes. Wrap mesh from fruit bags around a rolling pin and see what patterns you create. Leaves and twigs are also great options for making unique prints.
You can also spark creativity and critical thinking with arts and crafts, STEM challenges, cooking projects, puzzles, and storytelling. For kids who are into building rather than storytelling, challenge them to make something specific out of your junk, like a whole village or a futuristic robot.
Lessons and Special Activities
You’re not limited to the entertainment you can provide at home. Summer break is the perfect opportunity to take kids beyond home and backyard and into new experiences free from clocks, alarms, deadlines, and homework.Without the usual school pressures, children can explore libraries, museums, galleries, and ZOOs at their own pace.
There are also plenty of activities organised especially for the school holidays, like circus skills workshops, martial arts camps, gymnastics classes, and pottery painting sessions. Most of these programs are easy to find online or through local community centres. Enrollment is usually just a few clicks away.
Summer camps are another way to keep kids active, engaged, and having fun while school is out. Camps give kids the chance to make new friends, try new activities, and build confidence in a safe and structured environment.
Last but not least, remember, you don’t have to plan every second of their days. All of these ideas can keep them entertained and learning during summer break. But sometimes the best moments come from unstructured play, lazy mornings, and simply letting kids be themselves.