School holiday survival guide: budget-friendly ideas for spring
This guide has budget-friendly tips and spring-ready school holiday activities. It will help you survive the chaos of the September and October school holidays without spending too much money.
The Aussie spring school holidays. That glorious stretch when the sun finally arrives, the kids are bouncing off the walls (and trampolines), and your calendar starts looking like a game of Tetris. If you’re juggling work, life, and “can we go to the zoo today?”, hats off to you. I see you, I salute you, and I get it, because I’m right there too.
Once again, I’ve rounded up my favourite spring school holiday activities, plus a peek into how I plan it all with my kids, budget and chaos included. Oh, and if you’re on the opposite side of the globe, here’s our autumn (or “fall”) guide for Northern Hemisphere holiday fun.
Need a refresher on when school is out? Here’s your updated school holiday dates across Australia.
What’s the best way to plan for the school holidays?
Start with a personal budget. Whether it’s $50 or $500, knowing your number helps you say yes to the fun stuff without ending up with a surprise Afterpay bill?
Grab MyBudget’s free Personal Budget Template to map out your school holiday spending. Think of it as a to-do list for your money, with room for zoos, milkshakes and last-minute movie marathons. If you’re new to budgeting and want to set yourself up for success, this step-by-step guide to creating a personal budget will walk you through it.
Too busy to DIY a holiday budget? I get it. MyBudget can do it for you, setting up a personalised money plan, paying all your bills, helping you save, and keeping you on track. Request a call from one of our money experts today.
What are the best free spring school holiday activities?
Let’s start with my favourite category: free (or very close to it). Spring means more sunshine, outdoor adventures, and less cabin fever.
1. Explore your local national park or nature reserve
Warmer weather means it’s time to dust off the picnic rug and head out on a nature trail. Most national parks have free entry and offer everything from bushwalks to birdwatching and even waterfalls and rock pools. Bring snacks and make a day of it.
2. Run a backyard Olympics
Turn the backyard into a games arena: sack races, DIY obstacle course, even a water balloon dodgeball tournament. Cheap, fun, and it wears them out, what more could you want?
3. Set up a spring scavenger hunt
Ask your favourite AI chatbot to whip up a printable treasure hunt list and take it to the park or your street. Look for butterflies, dandelions, magpies, something pink, and a heart-shaped cloud. Hot chips on the way home = mandatory.
4. DIY outdoor cubby or picnic fort
Got old sheets or tarps? Time for teepee building 101. Let the kids decorate with chalk art, fairy lights or cardboard signs. Serve lunch outside and call it an adventure café.
5. Free workshops and events at your local library
Your local library comes alive during the school holidays. Check out free spring events like science shows, creative writing, LEGO days, toy library and storytelling sessions. Bonus: it’s air-conditioned.
What are the best splurge-worthy activities for the school holidays?
Got a bit of wiggle room in the holiday budget? These ideas offer serious wow-factor.
Visit a theme park, zoo, or aquarium
Places like Taronga Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary often offer school holiday programs. They also have interactive shows and feeding times. Use annual memberships if available.
Book an outdoor cinema or theatre experience
Many cities now host outdoor movie nights or kid-friendly theatre performances during the school break. Bring snacks, blankets and enjoy under the stars.
Find pop-up school holiday events
Search online for pop-up events like creative workshops, sensory play centres or immersive activities (like Hijinx Hotel Challenge Rooms).
How my family plan for school holiday fun in Adelaide: a peek inside our budget
In our house, the school holiday budget is a team effort. This spring, we’ve got $250 to work with and decided to look at the Groupon Kids Activites first to see if we can get a better deal! Here’s our budget plan:
- $90 – family pass to a virtual reality adventure or interactive game experience
- $60 – 2-hour self-guided scavenger hunt, a fun and interactive way to explore your city
- $50 – craft supplies and baking ingredients for chill days at home
- $50 – spontaneous extras like milkshakes, op shop finds, or a round of mini golf
- Free – visit the Whispering Wall in the Barossa, SA. This acoustic marvel lets you hear someone speaking from over 100 metres away, it’s fun, it’s outside and completely free!
The rest of the days? Covered with free and easy wins, parks, puzzles, board games and whatever fun we can squeeze out of leftover craft supplies.
My youngest is also selling old toys and books on Facebook Marketplace to top up the holiday budget. She calls it her side hustle. What a little entrepreneur!
What are some fun school holiday activities near me?
Here’s a mix of free or low-cost activities and one splurge-worthy experience across the country this spring:
School holiday activities in South Australia (SA)
- Botanic Garden Scavenger Hunt: free printable spring scavenger hunt at Adelaide Botanic Gardens, plus school holiday workshops like clay creatures, creative play and guided garden discovery walks.
How much does it cost? It’s free! - Fox in a Box Escape Room: try the family-friendly ‘Wild West’ room in this immersive escape adventure in the city. Perfect for kids aged 10+ and families that love a challenge!
How much does it cost? Budget for about $140 for 3 people depending on the day of the week.
School holiday activities in Victoria (VIC)
- NGV: Plans for the Planet: this free family-friendly exhibition in Melbourne features creative ideas from kids about sustainability, design and the future of our planet.
How much does it cost? It’s free! - Monopoly Dreams: Australia’s first fully immersive Monopoly experience has arrived in Melbourne, combining the classic board game with interactive digital zones, challenges and themed rooms.
How much does it cost? Budget around $160 for a family of 4.
School holiday activities in New South Wales (NSW)
- Ultimo Table Tennis Hire: grab a paddle and enjoy some family-friendly competition with casual table tennis hire.
How much does it cost? Allow about $10 for 1 -hour table. You can bring your own bats and balls or purchase them for an additional $23. - Luna Park Sydney: thrilling rides, carnival games and family-friendly fun by the harbour, perfect for a school holiday splurge day.
How much does it cost? Budget for about $150 for a family of 4.
School holiday activities in Queensland (QLD)
- Daisy Hill Koala Centre: learn about Brisbane’s iconic koalas with educational displays, walking trails, and a chance to spot real koalas in a natural habitat.
How much does it cost? It’s completely free! - Kids Bee Workshops at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: kids learn about native bees, how honey is made and get hands-on with pollinator-friendly planting.
How much does it cost? Budget between $36-$50 per child.
School holiday activities in Western Australia (WA)
- Kings Park: outdoor events like nature play, discovery walks, and garden-themed fun at Perth’s iconic park, perfect for spring school holidays!
How much does it cost? It’s free! - Ink and Inspiration at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth: a screen printing workshop inspired by nature, design and storytelling. A great creative outing for the school holidays.
How much does it cost? Budget for $45 per child (members get 15% off).
Cheap school holiday activities still make the best memories
Some of the best spring school holiday memories come from the simplest things: chalk drawings on the driveway, homemade lemonade stands, nature walks to spot wildflowers, or backyard picnics under a shady tree.
You don’t need a big budget to create beautiful moments. Just a bit of planning, some imagination, and a willingness to embrace the little things.
Here’s to spring holiday fun: more sunshine, more memories, and hopefully no slime stuck in the carpet!
Let MyBudget help you budget for the school holiday fun, and everything in between
MyBudget has helped over 130,000 Australians create budget plans for more than 25 years. These plans help with school holiday planning, reducing money stress, and setting long-term savings goals.
Get in touch or call us on 1300 300 922. There’s no obligation, just more time for the fun stuff and less stress over money.
Bonus school holiday free activity: teach your kids how to budget
Check out our FREE download, Money & Me: How to teach kids about money and our FREE Savings Calculator. Financial literacy cleverly wrapped up in fun, helping kids learn smart money habits while keeping them entertained.