School holiday survival guide: Budget ideas for a fun-filled summer

Packed with budget-friendly hacks and fun activity ideas, this guide will help Aussie parents tackle the chaos of summer school holidays, keeping the whole family happy!

Ah, the Australian summer school holidays, six glorious weeks of sunshine, freedom, and kids repeatedly asking, “What are we doing today?” For parents, it’s a balancing act between work schedules, maintaining sanity, and keeping your wild ones entertained without blowing your budget.

Personally, as a single mum with two kids, I know the pressure to keep the holidays exciting without draining your bank account. And if you’re also juggling work commitments, the freedom your kids are basking in can feel a bit unfair really. The trick? Have a plan. Which is why I’ll share my survival tips, and even dissect my own school holiday budget to show you how I keep my costs down and kids entertained! Keep reading, bruh! (See what I did there?).

Need help remembering when school goes back? Check out the term dates across Australia for a full list of school holidays.

Start with a school holiday budget

The first step to surviving the summer school holidays? Have a plan and start with a budget. Whether it’s $50 or $500, knowing how much you’ve got to spend will make a huge difference. MyBudget’s free Personal Budget Template is a great tool to help you get started. It takes the guesswork out of managing your school holiday spending, ensuring you can focus on creating good memories without the stress of drawing on savings or even going into debt.

Free or cheap school holiday activities that will keep kids busy for days

Let’s kick things off with the best price tag: free! Perfect for those low-key days when the kids need entertaining, and you need to keep your wallet firmly closed.

A day trip to the beach: a perfect family activity to create priceless memories

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about a beach day that makes time stand still. The sun, the waves, and that blissful moment when you shut your eyes and pretend you’re on a tropical holiday. It’s pure magic!

Pack a bag with everyone’s favourite foods, slip, slop, slap, and spend some quality time soaking up that salty air. Bring some buckets and spades, and let the kids go wild building sandcastles or let them bury you in the sand while you get some time to close your eyes under your sunglasses and hat. Who needs a spa day when you’ve got beach day zen?

Park adventures: free outdoor fun for kids that won’t blow your budget

Pack up the bikes, scooters, grab a picnic, and head out to your local park for a day of outdoor fun. You can hit the hiking trails, plan a family bike ride, or get creative with a scavenger hunt. Make a list of random things to find, like a feather, a weird-shaped leaf, or a rock that looks like a face and watch the kids go full detective mode. Bonus: they’ll be so knackered by the end of the day, bedtime will be a breeze. Parenting win!

Library visits: free school holiday programs and hands-on activities to keep kids entertained

Libraries aren’t just for borrowing books. During school holidays, they often run free school holiday programs filled with interactive activities like craft sessions, storytime, book readings, and even fun recipe workshops. It’s the perfect indoor activity to escape the heat while keeping the kids engaged in hands-on activities that cut down on screen time. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to have a fun time with activities for kids that won’t break the bank. Bonus: air-conditioning and zero cost. Win-win!

Backyard camping: a fun, budget-friendly school holiday activity for kids

Transform your backyard into a camping adventure without the hassle of leaving home! Teach the kids how to pitch a tent, tell stories under the stars, and toast marshmallows on skewers over the BBQ. Got a mini projector? Set up an outdoor movie night: throw a film up on the wall, pop some popcorn, grab a bean bag, and you’re all set for a backyard cinema experience. It’s one of those cheap school holiday activities that ticks all the boxes: fun, creative, and perfect for making priceless family memories!

Budget-friendly school holiday ideas that won’t blow your budget

Having a holiday budget isn’t just sensible; it’s survival. It’s what stops you from panic-buying a trampoline on day three because your kids are suddenly bored of every toy they own.

If you’ve got a budget set aside for school holiday activities, consider it your ticket for keeping costs under control while still being the GOAT parent. Here are some low-cost, fun ideas to help stretch your funds without blowing all your budget in the first week!

Watch a school holiday movie at the local cinema: budget-friendly family fun

Look out for family discounts, midweek sessions, or special school holiday deals to keep costs down. We love to set aside a portion of our budget for a movie day because it’s a great way to escape the heat and have some fun!

Visit a water park or splash park: cool fun for hot days

Many councils have free or low-cost splash parks that are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. If your budget allows, a trip to a water park is always a hit with the kids. Trust me, after a day of sliding, splashing, and water fights, they’ll be ready for an early bedtime. Parenting done right!

Explore local attractions: zoos, museums, and gardens on a budget

Check out local zoos, museums, or botanical gardens for a fun day out that doesn’t have to break the bank. Many of these spots offer discounted family passes or special school holiday deals for kids. Whether it’s spotting exotic animals, wandering through lush gardens, or exploring interactive exhibits, local attractions are a great way to mix fun with a bit of learning.

DIY craft day: budget-friendly creative fun for kids

Pick up some affordable supplies from Kmart and let the kids’ imaginations run wild with crafty activities. Think tie-dye T-shirts, making friendship bracelets, or painting each other’s portraits on canvas; they’ll love the chance to get messy and create something unique. (Or a total disaster… but that’s half the fun, right?).

How my family budget for school holiday fun

I’m currently navigating my single parent era, and we make school holiday budgeting a group effort. Before the holidays, we sit down together and decide how to spend our $250 budget. Everyone gets a say; even if my youngest just wants ice cream every day! It’s a great way to teach kids about managing money and prioritising what’s important.

Here’s how we’re spending our budget this school holidays:

• $100 for a fun-filled adventure: This year, we picked a tree-climb experience and waterslides at the local pool.
• $50 for a movie outing: Includes tickets, popcorn, and drinks. (Pro tip: bring your own snacks if you want to dodge boujee candy bar prices!).
• $50 for DIY activities: Craft supplies, baking ingredients, or gardening projects.
• $50 for spontaneous fun: Ice cream runs, op-shop treasure hunts, or renting bikes on the esplanade.

For a bonus adventure, I encourage my kids to sell things on eBay or Marketplace (with a little help). My eldest sold make-up and raised enough to book a mini-golf session, while my youngest sold her Harry Potter wand to fund a day of rides at the local Beach House. Budgeting and life skills? Win-win!

Keeping it real: kids love simple moments

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create lasting memories. The best holiday moments often come from the simplest things, like a backyard cricket match, dancing around the lounge to your kids’ favourite bops, or my daughter telling me her highlight was when I jumped in the ocean with her and we body-surfed together and gave her piggy backs under the water. That one got me in the feels! It’s not about the dollars; it’s about those quality moments with your kiddos that they’ll remember forever.

How MyBudget can help you be financially prepared for school holidays

If you haven’t set up a school holiday budget yet, there’s no time like the present. At MyBudget, we’ve helped over 130,000 Australians take control of their finances, including setting aside funds for things like school holiday fun. It’s all about taking the stress out of money, so you can focus on what really matters: creating memories with your family.

Let us help you budget for the fun stuff (and the not-so-fun stuff too). Enquire online or call us on 1300 300 922. There’s no obligation to get started, but imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing your budget’s sorted.

Here’s to surviving the summer school holidays, no panic-buys, no meltdowns, just budgeting boss vibes and family memories that’ll last a lifetime. You’ve got this!