School holiday survival guide: budget-friendly ideas for winter

Packed with budget-friendly hacks and winter-ready school holiday activities, this guide will help me survive the chaos of the July school holidays, without blowing the budget.

The Aussie winter school holidays. That magical fortnight where Ugg boots become mandatory, hot chocolates multiply, and your kids rediscover the ancient art of saying “I’m bored” on repeat. And if you’re juggling work, life and tiny humans with big energy in cold weather, hats off to you. I see you, I salute you, and I get it, because I’m right there too. I’m here to help with ideas to make these school holidays feel fun, memorable and most importantly, affordable.

I’ve pulled together my favourite winter school holiday activities, plus a peek into how I plan it all, budget and chaos included.

Need a refresher on when school is out? Here’s your updated school holiday dates across Australia.

Start with a winter school holiday budget

The key to making it through the school holidays without ending up with a surprise Afterpay bill? A school holiday budget.

Whether it’s $50 or $500, knowing your number helps you say yes to the fun stuff without that post-holiday money hangover.

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 hot chocolates or movie snacks. 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.

If you’re too busy for a DIY budget, I get it. Did you know, MyBudget can do it for you? Setting you up with a personalised budget plan, paying all of your bills, helping you save and stay on track. No spreadsheets, just your money, sorted. Request a call from one of our money experts today.

5 Free or cheap winter activities for kids to stay busy and happy

Let’s start with my favourite category: free (or very close to it). Winter might mean more jumpers and fewer beach days, but the fun doesn’t need to cool down.

1. Visit your local national park – yes, even in winter

National parks and nature reserves are perfect for outdoor activities like walking hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and scavenger hunts. With crisp air, fewer crowds and lots of natural beauty, you can turn a day in the outdoors into a budget-friendly adventure.

Don’t forget snacks, warm layers, and maybe even a thermos of soup for a scenic picnic.

2. Host a family board games or puzzles tournament

Turn the loungeroom into a mini Olympics. Board games, puzzles, card games, or even a DIY obstacle course. Winner gets bragging rights as the official school holiday champion (until next round of UNO, of course). You can even hit the op shop or toy library for a few “new-to-you” games on the cheap. It’s indoor fun that doesn’t involve screens.

3. Rug up and do a local park scavenger hunt

Cold? Sure. But with the right jacket, and coffee, the outdoors is still open for business. I like to prep a winter-themed scavenger hunt before we go, just ask your AI chatbot to whip up a printable list in a flash, because who has time to brainstorm 20 nature items between making lunches and breaking up Nerf battles?

Think: pinecones, muddy puddles, barking dogs, or even better, something heart-shaped in nature, like a rock, leaf or cloud.

Reward their efforts with hot chips or ice-cream on the way home. Parenting level: expert.

4. Backyard camping or cubby house takeover

Your local library is a school holiday MVP. From craft sessions and storytelling to recipe workshops and LEGO clubs, there’s usually something going on. Best of all? It’s indoors, it’s warm, and it’s gloriously free.

5. Libraries = warm, free entertainment

Your local library is a school holiday MVP. From craft sessions and storytelling to recipe workshops and LEGO clubs, there’s usually something going on. Best of all? It’s indoors, it’s warm, and it’s gloriously free.

Splurge-worthy school holiday activities if you’ve got room in your budget

Got a bit of wiggle room in the holiday budget? Here are a few splurge-worthy activities with serious wow factor.

Book a budget cinema day

School holiday flicks are a classic for a reason. Many cinemas offer discounted family tickets or morning screenings. Bring your own popcorn and drinks to avoid the snack bar sting. Or create your own movie day at home with DIY tickets and themed snacks (yes, that’s just jelly snakes in a bowl, we’re not judging).

Visit your local zoo, wildlife park or animal sanctuary

Zoos and animal sanctuaries often run special winter school holiday activities. The animals are usually more active in cooler weather, you might be less sweaty, too. Sealife Melbourne Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and Gorge Wildlife Park are top picks. Check for discount days, and use public transport where possible for extra savings.

Visit art galleries, museums or botanical gardens

Rainy day? Sorted. Museums and art galleries often have winter holiday programs for kids. Try science museums, Australian art exhibits or interactive installations. Scienceworks in Victoria is a family favourite. Great for indoor days that are fun and educational.

DIY craft activities at home

Warm up in the kitchen with some baking or get crafty using recycled materials. Think salt dough ornaments, sock puppets, cardboard box castles or scrap paper snowflakes. Pinterest and your local shopping centre craft aisle are your best friends here.

How my family plan for school holiday fun: a peek inside our budget

In our house, the school holiday budget is a whole family event in itself! This winter, we’ve got $250 in our ‘fun fund’ and here’s how we’re spending it:

• $120 – trip to Monarto Safari Park to meet the new elephants: Burma, Permai, Pak Boon and Tang Mo
• $80 – movie day at the cinema with BYO popcorn
• $50 – spontaneous fun pot (ice skating, milkshakes or bowling if we find a good deal).

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 on Facebook Marketplace to top up the holiday budget. She calls it her side hustle. I call it genius.

My best picks: school holiday activities by state

If you’re looking for something new this winter, I’ve picked one free or low-cost activity and one splurge-worthy experience in each state, from museums to pop-up experiences:

South Australia

• Adelaide Central Market school holiday program: hands-on cooking classes, tastings and kid-friendly fun from $18 per child
• Universal Kingdom: The Next Era: part of Illuminate Adelaide, this after-dark event features glowing dinosaurs and immersive light displays the kids will talk about for weeks. Budget $130 for a family of four.

Victoria

• Scienceworks: budget-friendly museum packed with hands-on science exhibits, interactive displays and STEM fun, with free entry for kids
• Saboteurs: Crewmates and Impostors: interactive mystery adventure, if your kids love the game Among Us, they’ll be all over this. Budget $130 for a family of four.

New South Wales

• Christmas in July Festival: outdoor fun with winter magic, including festive lights, snow play, market stalls and live entertainment… And it’s free!
• Bubble Planet: immersive sensory experience with colourful bubbles, lights, sounds and interactive zones designed to engage all five senses. Budget approx. $130 for a family of four.

Queensland

• SPARK Ipswich: local events and art installations across the city, including projections, pop-up performances and interactive exhibits, free entry.
• Australian Dinosaur Trail: road trip packed with fossil adventures, dinosaur museums and outback towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Budget approx. $400 per family of four.

Western Australia

• Didgeridoo with Ngalak Nidja: cultural workshop experience where kids can hear stories, learn rhythms and connect with First Nations culture through music and song. This one is free!
• Dinos Alive: immersive experience featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digs, and interactive VR, perfect for dino-obsessed kids. Budget approx. $120 for a family of four.

It’s not about the spend: it’s the time together

Some of the best school holiday moments come from the simplest things: a whole family YouTube drawing lesson, laughing over board games, or watching the kids fall asleep in a blanket fort you swore you’d pack up yesterday.

You don’t need a big budget to create beautiful memories. Just some planning, a bit of creativity, and the willingness to say yes to small moments.

Let MyBudget help you budget for the school holiday fun, and all of life’s other expenses too

Whether it’s planning for the school holiday break or getting ahead on bills, MyBudget helps families create plans that work. We’ve helped over 130,000 Australians set up a personal budget that fits their lifestyle and goals and gives a life free from money worries.

Enquire online or call us on 1300 300 922. There’s no obligation, just a solid plan, more quality time, and a whole lot less stress.

Here’s to school holiday fun, winter-style: less spending, more laughing, and hopefully zero meltdowns (from kids or parents). We’ve got this!

Want to teach your kids more about money these school holidays?

Check out Money & Me: how to teach kids about money in Australia