Dear parents, the school holidays are just around the corner and it’s the perfect chance for your family to escape the daily grind and create unforgettable memories together, especially for your young children.
While many would have already made plans to go abroad for the end of year holiday, here’s a list of activities you can do if you’re aiming more for a more budget staycation.
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
If you’re little ones are old enough to go exploring nature with you, you can turn a simple walk into an adventure by organising a nature treasure hunt. What you can do is create a list of items for your children to find – like a smooth stone, a funny shaped leaf and such – and let them explore parks.
It’s a fantastic way to combine exercise, learning and family fun. Bonus is you’ll have plenty of new items for crafts later!
KITCHEN ADVENTURES
Cooking and baking with children can be more than just whipping up a batch of tasty treats. You can view this as another educational activity that teaches maths (because of measurements), science (because of the mixing), and patience!
Make fun recipes like colourful cupcakes, pizzas where they choose toppings or simple no-bake snacks. Letting your young ones take charge (with supervision of course) fosters confidence and creativity.
MUSEUM HOPPING AND LOCAL DISCOVERIES
Growing up in Brunei Darussalam, it’s not uncommon to hear the claim that there’s little to see or do here.
While this perspective might hold true for some, those familiar with the Sultanate’s rich offerings – especially those who’ve worked in media – know there’s much more beneath the surface. A quick search on the Internet can surely point you to places you can visit with your family.
Brunei boasts a wealth of attractions that can transform “boring” into fascinating. From local museums to art galleries and historical sites, there are countless opportunities to engage young minds.
Many of these venues host family-friendly exhibitions and interactive activities, particularly during school holidays.
These experiences offer more than entertainment – they connect children with their heritage and culture, grounding them in the history of the nation and instilling a sense of pride and belonging.
By exploring these cultural gems, families can discover that Brunei is far from mundane. It’s a place rich with stories, lessons, and opportunities to nurture curiosity in the next generation.
DIY IT
If you’ve already done that nature treasure hunt, you can set up a craft station at home with paints, markers, and recycled materials.
Encourage your kids to create DIY greeting cards, puppets, or even costumes. It’s a mess worth making for the joy and creativity it sparks.
Another fun idea is to transform your living room into a cinema with fairy lights (there are nice budget-friendly ones you can find at those budget shops that sell random things), don’t forget the blankets and, of course, the popcorn and snacks! A cosy movie night watching family movies would definitely give you time to bond with your kids.
Alternatively, you can also create a reading nook with cushions and books and let your children pick out stories for you to read together – this’ll nurture their love of reading.
FUN EXPERIMENTS
Science at home is an exciting way to learn. Create a baking soda and vinegar volcano, experiment with making slime, or try simple balloon-powered rockets. These activities are not just fun but will spark curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Later on, if your home has the space and security to do so, you can set up a tent in your garden (or even the living room) for a night of storytelling, stargazing and snacking. The perfect low-budget adventure that feels magical to children.
MEMORY SCRAPBOOK
There’s one thing I aim to start doing with my kids this end of year, and that’s memory scrapbooking. It’s definitely something I wish I did when I was younger with my own parents. You can encourage your children to collect ticket stubs, photos and drawings of their holiday adventures. By the end of the break, you’ll have a keepsake to treasure and a creative project to reflect on together.
While most of us will still be busy working at the office, it’s important to still find time this school holiday to not only keep your children busy, but also to take the opportunity to connect, inspire curiosity and build cherished memories with them.
With a bit of planning, you can transform this time into a series of joyful, shared adventures that leave your kids excited for the next break. – Izah Azahari
