Stuck for ideas to keep the kids occupied during school holidays? Whether you're heading off on a trip or holidaying at home, Yahoo!Xtra staff members have you covered with these great tips.

Plan an adventure

There is nothing like a change of scene to break the school holiday boredom, and you don't have to travel far from home. Take the train or the bus, it will seem far more exciting than taking the car.

Pack a picnic

A great inexpensive activity, pack a yummy picnic lunch, some bread for the ducks and a frisbee and you're set! 

Visit the hot pools

Perfect for both adults and children, and it doesn't matter if it's raining.

Make it a challenge

Get your children to plan their own holiday. Give them some themes they have to include, for example - a no cost day. You'll be amazed at what they will come up with and how creative they can be.

Visit the Library

I am surprised how much fun one can have at the library. Get books out for other activities, surf the net or check out the school holiday activities the library is running (many run activity programmes during the holidays).

Scrapbooking

For those wet days, and you know there are going to be plenty, get your children to make a scrapbook. They are a great way to showcase school work, certificates or photos, and once your children are absorbed in them, they can be occupied for hours.  Visit Spotlight, art supply or book shop and pick up some things they can decorate the pages with, or try a scrapbooking class.

Baking

Children love baking and not just licking the bowl. Cupcakes are easy, and the best part is your children can get creative decorating them. You can find some great cupcake recipes here.

Here's my niece with some Christmas cupcakes they made together.

- Yvette Gibson

Snow time

It's the ski season and what better family holiday than hitting the slopes together.  Skiing or boarding together is a great way for families to share some special experiences together in an often challenging environment.  But skiing can be very expensive for a family.  To reduce costs, consider joining a ski club and share your skiing with like-minded families. At a ski club you'll find your kids have even more fun mixing with others and you'll benefit from the time out.

Our experience with a North Island ski club has been fantastic and we've already got two holidays booked for this year.  The next thing we'd suggest to make the mountain more affordable is to make lunches and snacks in the morning and take them with you.  And finally, when you get really keen, buying seasons passes at the end of the season for the next year will save you big bucks if you plan to ski more than 4 or 5 days the following year.

- Kevin Bowler, Yahoo!Xtra CEO

 

Theme it up

Johanna Cotter's kids spent a whole week learning about animals and doing animal-themed activities. They made 'zebra sandwiches' (with bread, marmite and cookie cutters), coloured in pictures of their favourite animals, made animal masks, sang animal songs - and ended the week with a trip to the zoo!

How are you spending the holidays? Share your plans and tips in the comments.