Using only paper and tape, design a bridge between two books that holds as many coins as possible.
Indoor · Hands-on · medium
You'll need: 5 sheets of A4 paper, Sticky tape, Two books of the same height…
Holiday Activities for Ages 14–16
Teenagers want holidays that feel like theirs. These activities build independence and life skills — planning, budgeting, presenting and setting goals — that pay off at school and beyond.
Offer, don't impose. Ask what they'd like to get better at and start there.
15 free activities
Each family member writes a quiz round about places and people, then everyone competes for the trophy.
Indoor · Hands-on · medium
You'll need: Paper and pens, Library books, an atlas or reliable websites for research, A homemade trophy
Set one learning goal, one fun goal and one helpful goal for the holidays — and plan small steps to get there.
Indoor · Printable · easy
You'll need: This page printed, A pen
Older kids research, cost and timetable a real family outing — then present their plan for approval.
Indoor · Hands-on · challenging
You'll need: Internet access with a parent's permission, Paper or a spreadsheet, A calculator
Learn one interesting new word every day, then earn points for sneaking it naturally into family conversation.
Indoor · Interactive · easy
You'll need: A dictionary or thesaurus (print or online), Sticky notes or a small whiteboard, A pencil
Choose an idea worth fighting for, write a punchy two-minute pitch and deliver it to a family 'panel' who decide whether to say yes.
Indoor · Hands-on · challenging
You'll need: Paper and pen, or a device for typing, A timer, Palm cards (cut-up paper or index cards)
Test your knowledge of famous places across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, then use an atlas or map to check your answers.
Indoor · Printable · medium
You'll need: This page printed, A pencil, An atlas, map or reliable website to check answers
Record sunrise and sunset times for a week, work out the length of each day and graph the pattern to see how daylight changes.
Indoor or outdoor · Printable · medium
You'll need: This page printed, Internet access with a parent's permission, or a printed almanac, Graph paper or plain paper and a ruler…
Turn a plastic bottle, sand, gravel and cotton wool into a layered filter, then test how well it cleans muddy water.
Outdoor · Hands-on · medium
You'll need: A large clean plastic bottle (an adult cuts it in half), Cotton wool balls or a coffee filter, Clean sand (about 1 cup)…
Take a notebook outdoors, collect words with all five senses, then write haiku and a shape poem inspired by what you find.
Outdoor · Printable · medium
You'll need: This page printed or a notebook, A pencil and eraser, Coloured pencils (optional)…
Interview a grandparent or family elder about their childhood and life, then turn their stories into a timeline or keepsake to share.
Indoor or outdoor · Printable · medium
You'll need: This page printed, A notebook and pen, A phone or tablet to record audio (with permission, optional)…
Become the city planner: decide where homes, shops, parks and schools go, then link them with roads, bike paths and public transport.
Indoor · Printable · challenging
You'll need: This page printed, or a large sheet of paper ruled into squares, Pencils and coloured pencils, A ruler…
Plan a balanced lunch using the five food groups, write the shopping list, then make it and serve it to the family.
Indoor · Printable · medium
You'll need: This page printed, Ingredients for the chosen lunch, Chopping board, knife suitable for the child's age, bowls and plates…
Design a daily timetable that balances fun, movement, learning, helping and rest — then trial it and tweak it.
Indoor · Printable · easy
You'll need: This page printed, A pen and coloured pencils or highlighters
Get ready for a great term: set up a study space, check your gear, write term goals and practise the school routine before day one.
Indoor · Printable · easy
You'll need: This page printed, School bag, uniform and stationery, A pen…