![Ryan McNaught is one of only 14 Lego "grand masters" in the world.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/v/c/a/u/image.related.landscape.380x253.gsvc1n.png/1479863771315.jpg)
Top Resources
![Arm yourself against the 'I'm bored' pleas this holidays!](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/9/f/u/v/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.ge7i.gjzs68.png/1447733291895.jpg)
21 things to do in the school holidays - on a budget!
How does one entertain children and visitors on a restricted budget during the school holidays?
![ek-holidayplanner-a](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/a/u/m/p/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.3aulu.gjzs68.png/1447733291895.jpg)
Printable school holiday planner
Download and print this free printable chart to organise the school holidays.
![Family picnics are a great way to spend the summer together.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/0/2/a/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.3028x.gjzs68.png/1447733291895.jpg)
Australia
Top picnic spots in Australia
![There is plenty of fun to be had at the park.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/w/3/1/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.1w30i.gjzs68.png/1447733291895.jpg)
![260_monkeybar_kids](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/i/0/w/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.hyzi.gjzs68.png/1447733291895.jpg)
![Australian School Term and Holiday dates for 2016](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/y/c/f/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gh9wfs.gjzs68.png/1450768622699.jpg)
Latest
![A beautiful morning at Kidtopia.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/x/2/b/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.grx2yg.png/1475819369830.jpg)
Kidtopia Festival this weekend: what's on
Kidtopia is the new generation festival for all the family - and it's on until Sunday at Parramatta Park. Here's what you can look forward every day.
![Carving our play time for kids in our busy lives.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/u/g/o/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.grudeu.png/1475550040084.jpg)
10 ways to help children get their play back
Even when parents agree that their kids need to play more, current lifestyles often prevent it from actually happening.
![Aaron Zenz painted 1000 rocks with his kids for an art competition and then used them for this brilliant idea.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/s/e/s/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.grscu6.png/1475211601374.jpg)
Dad and his six kids create epic "I-Spy" game with 1,000 rocks
If you're after some long weekend or school holiday inspiration, take a look at this dad's genius idea.
![Corset braids are taking over.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/q/x/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.groquq.png/1474870402307.jpg)
Corset braids are the latest must-have hairstyle
They're striking, colourful and pretty impressive.
![Keeping kids entertained for 14 days straight can be an overwhelming challenge for some.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/b/q/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.grob5i.png/1474848345552.jpg)
5 school holiday survival tips for the uninspired parent
If you're anything like me, the school holidays are a time of a joy and a time of fresh hell.
![Daily Juice Co confirms that as of August 2016, they have ceased production of SunnyBoy ice blocks.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/n/a/p/p/image.related.landscape.300x200.grnank.png/1474613944474.jpg)
SunnyBoy ice blocks are gone forever
It's official: yet another one of our childhood staples has been taken away from us.
![Luna Lovegood conjuring up her Patronus.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/m/v/g/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.grmvci.png/1474598283340.jpg)
You need to drop everything and take the Pottermore Patronus quiz
In a tweet to her 8.3 million followers, JK Rowling announced on Thursday that the Pottermore Patronus test is now live.
![It's Always A Gay Time doughnut will be sold in Doughnut Time stores.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/l/r/t/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.grlrss.png/1474502910524.jpg)
There's a Golden Gaytime doughnut and you'll want one right now
The humble Golden Gaytime has become a national obsession.
![School holiday fun is all stacked up for you in this handy guide.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/h/p/9/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.grhow6.png/1473989208398.jpg)
The A to Z of school holiday activities
Stuck for ideas on how to entertain the kids during the upcoming break? Dilvin Yasa has plenty of ideas – 26 of them, in fact.
![Bring on the sunnier spring weather for the school holidays.](/web/20161123205035im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/h/3/a/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.grgfrn.png/1473920825388.jpg)
School holiday events and activities for families
We've sourced some of the best, most entertaining things you can do with your kids this spring school holidays. Check your state for a host of suggestions to keep them happy within your budget.
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