![Summer holidays are not all sunshine.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/k/c/n/i/image.related.landscape.380x253.h0k3ip.png/1516248398289.jpg)
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![Arm yourself against the 'I'm bored' pleas this holidays!](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/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.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/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.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/y/c/f/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gh9wfs.gjzs68.png/1489372188402.jpg)
Latest
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Mum asks for time of solar eclipse to be changed
Mother Nature said no.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/m/y/5/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.gxmy6q.png/1501559460741.jpg)
8 reasons I hate indoor play centres
They are the same reasons my kids love them.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/h/9/v/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gxh9xq.png/1500871816813.jpg)
Girl fined over lemonade stand is back in business
It's a happy ending for the budding entrepreneur.
![Queensland school students will get an extra day's holiday next year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/8/5/5/w/image.related.landscape.300x200.gx83y7.png/1500013263145.jpg)
School students to get an extra day's holiday for the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Queensland state schools will get an extra day of holidays next year after the Commonwealth Games.
![It's O.K. to lounge in your pj’s until 11am](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/0/z/l/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.gx0zfv.png/1498781733401.jpg)
Why this mum refuses to 'schedule' school holiday activities
Everyone needs down time.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/c/e/o/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.gwse7l.png/1497590913515.jpg)
'The reason I hate playgrounds'
I hate playgrounds. That's a horrible thing to say, I know.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/m/i/j/o/image.related.landscape.300x200.gverue.png/1491799544161.jpg)
Interactive Easter school holiday guide
Looking for some fun activities for these Easter school holidays? Use our interactive guide to find out what's on in NSW and Victoria during the break.
![Above and Beyond, an incredible interactive exhibition presented by Boeing and developed in collaboration with NASA and ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/d/j/r/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.gvdjwd.png/1491453978290.jpg)
What's on these school holidays in Canberra
There's something on offer for kids of all types during the school holidays
![The school holiday finish line is almost in sight.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/2/n/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtv2n9.png/1484861133191.jpg)
Signs that the end of the school holidays is near
As the school holidays draw to an end, a collective sigh of relief can be heard throughout the country. Parents begin the countdown until the new term begins and it feels like there's finally light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
![<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/japanese-paper-toys-kit-andrew-dewar/prod9780804846325.html" ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/p/x/1/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtpwxr.png/1484253101681.jpg)
The top recommended activity and information books for kids
They might be into novels, but it never hurts to fill their shelves with books full of activities for a rainy day, and information books to show them the wonders of the world.
![A game of hide and seek can be stretched into at least 10 minutes of alone time.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180131200653im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/o/n/e/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gton5t.png/1484005418472.jpg)
Nine clever ways to take time out from your kids at home
My kids have a magical sixth sense that means they know exactly when I'm alone, what room I'm in, and how desperately I do not want to be found.
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