In the 1990s, school holidays meant play, play, and play. But it is 2024 now, and times have changed – for the better or for the worse.

On the one hand, the nail-biting competition demands more from your child, and on the other, the rise of technology has kept them hooked to screens. This double-edged sword already highlights the need for thoughtful school holiday activities to fill the gap.

These activities act as the middle ground that helps advance the overall growth of your child without compromising on the fun.

Canberra, Australia’s capital, is one of the pioneers in designing such unconventional holiday programs focused on children’s 360-degree development. Keep reading to know the benefits in detail.

1. Boosts Creativity with Artful Adventures

Children need opportunities to express themselves creatively, and the arts-focused holiday activities in Canberra give them just that. 

Indulging young minds in various activities like painting, pottery, or handmade craft workshops offers them a new environment outside of the school syllabus.

This not only encourages them to innovate but also to have fun while doing it. Art is also proven to teach life values like patience and kindness.

2. Strengthens Social Skills with Team Challenges

Many Canberra holiday programs are centred around social interaction. Children are put in groups with no familiar faces, pushing them to work, share ideas, and develop friendships with people from different backgrounds.

This is usually catalysed by group activities and team-based challenges, which also inculcate important skills like teamwork and communication.

3. Promotes Fitness with Physical Activities

From Lake Burley Griffin to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Canberra’s natural splendor provides a perfect environment for outdoor activities.

Activities such as guided walks, bike rides, and even indoor climbing add a fun flavor to their holiday activities while also giving them tangible physical benefits.

4. Boosts Cognitive Development with Strategic Challenges

Canberra’s holiday calendar also includes unique events like escape rooms, strategy-based board games, and STEM workshops specially designed for children. These tasks keep kids entertained and challenge them to think critically and make objective decisions.

It provides hands-on learning opportunities that allow them to rationalise and challenge society’s status quo.

5. Nurtures Confidence with Independent Tasks

During school breaks, children can venture out of their comfort zones and explore new things. Workshops focusing on diverse fields give them the space to pursue the one that intrigues them the most.

This helps them identify their interests and teaches them to make their own decisions – both of which are innate qualities of a professional.

6. Builds Emotional Resilience with Healthy Competition

A healthy competition can teach lessons to a child that a classroom cannot. Losses develop the ability to accept defeat and win gracefully and, on the other hand, build confidence and motivation.

Ultimately, both of these together build emotional resilience and persistence in children, which is a vital life skill to bounce back from adversities quickly.

7. Enhances Environmental Awareness with Nature-Based Assignments

The beautiful surroundings of Canberra give kids many chances to interact with nature in various forms, like gardening, observing wildlife, or eco-crafts.

In today’s screen-dominated world, this serves as a breath of fresh air, and children become conscious of environmentally friendly practices from a very early age.

8. Deepens Family Bonds with Engaging Events

A lot of activities in Canberra encourage parents and children to participate together, like family sports days, community celebrations, and no-gas cooking competitions. 

This gives the child dedicated time with their loved ones, allowing them to reconnect, which is often stripped by today’s fast-paced lifestyles.

9. Offers Holistic Development with Out-of-the-Book Syllabus

School holiday activities for kids in Canberra focus on the holistic development of children, which is not possible with books alone. The activities are designed with the right mix of fun and learning, which not only guides them to be a responsible professional but also a humble human.

Final Words

It is important for all caregivers to understand that school holidays are more than just a break. It is an opportunity for you to introduce them to the world’s best school – life.   

Allow your child to take a dive into Canberra’s thoughtfully designed holiday calendar, and it is sure to meet you on the other side as a great swimmer!

However, make sure you choose the right holiday school, or else the benefits can quickly turn into disadvantages.