School holidays start with excitement and big plans. Then a few days pass and suddenly you hear it.
“I’m bored.”
If you’re over the sighing, the scrolling, and the couch melting, here are 100 school holiday activities for teenagers that are fun, mostly affordable, and actually doable. Some are just for laughs, others build skills they’ll use for life.
1. Take a barista lesson
Great for coffee-loving teens, plus it’s a handy skill for future jobs.
2. Host a movie marathon night
Pick a series, stock snacks, and make it a full-on lounge-room event.
3. Go swimming
Pool, beach, river, or a mate’s place. Bonus points for a picnic lunch.
4. Try a flying trapeze class
A supervised adrenaline hit, and they’ll talk about it for weeks.
5. Indoor rock climbing
Perfect for rainy days and builds confidence fast. There are more and more indoor climbing rock walls popping up all over the country.
This one below is located in Byron Bay and is open seven days per week. The wall is 7 metres high with 20 climbs of varying difficulting and includes a crack climb and conditioning ladder for more advanced climbers. Suitable for ages 4+
6. Wash the car
Inside and out. It’s boring to them, satisfying for you.
7. Go to a theme park with mates
A full day out that feels like a proper holiday.
Theme Parks are fantastic – especially when you go with friends. Grab cheap tickets online and go enjoy a day!
Locations:
- Warner Bros Movie World (Gold Coast)
- Dreamworld (Gold Coast)
- Wet n Wild (Gold Coast)
- Luna Park (Sydney)
- Adventure World (Perth)
- Aussie World (Palmview)
- Sea World (Gold Coast)
8. Go fishing
Jetty, beach, or riverbank. Quiet, simple, and surprisingly calming.
9. Organise a camping trip
Backyard camping counts, but a proper campsite feels like an adventure.
10. Book an escape room
Teamwork, puzzles, and plenty of laughs.
For the kids that love a challenge, book one of the many Escape Room Experiences. Work out how to get out of the room using clues, logic, and creativity to escape!
11. Read a classic book
A good holiday challenge, especially if they can choose the title.
12. Rearrange their bedroom
A room refresh can shift their mood too.
13. Game with friends online
Great socially, just set a finish time so the day doesn’t disappear.
14. Start a YouTube channel
Teaches creativity, editing, and storytelling.
15. Run a basketball free-throw challenge
Film it for fun, or turn it into a tournament.
16. Build a simple website
Try a free builder and make a site for a hobby or portfolio.
17. Design their dream house
Use a free app and go wild with floorplans and interiors.
18. DIY mani-pedi day
At home with polish, or book in if you want a treat.
19. Go paintballing
Best for older teens. Wear long sleeves and follow safety rules.
20. Bake something from scratch
Cookies, cake, brownies, whatever they’ll actually eat.
21. Sleepover with extended family
A change of scenery helps everyone.
22. Help grandparents for the day
Gardening, shopping, tech help, or just company.
23. Do a ghost tour or cemetery walk
For teens who love spooky stories and history.
24. Walk the dog
Add a podcast and it feels less like a chore.
25. Find holiday part-time work
Even a couple shifts gives structure and spending money.
26. Go for a bike ride
Pick a bike path and stop for a drink somewhere new.
27. Shoot hoops at the park
Simple, free, and social.
28. Make a playlist
Let them curate a “holiday soundtrack” and share it with friends.
29. Visit a water park
A guaranteed boredom killer if you can swing the ticket.
30. Host a fashion show
Dress-ups, music, and silly poses. Great with friends.
31. Go rollerblading
Find a smooth path and make it a challenge.
32. Go go-karting
Short, exciting, and easy to do with mates.
33. Have a makeover party
Hair, makeup, outfits, photos, and lots of laughing.
34. Beach day
Swim, tan, read, snack, repeat.
35. Play mini golf
Low-pressure fun, especially for mixed friend groups.
36. Take a long bubble bath
A proper reset day can do wonders.
37. Run through the sprinkler
Yes, even teenagers will secretly enjoy this.
38. Wash the dog
Messy, funny, and ends with a clean pup.
39. Go motorbike riding
Only if permitted and supervised, and always wear safety gear.
40. Binge a full TV season
Pick one series and commit, guilt-free.
41. Meet friends at the park or shops
Sometimes they just need a change of scene.
42. Check the local library holiday program
Many libraries run free workshops, clubs, and events.
43. Pyjama day
A full day of lounging and doing nothing, but on purpose.
44. Board game day
Let them choose the games, and invite friends for snacks.
45. Go geocaching
A real-world treasure hunt using GPS.
46. Make a recipe from a cereal box
Quick, easy, and surprisingly fun.
47. Try a new exercise class
Yoga, dance, gym intro sessions, or a community class.
48. Plant a veggie garden
Even a few pots of herbs counts.
49. Make a movie on their phone
Write a script, film, edit, and premiere it at night.
50. Book a facial
A confidence boost if they’re into skincare.
51. Make a scavenger hunt
Hide clues around the house or neighbourhood.
52. Go hiking
Pick an easy trail and take photos along the way.
53. Make popcorn the old-fashioned way
Stovetop popcorn feels like a tiny cooking win.
54. Learn to knit or crochet
Good for anxious hands, and great for focus.
55. Make friendship bracelets
Quick and satisfying, especially with a playlist on.
56. Try not complaining for a whole day
Harder than it sounds, and hilarious to track.
57. Read a magazine cover to cover
A nice break from phone scrolling.
58. PJ party
Movies, snacks, games, and late-night chats.
59. Bake cupcakes and decorate them
Turn it into a judging competition.
60. Build a house of cards
Time-consuming and oddly addictive.
61. Dress up in random clothes
Thrifted outfits or “grandma chic,” then take photos.
62. Try a fake tan
Practice makes perfect, patchy legs are part of the process.
63. Best-dressed contest
Set a theme like “op shop formal” or “celebrity night.”
64. Do the grocery shop
Give them the list and a budget, then let them manage it.
65. Plant strawberries
One of the most rewarding plants for beginners.
66. Knock over homework early
Future them will be grateful.
67. Blow bubbles and experiment with mixtures
A fun science moment, and great for younger siblings too.
68. Learn basic car maintenance
Tyre pressure, changing a tyre, topping up washer fluid.
69. Volunteer at an animal shelter
A great option for animal lovers, and looks good on resumes.
70. Try stand-up comedy
Get them to perform for family, bonus points for props.
71. Cook breakfast in bed
A sweet surprise, even if it’s toast and fruit.
72. Clean the house
Pick one room or one task, keep it short, then reward them.
73. Have a barbecue with friends
Easy food, outdoor vibe, minimal fuss.
74. Babysit
Earn money and build responsibility, especially for younger siblings.
75. Host a teen bake-off
Everyone brings ingredients and makes something different.
76. Write to a pen friend
Old-school, slower, and genuinely nice.
77. Visit a museum
Most museums have teen-friendly exhibits and interactive areas.
78. Take photographs
Pick a theme: sunsets, street art, pets, or “things that look funny.”
79. Make a slideshow from old photos
Turn it into a family movie night.
80. Play tennis
Casual hit at a local court is often cheap.
81. Check what the local council is running
Many councils offer free or low-cost holiday activities.
82. Do a jigsaw puzzle
Great for rainy days and quiet minds.
83. Learn how to do laundry
Washing, drying, folding, and not shrinking everything.
84. Paint a feature wall
A weekend project that feels grown-up.
85. Build a dog house
Perfect for hands-on teens who like tools.
86. Take a free online computer course
Coding, design, editing, or productivity skills.
87. Learn to cook a Chinese dish
Pick one dish and master it, fried rice is a great starter.
88. Learn another language
Even 10 minutes a day adds up.
89. Start a blog
Great for writing practice and sharing interests.
90. Attend a driver training course
Useful for learners and confidence building.
91. Write a business plan for a dream business
Even a one-page plan teaches goal setting.
92. Spend a day doing what parents do
Laundry, meals, errands. It’s eye-opening, and often funny.
93. Spend time on a property or farm
Feeding animals and outdoor work is a real reset.
94. Write a book review and post it
On a blog, social media, or a reading community site.
95. Enter competitions on the back of packs
A quirky activity that feels oddly productive.
96. Organise books, games, or DVDs
Sort by colour, genre, or “keep, donate, bin.”
97. Create a signature dish
Then photograph it like a food blogger.
98. Make sausages from scratch
A bigger challenge, but very memorable.
99. Explore local landmarks
Waterfalls, lookouts, walking tracks, historic sites.
100. Research a favourite actor or sports star
Make it a mini project: biography, highlights, fun facts, and a timeline.
Planning School Holiday Activities? These Links Will Help
If you’re planning to tick a few of these activities off the list, the links below will help you book tickets, check rules, and plan ahead with confidence. All links are official Australian websites where possible.
Theme Parks and Big Day-Out Tickets
Fishing Rules and Regulations (By State)
- New South Wales recreational fishing rules
- Victoria recreational fishing rules
- Queensland recreational fishing rules
Camping and National Parks Bookings (By State)
- New South Wales national parks camping and accommodation
- Queensland national parks camping
- Western Australia parks and camping
Geocaching
School holidays don’t need to be jam-packed or expensive to be memorable. Sometimes all it takes is a few good ideas, a bit of planning, and the freedom for teens to choose what actually interests them. Whether they’re keen to get outdoors, learn a new skill, earn some extra cash, or just hang out with friends, having options ready makes the whole break feel easier for everyone.
Save this list, share it with your teen, and let them pick a few activities to try. You might still hear “I’m bored” once or twice, but hopefully a lot less than usual. And who knows, they might even discover something new they love along the way.
What are your go-to school holiday activities for teenagers?
Have your say!