Indoor Activities for Kids: School Holiday Survival Guide

School Holidays + Rainy Days: How to Keep Kids Active Indoors (Without Screens) 🤍

Let’s be honest…
school holidays + rainy days + kids at home all day is a lot!

You wake up with good intentions
…and by mid-morning you’re already hearing “I’m bored” on repeat

You can’t send them outside
You don’t want to rely on screens
And somehow you still need to keep them entertained indoors

If you’ve been there, you’re not alone!

We hear this from parents all the time. And the good news is, you don’t need more toys or complicated activities.

What you do need is movement, variety, and simple setups that actually work in real homes.

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Why kids struggle more during rainy school holidays

When kids are stuck inside, their need for movement doesn’t go away

In fact, it builds up

This is why you might notice:
– more restlessness and “wild” behaviour
– shorter attention spans
– more sibling conflict
– constant “I’m bored”

It’s not that they need more entertainment
It’s that they need opportunities to move their bodies indoors

That’s where tools like a Swedish ladder, indoor climbing frame, or Montessori play gym can make a huge difference

They give kids a safe, repeatable way to climb, hang, balance and regulate, even when you’re stuck inside.

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1. Rotate the accessories (not just toys)

You’ve probably heard of toy rotation for kids

But one of the most effective (and overlooked) strategies is:
rotating your play setup

If you have a Swedish ladder, multi-use arch, or indoor climbing frame, try changing the setup daily during school holidays

This could be as simple as:
– moving the slide to a different position
– adding cushions for a soft landing
– creating a climbing + jumping setup one day
– and a calmer hanging or balancing setup the next

It takes under a minute

But to your child, it feels like something completely new

This is what keeps them coming back to it throughout the day,
which means more independent play and less pressure on you to constantly entertain.

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2. Create simple indoor activity setups (you can reuse)

One of the biggest hidden challenges of school holidays is the mental load

Not just having the kids home…
but constantly thinking: what do I do with them next?

Instead of coming up with ideas on the spot, it helps to have a go-to bank of easy indoor activity setups for kids

Think:
– simple
– repeatable
– quick to set up
– based on what you already have

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3. Focus on movement, not more toys

A common misconception is that kids need more toys to stay entertained

But in reality, what they need most is:
movement-based play

Climbing, hanging, sliding, balancing - these are all essential for:
– physical development
– coordination and strength
– emotional regulation
– focus and calm

This is why many parents are now choosing Montessori-style play equipment like:
– Swedish ladders
– indoor climbing frames
– wooden play gyms

These aren’t just toys,
they’re tools that grow with your child and support years of active play at home

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Looking for easy indoor play ideas?

If you’re currently searching for:
– how to keep kids busy indoors
– indoor activities for school holidays
– rainy day activities for kids at home
– Montessori play equipment NZ
– Swedish ladder NZ

You’re in the right place

We’re sharing simple, real-life setups you can actually use, over on our Instagram

And if you ever need help choosing the right setup or making the most of your space, we’re always here

We’ve got you 🤍

Olya
Founder, Topsy Turvy