Most schools across Kenya have already closed for the term break, and with Easter weekend beginning this Friday, families are getting a well-deserved pause from their usual routines. Parents also benefit from time off thanks to gazetted public holidays, making this a perfect opportunity to reconnect and create lasting memories with their children.
Instead of falling into the trap of screen overload or cries of “I’m bored!”, why not use this break to fill each day with activities that spark creativity, build life skills, and encourage quality bonding time? Whether staying in or exploring outdoors, here are 14 purposeful and fun ideas to make these holidays truly unforgettable.
🎨 1. DIY Craft Days
Turn your dining table into a mini art studio! Use cardboard, empty jars, and other recyclables to create masks, pencil holders, or room décor. Arts and crafts foster creativity, patience, and focus—and the results are proudly displayable.
📚 2. Create a Holiday Reading Challenge
Design a fun reading tracker or bingo board. Choose themes like nature, friendship, or animals, and reward your child after completing each book or section. You can also schedule quiet “reading together” moments daily.
🌳 3. Explore Local Nature Parks
Kenya’s natural beauty offers so many gems. Take a nature walk through Karura Forest, explore Oloolua Nature Trail, or have a picnic at the Arboretum. These trips refresh the body and calm the mind, offering perfect moments for parent-child chats.
👩🍳 4. Mini Chefs in the Kitchen
Invite your kids to help make simple dishes like homemade pizzas, colourful fruit salads, or no-bake treats. Cooking builds confidence, teaches basic maths and hygiene, and offers delicious rewards for their efforts.
🛝 5. Backyard Obstacle Course
If you have outdoor space, create a mini obstacle course using cones, ropes, or buckets. No garden? No problem! An indoor version with pillows, chairs, and taped floors can work too. It’s active, silly, and great for coordination.
🎬 6. Indoor or Outdoor Movie Night
Set up a cosy movie corner with blankets, cushions, and homemade popcorn. Whether it’s indoors with closed curtains or outdoors under the stars (if you have the space), a movie night turns into a memorable family event.
🎭 7. Home Theatre Show
Encourage your kids to come up with a short play, puppet show, or storytelling session. Let them write scripts, design costumes, and perform for the family. It builds imagination, confidence, and expressive skills.
🧩 8. Brain Game Days
Plan a few afternoons filled with puzzle-solving, board games, or brain-teasers. Games like Scrabble, chess, or even memory card challenges stimulate their minds and teach strategic thinking.
🧼 9. Fun Chore Challenges
Turn everyday tasks into playful missions. Set a timer to see who folds laundry fastest or cleans their room the quickest (without cutting corners!). Add music and small prizes to make it exciting.
📸 10. Photo Scavenger Hunt
Give them a list of items or themes—like “something red”, “a shadow”, “something soft”—to find and take photos of around the house or garden. It’s a great way to nurture creativity and observation skills.
🪴 11. Start a Mini Garden
Whether on a balcony, window sill, or small backyard, get your children planting herbs, succulents, or flowers. Gardening teaches responsibility and patience, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch something grow.
💼 12. Create a “Business Day”
Let them run a pretend business—like a lemonade stand, mini shop, or craft stall. Help them design menus, posters, and handle pretend money. It introduces them to entrepreneurship and the value of money.
✍️ 13. Write & Post a Letter
Encourage your kids to write a thoughtful letter to a grandparent, friend, or cousin. They can decorate the envelope and help you post it. It builds writing skills and brings a delightful surprise to someone’s mailbox.
🎈 14. Host a Family Picnic Day
No need to travel far—a living room floor, balcony, or backyard can become a picnic zone. Lay out a mat, bring favourite snacks, play some light music, and just enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed setting.
This term break, paired with the upcoming Easter long weekend starting this Friday, offers the perfect chance for families to slow down and enjoy intentional, joy-filled time together. With a bit of creativity and planning, each day can become an adventure filled with learning, love, and laughter.