School holiday survival guide: budget-friendly ideas for autumn adventures

Packed with budget-friendly hacks and autumn-ready school holiday activities, this guide will help Aussie parents embrace the chaos of the April school holidays without breaking the bank.

The Australian autumn school holidays. That glorious fortnight where the leaves fall, the air cools, and your children rediscover the art of saying “I’m bored” 57 times a day. As fellow a parents, I know the struggle is real. And with Easter, ANZAC Day and a school holiday break all packed into two weeks, there’s plenty to juggle.

As a single mum, I’m well-acquainted with the pressure to create lasting memories on a budget. Whether you’re planning a family trip, staying local, or wrangling work and kids during the school break, having a plan (and snacks) is everything. That’s why I’ve pulled together my top autumn school holiday activities, plus my personal school holiday budget, to help make your holidays feel more fun-filled and less frazzled.

Need a reminder when school is out? Here’s your updated list of school holiday dates across Australia.

Plan your budget for school holidays

The secret to surviving the autumn school holiday break without accidentally buying a trampoline at full price? A school holiday budget. Whether it’s $50 or $500, knowing what you’ve got to spend will help you say yes to the fun stuff without the financial regret.

Grab MyBudget’s free Personal Budget Template to take the guesswork out of your holiday spending. It’s like a piggy bank with a plan, perfect for budget-friendly ideas that turn school holidays into something memorable.

5 Free or cheap activities for kids to stay busy and happy

Let’s kick things off with the best category of all: free or nearly free. Because outdoor activities, fresh air, and simple fun often lead to the most priceless memories.

1. Visit your local national park, day visits are free in Australia

Autumn is the perfect time for a bushy day trip. National parks offer access to hiking trails, nature playgrounds, picnic areas, and all the motor skills development opportunities kids don’t even realise they’re having. Whether you’re spotting birds, climbing towers, or just crunching leaves underfoot, it’s quality time disguised as physical activity.

Don’t forget your shopping list of snacks and audio books for the car ride, and consider public transport if your destination is nearby and accessible, it’s more eco-friendly and can be half the fun.

2. Enjoy a board games marathon, its a great free home entertainment activity

Dust off the board games and set up a family championship. Monopoly, UNO, or something more modern from your local toy library will keep everyone entertained (and maybe a little competitive). Or why not do a day trip to an op shop to find a few board games you haven’t tried yet? It’s cost-effective, great for the budget, and adds a fun twist to your collection. This is quality time and life skills in action.

3. Visit a nearby park and plan a scavenger hunt

A nearby park can become the scene of a full-blown adventure with a bit of creativity. Write up a scavenger hunt list (think: feather, red leaf, heart shaped rock), split into teams and watch your kids go full detective mode. Bonus: they’ll be so exhausted they’ll sleep like angels.

Add in a picnic and you’ve ticked the boxes for outdoor activities, fun activity and screen time reduction in one go. Parenting level: expert.

4. Try backyard camping or build a cubby house, its a free activity where your kids can have fun learning

Want a fun-filled adventure without leaving home? Set up a cubby house inside, or pitch a tent in the backyard and go camping, minus the actual campsite. Add a movie night under the stars, toast marshmallows on the BBQ, and create those wholesome, memorable experiences we all want for our kids.

5. Check out free programs at your local library

Libraries are goldmines during the school holidays. Look out for craft sessions, book readings, and interactive activities designed to keep kids busy and screen time minimal. Many also offer indoor activity options like storytime, board games, and even fun recipe workshops, great for when the rain sets in.

Budget-friendly ideas that still feel exciting

Once you’ve set your holiday budget, no matter the size… it’s time to map out your activities. Here are some ideas that’ll keep your kids busy, your wallet happy, and your mental health intact.

Book a budget-friendly movie outing

Look for budget-friendly movie experiences during the school holiday days, many cinemas offer affordable family movie day deals. Save even more by bringing your own cinema-style treat or pre-packed movie cinema popcorn.

Make it an exciting family movie day with a mid-movie snack break or turn it into a themed movie marathon at home. Popcorn optional, fun time mandatory. And if the weather permits, some botanical gardens even host moonlit outdoor cinemas, movie night under the stars, anyone?

Explore a local attraction with exotic animals

Zoos and sanctuaries like Monarto Safari Park, Taronga Zoo or Healesville Sanctuary often run special school holiday programs. These places offer a great mix of animals, outdoor activities and education that sneakily feels like fun.

Check if they have membership programs to reduce costs long term, and use public transport or carpool to save on travel.

Visit art galleries, museums or botanical gardens

If the weather’s unpredictable (hello, autumn), visit your local art galleries or museums. They often host family-friendly exhibitions and interactive exhibits over the school holidays. Botanic Gardens are beautiful for day trips or bike rides and are often free or low-cost.

DIY crafty activities at home

Pick up some supplies from your local craft shop and go wild. Tie-dye shirts, paint rocks, or create Australian coins out of cardboard, it’s all about crafty activities that are fun, hands-on, and easy to clean up (sort of). You could also make Easter baskets for an egg hunt or decorate rabbit masks. Google is your best friend for free printable templates the kids can cut, colour, and assemble with tape or glue.

How my family budget for school holiday fun in the cooler weather

In our house, school holiday budgeting is a team effort. We have $250 for the school holiday fun fund and we make a plan together (even if my youngest’s suggestion is just “ice cream every day”).

Here’s how we’re spending it this autumn:

• $80 for a fun-filled adventure: we’re heading to a wildlife park to see some of the new baby animals
• $70 for a movie outing: budget-friendly family fun, plus we’ll BYO movie snacks
• $50 for crafty activities: art supplies, a visit to the craft shop, and some Easter-themed baking
• $50 for spontaneous fun: ice cream, bowling, or last-minute tickets to a show.

My eldest also lists unused items on Facebook Marketplace to fund little extras, like a souvenir from the zoo. Budgeting and entrepreneurial flair? That’s a proud parenting moment right there!

It’s not about the spend: it’s the time together

Some of our most cherished childhood memories come from simple moments: playing board games, jumping in puddles, or just having a laugh during a family bike ride. You don’t need a big budget to create epic memories.

Sometimes the best activities for kids are the simplest, ones that get them outdoors, engaged, and feeling connected with you. That’s what matters.

Let MyBudget help you budget for the school holiday fun, and all of life’s other expenses too

Whether it’s planning for the school holiday break or getting ahead on bills, MyBudget helps families create plans that work. We’ve helped over 130,000 Australians set up a personal budget that fits their lifestyle and goals and gives a life free from money worries.

Enquire online or call us on 1300 300 922. There’s no obligation, just a solid plan, more quality time, and a whole lot less stress.

Here’s to school holiday fun, autumn-style: less spending, more laughing, and hopefully zero meltdowns (from kids or parents). You’ve got this!