Maths, coding, AI & parents
25 summer vacation activities for kids: fun, useful and mostly free
25 summer holiday activities for kids in India: reading, maths games, coding, chess, art, music, science at home, money skills, family projects and a simple weekly routine that keeps screen time in check.
Long holidays are a chance for children to rest, play and also try things school does not have time for. The trick is balance: some freedom, some structure and not too much screen time. Here are 25 ideas for the holidays, grouped by what they build, with a simple weekly routine at the end.
Think and solve
- Riddles and brain teasers. A riddle at breakfast is a fun start. Try our riddles for kids with answers and brain teasers.
- Maths magic tricks. Children love performing tricks and then learning why they work: 10 maths magic tricks.
- Number puzzles. Magic squares and number patterns: number puzzles for kids.
- Maths games. Races, fractions and the 24 game in our free maths games.
- Learn to solve a Rubik's Cube. A great screen-free challenge: Rubik's Cube for kids.
- Chess. Learn the pieces and basic checkmates. See chess classes and how they work.
Read and write
- A reading challenge. Ten books, ten stickers on a chart. Let children choose what they read.
- A holiday diary. Three lines a day about what happened and one thing they learnt.
- Write a story or comic. Let your child make a comic about their holiday, and read it aloud to the family.
- Spoken English practice. Tongue twisters, storytelling and simple conversations: tongue twisters for kids.
- Handwriting practice. Ten minutes a day, copying a favourite poem: how to improve handwriting.
Make and create
- Drawing and painting. A sketchbook for the whole holiday. See drawing and painting.
- Music. Learn a simple song on a keyboard or sing along: keyboard and piano.
- Dance. Learn a routine and perform it for the family: dance classes.
- Craft and recycling. Build something from boxes and bottles.
- Cook with an adult. Measuring ingredients is real maths, and children love eating the result.
- Gardening. Grow beans or tulsi in a pot and record growth every day.
Explore science and coding
- Safe science at home. Floating and sinking, shadows over the day, rainbow with a glass of water and sunlight. Always with an adult. See science for Class 6 to 8.
- Learn to code. Children aged 7 and above can start with Scratch, and older children with Python. Read Scratch programming for kids and Python for kids.
- Take things apart safely. Old toys and clocks (not anything with batteries or mains power that could harm) show how things work. Adult supervision always.
Life skills
- Money skills. Give a small holiday budget and let your child plan, save and spend. See money skills for kids.
- Read the map. Plan a family trip or a walk, using a map and the compass.
- Learn to cook one dish. Cooking builds confidence and independence.
- Help with a family task. Planning the grocery list or the weekly timetable.
- Play outdoors. Cricket, cycling, badminton or just running. Daily outdoor time matters most.
A simple weekly routine
- Mornings: outdoor play or a physical activity.
- Late morning: a learning block (30 to 45 minutes): reading, maths games or coding.
- Afternoon: rest, free play or a hobby.
- Evening: family time, a game or a walk.
- One day a week: a family outing or a project.
Keep screen time deliberate: agree the amount in advance, and prefer screens that teach or create over passive viewing.
When to add a class
A short holiday class in a subject your child enjoys, such as coding, chess, music or drawing, gives routine and feedback. Do not overload the schedule. Rest and unstructured play are as valuable as classes. Our hobby classes guide helps you choose.
Common questions
How much screen time is fine in the holidays?
There is no single number for every child. Agree on a limit with your child, keep screens out of meals and bedtime, and choose creative or learning use first.
How can I keep my child learning without it feeling like school?
Use games, puzzles, projects and hobbies. Children learn a lot from cooking, building, playing and exploring.
Should I enrol my child in many classes?
No. One or two activities your child enjoys is better than a packed timetable. Leave time to rest and play.
What can I do on a very low budget?
Most ideas here are free: reading, riddles, drawing, outdoor play, cooking at home and our free games.
How do I plan activities for children of different ages?
Pick one shared activity (a game, a project, a walk) and give each child a task that matches their age within it.
This guide is general information. For exams, follow your school, teacher and official exam board, and use your own judgement about what suits your child.