How to keep children busy during the holidays?

School holidays are approaching and, with them, the famous question: how to keep the children busy all day?
Between rainy days, time spent at home and impromptu outings, it is not always easy to find ideas for simple , inexpensive activities that are suitable for everyone's age.

At JOY!, we love the idea of ​​turning every moment into play. Because sometimes all it takes is a little something—a puzzle, a coloring page, or a little imagination—for kids to have hours of fun. Here are our inspirations for activities to do at home with the family, for joyful, screen-free days.

At Home: Indoor Games for Calm (or Rainy) Days ☔

When the weather doesn't allow you to go outside, it's time to be creative! Indoor games are perfect for stimulating the imagination, developing logic skills and sharing real moments with the family .

🧩 Puzzles & Logic

Puzzles are a surefire way to keep young and old busy. Choose between progressive or cooperative puzzles, depending on your age. It's a calming activity that promotes concentration and patience.
→ Discover our selection of puzzles for children .

🎭 Boardless games

No need for equipment to have fun! Mime, riddles, “neither yes nor no” or chain stories… These indoor games stimulate speech, memory and above all, provoke good laughs.

🎨 Creative coloring

Kids love to color—even more so when they can do it in a large format! Giant posters and inflatable coloring pages are a great way to share some quiet time while developing fine motor skills.
→ Discover in our collection of Inflatable Coloring Pages .

✉️ Stamps & ink

Let their imagination run wild with a set of stamps for children : animals, letters or geometric shapes... they can create postcards, decorate notebooks or invent their own illustrated stories.
→ Find our ink stamps for children .

🍿 Home cinema

Close the curtains, get out the popcorn, and create a real movie atmosphere. Kids can even make their own tickets or choose the trailers. A perfect idea to end the day on a cozy note.

Creativity & imagination: easy workshops (little material) 🎨

Children love to create, craft, mix colors, and let their imaginations run wild. Crafts are perfect for channeling their energy while developing their concentration and fine motor skills.
And good news: you don't need an artist's studio at home! A few materials, a corner table, and the magic happens.

💎 Pearls & Jewelry

Making your own bracelets, necklaces, or charms is always a hit. With our children's bead sets , everyone can create colorful jewelry to give as a gift or keep as a keepsake.

🎨 Paint sets

Painting is a fun way to express your feelings. These paint sets are designed for kids: easy to use, mess-free, and available in fun themes. Perfect for a creative afternoon for two.

✂️ DIY kits for children

Cutting, collage, 3D stickers, seasonal creations... DIY kits include everything you need for quick and successful workshops. These are perfect activities for introducing young children to the joys of handcrafting.
→ Discover our DIY kits for children .

🪵 Self-hardening clay

Modeling, sculpting, painting, varnishing...with self-hardening clay , children learn to create durable objects without baking. A sensory, relaxing and rewarding activity - to do at any age

🌈 Fimo / polymer clay

Mini-charms, magnets, figurines, or decorative accessories... Fimo clay stimulates creativity and imagination. Easy to mold and colorful, it appeals to children and parents alike.
→ Get inspired by our Fimo clay kits .

🍓 Decoden: the ultra-cute trend of the moment

Originating in Japan, the Decoden trend involves decorating objects (boxes, cases, mirrors) with fake "cream" and small colored cabochons. It's a fun and original activity, perfect for children who love detail and fantasy.
→ Discover our adorable Decoden kits .

Outdoors: move, explore, breathe 🌞

Holidays are also (and above all) an opportunity to get out into the fresh air , explore, and move together. There's nothing like outdoor activities to burn off energy, have a laugh with the family, and reconnect children with nature.

🏃 Outdoor games

These sack races, relays, frisbee, skipping rope or kite flying…
Outdoor games encourage cooperation and good humor. They can be easily organized in a garden, park, or on the beach. A perfect activity for combining laughter and movement, even if you don't have much space.

🗺️ Treasure hunts

A classic revisited! For little ones (ages 3–6), hide a few simple clues or pictures in the garden. For older children (ages 7–12), create a puzzle hunt or a mini escape game with cards and challenges to solve.
Kids love it, and you can adapt the theme (pirates, nature, animals, superheroes, etc.).

🌱 Family gardening

Planting, watering, observing... gardening as a family teaches patience and responsibility while being soothing.
sow quickly , make an insect hotel , or set up a small vegetable patch in recycled pots.

🥾 Hikes and walks

Take a little You don't have to go far to be amazed: a walk in the forest, a coastal path or a park can become an adventure.
Nature notebook for gluing leaves, flowers, or bark rubbings. A real moment of awakening and observation for curious children.

💦 Water games in summer

Between When it's hot, water games are always a hit!
Water gun battles , water rides , or simple pools filled with floating toys—the possibilities are endless. Consider setting aside a safe play area for stress-free fun.

Vacation on the go: things to do in the car, train or plane 🚗✈️

Long journeys can quickly seem endless for little passengers... but with a little organization, they become a real moment of sharing and play !
The goal: avoid boredom without screens and turn waiting into an adventure.

🎒 The nomadic kit

Slip everything you need into a small bag for creative activities on the go :

• A mini box of beads or stamps for breaks or hotels.
• A notebook and some stickers to invent stories.
• Washable and easy to store pencils .
  It's the best ally for forward-thinking parents — light, practical and reusable!
  

🎲 Screenless games

Because imagination travels further than tablets, offer classic and fun games:

• Simplified baccalaureate (one letter and 3 categories).
• Bingo of signs to spot animals, stations or signs on the road.
• The famous “I see, I see…” , perfect from 4 years old.

Adapt according to age (3–5 / 6–8 / 9–12 years) 🌈

Every age has its own desires and way of creating. The important thing is to adapt activities to the child's level of concentration, motor skills, and passions—so that creativity always remains a pleasure!

🧸 3–5 years: gentle awakening and discoveries

At this age, we explore and marvel at everything. Activities should be simple, sensory, and colorful.

• Stamps and ink pads
• Large piece puzzles
• Easy to model self-hardening clay
• Inflatable and washable coloring
• Sensory and educational games
  

🎨 6–8 years: autonomy and creative pride

Children aged 6 to 8 begin to want to do things “on their own” and love to show off their creations.

• Creation of jewelry and friendship bracelets
  DIY kits (cutting, collage, 3D stickers)
• Painting and small decorative projects
• Clay and creative modeling
• Mini treasure hunts and observation games
  

💎 9–12 years: expression and imagination

Older children like longer projects, which allow them to express their personality and take on new challenges.

• Decorating objects with the Decoden technique
• Fimo or polymer clay to make small accessories
• Painting on canvas or on an object
• Home escape game or themed challenges
• Group craft projects or more advanced creative workshops
  

Family time: cooking, reading, culture 🍓📚🎭

Vacations are also a time to slow down and reconnect . These simple activities help create sweet, authentic memories—no screens, no pressure, just shared fun.

👩🍳 Cooking with children

Prepare together The kitchen becomes a sensory playground!
fruit skewers , decorated cupcakes or colorful smoothies .
Younger children love mixing, pouring, decorating... and above all tasting!
An apron, a little flour, and off you go for a workshop that is as delicious as it is friendly.

📖 Reading and stories

Create a cozy little reading corner Let the children choose their stories or listen to one together with cushions, blanket and soft night light.
audio story .
It's a quiet activity ideal for late afternoon, when the body rests but the imagination continues to travel.

🎟️ Cultural outings

Libraries , children's museums or interactive exhibitions are perfect for stimulating curiosity.
A family show or an open-air cinema ? These experiences awaken artistic sensitivity while sharing emotions together.

Sport & motor skills (in the park or garden) 🏃♀️🌿

Moving, jumping, running... there's nothing like it to burn off pent-up energy! Outdoor physical activities strengthen motor skills and confidence while promoting well-being.

🤸 Motor skills course

Create a small path at home, in the garden or in the park :
cones, ribbons, chairs, tape on the floor, improvised tunnels... children love to challenge themselves!
It’s simple, fun and adaptable to all ages.

⚽ Free play and coordination

Balls, skipping rope, scooters or low slacklines (under supervision) - all are good for developing balance and coordination.
Even ten minutes of movement a day is enough to release pressure and have fun together.

💪 Active mini-sessions

Try to introduce a mini-sport activity daily :
free dance, timed course, relay or team ball game.
20 to 30 minutes of movement a day, and children sleep like angels!

Looks & role-play (for fun) 🎭👒

Because there is nothing more magical than slipping into the skin of a character , imitation games remain a great holiday classic.
Children invent, replay stories and develop their imagination without even realizing it.

Light costumes, fun accessories, or simply holiday-themed clothing : everything becomes an excuse for adventure!
A floral dress to play shopkeeper, a straw hat to go exploring, a colorful t-shirt to invent a show...

Mini budgets & little equipment: 15 “no hassle” ideas 💡

With a little imagination and next to nothing, you can spend hours having fun together. Here's a guide to keeping kids busy!
15 easy ideas , perfect for impromptu days, staycations or quiet times between outings:

• Build a cabin with sheets and clothespins
• Create a shadow theater with a lamp and paper cutouts
• Make a homemade memory game with drawings or photos
• Organize a spoon race (with egg, ball or cork!)
• Make 3 easy origami shapes (boat, butterfly, frog)
• Make a baking soda volcano for scientific magic
• Start a color hunt in the house or garden
• Sort beads or buttons by color or size
• Paint or decorate stones collected while out walking
• Create a DIY bookmark to give as a gift
• Make stamping cards for friends
• Start an illustrated vacation journal or diary
• Invent a course with tape on the ground (balance or jump)
• Introduce children to yoga kids with 3 animal poses
• Finish in style with a giant bubble contest in the garden!

Typical daily schedule (examples) 🕒

The secret is that you don't need a precise schedule to make sure your days go smoothly.
alternating between movement, calm and creativity , with regular breaks to keep everyone in a good mood.

☀️ Morning: energy & outdoors

In the morning, children are full of energy - it's a good time for outdoor activities. After: garden, park, walk or exercise games.
snack , we can continue with a short creative activity : coloring, stamps or quick modeling before lunch.

🎨 Afternoon: relaxation & imagination

Afternoon often rhymes with heat and fatigue. It is therefore the perfect time for indoor games , board games or a quiet workshop . At the end of the day, why not create a (play dough, puzzle, reading, film or manual activity).
holiday photo album or a memory book with drawings and stickers?

🌧️ Heatwave or rain option

When the weather gets involved, we simply reverse the day :
We start with a manual activity in the morning, then we go out later for a walk or a water game at the end of the day.
And if everyone is tired: a blanket, a book, and a snack to share are enough to create a lovely memory.

Organize without stress: rules, security, screens 🌿

Vacations are meant for relaxing… but a little organization can help you avoid fatigue (and arguments).

🗓️ Plan without rigidity

Try to divide the day into 2 or 3 large blocks of activities , separated by breaks.
A creative block, a movement block, a relaxation block — simple and effective.

☀️ Safety and well-being

Before any outdoor activity, remember the basic rules :

• Sunscreen, hat, hydration.
• Water areas always monitored.
• No dangerous objects, even in improvised construction games.

🎮 Manage screens

Set clear rules : a specific time, a reasonable duration, and content chosen together.
Children adapt very quickly if the day is already well-paced with other fun activities.

🧺 The “rescue” tank

Prepare a small bin or basket to take out in case of “Mom, I’m bored!”
It may contain:

• A stamp set and a notebook
• A mini puzzle
• Some stickers or coloring cards
• Markers and pencils

It's your magic Plan B for unforeseen days.

Bonus memories 📸✨

Holidays are also those little moments that we want to keep, tell stories about, or proudly display at home.

📔 Create a photo album

Print some photos, add funny captions, drawings or stickers.
A holiday photo album quickly becomes a family treasure: to leaf through in winter or to show to friends at the start of the school year.
Even the little ones can participate by gluing or decorating the pages!

🎨 Weekend: exhibition at home

End each week with a small exhibition of JOY! creations: jewelry, paintings, clay figurines, Decoden objects...
Hang them up, set them on a table, and let the kids play artists.
It's a nice ritual to value their work and boost their self-confidence.