Half-Term Activities for Kids: 5 Brilliant Ideas to Keep Kids Happy (and Mums Sane!)
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The Honest Mum’s Guide to Half-Term Sanity
If you are looking for half-term activities for kids, this list will help you skip the screens and save your sanity!
And if you’re anything like me — not exactly the queen of DIY and slightly allergic to glitter explosions — half-term can feel like a survival challenge. Between keeping Lucia entertained, limiting screen time, and trying to sip a hot coffee while it’s still hot, I’ve learned one thing: having a plan saves my sanity.
Here’s my personal cheat-sheet: a mix of creative, screen-free and eco-friendly activities that don’t require perfection (or endless cleaning). Think fun for them, doable for us. Let’s dive in!
1) Crafting Magic — Screen-Free Half-Term Activities for Kids
When the rain hits (because, well, it’s the UK), crafts save the day. I keep a small “craft basket” ready with a couple of mess-free kits and some basics (washi tape, glue stick, fabric pens). Lucia’s latest favourite was a denim shoulder bag — she decorated it with patches and fabric pens and now proudly wears it everywhere. Zero clutter, because she uses it. Mum win.
- Main place to browse: Craft Buddy Shop — mindful, screen-free activities and craft kits for kids, from diamond art to DIY décor. Easy, satisfying, and great for calm focus.
- Subscription option to keep holidays sorted: Craftiosity — monthly craft boxes for grown-ups (and keen teens) that arrive with everything you need. I love this for half-terms because there’s always a fresh, beautiful project ready to go without 17 shop trips.
Tip: Set up a “make & use” project (bag, pencil case, bookmarks) so kids feel proud and the creations don’t gather dust. Easy and handy screen-free activities.
2) No Tricks, Just Treats — Pumpkin Pamper Time
After a day of crafts and Halloween prep, slow things down with a mini pumpkin pamper session. We love Samantha Lily Organic — her Halloween pamper box (UK-made) is a gorgeous, screen-free treat for mums and kids: chocolate face masks, lavender bag, wooden scoop, spa headband and a mini mirror, all beautifully wrapped for a cosy evening of self-care.
When you order through my link using NourishedMumLife+SL8 you’ll receive a little surprise gift – a sweet touch to make your pamper night even more special!
Pop on your autumn playlist, mix the mask, and call it “family spa night.”
Thinking ahead: Samantha also has a Christmas box ready to pre-order — perfect for December calm or a sweet gift for a mum friend.
3) Free Screen-Free Fun — Classic Games That Never Fail
- Hide and Seek (bonus: they get tired!)
- Charades or “Guess the Animal”
- Nature treasure hunt — find leaves, acorns, or “something red, something crunchy.”
- Story chain — each person adds one line. Chaos guaranteed, laughter too.
- Drawing challenges — “draw Mum as a superhero” (Lucia’s version always includes a cape and coffee cup).
- Blanket fort + torch = instant magic.
The best bit? No cost, no prep — just time together and a good giggle, the best screen-free activities!
4) Around the World Kitchen Adventure
This is one of our favourite half-term activities for kids! We pick a different country every day, cook a simple dish together, and learn five to seven words in that language. It’s creative, delicious, and educational (without feeling like “learning”).
- Japan: Sushi night! Takes a while to prepare (hello, two-hour activity), but brilliant fun. Lucia loves rolling her own maki and “taste testing” every ingredient.
- Mexico: Fajita & taco fiesta — easy, colourful, and everyone builds their own dinner.
- Italy: Make-your-own mini pizzas — endless toppings and guaranteed smiles.
- 🇫🇷 France: Crêpe day! Sweet or savoury, it’s fun to flip them and even more fun to eat them.
- 🇪🇸 Spain: Our comfort classic. Lucia helps peel the potatoes for tortilla de patatas, and we often make croquetas (and sometimes patatas bravas — spicy sauce just for the grown-ups!). It always ends with everyone shouting “¡Venga, a comer!”
Try this: Add a world map to the fridge and mark each country you “visit.” It keeps kids busy for hours and dinner’s ready at the end. Win-win!
If you kids love these world-food nights, you’ll love my tips for stress-free batch cooking for busy mums – simple, nourishing recipes that save time and make weekday dinner feel easy again.
5) Travelling This Half-Term? Keep It Eco & Easy
If you’re heading off by car, train, or plane, these screen-free activities are travel lifesavers — sustainable, quiet, and fun:
- Orchard Toys Mini Games — small, sturdy, and cardboard. Perfect for little hands and quick rounds on the go.
- Big Potato Travel Games — plastic-free, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny. Great for older kids and family nights away.
- SES Creative Eco Dough — plant-based playdough with wooden tools and recycled packaging.
- Moonmoon Reusable Snack Bags — less mess, less waste! Eco-friendly, leakproof and perfect for car trips, lunchboxes, or picnics. They’re dishwasher-safe, durable, and help you cut down on single-use plastics.
💚 Use code NourishedMumLife10 for 10% off your order — because sustainable can be stylish and practical! - 🖍️ Magnetic sketch pads — keep little hands busy anywhere without needing screens or batteries.
🌿 Calm kids + sustainable choices = happy parents.
Thinking Ahead — Start Your Christmas Crafting Early
I know, I know… Christmas feels far away. But as we both know, it sneaks up fast! Take a peek at Craftiosity’s eco craft kits — beautifully packaged and planet-friendly. Their new reusable advent calendar kit (shipping mid-November) is the perfect make-together project for December. They really have fantastic craft kits for kids!
Consider this your friendly nudge to plan ahead — future you will be very grateful!
Before you go, here are a few quick questions other mums often ask about half-term… 🌿
Q1: What are the best screen-free half-term activities for kids in the UK?
A1: Crafts, world cooking nights, and outdoor treasure hunts are perfect for keeping kids entertained while limiting screens. Try simple craft kits or world-food cooking nights for hours of creative fun.
Q2: How can I make half-term less stressful as a mum?
A2: Focus on low-mess, low-pressure ideas — think craft kits, pamper evenings, or eco travel toys. A little planning (and a good coffee!) can turn chaos into calm.
Q3: How can I recharge after a busy day with the kids?
A3: Give yourself permission to slow down once the house is quiet — light a candle, take a few deep breaths, or do something just for you. You can find ideas in my natural skincare rituals for mums — simple, soothing steps that help you unwind and reset.
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If you liked these family ideas, you’ll love my hormone balancing smoothie recipes for mums — quick, energising and perfect for busy days!
Final Thoughts
Half-term doesn’t have to be chaotic or expensive. With a few simple ideas and the right kits, it can actually be peaceful, creative, and full of connection.
Whether you’re crafting, cooking, or exploring, remember: it’s not about perfection — it’s about presence.
If you liked all these half-term activities for kids, Save this post, share it with a mum friend, and tag me on Instagram if you try any of these — let’s inspire more mums to enjoy the messy, magical side of half-term.
@nourishedmumlife | How to be a Mother y No Morir en el Intento
