It’s the end of term and school is out!

It’s time for a well-earned break, but how will you keep your child occupied during this time?

We’ve got a few suggestions. You can tag along, chaperone a small group or let them go at it alone, if it’s safe.

• Local attractions

When was the last time your child went to visit the local or nearest “tourist attraction?” Have they ever been? The Vilakazi Streets of Soweto, Kruger National Parks of Phalaborwa, Route 67s of Gqeberha and Sun Cities of Rustenburg? Help them make a day of finding out what’s special about where in the world they are.

• Picnic

A simple but always fun idea is a picnic. Depending on their preference, they can pack an entire formal lunch to the park, cutlery and all, or grab a blanket, bottles of water, a pizza from the local takeaway spot, and head out with a book in tow. If you can find a beach, visit it! Listen to the ocean, or bring headphones to the park. This is a good way to catch up with friends, especially if your child goes to future-fit schools like UCT Online High School. Remind them not to litter.

If it’s too cold or raining out, bring it indoors. Move the couches out of the way and invite some friends over for a good old slumber party. Let them enjoy their favourite snacks on the living room floor with cushions and a good movie.

• Get physical! 

This is to get the heart pumping — and the options are plenty! You probably know more, we suggest: paintballing, rock climbing, ice-skating, indoor trampoline parks and obstacle courses. These aren’t quite as physical but will get their body moving nonetheless — golf, fishing, go-karting and visiting an arcade. 

• Check in on nature

When did they last see the fish, and four-legged? Or take a walk through the forest or bird sanctuary, have nothing but glass separate them from a shark? There’s something special about spotting a giant elephant out and about, hearing musical chirps, watching eight tentacles rhythmically bop up and down with three hearts and camouflaging ink. Experience something special. Go whale watching, maybe? 

• Keep It Online

There are multiple online-based activities like art and gaming competitions. You can also keep them learning with free online courses on a variety of subjects, UCT Online High School offers The Free Curriculum for Maths, isiXhosa, Creative Arts, Technology and a few more subjects updated regularly, or they can learn something new on YouTube. No such thing as too much education!

There are many more things that learners can do with this break but it’s also important that they rest too. This is not an excuse to be a couch potato and binge-watch every series the entire holiday, but an invitation to allow some time for a variation of just that. 

Join UCT Online High School for only R2 095 per month. Enrollments for 2023 are now open. Set your child up for success here.