School holidays without the mental load: what’s happening at Kawana Shopping World

The school holidays are here, and if you have little ones who aren’t actually at school yet, you’ll know they can feel a little different.

It’s not necessarily about suddenly having two weeks of days to fill. It’s more that all the places you normally take your little ones are busier, routines are thrown around a little, and you find yourself searching for alternatives that will keep them entertained without making the day harder for you.

And personally, I am always looking for the low effort options.

We’ve recently started working with Kawana Shoppingworld, and when they first shared what they had planned for the school holidays, both Zara and I were genuinely excited because it felt like there were plenty of those easy activities you could add into a day without having to plan the whole day around them.

Free school holiday activities

There is a whole program of free craft activities happening at Kawana Shoppingworld these school holidays, with something different for the kids to make and take home.

They can make friendship bracelets, decorate their own squishy, create colourful bag charms, make their own sushi and get stuck into different craft activities throughout the holidays.

I was also informed by my five year old this week that squishies are VERY much the craze right now, and I already know both my two and five year old will love the bracelet making.

Each activity runs for around 20 minutes, long enough for them to actually sit down and enjoy making something.

The activities are held near ALDI and, even better, they are free and you do not need to book ahead. You can simply turn up and join in, provided there is space and supplies are still available on the day – our tip is to get there early because they can fill up.

For us, that makes it such an easy school holiday option because there is nothing to organise beforehand. We can turn up, the activity is already sorted for us, and I do not have to come up with another craft to do at home.

See the full free school holiday program at Kawana Shoppingworld

Make a day of it

If you want to stretch the outing out a little longer, there are a few things that make Kawana Shoppingworld particularly handy with little kids.

Then there is lunch. From 21 September to 2 October, participating eateries are offering $5 kids meals, so you could easily head in for one of the free activities and grab lunch while you’re there.

There are two play spaces, including an indoor soft play area for children aged 0 to 5 and another playground near the food court for ages 2 to 12, plus Parents Rooms when you inevitably need a nappy change.

There is also free all day parking, which is one of those little things you appreciate so much more once you are doing outings with kids.

See the $5 kids meal offers

One to save for the holidays

If school holidays add another layer to your mental load, this is one I’d keep in your back pocket for those mornings when you’re wondering what on earth to do with the kids.

I already know I’ll be taking my little ones along these holidays.

This is a paid partnership with Kawana Shoppingworld. As always, everything we share reflects our own experience and opinions, and we only work with businesses we genuinely believe are worth sharing with Sunshine Coast families.