Boredom is not an option: Inspiring holiday activities for all

The holidays are now within touching distance.

If you're anything like me, you want to offer your kids a well-deserved break but also make the most of the time off with activities that are fun and engaging.

Some will be needing to settle down to revision for upcoming exams too.

I've created a list of my favourite activities from screen-free to movie night. From books to games, podcasts to creative projects.

Here’s my shortlist of go-to ideas to keep kids engaged and inspired.

Books

Get cosy with a good read.

• A Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life - Helen Czerski

• The Boy who Harnessed the Wind - William Kamkwamba (This has also been made into a movie.)

Board Games

What's Christmas without a few board games to play!

• Compounded – A chemistry-based board game where players create chemicals by combining elements on the periodic table.

• Pandemic – A cooperative game where players work together to stop global disease outbreaks, incorporating epidemiology concepts.

Engineering

Get hands on with a few problem-solving and construction activities.

• Build a Rube Goldberg machine – Create a complex chain reaction to perform a simple task. Use anything from the recycling bin!

• DIY Electronics Kit – Use kits to build simple circuits and understand the basics of electrical engineering. DM me on X or LinkedIn if you want pointing in specific directions, from beginners to expert soldering.

Brainteasing puzzles

Recently, I visited Bletchley Park – home of WWII codebreakers. Loved their gift shop packed with code-breaking and puzzle books. Check out:

• Bletchley Park Brainteasers

• Puzzles For Spies

• The GCHQ Puzzle Book

Podcasts

Listen to STEM podcasts while engaging in activities like cooking, walking, or crafting. Some great options include:

• Science Vs – A podcast that pits facts against popular myths.

• Stuff You Should Know – Great for those curious about science and history.

• The Infinite Monkey Cage – Light-hearted yet deep discussions about physics and science.

Keep a journal

• Start a personal research project. Choose a topic in STEM (such as astronomy, biology, or robotics), research it in books or through observation, and keep a journal of what you learn. You can draw diagrams, write out observations, and track your progress over time.
• Mindfulness with some art. Balance all that brain activity with a little creativity. Whether it’s painting, sketching, or colouring.
• Organise your revision schedule. Yes, I said it. If you're a student, getting ahead of your revision schedule might be a good (and surprisingly satisfying) way to start the holidays.

Revision

Helpful and motivational content for revision and study tips.

Youtuber Unjaded Jade - What is the BEST Way to Revise?

Lectures

Catch inspiring lectures.

• The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures - Dr Chris van Tulleken reveals the revolutionary science inside our bodies when we eat. BBC Four on 29, 30, 31 December.

• What Happens When Maths Goes Wrong? - Perfect for anyone curious about how maths is used (or misused) in the world.

YouTube Channels

For a visual fix of STEM fun, check out these channels:

• Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell - Beautiful animations explaining complex science concepts.
• Mark Rober - Engineering challenges and science experiments from the former NASA engineer.
• Numberphile - Watch and learn cool maths tricks, like how to win at Rock Paper Scissors.

Films

And of course, no holiday list would be complete without a few great films!

• Enola Holmes (and it's sequel Enola Holmes 2) - Follow the spirited and clever young detective as she outsmarts villains and solves mysteries, carving her own path in a world dominated by her famous brother, Sherlock.

• Hidden Figures - An inspiring true story of the brilliant women mathematicians who played a pivotal role in NASA’s early space missions, breaking barriers in science and society.

I hope you all have a wonderful festive holiday when it rolls around.

See you in 2025!

Nici

P.S.

Forward to someone who might need some holiday inspiration!

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