Holiday activities that won’t stretch the budget

A trip to the cinema, the zoo or ten-pin bowling costs around $40 an outing for an adult and three children.1 And food on top of that! But ASG Education Programs (NZ) Limited has come to the rescue with the release of an e-guide to help parents when children utter that dreaded and often heard holiday phrase:

"Mum, Dad, I’m Bored ...?"

ASG's "Mum, Dad, I’m Bored" e-guide lists 100 great free or cheap activity ideas to entertain children during the holidays. ASG is New Zealand's largest independent parent co-operative specialising in education benefit programmes that assist parents and grandparents in planning for their children’s and grandchildren’s education.

ASG's General Manager of Development, Ms Michelle Hunder, says many parents find the usual holiday outings a little expensive, particularly now so many families are trimming their household budgets. "That’s why we have compiled this e-guide for parents, grandparents or anybody who is keeping children entertained during the school holidays," she said. "Ideally, the holidays are a great time to just be together and enjoy activities that won’t break the budget. Of course it’s fun to go to the movies or have a day out at an aquatic centre or a stage show – but who can afford to do that every day?"

"Parents can easily pay around $35 to $55 a day for each child to attend school holiday programmes," Ms Hunder says. "With a bit of planning, they’re often the sorts of things children can enjoy just as much doing at home."

The e-guide is divided into ideas for at home, in the park or yard, around the neighbourhood and in the car. Some of the activities will remind parents of the games they used to play as children, while others will be completely new. Some suggestions will involve using a computer or being in the kitchen, while others simply require imagination.

Ideas in the e-guide include:

* Perform a play and let the children choose their roles and dress up
* Make a special pizza and let the kids choose all the toppings.
* Host a paper plane building and flying contest.

Download the "Mum, Dad, I'm bored" e-guide and visit ASG's website www.asg.co.nz for more information.