How To Get The Most Out Of Your School Holidays (For Cheap)

So you’ve thrown your itchy school jumper into the washing basket for the last time? Welcome to summer, boys and girls.

Every year, thousands of Aussie kids set out to achieve the best school holidays (like, ever!). It’s time to make the most out of these short six weeks.

While we see celebrities jet-setting to exotic islands on their holidays, some of us can’t afford that kind of luxury. If your paycheck from the local fish and chip shop hasn’t quite earned you millionaire status, don’t fret: here are some ideas and tips to get the most out of your holidays – on a budget!

1. Rain, rain, go away.

If it looks like it’s going to be a cooler, rainy afternoon (it happens!), an indoor movie day with your best friends is always the perfect option. Ask your friends to bring along their favourite film, raid the cupboards for snacks (or split the supermarket bill) and make the best of bad weather.

2. Explore the unknown.

Hit up local Instagram accounts like ‘PERTHISOK’ or ‘tasmaniagram’ to find quirky, breathtaking spots of scenery that you might never have heard of before. If you or one of your friends has their driver's license, simply split the petrol and snack costs. If not, see if one of your parents wouldn’t mind taking you and your friends on a little road trip. (Bonus points if you’re on your L plates and need to stack up some extra driving hours!) Don’t forget to pack a couple of bottles of water – cars can get hot and stuffy in summer.

3. Picnics are cool again.

Picnics are a fun and inexpensive way to spend a sunny day with friends. Shake the dust off your parent’s old picnic basket and catch public transport to a park nearby. Encourage your friends to bring homemade lunch food to share, like sandwiches and fruit salad. Pack a Frisbee or footy and take the opportunity to get active. It’s a simple summer outing that always makes it to the memory bank.

4. Learn something.

Museums and planetariums can be a lot of fun when you’re not stuck in a crammed school group. These types of places often have free entry, or at least discounted entry for students. Grab a friend and spend the day immersed in art culture or viewing the stars. Trust me, it’s more fun than you first think. (Don’t forget your student ID, for discounts and such.)

5. Op-shopping.

Op-shopping is like treasure hunting, only you’re more likely to find something. In some of the bigger stores you could spend hours browsing the knick-knacks and trying on silly outfits. If you look hard enough, you might find a few bargains to be added to your summer wardrobe.

Extra Tips: Remember to always pack a bottle of water. Make use of your old water bottle and save yourself paying for over-priced water every time you leave the house. Also, sunscreen. It’s a dreaded, oily, sticky word, but it’ll save you a restless night’s sleep and you know it. Better safe than swapping out your plans the next day while you wallow under the aircon with red-raw skin. Finally, don’t forget your camera!

Sound easy? Good! So what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and get going!

Congratulations to Deborah for winning this writing challenge, answering: How To Get The Most Out Of Your School Holidays (For Cheap). Deborah wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!