While the school holiday season is often dreaded by mums everywhere, with a little forward planning it can become a time to relax and enjoy your family rather than something that needs to be ‘survived’. The holidays are also a time when treats are in abundance and children often load up on sugar, from chocolate over the festive season to ice lollies at the beach. Follow these tips to keep kids amused – and happy and healthy – over the holidays.

Pack a picnic

What better way to make the most of a sunny day than with a picnic? You don’t even need to get in the car, just pack up your lunch and spread a blanket out on your balcony or in the garden, or head out for a stroll to your local park. This is a great time to encourage kids to try new options as informal outdoor settings are relaxing for everyone. Get your kids to help out washing and packing veggies such as cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and cucumbers, or sugar snap peas (no cutting required!) Make your own trail mix with nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, blueberries and chocolate chips. Lamb Koftas and Mini Salmon Quiches are also perfect for picnics. If your family loves sandwiches, choose a wholegrain bread, a healthy protein such as chicken or fish, and pack it with heaps of veggies. Add some fresh fruit and you’re good to go!

Bake up a storm

Little kids love getting busy in the kitchen, so roll your sleeves up, pop on an apron and get some festive baking on the go. Gingerbread men are easy to make, and are a timeless favourites offering lots of opportunities for kiddies involvement, from weighing and mixing to cutting out shapes and decorating. Make a double batch so you can give some as gifts to family, friends, neighbours or teachers.

Make up snack packs

Fed up of the constant catch-cry of “Mum, I’m hungry!”? Spend a few minutes creating personalized snack boxes for your kids so they can help themselves. Make a box for each child with their name on it and fill it with containers of popcorn, Bliss Balls, veggie sticks, chopped fruit and Muesli Bars. Your kids will love being “in charge” of their own snacks and you won’t have to spend the holidays in the kitchen chopping strawberries and making endless sandwiches.

Pot up a herb garden

Even the smallest of courtyards or balconies have room for a little herb garden. Take the kids to your local garden centre and choose a range of herb plants. Basil, rosemary, chives, oregano and mint are all fairly easy to grow and maintain, and provide endless opportunities in the kitchen. Strawberry pots are fantastic because you can pot up many plants in one container and they look lovely too. Choose a high-quality potting mix and spend an afternoon getting your hands dirty. When dinner time rolls around each evening, get the kids to bring in some herbs for our Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce or a sprig of mint for a cool drink.

Have a pyjama day

Pyjama days are another good option when it’s raining, or if everyone is a bit tired from all the visiting and activities that happen over the festive season. Staying home all day gives everyone a chance to regroup and connect with one another. Read books, grab a big bowl of popcorn and put on a family movie, play games or make a fort. You can even continue the PJs theme by having breakfast for dinner – think dippy eggs with wholegrain toast, porridge, buckwheat pancakes, pikelets with yoghurt and fresh fruit or a veggie-filled omelette. If the kids are having a sleepover with friends, offer healthy treats such as home-made pizza, popcorn made with coconut oil and Betta than Nutella Chocolate Muffins.

Make healthy iced lollies

Hit up your local IKEA or kitchen homewares store for some BPA free ice lollie moulds and get creative in the kitchen making frozen treats that everyone will love. Blend up bananas, mixed berries and coconut water or milk until smooth, then pour the mixture into the containers and leave in the freezer for at least two hours. The kids will love helping to make them, and it’s a great way to keep everyone cool and hydrated – the healthy way.