The September school holidays land at an awkward time of year. The weather is warming up but still a bit unpredictable, the shops are already stocked for Christmas, and two weeks stretch out ahead with no school run to anchor the day. It's exactly the kind of gap where screens quietly take over — not because you've decided that, but because it's the path of least resistance by 3pm.

The good news is you don't need a packed itinerary to get through these holidays well. A handful of simple, screen-free options on rotation is enough to fill the gaps and keep everyone — you included — a bit calmer. Here are ten to try.

Give the day a loose shape

Holidays don't need a timetable, but a rough shape to the day helps little ones settle. Something as simple as outside time, then quiet time, then free play gives structure without feeling like term time. Kids relax faster when they know roughly what's coming next.

1. Set up a dedicated play corner

If the toys are scattered across the house, half of the holiday battle is just deciding what to do. A single shelf or corner that's always "ready to play" removes that friction. The Magnetic Playwall™ works well here — it turns a spare stretch of wall into an instant play spot for building, drawing and sorting, with nothing to set up each morning.

2. Take the chalk outside

Warmer afternoons are perfect for driveway art, hopscotch and obstacle courses. Our Dustless Chalk Crayons — including a bright neon set — are twist-up and mess-free, so there's no dust to sweep up afterwards, just wipe the case and pop it back in the basket.

3. Build something on the Playwall, then pull it apart

Magnetic tiles, ball runs and shapes all click onto the Magnetic Playwall™, so building becomes a whole-morning activity rather than a five-minute one. Once it's built, pulling it apart again is just as fun as making it, which means the same set gets played with over and over.

4. Pack a quiet-time bag for outings

School holidays mean more errands, more waiting rooms, more time in the car. A small bag with one or two calm activities saves a lot of "are we there yet." A felt busy book is a good fit here — the soft pieces stay attached to the page, so nothing rolls under the car seat.

5. Try a colour sorting challenge

For a slower morning at home, the Magnetic Colour Sorting Jars give little hands a satisfying, repetitive task that supports fine motor skills, no screen involved. It's a lovely one to set up on the table while you get ten quiet minutes of your own.

6. Let imaginative play run the show

Open-ended sets like the Dino Discovery or Princess Magnet Set turn into a different story every time they come out. Try to resist the urge to direct the play — the more open-ended it is, the longer it tends to hold their attention.

7. Plan one "big" outdoor day

You don't need ten big outings, just one. A trip to the beach, a local park you haven't tried, or a picnic somewhere new gives the holidays a highlight to look forward to, without needing to fill every single day with an activity.

8. Rotate what's available, rather than adding more

If the same magnet sets or books have been out since term time, they can start to blend into the background. Pack a few things away for a week and bring them back out — a rotated toy often gets played with as if it's brand new.

9. Build in some proper downtime

Not every hour needs a plan. A stretch of boredom before someone wanders off to invent their own game is a normal, healthy part of the holidays, and often where the best imaginative play begins. If you'd like more on this, have a read of why boredom is good for kids.

10. Go easy on yourself, too

Some days will run smoothly and some won't, and that's completely normal. You don't need to fill two weeks with activities to call the holidays a success — a few good screen-free options on rotation, and a bit of patience, is plenty.

Ready to holiday-proof your play space?

If you're setting up a play corner for the break, the Magnetic Playwall™ (from $89) is a good place to start, and it pairs with Dustless Chalk Crayons, the Colour Sorting Jars and any magnet set already in the house. For more ideas beyond the holidays, take a look at our guide to setting up a screen-free play space at home. Less Screens, More Play™.