It's so easy to get stuck on your screen and while away hours watching YouTube videos or scrolling through social media. These things aren't inherently bad, but you can end up spending a lot of time watching and not living. Here are some things to do that don't involve a screen. Note: you may not be able to do some of them during lockdown.

It's school holidays, a great time to read a book for fun and not because your English teacher told you to. There is some fantastic Young Adult fiction around - check out these children's book award shortlists and bookshop websites for ideas:
West Australian Young Readers' Book Award
Children's Book Council of Australia notables
Booktopia's most anticipated young adult books of 2021
Paper Bird Books in Fremantle have a YA book club
Readings has a recommended YA list each month

We're only a couple of weeks into the holidays but you're bored already - here are some ideas to get you active, creative and off your devices. 
Upcycle your old jeans - check out https://www.levistrauss.com for ideas.
Gardening - grow some veggies, flowering plants or succulents. Use pots if you don't have a garden.
Make up your own dance routine - be creative, it doesn't matter if you've never had a dance lesson.
Swim - visit the local pool and swim. If you can't swim well, walking in water is good exercise too.
Camp in the backyard - pitch a tent or sleep under the stars (make sure you use insect repellant).
Play a board game - try a new game. Borrow one from a friend or relative.
Write a novel - if writing a novel is too daunting, try a poem or short story.
Learn to cook - taste.com.au has a Youtube channel
Learn a new language - try a free app or website like Duolingo or Memrise.
Create - buy some air dry modelling clay, do some paper craft, make some jewellery, get creative.
Journal - grab a notebook and pen and write about your feelings, your goals, your fears, your hopes...
Go to the beach - swim, make a sandcastle, look for shells, play beach cricket or volleyball...
Draw - even if you think you can't, give it a go. There are lots of tutorials on YouTube - here's one on how to draw a face https://youtu.be/Fhfx35Lwux8
Go for a bike ride - self explanatory really
Go roller-skating - there indoor roller-skating facilities in most cities
Learn to play a musical instrument - you can hire musical instruments if you can't afford to buy one.
Paint - you can buy cheap paint sets from K-Mart and find hundreds of tutorials on YouTube.
Go Geocaching - it's like a treasure hunt. Here's an explanatory video https://youtu.be/vuFiLhhCNww
Make a bucket list - make a list of 100 things you'd like to do before you're 100.
Declutter your room - choose a small area of your room and make three piles: keep, donate, throw out. Repeat.
Learn to sew - if you don't have a sewing machine at home perhaps you can borrow one. Or you can sew something by hand.
Do a scavenger hunt with your friends - grab some friends do an alphabet scavenger hunt (take a photo of something beginning with each letter of the alphabet)
Paint your nails - no explanation needed. It's more fun when you do it with family or friends
Make healthy smoothies - check out these 12 healthy smoothie recipes at https://youtu.be/YuDhbLQtt2k
Design your own Lego model - find lots of inspiration at Lego Masters Australia
DIY day spa - Anna McNulty has a day spa video with DIY recipes https://youtu.be/bCyLczCh2uc
Visit your local library - borrow a novel, a non-fiction book, a magazine, do a community class...
Learn yoga - Kassandra has a 10 minute video for beginners ​https://youtu.be/yigadoKHUVM
Note: some of these won't be possible if you're in quarantine or lockdown - please obey your local rules and regulations.

Gratitude is an important aspect of being happy and resilient. Think of someone you're grateful for. Why not make a card, write a message of thanks and send it to them. Not only will it brighten their day, but it's good for your mental health too. You could make a card for:

• a friend
• your parents
• an aunt
• your sister
• a grandparent
• a mentor
• youth group leader
• a teacher
• chaplain
• someone who has helped or encouraged you.

Keep an eye out for an easy DIY watercolour card video on Thursday!

Whether you are bored because you're in iso or on school holidays - try out these boredom busting crafts. The good news is you don't need too many supplies.

A Piece of Rainbow has a tutorial on how to make a t-shirt yarn rug. This would be a great project to do over the holidays. It would also make a good Mother's Day gift. If you don't have some old t-shirts you can use you can buy some at your local Salvos or second hand store. You can also buy t-shirt yarn at craft stores. You can find the tutorial at www.apieceofrainbow.com. The are instructions on how to make the yarn as well. All you need are some old t-shirts, a hula hoop, some wool and scissors. 

Hey everyone, I understand that being stuck inside all holidays is enough to make any one go stir crazy so I have put together this little printable holiday book. It has Easter ideas, boredom busters, some tips to deal with anxiety, and lots more. I jazzed mine up with some washi tape and tied it together with embroidery thread but you can do what you want. You might want to put some of the quotes on the wall. You don't need to sign up to our newsletter (we don't have one yet) - just click on the download icon at the bottom of the document below. Alternatively, you can send me a message via the contact form and I will email it to you.

Check out our post on Thursday for a great tutorial on how to make a stop motion movie.