School holidays can be stressful for parents who are expected to fill the weeks with endless fun. This can be exhausting, not to mention expensive!
If you need a helping hand to take the fur kids off your hands, call on the Pet Sitting community at Mad Paws to help.
From overnight stays to dog walking, pet day care, house visits and more, your needs are covered.
Surviving school holidays with kids and pets
If you’d like to see if the kids and pets can keep each other occupied these school holidays (and hopefully allow you to get some work or chores done), then keep reading! We’ve created a list of fun activities your children can enjoy with your pets; either furry family members or temporary house guests.
1. Teach (learn) a dog trick
This can be a very rewarding task for older children as it requires patience and consistency – two skills that children often need to work on! Load your child up with dog treats and help them to choose one awesome trick they’d like to teach their fur sibling, then sit back and watch the magic happen. Your child will enjoy an incredible sense of achievement once your pooch performs the trick and they can tell anyone and everyone “I taught them that!”
Great for: Kids aged 7+ and food-motivated dogs
What you’ll need:
- Dog treats or kibble
- A list of tricks to choose from (start simple!)
- A bit of patience
Instructions:
Ask your child to choose one trick they’d love to teach, like “shake,” “spin,” “sit pretty,” or even “bow.” There are hundreds of short tutorials on YouTube or Instagram Reels that break tricks down step-by-step. Encourage your child to practice in short, positive sessions (5–10 minutes max), using treats to reward progress.
💡 Make it a challenge! Can they teach the dog a trick by the end of the holidays and perform it for the family?
2. Build & overcome obstacles
Everyone has junk lying around that can be fashioned into a doggy obstacle course. A few bricks and a stick transforms into an adjustable jump. A plank of wood and rock makes a see-saw. This one can get as complex as your child’s imagination will allow! After planning and set up, your child and pooch will have hours of fun tackling the new home made course!
Great for: Energetic dogs and kids who love building
What you’ll need:
- Broomsticks, boxes, hula hoops, chairs, towels, buckets, rope
- Outdoor or indoor space (garage, hallway, or backyard)
Instructions:
Get the kids to brainstorm what kind of obstacles they can build with household items. Some easy setups:
– A jump: a broomstick balanced on two low boxes
– A tunnel: a large cardboard box or towels draped over chairs
– A weave: buckets or cones placed in a zig-zag
– A ramp or seesaw: a plank balanced on bricks or a log
Test each obstacle for safety, then guide your dog through the course with treats or a favourite toy.
💡 Time each run and keep score. Can the dog beat their personal best?
3. Host a mini dog show
Does your child have lots of friends with dogs? Why not get them all over and put on your own dog show? Each dog has to show their very best party trick and complete a series of tasks – sit, stay, come etc. Create your own judging panel and hand out prizes to one and all – best in show, the pup who tried the best, the funniest pooch etc.
Great for: Kids who love performing and organising
What you’ll need:
- Friends or neighbours with dogs
- Homemade certificates or ribbons (paper and markers will do!)
- Treats and maybe a few props
Instructions:
Set up a performance area and invite each child-dog duo to show off their best trick or complete a mini obstacle course. Use chairs or pool noodles to make a “runway” and give awards like: Best Trick, Most Stylish, Cutest Tail Wag, Best Effort, Most Dramatic Performance.
Everyone gets a prize, and you get some free time while they organise the event!
💡 Create a judging panel (kids or adults), play theme music, and take lots of photos for cute memories.
4. Play dress-ups
Of all the activities between kids and pets, this one is reserved only for the more placid and playful pups! While some dogs don’t enjoy being dressed up in clothes and costumes, others don’t mind and will happily join the adventure of playing a character in a play or movie. Break open the costume box and let the fun begin!
Great for: Calm dogs and creative kids
What you’ll need:
- Costumes or fabric scraps
- A camera or phone for a photoshoot
- Treats (always!)
Instructions:
Let the kids pick a theme (pirates, superheroes, or a movie cast), then dress up accordingly, with the dog playing a supporting role. Use scarves, hats, or kids’ T-shirts (avoid anything tight or restricting). Make sure your pup is comfortable. If they’re not into it, skip this one.
💡 Write and perform a mini play, or host a red carpet event and take photos for a pretend magazine.
5. Enjoy story time together
Make school holiday activities for pets and kids productive with this idea. Dogs can make the perfect reading partner for younger children who are learning to read and feeling self-conscious. Everyone wins – your dog will be happy to lie beside their human and receive attention and your child will be happy to read to a new, novel listener. Research suggests children are more confident reading to dogs as they are completely non-judgemental too.
Great for: Kids learning to read, quiet time, or winding down
What you’ll need:
- A pile of books
- A quiet corner with cushions or a beanbag
- A calm dog who loves cuddles
💡 Start a “Holiday Reading Club” where your child reads a short book every day to their pet and earns small rewards.
Need a breather? Call in reinforcements
If these ideas still make the thought of school holidays overwhelming, or you feel you need some extra back-up to tackle 2 weeks in a full house, consider pet sitting or doggy day care. Although the team at Mad Paws can’t help occupy your human kids, they sure can take the lead and tire out you fur babies!
