Having the kids out of school for two weeks in midwinter might seem like an inevitable recipe for too much time on personal screens – and each other’s nerves. But there’s plenty to do without an iPad or TV, especially when you want to spend quality time with the little ones.

From arcades and indoor playgrounds to fun meals out for even the fussiest eaters, here are some ideas for keeping the winter doldrums at bay.

Kids now have more options than ever for indoor excitement, whether it’s expending energy or expanding the senses. Luckily, this year’s winter school holidays have come at the right time – Westfield Southland in Cheltenham has just expanded its offering of family experiences.

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Younger tykes will also love Little Amigos, an indoor playground with a sandpit, mini train, ball pit, imagination stations and a toddler-specific area for the littlest amigos. There’s also a dining menu with all-day breakfast, lunch and sweets. Babies under six months old get in free, and those under one year old are free with a paying sibling.

When you want an escape – from the cold, work stress, responsibilities, or keeping an eye on the kids as they run around – movies make for a good answer. Northern hemisphere summer means it’s blockbuster season, and there are plenty of flicks to catch with the family this winter, some featuring comic book icons (Superman), updated cartoon classics (Smurfs), fierce dinosaurs (Jurassic World: Rebirth) or dragons (How To Train Your Dragon).

At Westfield Southland’s Village Cinemas, you can opt for the Vjunior experience, with front-row recliners, beanbag-style seating and a covered slide that runs alongside the length of the cinema. The slide and other play areas are only open before the movie and during intermission, so the actual screening isn’t interrupted. There are also changes for young audiences, including lower volume and modified lighting. Whatever film you and the family are in the mood for, you can enjoy a cinema experience that can’t be replicated at home.

There are only so many meals you can make and eat at home before the kids get bored. Thankfully, Westfield Southland’s new dining options cater to family members of all ages and tastes.

Kinn Thai puts a contemporary spin on traditional Thai street food with warming winter soups and curries and kid-friendly sticky ribs and satay chicken wraps. Plus, there are colourful cocktails for grown-ups, if you’re so inclined.

There’s also Zeus Street Greek, which serves up flame-grilled pita wraps with fresh chicken, lamb, beef or haloumi, as well as barbeque plates, rice bowls and homemade loukoumades for dessert.

(Without going overboard, of course.) The Pancake Parlour is a cross-generational favourite – get nostalgic and relive your childhood with breakfast all day, alongside a kids menu that includes a lasagne made with potato pancakes and a winter menu showcasing chocolatey Bueno sauce, hot honey fries and salsa-topped Mexican fries. Of course, you can’t go past the pancakes – and you can get 50 per cent off the new winter menu when the temperature drops to 10 degrees or below. Alice’s Wonderland Surprise, topped with ice-cream, hot-choc fudge, and hundreds and thousands, and the Strawberry Duchess, with fresh strawberries and vanilla ice-cream, are both hits with the kids.

For another dessert option (or an afternoon snack), swing past Yo-Chi for soft-serve frozen yoghurt and acai with bountiful DIY toppings.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Westfield Southland.