Currently viewing the tag: "activities with kids"
Several years ago, we had the fantastic idea to take the kids on a bushwalk.
Not a huge trek, just a short walk along the coastline to see a lighthouse and take in the view.
Not a huge deal. Right?
Wrong! Within 20 metres the whinging started. I'm hot, I'm tired, my shoes aren't working (shoes were fine, toddler logic was at work on that one)... On and on it went. To our credit we persevered and after what seemed like 14 hours we completed the 'trek'. Arriving back at the car, both of us declared that bushwalking had been a fizzer.
No time to take in the view, the glorious coastline. Just one enormous whinge-fest!
Fast forward a few years, and we have taken a quantum leap forward.
Over the weekend we visited the glorious Springbrook National Park. Tucked up in the hinterland behind the Gold Coast, this spectacular park looks like it is straight out of Jurassic Park. Waterfalls, rainforest, sheer cliffs and brilliant tracks to explore, Springbrook promised a lot.
I was less that sure we were up to it. Sure we had no toddlers in tow, but we did have four kids (now 6 through to 11) to keep motivated and enthusiastic.
Short story...it was brilliant!
All of us were blown away by the majesty of this place.
All of us loved it, even with two kids tripping over, a grazed knee and some steep tricky tracks to contend with.
As we triumphantly finished the 2 hour (yep, 2 hours!) trek, I was brimming with pride at my little gangs efforts.
We are now a family that bushwalks again!
Have you been bushwalking lately? Share your favourite track!
Enjoy xx
I cannot believe that it is almost time for school to go back. Summer holidays are so long, weeks and weeks of no school, trying to think of things to do, and sometimes (a lot of the time?) dealing with 'bored' kids.
To help out a little, here are a couple of winners I have discovered over the years with my gang.
- Visit the Libraries in Brisbane. Don't worry if you aren't a member, it's super easy to join! Check out the library in person or online for holiday activities, our local library has craft, lego, author (last holidays it was Roald Dahl) celebrations. Best of all it's free! Most libraries nowadays also lend DVDs, comics, and magazines as well, something for everyone!
- Check out your local National Parks, botanic gardens, bush reserves. Nothing burns off excess energy and curbs cabin fever like a good run around, and some bushwalking. Pack a backpack, water and first aid kit and you are good to go. It's also worthwhile checking online first, as a lot of parks have special programs just for kids. Try National Parks Association and Find a National Park in Queensland for information/ ideas.
- Have a bake-off. Split up into teams and have a baking competition, keep it fun though as things can get pretty competitive once the kids start to get into it! Here are some recipe sites to try... Food to Love, Delicious
- Hold a crafter-noon with some friends, take turns with other parents and have a few of the kids friends over for a craft session. Lego/ brick making also works well. This one works best outside/ on the verandah, and use recyclable material if you can, super cheap and easy to clean up. Take a look here and My Poppet for ideas!
- Have a movie afternoon, make popcorn and snacks. Steer away from new releases and break out a classic like Back to the Future, Goonies, The Labyrinth. Kids and grownups will love it!
One of my poppets sketching to create her own masterpiece
- Write up a list along with your kids of a list of easy activities/ ideas, then laminate it and stick it up in the kitchen/another high traffic area. Some ideas to think about including: play heads up, build a Lego city, play with the kinetic sand, play a board game (guess who, monopoly), play a card game, paint your nails, plan and put on a puppet show, go to the reading nook and read a good book, make icy poles for later, bake cookies, set up the lounge for a movie (popcorn, tickets, etc). When one of the kids says 'I'm bored' simply point to the list.
- Try planning each week together, then write it up and pop it on the fridge. Schedule in lunch, morning snacks, play in the park, free time. The kids can then run the show! Kikki K has some great planners, and you can also get some printable ones here online.
- Keep 'go bags' packed and ready to go. We have a tub for helmets and hats, a spot for scooter and bike parking, and a bag for beach/ pool. After we get home, we clean out and repack- the bag. No more last-minute scrabble for goggles, towels and thongs...
- Ask around! Whether you ask on Facebook, at the park, friends or family, ask and you will get new ideas, hot tips and even playdates. Better yet offer to have some of the kids friends over and give your friends/ family a break and give your own kids someone new to play with. I am always amazed how adding an extra child or two to my bunch is less work rather than more.
- Visit your local library, art gallery, museum, cultural centre, and then give the kids a sketchbook or notebook. Encourage them to document the day, copy the paintings, draw what they see.
