As your kids gear up for a six-week break from school over Christmas, you may be wondering how you’ll keep them occupied as the days and weeks stretch on. Beat the boredom blues with these activities and adventures.
Go on a day trip
No matter where you live in Australia, one thing is certain: You’re sure to have access to some beautiful nearby day trip locations. Within an hour or two you could escape to the beach (such as Byron Bay, Bondi, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast), visit natural wonders (the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, national parks) or take in the scenery of wine country or hinterland drives. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a day as a family, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Visit a theme park
If you’re lucky enough to live in the south-east corner of Queensland, a great idea for a Christmas gift for your kids is a theme park year-round entry pass. For $99 per ticket (kids and adults same price), you can gain unlimited entry to Sea World, Warner Brothers Movie World and Wet ‘N’ Wild until 30 June 2013. Alternatively, visit the Big Brother house with your unlimited access pass to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World; priced from $80 for kids and $110 for adults, it is valid until 30 November 2013.
Playdough playtime
Playing with playdough is a fun, inexpensive way to encourage creativity and keep your kids entertained for the morning. Have them help you cook the playdough in the kitchen — follow this easy recipe — then spend a few hours creating soft, squishy animals and playdough snowmen.
Go backyard glamping
Less rustic than a hotel stay, but more comfortable than a camping trip, glamping — a hybrid of “glam camping” — is the perfect way to experience the outdoors without giving up life’s little luxuries. And what better way for the kids to glamp than in their own backyard?! It’s free, it’s easy and it’s close enough to mum and dad to be safe, without you having to hover over them all day. Set up a tent in the backyard for your kids to camp out, play games and get to know nature for a couple of days. Have them invite a friend for a sleepover so they can camp out under the stars (until they inevitably decide they want to sleep inside, that is!).
Have a crafternoon
Cover the dining table with newspaper and set up piles of paper, buttons, ribbons, paints, crayons, and glitter, and get crafty! There are loads of crafty activities you can do with your kids, no matter their age — from making fairy wings, to painting pet rocks, to creating fine art — and it’s a great way to keep them entertained for at least a few hours.
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