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| Ideas for outings |
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Taking a trip on public transport |
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This ageless, timeless sport is enjoyed by adults and children alike. It is an inexpensive way for a family to enjoy the weekend or an afternoon/evening, taking advantage of daylight saving Choose a simple kite that all members of the family can use. Fly only in wide, open spaces; stay away from trees and power lines. Beaches are wide and usually have a nice breeze. If you don't live near a beach, try a park, or the playing fields at your local school. Hills are good; if there's not much wind you can always run down them with the kite behind you and simply hope for the best! To get started, run into the wind while holding the kite up behind you. Let go when you feel the wind catch the kite. To get kids started, let some slack out in the string and have your child hold the spool while running away from you as you hold the kite. Just as the string gets taut, lift the kite above your head and give it a little push.
Here’s a free but fun outing to try, especially if your child/children are into Bob the Builder. Locate a building site or place where they are doing major road works or construction. Sit from a safe distance away and just let your little ones enjoy the movement and noise! You might want to find out what these big pieces of machinery are really called, as no doubt you will be asked! Going to the snow For a lot of families it is possible to visit the snow in Australia. The snow fields of N.S.W and VIC are popular destinations. Canberra and Tasmania also have their local snow in the mountains. Snow and children usually means fun, fun, fun but it can also mean cold,cold,cold. Try some of these tips for a great day out or long weekend. Go prepared. Check for the need of permits and chains, before leaving. Think ahead about clothing. Unless you plan to ski, children might be happy enough with parkas, beanies, thick socks, pants and gum boots. If you can borrow, hire, or buy second hand snow type pants and boots then you are laughing! These will keep children dry and happy from the cold. If you can't, then take a change of clothes from top to bottom (including underwear). Children who are wet and cold are not nice to know! Big hint here. 'Check that children don't need the toilet before the multiple of layers go on' After a day of playing in the snow, children and adults alike can get pretty hungry and cold! Think about packing warm drinks and bring along plenty of food. If you plan to buy food, check that where you are going has facilities. Think about what you are going to do there. Hiring or borrowing toboggans can be a lot of fun. If you are going to build a huge snowman bring along a carrot and an extra scarf for the photo session! Bring along a waterproof carry bag for any belongings, as it will be lying on the snow.
Young children go through the stage where they are fascinated with fire engines. A visit to your local fire station can be a lot of fun for all. You can organise a trip by phoning ahead and arranging a time where most staff members will be on hand to show you around. Be prepared though for a no show if they get called out. If you belong to a playgroup, the 'firies' may be able to arrive at your local meeting place. We had them arrive at our playgroup with the alarm ringing. Yes it did add to the excitement. The children took great delight in holding the fire hose and having a pretend drive of the truck. Older children also will enjoy a trip to the station. Our cub pack were shown how the jaws of life work, had a drive around the local streets in the fire truck, proceeded to wet everyone with the fire hoses and generally had a great time. The serious side of the visit, discussing fire safety is very welcomed. Having a person of authority talk on the subject makes all the difference! The children will recite down low and go, go, go for weeks!
A fishing trip can be a whole day out or just a few hours. Small children love it when things are happening, but can get a bit frustrated if they are just sitting around waiting for the 'big one'. Older children enjoy the waiting time as it is a chance to catch up and just 'hang' with a parent or grandparent.
Safety issues are the first thing to think of for a day out fishing. Children young or old need supervision around water. Keep all sharp knives, hooks, etc away from young children or use under supervision, with older children.
Choose a spot which is away from the more serious anglers. Your budding fisherman may find their line getting tangled with others, or feel frustrated if others around them are catching something and they aren't. It is also nice to just enjoy the solitude of a place on your own with your child.
You don't have to spend a fortune on equipment to get started. Discount stores sell small tackle boxes complete with the basics and a fishing rod can be bought cheaply or borrowed.
Bring along a camera to capture the moments. Pack some food and drinks, and munch on snacks as you wait for the nibbles at the other end of the line.
Prepare your child in advance for the disappointment of maybe not catching anything. Tell them how great they caste off , or how responsible they were, and how there is always next time!
Taking a trip on public transport These days most children don't get to travel on public transport. Taking small children on a bus, train or even a ferry or tram can be lots of fun and an inexpensive day out. Simply paying the driver and looking out the window is a wonder. You could make a day of it and enjoy the whole day here are some suggestions
Most cities and towns have a botanic garden or large park where you can spend a few hours having fun. Remember to bring bread to feed the ducks. Play some games like find the tallest tree, I spy, and encourage your child to use all the senses by discovering. Smelling different flowers, looking at and hearing birds all add to life's joy.
Children love to visit the zoo and carers can enjoy seeing their faces light up to see a real lion. There is a cost involved in this one but try to collect a discount voucher or visit at a time when adults are children's prices etc.
Become a regular at the local library Most local libraries have a story telling session. These are a great way for children to learn early skills of sitting and listening in a group environment. The story teller is usually a staff member who is fond of young children. They interact with the children with not only books but by doing plays, felt puppets on boards, getting children to act out the stories etc. Usually afterwards there is craft or colouring in. Afterwards of course your child can select books to bring home. Going to library once a week can become something your child and yourself can look forward to doing.
Visiting an art gallery with young people puts a whole new light on the subject matter. It is fun to listen to them explain what they think the artist is trying to say. It also gives them a chance to see how real artists paint and some of the techniques will make their way into their own masterpieces at home. One of our sons couldn't wait to try match stick painting in dot form after seeing an aboriginal painting at the art gallery.
Getting outside and enjoying the day in a park or by a lake is stimulating for the carer as well as the child. You don't have to wait till the weekend to do this. Packing together some morning tea and a rug and heading out has saved this mum many a day from feeling closed in at home. You can organize to meet friends or just enjoy helping your child to finally climb that rope. Picnics on a week day are also something this family have enjoyed doing, especially in summer when there is more light. It is great to have a basket all ready with yummy simple foods when your spouse or other children come home. A quick change of clothes and it is dinner out together with lots of fun. Picnics at home are also lots of fun. Children love to help put out the rug on the floor and use the picnic set as if they were out. We first did this when we moved house and everything was everywhere, and it has since become a favourites. Having a picnic basket ready to go, complete with plastic plates, cutlery , cups, paper towel, wet ones, container of salt, pepper, sugar some sunscreen and a tablecloth makes it easy when you have to get out of the house quickly.
We are pretty fortunate in Australia to have wonderful beaches which most people can reach regularly. Protection from the sun by way of hats, sunscreen and all the wonderful protective clothing that is available is a must. Supervision of young children near water of any sort is also paramount. Going early in the morning or late afternoon is also advised due to the sun and also will work around a nap time. The beach has a way of tiring everyone out. Remember to bring buckets, spades or things from the sandpit at home. Making dugouts on the waters edge and letting it fill up with the waves is great fun. ( Makes a small wading pool for little ones) Making shapes in the sand is also lots of fun. My husband has perfected cars and boats with seats for little people to drive over the years. The boys have loved these and so have the other children around who come over to see the creations. Collecting things is also a favourite thing to do at the beach. A little care needs to be taken as not to disturb live creatures. The collection of simple shells and seaweed will keep children happy.
A day out in one of our many national parks is a great way to spend the day together as a family. With young children or even older children don't expect to do a 10km hike. Remember as you go along a track that you still have to come back again and children never seem to be as keen on the return trip. Just going a short way and making it exciting by stopping and looking at things is what the children will remember not that they made it to the end! Bring along the usual, hats a drink bottle etc but add paper for the children to draw on or in our case with a budding entomologist in tow, a magnifying glass, a compass, binoculars and the old faithful bird book. Depending on the age of the children this can be a great way to learn about nature by discovering things for themselves. Remember though not to disturb anything in the bush, and not to bring home anything but your own rubbish. Return to Children's Activities
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