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Feature Article
Holiday Tips
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Surviving the Holidays
After the excitement of Christmas, and a series of wet days (which we are thankful for), there is a bit of 'cabin fever' entering our house. Entertaining those kiddes through the holidays can be tricky but to be honest, I for one am happy to see my school-age child rested after a big Prep Year. Towards the end of the last term we were all feeling quite exhausted, including the teacher and teacher-aide (I think). Christmas was upon us before we knew what happened and the frenzied unwrapping of all manner of pink plastic toys was delightful, if maybe a bit scary in terms of the pinkness of everything. I'm a little concerned that the Small Feral One insists that Christmas Day is her birthday...
With the New Year upon us, we can start to look at getting out and about and doing a few things with the kids. It doesn't seem to take long for the boredom factor to set in and for those in single-child families this can mean some pretty intensive time with your son or daughter. Of course, if there is more than one child they can play with each other - which means they also have someone to fight with! There are heaps of things you can do to break the holidays up for all of you and they don't all have to be expensive. Here are just a few ideas to keep things flowing:
- Make a Plan: Get the calendar out and write down what you are going to do for the next few weeks. You don't have to fill in every day but have a couple of things planned each week. This could include family outings, visits to friends' houses or having friends over.
- Give them some 'kid time' . Your children express themselves differently around you and their peers. Make sure they have some time with friends to hang out or just be silly. Take the initiative and organise a morning tea at your place or a local park. If your child is at school, invite their friends and families.
- Have some rest time. Again, there is no need to spend the holidays racing around. Let the kids have a rest with some days free to stay home and relax. They need it just as much as you do. If you can get a couple of days to rest as well (hello sleepover at Grandma's house), take advantage of that too!
Happy holidays!
Footprints on the Net
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Some Free Tips
It can be difficult to find inside things for kids to do for free that also get them out of the house
in wet weather. Local libraries have school holiday programs in place - but don't forget to book for craft activities. To find out more about these, click on your Council link on the left and follow it to the Library link. As well as having craft activities or storytime, you can borrow games, CD's and DVD's for free!
The State Library in Brisbane has fantastic FREE children's activities every school holidays and this is no exception. Activities include a puppet show and puppet making, story and rhyme time, yoga, and of course The Parlour. The Parlour is a special space where you can borrow a variety of board games and play with friends or other games fans. Featuring resort inspired games, including Oceanopoly, Quoits and 10 Days In Asia, plus all the favourites like Chess, Backgammon, Scrabble, Mah Jong, life-size Snakes and Ladders, Hungry Hippos and even cards for Bridge and Canasta. For more information about the State Library activities visit the State Library website.
Another place for free children's activities is the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Both of these have excellent children's programs every school holidays, just visit www.qag.gov.qld.au for more information.
Don't forget, if it stops raining long enough, there are heaps of great parks and National Parks to take the kids to. Most National Parks have information centres and short which may be suitable for younger children. Just don't forget to tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to be back (in case you get lost) and take plenty of water to drink! |
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Create Less Drama with Gold Coast Youth Theatre Academy
Gold Coast Youth Theatre Academy
is a local company that is holding holiday workshops for kids aged 8 to 13 years.
Performing Arts Workshop EVERY DAY 14th-18th January 9am-3pm.
Great fun, Skill Building, Performances in Theatre, Dance and Film.
Kid Konfidence Workshop EVERY DAY 21st-25th January 9am-3pm.
Great for Self Esteem, Anti-Bullying, Fitness and Fun, Teamwork,
Confidence, Expression and Creativity in a fun, friendly and caring environment.
All classes and workshops are held at the newly refurbished student centre at Guardian Angels Primary School in Southport. Workshops are $220 for full week including a t shirt. For more information please telephone Gold Coast Youth Theatre Academy on 1300 853 011.
Classes are also available during school term - for a timetable see Gold Coast Kid's Music and the Arts page.
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| Wet Weather Ideas |
With all this rain around, I've been racking my brain to find things for my kids to do these holidays! Thankfully a birthday party last Sunday saved the day and we will be doing a trip to the Brisbane Art Gallery and State Library in a week or two. Luckily these are pretty low-cost activities and most indoor activities cost quite a bit but here are a few ideas:
- Trip to the movies - there are heaps of good children's movies on at the moment. Take a look at our Books and Movies page.
- Hire a DVD and have 'movies at home'. Pop some popcorn and pretend you're out.
- Roller Skating
- Ten Pin Bowling
- Indoor Play Centres (sure to be jam packed with kids with 'cabin fever' but worth going to let yours let off steam - just check the age limit as most only allow children up to 10 years).
While we are thankful for the rain at the moment, it can be frustrating when the kids are going stir-crazy from being shut inside. Of course, you can always let them go out and jump in the puddles, cover themselves in mud and enjoy the rain on their faces. It's been a long time since they've been able to do that!
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Looking for Something Different?
For something a bit different, why not:
- Go to the Drive-In. They are few and far between these days but the Yatala Twin Drive-In Theatre offers the good old-fashioned trip that we all remember from our youth (if we are dinosaurs). Pack the car with pillows in case the kids crash out and have a great night. A night at the drive-in is truly a family experience not to be missed! Two massive screens present the latest Hollywood Blockbusters in a relaxed and friendly environment. Located just off the Pacific Motorway (M1 Yatala North Exit 38), 100 Jacobs Well Road, Stapleton. For more information telephone: 3287 2930 or visit their website www.drive-intheatre.com.au.
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