We’d like to start by wishing you all a safe and very merry Christmas and thank you for all the support this year.
We know that for many of you the long hot summer school holidays are looming or have started and now you have a house full of kids and probably extra family members in the lead up to Christmas. Christmas by the way, is only a little over two weeks away….
So we’ve done a bit of research and dug up some great places to visit and some ideas for family and kids activities to keep them busy and out of your hair.
Go on an adventure
Visitnsw.com has some great ideas of places to visit that are child-friendly. One of the best ones we saw was the TreeTop Adventure Park in Newcastle which has over 96 challenges in the tree tops including over 20 flying foxes.
Or how about a Zoofari at Tarong Zoo in Dubbo. Many of you have been to the zoo but the “Early Morning Walk” is a great way to see the animals wake up in the morning and you can even feed some of the animals.
Kidspot.com.au is another great website which can help you find places to visit and things to do in your closest city. They list things like Skate Parks, animal sanctuaries, other great places to visit and details of holiday camps and kids holiday programs.
Countrylink at the moment is offering $1 fares for up to four children from the one household. so you can catch the train and see different parts of the country without the hassle of driving all that way.
Create an adventure in your own backyard.
If you don’t feel like travelling for miles, you can create an adventure in your own backyard. Kids love pirates, fairies and anything make believe so use your imagination, create a treasure map with some clues and hide some treasure around your garden. Depending on how old your children are, they can get dressed up and follow the clues and the map. This can keep them occupied for ages and works really well if you set them up into teams which encourages them to work together and problem solving skills as well.
Paper Mache Animals or Christmas Decorations
Don’t forget the lost art of paper mache. Its very simple and all you need is flour, water and newspaper. Get the kids to help you make the glue and the world is their oyster.
To refresh your memory – here’s how to Paper Mache
In a mixing bowl, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup water until you get a thick glue like consistency. Add more water if its too thick. Add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mould.
Rip or cut up newspaper into strips or paper tissues/paper towels. Let the newspaper strips soak in the paper mache glue a little before using.
If you want to make an animal shape you can blow up a balloon and cover it with the strips of paper. Then you use egg carton cups as ears, buttons as eyes and noses and some string for tails, the legs could be chopsticks, etc. Get them to use their imagination and plenty of colourful paint.
To make Christmas baubles for the tree – get some foam balls or small balloons and cover them with paper mache, then paint with bright colours, or stick on sequins or stickers and attach a piece of string and hang on the Christmas tree. Cover your artwork with only 2-3 layers, then let dry completely. This is an important step.
Once a layer is dry you can add 2-3 more layers, remembering to let each layer dry before adding the next one. The final layer can be plain paper – so it’s easier to paint – but use the thinnest paper possible and make sure it’s soaked well in the paper mache glue.
Acrylic or craft paint works the best on paper mache. It must be dry before you paint over it though.
Build a Cubby House
This is something that dad can get involved in. Set it up/build it in the shade in the garden, or the spare room or even on the verandah of your house. They can use an old tent, or even some old chairs and a length of rope and an old blanket, pillows, sleeping bags, swags, stools or even a nice old shady tree. Encourage the kids to make a sign and make it homely, make some pictures to decorate it and help them cook something easy so they can host a dinner or lunch party in their new cubby house. You will be lucky to get them out of there.
Write a letter to Santa
December is a busy time of year for Santa as he works hard to prepare for his big trip on Christmas Eve. If the children get their letters in early enough, he can find the time to respond to the letters he receives from children across Australia.
Children can send a letter to Santa at their local Australia Post retail outlet or any red street posting box as long as they write the address clearly, place a 60c stamp on the envelope and include their return address on the back of the envelope.
The Address is:
Santa North Pole 9999For more information see Australia Post
Resources:
Visit NSW
Countrylink
http://www.countrylink.info/promotions#dollar
Kidspot
Australia Post