Whether out and about or in the comfort of home, there are plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained these summer holidays.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It's that time of year again for parents around Australia, as kids everywhere come down from the highs of Christmas and face the dread of boredom.
To help you out, we've come up with a few ideas to add to your summer list that don't include screens and have some top tips from a play expert.
Out and about
Thankfully, Australia is blessed with ideal, sunny weather over the Christmas break which means we have plenty of cheap, outdoor options to get kids away from screens.
There are plenty of well-known tried-and-true classics as well as local events.
But Play expert, founder of Wearthy and host of the Play It Forward podcast Lukas Ritson encouraged parents "to be brave" in the activities they chose to do as a family.
"It means going to a place that they haven't been, exploring nature, going on a bush walk and getting out of their comfort zone," he said.
Out and about ideas:
- Keep an eye out for events on your local council's calendar, which usually organises plenty of kid-friendly days
- Go for a swim at your local beach, river or lake
- Go for a bush walk
- Check out a museum
- Organise play dates
- Create a treasure/scavenger hunt
- Check out a farmer's market
- Go star gazing
- Go picking and create a book of dry flowers
- Find a miniature golf course
- Make a slip and slide
- Teach them how to skip stones
- Go animal spotting
- Use the sidewalk for chalk art
- Help out in a community garden
At home
If you're staying at home over summer, it's all about activities and play.
Mr Ritson said play should be open-ended and flexible.
"Kids need freedom within that play and there needs to be multiple possibilities," he said.
"You need to expose them to an environment that fulfils them and activates their exploration and needs."
So, what are some suggestions that fit these needs from the comfort of home?
Encourage your kids to build cubbies
"I have a bunch of materials where our children can create seclude play or go off in their own area and build and it's flexible and changeable materials," Mr Ritson said.
"The old adage is that the box is better than the toy."
Put some things out for kids to engage with
"Having a stash of good sticks in your yard to build with," Mr Ritson said.
"Rope and boxes and benches where you can set up small world play and be confident just to put some things out as a cue - it doesn't need to be prescribed."
Offer play at height
"Do we have something where we can climb or get height like a bunk bed, it might be a tree outside," Mr Ritson said.
"The feeling of height is a real wondrous part of childhood and exploration - it's that thrill and excitement."
Use tools
"Building things - If you've got small bits of ply, if you've got the classic box," Mr Ritson said.
"Craft kits and things like that but make sure you're not putting your perfectionism as a parent into that."
Go outside and move fast
"Fast moving play really scratches that itch of burning off built-up stress in the body," Mr Ritson said.
READ MORE:
Facebook groups and communities
Don't forget there's an entire world of parenting suggestions online with social media groups and forums if you ever come up short on ways to keep the kids entertained over the holidays.
Hunt around for local parenting groups that provide plenty of suggestions for your area.
And then jump on national and international ones filled with activity ideas, tips and tricks and general inspiration.
Groups can offer craft and science experiment ideas, minimalist parenting tips or just be a place for parenting advice and venting.
If you're after any more tips, ask the advice of school and playgroup educators, who will know your kids and their play habits best.
