Quality Time (8)
As we head towards the school holiday break, put family time back on the agenda with these ideas for entertaining the kids from toddlers through to teenagers.
It can be easy to let time get away from you when you’re busy with work, chores and everything in between. But it’s important not to let the meaningful things slide like spending quality time with your family.
Creating happy memories for your children as they’re growing up is something that will stay with them into adulthood. No matter how busy everyone is, it’s essential for every member of your household to feel important, included and loved.
We’ve put together a list of suggestions for how you can reclaim some dedicated family time, from toddlers to teenagers. See which ones work best for you and your family.
Toddlers
- Play outside - take the family to the park or beach and play simple ball games - it’s good exercise and allows kids to practice new skills.
- Go to the local park - slides, swings, climbing apparatus; letting your toddler loose in the local park is excellent exercise - for you and your little one.
- Car journeys - non-driving parents can play games such as ‘I Spy’ or have sing-alongs to their favourite songs in the car.
School-age
- Board games - simple card games, snakes and ladders or dominoes - these games teach children the importance of playing fair.
- Astronomy - go outside on a clear night, look at the moon and stars, and learn the constellations together.
- Individual activities - if you have more than one child, set aside some time every week for an activity with each of them. It could be a trip to the cinema, baking a cake together or, better still, let them choose
Teenage
- Reduce screen time - this article from the ABC reports that we spend eight times more hours per week looking at screens than with loved ones. To combat this behaviour in teens, try setting some time aside when the whole family has to turn off their device, perhaps at meal-times and at least a couple of hours at the weekend.
- Set routines to reduce arguments - once you have teenagers in the house, it can be difficult to organise around schedules. Making sure that the whole family has the same time set aside in their diaries for family time to reduce the fuss of getting everyone together.
- Family dinners - cooking, sharing and eating food can really bring a family together, if only for an hour or so. It gives everyone a chance to talk about what has been going on in their lives.
Taking the time to connect with your family is helpful for everyone; it strengthens bonds, creates happy memories and encourages everyone to feel loved and supported.
The resources in our Parenting HUB are put together by our family specialists who work with families across Sydney every day. If you would like to know more about this topic, please fill in our 'Contact Us' form and we'll get in touch. You can also call our professional Parent Line NSW counsellors on 1300 1300 52 for individual advice.
Disclaimer: This article does not give professional advice. The contents constitute general information of a summary nature of interest and relevance at the time of publication. You should not rely on the contents as professional advice but should seek, formal advice in particular matters relevant to your particular situation.
Activity Ideas for School Holidays
Amazing Monster Arts & Crafts - Ingleburn Library
Come and join us for some school holiday fun! It’s a monster mash at the Library during the school holidays. Unleash your inner monster and make some fantastic monster crafts.
Date and time
Monday 28 June 2021 / 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Suitable for
Ages: 5 - 12 years
This is a free event.
Booking Information
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
Make box from Campbelltown Arts Centre
The MAKE BOX is a new program from Campbelltown Arts Centre that allows children and their carers to create together at home. SANPO is the first edition of a series of take home boxes that are fully equipped with materials and instructions to take C-A-C creative play home.
Discover your 5 senses and unleash the creativity inside you with local artist Machiko Motoi. The MAKE BOX | SANPO Edition is a take home art box opening up to 5 smaller boxes, each containing new art making materials and new creative activities inspired by one of the 5 senses and a space in your home.
Meaning walking in Japanese, SANPO is a creative adventure through the 5 senses guided by Machiko, with step-by-step instructions where children will create individual artworks using a variety of materials including clay, watercolour and much more.
Children and their carers will learn a new making techniques in each box, with each adventure building up to a SANPO celebration of all the artworks created along the way.
Artist: Machiko Motoi
Cost: SANPO Edition is $100 plus $15 for postage (NSW only).
Your Service NSW Creative Kids ($100 per child) OR Dine & Discover Vouchers can also go towards the MAKE BOX | SANPO Edition
Ages: 5+
https://c-a-c.com.au/make-box-sanpo-edition/
Chill Fest 2021
25 June-11 July
Chill Fest brings winter fun to Koshigaya Park with an array of fun activities and entertainment for the whole family including amusement rides, an open-aired ice skating rink, light shows, marshmallow toasting, food trucks, Alpine Winter Markets, roving performers, open fires, realistic snow fall and much more.
Friday and Saturdays - 11am to 11pm
Every other day - 11am to 10pm.
Ticket Cost
Entry to the event is free, however there is a cost for skating, rides and food.
Skate Price
Child (3-4): $5 + (Kanga Skating Aid)
Kanga Skating Aid: $10
Youth (5-13 years): $19
Adult (14+): $25
Family (2 adults, 2 children): $70
Family (1 adult, 2 children): $58
Ice Slide
1 slide: $4
3 slides: $10
Rides
Pricing to come shortly.
Pool Inflatable Days- Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre
Bring the kids along to Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre for some pool inflatable fun this holidays.
Monday 28 June 2021 / 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Thursday 01 July 2021 / 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Monday 05 July 2021 / 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Thursday 08 July 2021 / 12.00pm - 2.00pm
|
General Admission |
|
|
Adult (18 years and over) LGA resident |
$6.70 |
|
Child/ Concession LGA resident |
$4.30 |
|
Adult (18 years and over) NON-LGA resident |
$7.70 |
|
Child/ Concession NON-LGA resident |
$4.90 |
|
Family (2 Adult and 2 Children or 1 Adult and 3 Children) |
$18.50 |
School Holiday Activity: Open Days - Bicycle Education Centre
28 June-9 July
King Street Campbelltown
Head to the centre for free school holiday fun. Bring your own bikes and helmets, and make a day of it with a picnic lunch, or take advantage of our powered BBQ facilities.
Children must bring their own helmet and bicycle. NO HELMET, NO RIDE!
All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Please note: ball games, skateboards, ripstiks, rollerskates, rollerblades, green machines, powerwings and motorised devices are not permitted. The centre is closed on Saturdays, public holidays and in extreme wet weather conditions.
Animal Scratch Board Art - Ingleburn Library
Come and join us for some school holiday fun! Learn scratch board art to make fantastic animal crafts these school holidays.
Date and time
Thursday 08 July 2021 / 10.30am - 11.30am
Ages: 5 -12 years
Cost
This is a free event.
Booking Information
Bookings are essential as places are limited.