School holidays are here again, so it’s time to decide where to take the young ones in the middle of winter. Being winter it immediately rules out a day at the beach, but other than that there’s plenty of activities to keep the little ones from getting too bored. Sometimes we wish this was a Top 10 instead of just Top 5, that’s how much choice there is in some things, including what to do during the school, holidays:
Number 1. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t have a picnic at one of our beautiful parks, such as the Australian Botanic Garden at Mt Annan. Organise a few other parents with school age kids, pack a nice lunch and lots of game equipment such as footballs and cricket and baseball bats and balls. If it’s a nice sunny day it won’t feel cold at all, not until 3 in the afternoon. Should be a great day out for all concerned, and best thing of all, entry is free.
Number 2. Ditch the car and get on the train for a day trip to the city. This is a really popular, judging by how packed trains to Sydney are after 9am during school holidays. But best to plan your strategy because there’s so much to see in town, from the obvious places like the Zoo to the art gallery to the natural delights of the Domain, where everyone can sit down for a rest and bite to eat.
Number 3. Going to the movies was an old staple but who can afford to do that anymore. Alternative: organise a movie day at home with the works, including a couple of new releases on DVD, popcorn and Jaffas or Maltesers (to roll down the aisle), in a dark room with the big screen TV and the BluRay. Don’t forget to invite the kids’ best friends and to set the chairs out in rows like a theatre.
Number 4. Council libraries and arts centres in Liverpool and Campbelltown have a stack of activities lined up during the holidays, so at least one day in each would be worthwhile and wouldn’t cost the earth, if anything, as a lot of it is free.
Number 5. If on the other hand you do have a spare dollar or two saved up, pack your swimming costumes and fly the kids somewhere very north where it’s around 30 degress every day. Escaping the cold is an activity, even a holiday activity, surely. Don’t forget to send a postcard.
