We are well into the summer holidays now (in the Southern Hemisphere!) and I’ve heard a lot of you mourning about partners going back to work. Surely they should be the sad ones? But for those of us left behind to wrangle the kids, it could signify the end of our own holiday too!
No kindergarten, no school, no swimming lessons, ballet, or kindergym to tire them out. No routine! What’s a desperate parent to do?
Have no fear, I will save the day with:
Crash Test Mummy’s
Guide to the School Holidays
for the Exhausted, the Desperate
and the Downright Distracted
1. Backyard Olympics
We prepared for this summer with this sole aim being to tire the kids out! Christmas presents were:
Backyard Olympics
The kids spent the first few days doing a constant paddling pool, tennis, trampoline triathlon – it was great!
Whenever they get a bit antsy now it’s straight to the trampoline to wear them out!
2. Going for a walk
It seems like a pretty mundane no-brainer suggestion, but it’s how you do it that counts. The CrashKids are only 2 and nearly 4, so they won’t walk for long before the whingeing starts! So, we got CrashBoy a scooter so they can both scoot along. Yes, they still get tired, so that’s why I take along their big bike trailer/stroller. Plenty of room for tired kiddies and their scooters!
3. Gardening
Our backyard is very much a work in progress. One of the things CrashHubby has been working on is a vegetable garden. The kids love it. He takes them out every morning to water the plants and check to see what has grown. This in itself doesn’t take a lot of time as an activity, but it’s the associated digging in the dirt that keeps them amused as they make their own ‘garden’!
4. Play Dates
I find that during the school holidays it can be easy to lose touch with regular kindergarten/school friends, especially when everyone is off on holiday. But, at the same time it’s a great time to catch up with friends who are harder to catch up with during school term because of work, conflicting kindergarten schedules and activities. Pick up the phone and make some regular play dates, preferably with friends with a real pool ;)
5. Go on an excursion
This suggestion is all about taking them out of the house so they can make the mess elsewhere! My recent discovery was the Melbourne Museum. They have a Children’s Gallery full of stuff they can play with, climb, jump off of, read and explore. The outdoor area is just as awesome with activities, shady spots to enjoy lunch and hang out.
These pictures were taken when we went last month to check out the Summer School Holiday program. If you visit my post about Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog performance at the Melbourne Museum you can win a double adult pass. But you have to be quick, the giveaway ends today!
I’m quite excited because this Friday I’m taking a friend and her kids to see Tiddalik at the Museum. Maybe we’ll go for a walk around the gardens afterwards. Hey, all we need is a bit of Backyard Olympics and we will have ticked off all five suggestions! Not bad ;)
Actually, let’s give away another double pass, just in case you miss out on the other giveaway ;)
Giveaway
I have one more adult double pass to give away. If you’re in Melbourne this Summer enter and take the kids to Tiddalik and/or enjoy what the museum has to offer.
To enter:
You need to be a member of Crash Test Mummy, so:
or follow me on Facebook or RSS
Then tell me in the comments what are is your best sanity saving tip for the holidays and why?
Conditions:
The giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere, but you have to make your own way on your own dime to Melbourne OK?
Entries close on 19th January 2012 at 8pm AEDT.
The winner will be selected on the strength of their answer. The value of the prize is $20. The winner will be contacted via email within 24hrs of giveaway closing. If the winner does not respond within 7 days the giveaway will be re-drawn. Your answers may be published on Crash Test Mummy in future posts. Disclaimer: This is a post sponsored by Nuffnang. My opinions are my own and can’t be bought.
Laney x
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of backyard olympics. I am soooo on to it :) xx
Sonia @ Life Love and Hiccups’s last post..Wordless Wednesday – A note from Sammy
It takes a lot to tire the CrashKids out – the trampoline is helping. The tennis often ends in tears! All fun though ;)
We do backyard Olympics too.
The other day I gave my kids sheets of maths problems to do because they were bored. Thinking that they’d leave me alone after that, they actually sat down and did them. Crazy kids.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Oh my gosh – they must have been bored! So funny :)
We are always enjoy “The Rainbow Serpent”. It was one of my favourites when I was at school & now my 4yo is enjoying reading it.
I love all Dreamtime stories – such a nice way to imagine the world coming together.
Four legs, cold nose and a waggily tail. Combine this creature with a couple of bikes, two kids a picnic lunch and several hours walking through parks. By the time you get home you might just have two knackered kids (hopefully!)…. and a knackered (but fit) mum!
I give my daughter a break by taking my grandchildren to the movies or having them at my place for a craft day. I would love to take them to the Melbourne Museum because they have moved here from the ACT and haven’t been yet