School Holiday Keep the
cabin fever
! n u F
at bay!
WORDS MIA KYRIKOS
It’s no secret that the Easter school holidays this year is going to be different. The coronavirus outbreak has brought a new set of challenges, one being more time spent indoors. But, along with this challenge comes a new opportunity to slow down, make the most of the time indoors and simply enjoy time together. Admittedly, this is easier said than done and keeping your sanity during this time in close quarters will likely be tested. For this reason, we have the perfect list of activities that are sure to keep the kids busy and your nerves intact. On a side note, if all else fails a glass or two of wine wouldn’t go astray. Superhero Day Keeping routine during the school holidays is a tricky one, but all too important to ensure the flow of the household stays in place. One way to do this is to help the kids look forward to different days in the week by creating themes. A perfect theme to get the kids excited is Superhero Day. Get everyone involved, designing superhero outfits, discuss your superpowers and dedicate the whole day to a super day with your superfamily. Enjoy your very own Marvel moment with superhero movies, create a comic book strip and get the kids involved with creating an obstacle course for their superhero training. Netflix and chill Sometimes when all else fails, we need to head back to the old faithful. While you might not want to crack on the screentime rules, this could be the perfect time to huddle down and just enjoy each other’s company. Lock in a movie list for each day of the week, or hunker down and plan a binge-watching session with the whole family. And most importantly, don’t forget Frozen 2 is now streaming on Disney+, and as they say, there is no time like the present! (Continued next page) ► www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 31
way to get the kids moving. Challenge them to choreograph a new routine, get them to sing a song, start a round of karaoke or just have an indoor dance party together. There are even plenty of online live kid-friendly dance parties. So tune in and get ready for a boogie! DIY spa day Need a moment of downtime? Set-up your very own DIY spa day! Crack open the nail polish and get crafty. This is the perfect day to make bath bombs or even your own body scrub. Then the best part, test it all out after! Play-dough and slime If the kids are keen to get messy, but you are hoping to keep this one contained, then why not make your very own play-dough. All you need are quart-sized bags, all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, veggie or coconut oil, and food colouring. There are plenty of recipes online to check out, and if you are open to something a little messier (but way more fun!) why not create your very own slime! The great indoor-camp-out While the great outdoors is a bit of no-go at the moment, why not recreate your very own camping experience, but inside! Set-up a tent (or a pillow fort), crack open the marshmallows and enjoy a cosy evening together. (Continued) Old-school board games From Cluedo, Uno, Monopoly, Scrabble or even ConnectFour; this is the easiest way to while away the hours and keep the kids busy. It also might be time to break out the jigsaw puzzle! Let’s vlog it! It’s no surprise that Youtube is all the rage these days, with all kinds of content to keep the little minds active and learning. From toy reviews to learning about space, there is plenty to explore online with guidance. For those seeking a more creative outlet, it is also the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill like video editing and get in on the action! Help your little ones create their very own vlog and Youtube channel. Alternatively, hit up TikTok for new-age fun, learn dance moves and upload your very own family video. Feel zen with some Yoga There is plenty of video content floating around to help with this one, but a series to have the kids hooked is the YouTube account Cosmic Kids Yoga. With all kinds of yoga-for-kids videos, its sure to help the kids zen out in the lounge room. The best part is, it’s not just for kids; you can all do yoga together as a family! Cooking and baking If you have a little Masterchef on your hands, or you would just like to level up on at-homeskills, then spend a day cooking or baking together. Cookies, scones, brownies. Baking is an excellent lesson in measuring, ingredients, and of course, making delicious goodies. The same applies to cooking. Give the kids a challenge and let them pick out a kid-friendly recipe for dinner. And voila, a delicious dish and an afternoon of fun! Learn something new With so much time spare it can be a bit overwhelming deciding what to do next. But it is also the perfect time to set some challenges. The challenge could be for independent learning or even something you and your little superstar to undertake together. Feeling musical? Learn an instrument. Parlez-vous Français, non? Why not learn a language! Download Duolingo and give it a try, or head over to Youtube. Or better yet, learn a new skill like knitting or crochet. Check out Ravelry a free online resource for knitters, 32 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
no matter your skill level. Now more than ever is a perfect time, with plenty of online resources you and your little one will be able to skill up in no time. Get crafty For little Monet’s in the making, these school holidays are perfect for unleashing that inner artist. Get creative and get crafty. From building a toilet paper bird feeder to pressing flowers, or simply buckling in with some painting and drawing, enjoy the time creating something new. If you are stuck for ideas, head online and join a free virtual arts and crafts lesson. From origami to Easter crafts, there is plenty to choose from. Have fun in your own backyard Being cooped up inside can admittedly drive even the most sound a little mad. If the sun is shining, then hop into your garden and soak up those rays. There is nothing quite like a good old-fashioned game of backyard cricket, or why not try your hand at a new game, like Finska. If you are a bit limited with space, look at how you can keep the kids busy growing a herb garden or try a spot of bird and insect watching. The art of pen and paper The art of writing is argued to be lost by some, but now is the time to rekindle this passion. A great way to excite the kids is to read a book together and then get them to write their very own novel. Or another challenge could be getting your kid to start their own journal. If neither is of interest, perhaps it’s a good time to look at breaking out the envelopes and stamps. Get the kids to write a letter to someone they love like grandma and grandpa, or a family member who lives far away. Building block challenge Give the kids something to look forward to and check-out the 30-Day Lego Challenge. With daily challenges like 'build a house' to 'design a new space rocket’, kids will be encouraged to think outside the box when creating something new each day. Plus, it might also give you a few moments of quiet… sounds great, right? Dance and impromptu concerts Turn your living room into a stage and break out the tunes. This is an easy and sure
Take a virtual trip to the Museum or the Zoo What is better than a trip to the museum or the zoo? Doing it from the comfort of your very own couch! Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo can now also be explored through exciting Virtual Reality experiences using Google Expeditions. To do this, just download the Google Expeditions app on your mobile device or tablet, search for Taronga, and get ready for your virtual field trip! Alternatively, visit San Diego Zoo thanks to several animal cameras set-up across the site. Highlights include the koala cam, polar bear cam, and tiger cam. For the cutest of them all though, check out the Monterrey Bay Aquarium SeaOtter Cam that allows you to watch what the sea otters are doing at any given time of day! Families can also take virtual tours of museums and galleries around the world! Check out the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, The Louvre in Paris and the Guggenheim in New York City. Another highlight is the virtual tour of the Great Wall of China or the digital field trip to Yellowstone National Park. All can be done from the comfort of your own home. BYO snacks! Go on Safari Much like the virtual tours, you can now head on an African Safari while at home! Check out Nat Geo’s Wild Earth | Safari Live to see animals on the prowl and learn about the wildlife kingdom in all its glory. You can also check out the waterhole cams of famous game reserves amongst other live streams. Check out explore.org/livecams for more. Create your own magical moments Have a budding Houdini in your midst? These school holidays get them learning the best magic tricks online. Who knows, they might even surprise you! Paper aeroplane competition A sure way to get the competitive juices flowing is to have a family paper aeroplane challenge! Spend the afternoon learning to create a variety of paper aeroplanes and put them to the test. Head to Space No, we aren’t even kidding! Storytime From Space is unlike any other kind of storytime; NASA astronauts read stories to kids while they float around in space. F
The NASA website is also packed full of free activities and worksheets for children interested in outer space. If your little one is aspiring to be an astronaut, there are also countless free images of the universe that are packed with shapes and colours sure to keep them stimulated for hours on end. Study the weather A sure way to get the kids excited for the day is by studying the weather! Set-up a daily weather watch diary and note down any key changes they see. For those who are more interested, you could even do a study on the weather, using the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Learn about currents, air masses, and more. Learn to code If you have a brain that needs a little more stimulation, then get them learning the ropes of coding! A special skill that is bound to help them through all walks of life, there is plenty of free online resources to help understand the ins and outs. Check out Code.org, Code Monsters, Khan Academy, Scratch or Swift Playgrounds to get them going. Get experimental Discover the wonders of the world right at home through an awesome science experiment! Check-out the incredible ideas online from
learning how to make a tornado in a cup, make instant ice cream or develop elephant toothpaste. For more ideas, visit Youtube, www.fizzicseducation.com. au/category/150-science-experiments or www.madsciencepromo.com/ athomeexperiments. Another great way to do some science experiments is with Bill Nye, The Science Guy. Check out his website www.billnye. com/home-demos for more. Indoor Easter Egg Hunt Since it is Easter, this is the perfect time to create your very own indoor Easter egg hunt! Get the kids buzzing and indulge a bit by cracking open the chocolate Easter eggs. Or for more fun, with less sugar, why not create your own Easter eggs! Paint some hard-boiled eggs and enjoy an afternoon of fun. P
Richmond Vale
The Mining Museum will be open showing artefacts and records from the early days of mining in the area. An audio-visual program will be running both days with film clips relating to mining and rail transport. The Canteen provides hot and cold ALL AGES drinks, food and snacks or you can bring your Take a step back in time to experience the sights and smells of steam at Richmond Vale own picnic to enjoy in the bushland setting. Richmond Vale Railway Museum will also Railway Museum on Saturday 18 and Sunday be open on Sunday 12 and Sunday 26 April. 19 April. The gates open at 9.30am and the first train runs at 10am. DETAILS 262 Leggetts Drive, Kurri Kurri. There will also be displays of live steam PH 4018 7230 model trains and small steam engines. The miniature train will be providing rides www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org for kids big and small.
Railway Museum
The ultimate weekend getaway
o
10%
DISCOUNT
If you mention this ad at time of booking. Call by 20th May 2020*
G I F T V O U C H E R S AVA I L A B L E
ffering 5-star luxury accommodation in the heart of Canberra’s National Zoo & Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge presents guests with a truly remarkable overnight experience. Designed to provide up close and personal interactions with some of the zoo’s most revered residents, with the option to have giraffe, lions, tigers, cheetah, sun bears, meerkats or lemurs outside your window. An unforgettable experience. Please note that while the animals generally join guests as shown, no guarantees can be given as they are free to roam their entire area at all times.
WINNER - Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia 2017 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence
Canberra 02 6287 8444 | www.jamala.com.au info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au *Conditions apply - check our website
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 33
Holiday Art Workshops
Finite Gallery The kids are sure to be kept busy this school holidays with the fantastic range of 2-hour children's workshops at Finite Gallery.
AGES 6 - 16 YEARS
There are a wide range of workshops on offer – everything from creating in Clay to Tie Dyeing, Painting and Weaving. All materials are included! Parents/Carers are also welcome to participate, so why not make it a fun family day?
Small Class Sizes
for Creative Kids
AGES 6 - 18 YEARS
www.finitegallery.com/learn LOCATED 60 Caves Beach Rd, Caves Beach E info@finitegallery.com PH 0419 471 660
The Studio Adamstown has you covered these School Holidays with our Creative Children's Holiday Program. There is something for all mini artists (6-16yrs) with a wide range of workshops across drawing, painting, craft, and sculpture. Step away from screens and into the studio to let imaginations run wild. Students can join us for a whole day of art activities or pick and choose workshops to suite your schedule. Excellent multiple enrollment and sibling discounts available. Creative Kids Vouchers accepted.
www.thestudioadamstown.com The Studio Adamstown PH 0404 736 083 E hello@thestudioadamstown.com
For the first 6 people to p resent this ad, you can ride for 1 .5 hours for the pric e of a one hour ride !
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR RE-OPENING DATES!
Hunter Ice Skating
Stadium ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES Holiday Super Sessions are back! Skate as long as you like on weekdays during the school holidays. There are party games like limbo and pass the puck and a sectioned off area for beginners with skating frames available.
For the non-skating spectators – why not relax in the café while the kids skate! A great option in wet weather and also a great place to be when it's really hot outside. Rental Skate sizes range from a Kids 9 up to an Adults 14. Lockers are available for a small fee to secure your belongings whilst on the ice. DETAILS 230 Macquarie Road, Warners Bay. Prices are $16 for 6yrs or under, $20 for 7yrs or over, $18 seniors and $65 for a family (1 adult + 3 kids OR 2 adults + 2 kids). These prices include skate hire – with your own skates you will save $4. For more details and other session times please visit the website. www.hiss.com.au
Hunter Valley
Horseriding & Adventures
ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding! It’s the perfect day trip – just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders – even the tiny tots can ride beautiful ponies with qualified guides leading the way. We also offer full day horse riding camps for the
teens (12-16 yrs old) where they will get to groom and feed horses, learn about looking after horses, saddlery, and of course ride! Other activities on offer include ATV tours, tractor hay rides to feed the animals, pedal go karts, farm animals, BBQ facilities and mountain bike trails (byo bike). If you feel like staying a little longer, we offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during school holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, as we have limited spots available. DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are recommended. PH Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008, or visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au
OF MAITLAND GAOL THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS OPEN SEVEN DAYS
• Self guided audio tours daily • Guided tours including: 150 Years Under Lock and Key and Escapes • Children’s activities at 11.00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. • Snitch’s Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Saturday
t 02 4936 6482 Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35
Get ready and enrol for Term 2!
DANCE FOR LITTLE BODS Children learn and develop the most between the ages of 0-5 years old. Which is why its so important to have the right extra curricular activities that will help your young dancer grow and become ready for school. Our Tiny Tot dance classes for boys and girls develop the love of movement and music helping little bodies and minds understand spacial awareness, develop fine and gross motor skills, dancing by themselves and with others, how to follow instructions and uses music and dance to build imagination through story telling.
ENROL NOW FOR TERM 2
FREE Trial Class in both Ballet and Jazz classes. Visit our website for enrolment or contact the studio for more info.
P 02 4952 9294 nationalcollegeofdance.com
Hunter Region
UnrealVR - Premium Virtual Reality
Botanic Gardens
ALL AGES You can’t go wrong with this hi-tech, kid-friendly and affordable Charlestown VR venue, boasting two and a half years of excellent VR activities and parties for kids and adults alike. If the kids have never tried full scale virtual reality; add it to their bucket lists this holiday! Unlike the Playstation version – our VR allows for completely free movement, all while interacting with the virtual worlds in the headsets. With over 50 games to try; there’s always something fun for everyone, yes even you, nan!
EVENTS CANCELLED Gardens closed to the public until further notice. www.unrealvr.com.au LOCATED 178 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown E info@unrealvr.com.au PH 4943 0943
STAY INTOUCH WITH WHATS HAPPENING Facebook: HunterRegionBotanicGardens www.huntergardens.org.au
F 50% TOOUFCH FOR IN S!! READER
Toboggan Hill Park ALL WEATHER FAMILY FUN! Toboggan Hill Park, located just off Salamander Way at Nelson Bay, has activities for the whole family with plenty of outdoor and indoor fun! Open every day through the school holidays from 10am.
Outside: kids big and small can enjoy the 1km toboggan ride, tractor train, giant maze, 19 hole mini golf & splashdown water balloon game. Inside:‘hot’ ice-skating, jumping castles, plaster painting, kiddy karz and rock-climbing wall, plus more! We also have a food kiosk and an outdoor picnic area, BBQ available for hire, and can cater for kids birthday parties or group events – visit our website or contact us for more information. DETAILS 16 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay. PH 4984 1022 E toboggan@tobogganhillpark.com www.tobogganhillpark.com
Julie Logan Music
Goes Online! 50% OFF FOR INTOUCH READERS! Looking for ways to fill your days at home? Want someone else to lead the show and distract your kids? We have begun fully interactive classes online and this is the perfect chance for you to check it out. Research shows adding imaginative musical play to your routine will increase all those feel-good hormones, as well as burning off plenty of energy!
2100 Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae PH 4987 1655 E events@huntergardens.org.au
Don’t let your child’s brain go into lockdown – be inspired by experienced teachers with new ideas, and join our welcoming online community. Reduce everyone’s anxiety by immersing yourself in the joy of making music as we bop, ting and sing. You’ll get to share all our magical moments of singing, dancing and playing together PLUS get to meet all the other families in the same boat! Fri 24th April • 0–4 years: Five Little Ducks 10.30am– 11.10am • 5–7 years: Rockin’ Rooster 11.30am– 12.10pm. Online numbers will be limited so bookings essential. $20 per family; includes bonus pdf's to keep everyone busy for the rest of the week. DETAILS Get 50% off – use PromoCode: intouch (for families new to JLM). More dates coming soon! Get on our mailing list to be first in. Term 2, 2020: Mon 27 Apr–Mon 29 Jun. PH 0425 227 582 or 0414 848 741. For more info visit www.julieloganmusic.com.au To sign up visit www.dancestudio-pro.com/ online/julieloganmusic
In asso
ciation
with
BACK SOON WITH SANBAH SKATE & SNOW! As a result of having planned to close for a fit-out to re-launch as Sanbah Skate & Snow, Sanbah Grindhouse is currently closed. We are a family owned business and thank you for your continued support and understanding with these changes. For those who pre-booked lessons or After School Programs, we are working to provide a credit note for one of our stores or a refund for any outstanding programs/lessons. If you have a lay-by to collect, this will be kept at Sanbah Surf in The Junction for pick up.
For enquiries visit www.sanbahgrindhouse.com or call (02) 4925 2714
SHOP ONLINE AT www.sanbahgrindhouse.com www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 37
Illustration by Dale Forward
Art House Studios
Does your child love art? Now is the perfect time to let your child take a break, and create art in our gorgeous, fully equipped art studio. These school holidays, children and teens will learn fun drawing and painting techniques in our engaging small group workshops. This April, choose from the following: • Super Sloths • Drawing Dragons
• Drawing Fantasy scenes • Sushi Day • Miniature day – drawing, painting and modelling Each workshop is designed and led by Priya, an artist and qualified teacher with 20+ years experience. Lots of guidance and encouragement will help your child build confidence in their skills. Most importantly, will they enjoy our workshops? Judging from past workshops… They probably won’t want to leave at 4pm! 10am–4pm, all art materials provided. Most workshops 7yrs+. We accept the $100 Creative Kids Voucher. For dates and booking details, please visit our website. DETAILS Level 1, 268 Turton Road, New Lambton. PH 0478 116313. Visit www.arthousestudios.com.au E priyajoy@arthousestudios.com.au
Reach New
Heights
These School Holidays!
Unleash your Inner Ninja! Looking for something fun for the kids? Look no further than the Ninja Parc school holiday program! Available weekdays during the April school holidays with 2, 3-hour sessions starting at 9am and 1pm. The Ninja Parc school holiday program is designed to get kids moving and learning new skills, all while having fun. The holiday programs include three hours of entertainment and skill development for 38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
primary school aged children (6–12yrs), that takes your little ninja across the Ninja Parc Obstacle course, the Climb Parc rock climbing walls, and Into the Sports Parc for some indoor sports fun! If you’re ready to set your little Ninja up for best school holidays in town, visit our website to book their place! DETAILS Cnr Darby St & Tooke St, Cooks Hill Ninja Parc open Mon–Fri 6am–9pm, Sat+Sun 9am–6pm; Climb Parc open Mon–Fri: 10am–6pm. Sat–Sun 9am–5pm. PH 4926 4488 E cookshillreception@theparc.com.au www.ninjaparc.com.au
BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED Pulse Climbing has gone one better and opened an exciting new boulder gym in Warners Bay to complement its top rope climbing gym in Adamstown to better cater for increased popularity of the sport in the Newcastle Region. Pulse Climbing Managing Director, Scott Forrester said "It's an exciting time at Pulse Climbing and climbing in general as the debut of the sport in the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 approaches. It fantastic to see the next generation of climbers come through our doors and fall in love with the sport. The thought of helping an athlete achieve an Olympic dream is a fabulous prospect and something we hope to achieve as climbing continues to grow in popularity and cements itself as an Olympic sport". Pulse Climbing is the perfect venue for beginner climbers looking to try the sport for the first time. Experienced, friendly staff are on hand to give advice and every first time climber gets a safety orientation before they get started to make sure they get the most out of their visit. We also cater for the more experienced climber with excellent training facilitates and a progression of climbing grades that will keep all levels of climbers wanting to come back for the next challenge.
YOUTH HOLIDAY CLINICS Pulse Climbing youth holiday clinics are a great way to keep the kids happy and healthy during the school holidays! Running from 10am–1pm they include warm-ups, climbing games and activities, individualised advice, a healthy morning tea and cool down activities. The holidays clinics are suitable for children aged 8+. Adamstown sessions will be held on 14+21 April. Warners Bay sessions will be held on 16+23 April. Places are limited so please book in advance by calling the gym to secure your spot. DETAILS No bookings required for casual gym entry. Open 10am everyday in the school holidays (until 10pm Mon–Fri, 6pm Sat and 4pm Sun). Minimum climbing age of 5, all children under 12 must be actively supervised by an adult. FIND US Warners Bay – 2/305 Hillborough Road Warners Bay; Adamstown – 10/122 Garden Grove Parade, Adamstown. www.pulseclimbing.com.au