*A Sponsored Post from Zeigler & Brown
Out of the Box Weekend Activities for the Family
As time goes by, Ella is growing up fast, and so is her mind. As each weekend passes by I’m always thinking about getting out and doing things as a family. We are so lucky to live in a country where the beach, the country, the bush, the mountains are at our doorstep. Being from Melbourne, there are so many places that we can go, but lately I’ve been feeling as though we are not making the most of our surroundings. Weekends are precious, and if we stay at home the entire time, we end up doing housework and odd jobs around the house. So it’s my mission over the coming months to make the most of the great outdoors. Here are some great ideas for your family…
Let’s get started!
Family BBQ’s on the road….
If you don’t get to spend much time with extended family, why not reconnect over a weekend? It may take some planning but if everyone chips in and takes it seriously, it will happen! Maybe you could gather at a park or beach for a picnic lunch. If someone has a portable barbecue, that will make things so much easier – they’re indispensable! Try getting a Ziegler & Brown from a place like BBQ Galore. Or why not go on an outing instead? Sports, museums, theme parks, there’s so much you can do with the entire family, plus you might cut down on costs by negotiating group discounts. It’s a win-win!
Get yourself a Zieglar & Brown Portable Grill
Geocaching…
Something for families with older children, this is an outdoor treasure hunt using a GPS receiver to hide or seek containers (‘geocaches’ or ‘caches’) anywhere in the world. It’s a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends, while enjoying nature and other places you may not otherwise venture into. You’ll also keep fit as a lot of geocaching involves walking, sometimes hiking, and even swimming to find the hidden treasures. The caches usually contain items of little value, but the activity has become a worldwide phenomenon with about 700,000 geocaches registered on websites. It’s played in 100 countries, so you’re certain to find one to participate in locally and maybe even overseas when you’re on vacation! Trust me…google it!
Garage sale with a difference…
You may not have thought of this as a ‘family’ thing, but it can be! This is a perfect time to get the whole family involved in deciding what they would like to give away or sell and a great way to give your kids a lesson in maths and business. Get the kids to decide how much each item should sell for, and when it’s over, get them to count up the earnings and split it up between everyone, or better yet, put it towards other weekend activities.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles…
There are so many places in outer Melbourne that kids would love. Have you ever taken them to watch the planes land near Tullamarine Airport? We used to do it on a Saturday afternoon with my Dad. There is nothing like watching them land, just over your head.
Eltham Miniature Railway and Puffing Billy are two places that I am dying to take the kids. I can just imagine Ella’s legs dangling over the rails as she watches the world go by. As stated earlier, you could throw a portable BBQ in the car and head off for a family picnic to boot. The best part is not having to wait to use the communal BBQ’s in the picnic areas!
And finally, just go for a drive. Whilst my little man currently hates the car, I’m so hoping that this will change. I remember jumping in our family Tarago on the weekend and just heading off for a drive. We’d head to a country town, sample the bakeries and have fun at a new playground. There is nothing like a n unplanned find and sometimes being spontaneous is the best kind of fun!
Family time is really important in bringing up well-rounded children. There’s a plethora of activities you can do as a family on weekends, and not just the ones mentioned here. Weekends are the perfect opportunity to not only kick back, but connect with each other and discover the things you have in common. So, what will you do?
