10 Ways to Amuse Your Children on the Long Weekend

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It’s every child’s dream and every parent’s potential nightmare.

Keeping children amused over a two day weekend can be a challenge but when you make that three days, it can be enough to send a chill down your spine.

As a parent I am accustomed to a child that needs to move and left to his own devices can become destructive in his boredom, so the challenge for our family is to find something easy, amusing and cheap to keep the boredom bug away.



Parks
Parks and playgrounds may seem an obvious choice but they are often overlooked. Google is a fabulous source of local area information, and you can look up your local council’s website, which will include parks and reserves in the local area.

If you want to go for the bigger, more well-known parks pack yourself a picnic and head to Kings Park, which has attractions such as the Lottery West Playground and Variety Place , or take a coffee break at the Sticky Beaks Cafe.

Head north to Whiteman Park where you can take in the old machinery, enjoy a tram ride (adults $5 children $2.50) or visit the animals at Caversham Wildlife Park ($27 adults, $12 ages 3-14, $19 students, $19 aged pensions).

Make your own play dough
Every child loves play dough and let’s be honest who as a child didn't take a little nibble.

For a quick and non-toxic recipe try this:
1 cup of flour
½ cup of salt
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
1 tablespoon of oil
Food colouring of your choice
1 cup of boiling water

Mix all of the ingredients except the boiling water together in a bowl.
Add the food colouring to the boiling water and stir.
Add your now coloured water to the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Roll out on flat surface and let the fun begin.



Volunteer for an animal rescue
Not every family has the luxury of being able to own a pet, or maybe you do but you want to build some extra karma points. Local animal rescue agencies are often overwhelmed and understaffed at holiday times. Many are grateful to receive calls or emails offering to walk or visit their kennel animals.

Create your own movie
The great thing about modern technology is that it is so accessible. You don’t need fancy video recorders as long as you have a mobile phone. Let the kids raid the dress up box - or if you’re really brave your wardrobe - and retell their favourite fairy tales while you record.

Treasure maps
Some coloured pens and pencils, a few sheets of paper and it’s aye me harties. Hide some surprises around the house and yard, offer your little adventurers their own treasure map and sit back while they discover their treasure. Kinder eggs are great for this little activity.



Cloud spotting
A clear patch of ground, some mild, sunny weather and a healthy imagination is all that is needed to enjoy this activity. Get your children to keep a record of what shapes they think they see and turn this into two activities by getting the kids to draw them afterwards.

Board games
You just can’t beat a good old fashioned board game. Gather together a few of your favourites and spend the afternoon camped around the coffee table or dining table, with a big bowl of popcorn or other treat and enjoy watching your kids discover old school gaming.

Forts
It doesn't matter whether you’re 4 or 40 a fort is ALWAYS fun. Blankets thrown over chairs and tables can provide hours of entertainment. Throw in a picnic, a few books and torches and the hours will fly by. The only argument will be whether you can fit in with them.



Mini Master Chef competition
Ready, set, cook! If baking or food in general is your thing then why not have your own Master Chef competition. Depending on the ages of your children you could go with simple, shop brand cake mixes to more elaborate dishes like mini quiches. An added bonus to this weekend activity is not having to cook dinner, just serve your little chefs creations.

Drive In
Worried your little ones wouldn't cope with having to sit still in a traditional movie theatre? Why not try the Galaxy Drive In (Google Kingsley Drive-in). For half the price of a traditional movie ticket you can stay in the comfort of your car without the fear of interrupting and annoying other movie goers.

Most sessions run with two movies which means for the price of an adult ticket ($10 on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday) you can enjoy almost four hours of not having to panic over who your child is throwing the popcorn at.

#school Holidays
#indoor Activities
#outdoor Activities



%perthmums