Family adventures in nature can give kids a school holiday to remember
Packing two weeks with activities to keep your kids occupied during the school holidays can be quite the task but there’s one thing you should keep in mind when making plans.
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Goodbye winter and hello fresh, warm air, baby animals and a much-needed break from routine.
With the chilly months behind us, planning a family trip to explore the wonders of nature can set your kids up with memories to last them a lifetime.
Whether you can spare the whole two weeks, a few days, or just a day trip here and there, making time to spend with your kids in an unfamiliar environment can have immense benefits.
“Children want desperately to have us share our world with them,” says parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson. “If we can carve out time to be with them, away from technology and in nature, this is what makes lasting memories.
“Nature is fuel for the soul. The more our children are outside, the more physical they are and the more their brains are working, the better it is for them socially, physically and psychologically,” Dr Coulson said.
“Outside time gives children the opportunity to learn how to assess risks and make decisions on how to better navigate life.
Going bushwalking, venturing near cliffs, riding their bikes fast downhill, anything that has a moderate level of risk will keep them from getting bored and maintain their interest.”
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Here are some ideas to get you started:
SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS
Camping can seem complicated and uncomfortable, but with a little preparation and planning, you may surprise the family with a trip they’ll be talking about for years.
“There is no specific ‘happy activity’ that I hear all the time, although camping comes up frequently,” says Dr Coulson. “Kids spell love ‘T-I-M-E’. And that’s what they remember most. Time in nature is amazing for our kids.”
While encouraging their creativity and respect for nature, you’ll also be teaching your kids having fun doesn’t need to be expensive. They can learn to unlock their imaginations and pursue adventures by themselves, with the family or new friends from the campsite.
Give a clear set of boundaries before they head off to play and they’ll come home with a new-found independence and confidence.
From bush to beach to rainforest, the options in NSW are there to cater for all desires.
Most campsites require prior booking so visit visitnsw.com for availabilities.
GET OUT AND WALK
Simple, free and surprisingly fun, bushwalking in NSW can be tailored to the needs of any family. Make a daytrip of it and pack a family picnic, or just duck out for a couple of hours to explore any of the hundreds of national parks throughout NSW.
Use the time to reconnect with your kids and chat about what’s been happening in their lives. Little games such as ‘I-spy’ and balancing acts are always fun to add in along the way.
Depending on how long you want to spend in the car, you can pick your preferred terrain with views of coastline, rainforests, mountains or deserts.
For a great bushwalking resource filled with locations, safety tips and what to pack, visit bushwalkingnsw.org.au
CAVE DWELLING
Escape to new worlds while exploring the incredible caves from the Blue Mountains to Kosciuszko National Park. Many are destination experiences, so take some time researching what’s around to make a real trip of it.
Roughly a three-hour drive west of Sydney, the famous Jenolan Caves are considered the oldest open caves in the world. Dating back approximately 340 million years, this group of nine caves is filled with pristine underground rivers and incredible limestone formations.
Within the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, the Archway Cave boasts the largest natural limestone bridge in the southern hemisphere.
For an authentic indigenous Australian experience, the Red Hands Cave features more than 40 stencils of hands in red, white and orange ochre, considered to be between 500 and 1600 years old.
If you’re wanting to explore coastal caves, both Lake Macquarie and Jervis Bay have their own aptly named Cave Beach. Time your visit wisely to explore at low tide.
Pack your camping equipment to spend the night in one of the nearby campsites and don’t forget your snorkelling gear.
For a full list of caves to explore, visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au