School holidays are a great time to push play with your children so Let's Get Physical. Our Let's Get Physical article gives you ideas to get you started.
We all know the benefits of getting active, and the school holidays are a great time to push play. Make the most of the more relaxed day-to-day routines, and get out and about with your children. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
Bushwalks
New Zealand has some amazing bushwalks which cater for all ages and abilities, so why not pack a picnic and take the kids ‘bush’ for the day. Your local information centre will have a list of bushwalks in your area, or visit
www.doc.govt.nz for walks administered by the Department of Conservation.
Go Swimming
Swimming is not just for summer time. Most swimming complexes adjust the temperature of their pools so that they can be used all year round, and water parks with slides and rides are fun no matter what time of year it is. Hot pools are a great night time activity, and they are also fun on a rainy day. You get to sit back and relax, while the kids splash around and burn off some energy at the other end of the pool!
To find swimming pools in your area, look under ‘Swimming Pools – Public’ or ‘Thermal Pools and Hot Springs’ in the Yellow Pages of your phone book.
Parks and Playgrounds
Parks and playgrounds are a great place to get active, and the best bit is they don’t cost a cent. You are probably well aware of your nearest playground, but chances are there are some great parks in your area that you have never explored.
Your local council can provide you with a list of parks and reserves in your region, which will also include information such as which ones have playgrounds, barbeque facilities, water access, toilets and the like. Contact your local council for a ‘Parks and Reserves’ flyer, or visit their website. The website address for most city or regional councils is www.cityname.govt.nz; for example
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.
Indoor playgrounds are a good option for rainy days, especially if one rainy day has rolled into the next and your children are itching to get out. Get together with a few other parents, and you can have a catch up over coffee while your children let off some steam.
Learn Something New
Many sports clubs have coaching clinics over the school holidays, and most are very reasonably priced. While some are provided for children who already participate in the sport, most are designed to encourage new members and promote a ‘just get involved’ philosophy. Schools often get details of these programmes prior to the holidays, or contact your local sports foundation, who should be able to put you in touch with the right people.
Have-a-go
Generally New Zealander’s are an active bunch, and there are plenty of places set up for you to have-a-go at all sorts of sports and adventures. You don’t have to be a sports super-star (or even know the rules) as the facilities are well equipped to cater for absolute beginners and family groups. Some of the activities you could try out include:
- Indoor Rock Climbing
- Ten Pin Bowling. They have special ramps and gutter guards to make it easy for kids.
- Golf. Visit a driving range, a short 9-hole course, or mini putt.
- Roller Skating
- Ice Skating
- Kayaking. Either hire some to go out on your own, or take a guided tour.
- Horse Riding
- Paint Ball
- Skiing or snowboarding
There is no single Yellow Pages category to find all these facilities, but you can start by looking under ‘Tourist Attractions’ as many are listed there. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Visitors Information Centre should also be able to point you in the right direction.
Get Pedaling
No matter what the ages and stages of your children, cycling is an activity the whole family can enjoy. Take your bikes to a park or reserve, head out on some mountain bike tracks, or simply go for a pedal around the block. You can make a day of it by setting a route, and stopping at all sorts of exciting places along the way.
If you have a baby or small child to consider, there are several ways to include them in the adventure. Baby bike seats and trailers are the two most common options, and these are both available online or from good cycle stores. Make sure you get the seat or trailer properly fitted, and check the compatibility with your particular bike.
Don't forget your helmets!
Fly a Kite
Kite flying is so much fun and kids get so caught up in the flying, that they don’t realise just how much running around is actually getting done. There are some great books available which show you how to make your own kite, or you can purchase complete kite making kits from educational toy stores. Ready-made kites are also available from sports stores, emporiums, or hobby shops.
Kite Days are a popular community activity, and chances are there is at least one happening in your area every year. Your local council or sports foundation is usually involved in the planning, so check out your council website for upcoming events or contact your Visitors Information Centre for more information.
At Home Fun
It’s easy to get active at home, and with a little bit of planning you can get the whole neighbourhood involved. Try some of these ideas for some at-home fun.
- Make your own mini putt course in the back yard, or create a game of ten pin using soft drink bottles and a rubber ball. If you have the energy, invite the neighbours over for a tournament.
- Set up a huge obstacle course that goes right around the house. If your neighbour also has children, why not make it over two properties? The sheer size of the adventure will mean your children will talk about it for months!
- Use crepe paper or newspapers to make cheerleading pom-poms, and then get your children to create their own set of cheers.
- Turn the music up and start dancing. If you have a video recorder, ask your kids to create their own music video. They’ll have heaps of fun and get active all at the same time.
Above all else, remember to have fun and move with your children. An active body means an active mind.
Article
Lets Get Physical written by Kerri Tilby.