How to entertain the kids (and yourself) this school holidays
Winter school holidays commence this weekend and with cinemas and recreation centres back in business it’s going to feel more like old times. Often the whole extended family unites to cover child care needs as parents juggle work and holidays. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of activities to entertain the kids (and yourself) this July.
Rug up and get out!
We’re lucky enough to live in a place where the sky shines blue no matter the season. We also have a plethora of easy, push or wheel-chair friendly walks through our bush, coast and city.
These include:
• The Canning and Mount Henry bridges walk, starting at Deep Water Point in Mount Pleasant
• Noble Falls Trail near Gidgegannup
• Lake Leschenaultia lakeside walk
• The myriad trails through West Perth’s Kings Park
For many of The Richardson‘s residents their daily walk through the leafy streets of West Perth is essential to maintaining their physical and mental well-being. So, put on your raincoats and beanies and get out in the fresh air.
An afternoon at the movies
Residents at The Richardson enjoy a movie in our very own theatre room every Saturday afternoon, as part of our lifestyle activities and now that Palace Cinemas have reopened, we can all enjoy going back to the cinemas!
There are a number of new films out this weekend, but one we’re particularly excited about was set and filmed in our very own Albany, Western Australia; H is for Happiness is a ‘classic feel-good film that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer with delight’. Based on the award-winning book My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg, it’s sure to be a hit with the grandparents as well as the grandkids these holidays.
Books glorious books!
Who would have thought it would feel like such a treat to visit a bookshop or library? These holidays, get out of the wet and cold and into a dry, warm room with the comforting smell of paper and ink. Choose books together and then cosy up on the couch for a big read when you get home.
Alternatively, if it’s too difficult to leave the house, Paper Bird Children’s Books & Art in Fremantle launched 6-month Book Subscriptions (with free metro delivery) and Home Club to keep kids reading and also give them the opportunity to join local authors and illustrators in their home studios. Story-telling and reading is a time-honoured tradition between a grandparent and grandchild.
Despite the isolation of COVID-19, technology such as video calls make the ritual of the bedtime story possible. Or you can go one step further with iPhone apps such as Just One More Story which allow you to read your loved one a bedtime story, whether you’re in the room or half a world away.
Art attack
We understand that the thought of at-home arts and craft with the kids is enough to send any grandparent running. However, these days you can take the stress out of DIY by ordering a kids craft box online.
At The Richardson our residents find their inner artist during our very popular Just Paint sessions, so, have a browse through these Aussie websites to find the themed box that’ll have your little one find their inner artist too:
• Peeky Me
The holidays can be a busy time, but for those that can’t be with their family it can be quite lonely and confronting. Make sure you pick up the phone daily and book in a few visits or video calls to ensure everyone feels the love this July break.
If you require support or wish to speak to someone about your situation or that of a loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (08) 9381 2800.
