I am looking to the upcoming summer school holidays with a mix of excitement and dread. You see this is the first summer school holidays EVER that I not been working. So I need to know what to do on the school holidays with my kids.
I am excited because I like doing things with my children, but I am nervous because they can also send me spare with whining and bickering when they are ‘bored’.
If you aren’t going away this summer (and I will be in that boat with you), it’s important to have a few ideas up your sleeve to keep the kids entertained and you sane.
Luckily there are heaps of websites out there that specialise in helping parents find out what is happening and where. They come in handy not only to find out what it on in your neck of the woods, but also to discover family activities and events in cities and regions you are visiting.
To discover some of the best playgrounds to visit around Australia, check out Playground Finder. You can also download their app, perfect for when you exploring away from your hometown. Another playground resource for Victorian families is Melbourne Playgrounds which in addition to playgrounds, also has heaps of other information on activities and places to visit.
Babies and Toddlers Directory and What’s On for Little Ones are both national directories, but you can search by state and activity.
If you are looking for where to eat, Hey Bambini and Little Eats feature information and reviews of baby and child friendly cafes and restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. For places nationally, check out Little Lattes and Eat Out With Kids.
Victorian families can keep track of what’s on and where to take the kids at Little Melbourne and Meetoo.
In Western Australia, find out about everything kid friendly at Out & About with Kids in Perth, Buggy Buddys and Kids Guide Perth.
Queensland families can visit a range of websites, including A Little Bird and Kids to Do which cover events and activities in Brisbane and South-East Queensland.
For parents and holiday-makers on the Gold Coast, check out Gold Coast Kids while those who the Sunshine Coast can look up Sunny Coast Kids.
For information on events and activities in wider NSW and the ACT, see To Do Kids.
Sydney event and activities can be found at Ellaslist, Sydney for Kids and Sydney Kids Food + Travel.
In South Australia, check out Play & Go and Kids in Adelaide.
I did want to include Tasmania, but unless someone out there can help, I can’t seem to find a specific website (business opportunity someone?). Check out my guide to cheap and fun things to do on the North West & West Coasts
More inspiration
Bubs on the Move is a blog written by a doctor and mum of 3, who writes about her travel and her adventures in her home town (was Cairns, is now Melbourne)
If you want to be a tourist in your home town – or have friends visiting from interstate – check out I Heart Melbourne tours , which include family friendly tours where they provide professionally fitted child restraints, strollers, baby carriers and even toys. They also have baby equipment for hire.
Our family (maybe driven by me), love visiting historical properties. Check out what is open these school holidays via the National Trust. And don’t forget to see if your state Parks and Wildlife service (or equivalent) is running any junior ranger programs this summer.
Are there any other websites you use to help you plan your activities and excursions? Share them with us.
