Just because summer is over and the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean you have to stay inside watching movies and playing board games with your kids. As modern parents, we all have a responsibility to get and keep our children active all year round and developing their athletic abilities while keeping them fit and healthy.
Indoor Play Centres
While playing indoors used to be somewhat limited to shopping centre kids corners or bowling alleys, these days there are heaps of great indoor play centres around that are reasonably priced and cater for large groups or family days out. The centres will give your kids a great morning of exercise, while helping them develop their motor skills in a safe environment, where they can also socialise and learn to interact with other children.
The best part is that most centres cater for parents as well. You can follow your little one throughout the centre and have a great time playing with them climbing around and going down slides, or bouncing on a jumping castle. Find your closest indoor play centre or trampoline park in Perth for a great family day out or birthday party location.
Bush Walks and Hiking
Bush walks are a great activity year round, but autumn and spring are really the best seasons for it. Summer can get too hot to be spending a day outside in the sun, but autumn makes for the perfect weather for a day walking through the bush. So, get your kids out into nature and let them see some of this beautiful country we are so lucky to live in. The fresh air will also do you all worlds of good.
Bird Watching
Even if you don’t already know much about birds, going bird watching can be an educational experience for the whole family and bird watching is fun. Go exploring in the botanic park, or try a bird watching tour where you are guided through the different variety of birds. Make a list of birds to find and get your kids to tick them off as they find it. Bringing in an element of competition will make the activity more engaging, and will ensure your children learn while having fun, exercising and competing against their siblings or friends.
Fly a Kite
Just like Mr Banks finally did in Mary Poppins, take your kids out and fly a kite. Was it autumn as the end of Mary Poppins? Who knows? It doesn’t really matter, it’s a good activity throughout the year in Australia, but especially as the weather begins to cool and we get those lovely autumn breezes coming through. Flying a kite is great fun for children and adults alike and is a great way to get your kids outdoors and having fun for little expense.
Jump in Muddy Puddles
No doubt, being a parent, you have watched an episode or 500 of Peppa Pig. Get your kids excited about going outside by using Peppa Pig as an example of how much fun you can have outdoors when it’s been wet. Autumn is a great season for gumboots and raincoats and jumping in muddy puddles. Try to switch off your parenting brain, worrying about your kids getting dirty and having to wash them. Make sure they are warm and rugged up and go out and have some fun!
The best part about getting your kids excited about exercising with fun activities is that you as a parent also end up having a great time and creating beautiful memories with your children that deepen your bond and benefit you both. Childhood is special, enjoy the time you have with your kids while they are young.
