Winter is well and truly upon us. Well as much as we get winter here in QLD, so I thought I would put together a bucket list of things to do with your big or little kids this winter. Most of these are free or cost very little and are all about creating memories with your family. My family loves the outdoors, so I have included quite a few outdoor options and listed some Brisbane parks, but there are plenty of indoor options in this list too.
Go on an outdoor picnic
Pack that picnic blanket, some food, a ball to kick around and head to one the many nature reserves or parks around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to create some family memories. We have some amazing parks here in Brisbane. Some favs are Shorncliffe Pier, Mary Cairncross Reserve, Cedar Creek in Samford on Cedar Creek Rd, Reflections Park at North Harbour, The Pedal Park in Caloundra, Bulcock Beach Pirate Park in Caloundra, Pine Rivers Park, Bribie Island Jetty, Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens, Boondall Wetlands and many more.
Toast some mashmellows
There isn’t anything much better than toasted marshmallows! Sticky, gooey, warm and messy, they scream fun and taste absolutely amazing! Im not really a marshmallow fan, but toast them over a fire and I can’t get enough of them. Cook them over a fire in your backyard, throw in some hot chocolate and you have a match made in heaven. If you are near a Costco they have these giant marshmallows that are made for being toasted over a fire, but any will do.
Go camping in your lounge room.
Let the kids build a tent with sheets, pillows, blankets, give them a torch to play with, some books and set up camp for the afternoon or even let them camp overnight.
Have a Movie Marathon
Everyone loves Disney or Pixar movies, rent some out, borrow some, watch them on Netflix. Grab some popcorn and set up in front of the TV for some Disney watching fun.
Donate some old blankets and towels to a local animal rescue centre
The animals feel the cold too, especially at this time of year and centres are always in need of these items. The kids will love being able to help and be part of the experience.
Go on a nature treasure hunt
Find three pine cones, find a flat rock, photograph an insect, look for some interesting bark etc. This is so much fun. I have done this in classrooms of kids of all ages and they just love it. Outdoors, nature, problem solving and lots and lots of fun.
Pizza Challenge
This one is not for the faint hearted… Put a list of ingredients each on a separate piece of paper. Then take turns at drawing out four ingredients. These four ingredients must go on a pizza to be eaten no matter what combination they are. Milo, gummy bears, bacon and cheese anyone? Be creative with your toppings and ingredients. The kids love this one of course.
Tackle a giant puzzle
Puzzles aren’t for everyone, but they can be fun. Grab a giant one and work on it as a family, maybe choose a place to set it up in that if takes a week or so to complete, that’s ok.
Have a family reading session
Find a sunny spot, grab a blanket, a pillow and all lie down on the grass with a good book. You can even take turns reading to each other if you like. Little ones love this too, my four year old ‘reads,’ his books to use by talking about the pictures and reciting from memory, which is super cute.
Make a pine cone decoration or wreath
Collect bits and pieces from nature and let the kids be creative. You only need to purchase some craft glue and some string to hand them up.
Investigate putting in a bird feeder or a native bee hive in your garden
Research your area and vegetation you have near you. If you are handy you can even build your own. There are lots of how to’s on the net or pinterest.
Plant some winter growing veggies
My five year old in particular loves gardening and growing things. he potters around fatter my mum for hours in the garden.
Things like: broad beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, spinach and tomatoes can all be planted in winter. Pop them in a pot or a raised bed garden and you will have delicious fresh veggies for the spring. You can get kid sized gardening gloves from Bunnings and they love to help do this.
Fly a kite at the beach
Kids and adults alike love kites! The excitement of finally getting one in the air and racing along the sand with wind in your face, is just so much fun. Kids feel such a sense of accomplishment when they get them up and I know a few adults who do too.
Have a family board game night
Board games are so underrated! Kids will stay on their screens if you let them, but if you set up a game night, I guarantee they will love it. Some of my favourite memories as a kid are paying board games or card games with my family and I bet yours are too. Kmart has super cheap options for board games.
Host a winter Olympics or set up a Ninja Warrior course
Decide on some fun games and activities you can do as a family and make a mini Winter Olympics out of them, ask the neighbours to join in too!
Make or get some magic/kinetic sand and let the kids go for it
I set up a table outside with cookie cutters and a variety of kid friendly kitchen utensils. You can do it inside too, just have a vacuum handy.
Pull out your old photos and go through them with kids
Mine love doing this and spend hours talking to their Poppy about all the photos he has of himself as a child and a teenager.
Have a no screen day together
No phones or screens allowed all day. Hang out, go outside, go for a walk, go to the park, buy a milkshake, kick a ball at the park, fly a kite, walk along the beach and collect shells, there are so many things you can do. Switching off for the day allows you all to connect with each other with no distractions around.
Go on a new Adventure
Visit somewhere local you have aways wanted to go to but have never had a chance.
When I first moved to Brisbane a friend said to me, “You have seen more in six months than we have seen in fifteen years.’ For me after being in regional QLD for ten years there was just so much new and exciting stuff to explore with the boys. I think we get busy, life gets in the way, school, after school activities, looking after little people, family, work, all the commitments we have and we always think we will get there one day. Make one day a priority this winter, whether it be that waterfall an hour away you’ve always to visit, that zip line adventure two hours away, the boutique brewery and grazing lunch, the creek that everyone raves about. Make some time, go for a drive and see it.
20. Have a family photo shoot
Winter seriously is the best time if the year to have a family photo shoot. Click the featured post pic to read all about why Winter Family sessions are awesome!
To read more blog posts or see more of my work check out my blog below.
Comment with any great ideas you family does at winter time.
