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 Our weekends are usually filled with sport, cleaning and washing, so much so that my children are more likely to tell me that they have been bored silly over the weekend, rather than their recent proclamation that they have just experienced, “the best weekend ever”.
With a husband who works weekend roster I’m somewhat of a single parent on weekends. I work all week and so on the weekend I clean and wash, run around to the sporting events in winter, and try to fit in all of our social activities. Sometimes, we have to let something go, and it’s usually the social event that gets shelved. We also don’t make enough time to appreciate what we have in this beautiful place that we call home. I was lucky enough recently to be handed the opportunity to do both - a great outing for the kids and a chance to take in some fun local attractions.
Out of the Square Media and Maitland Tourism invited some of the Sunny Days team to a Prince and Princesses Fun Day. Being somewhat limited in my time, I honestly felt I wouldn’t make the entire list of events for the day. (You know, that washing was calling, the meeting at the church was looming and I had other more ‘normal’ weekend stuff to do?) But we did go, the children made new friends and, most importantly, WE HAD FUN!
We started our day at the TreeTops Adventure Park, located in the Bluegum National Reserve in Minmi. Here the children became monkeys for two hours. They were given a debrief on behaviour and the how-tos of climbing and then they were harnessed in, clipped on and off they went.
Being the Mummy I am, Miss M had arrived in the wrong shoes, a quick duck home meant that she only had a little time swinging from the trees, but Master L had an amazing time. As did Jayne’s children. They swung from the trees, rode the flying fox and tackled the obstacles like little professionals. Yay TreeTops, you get my vote for Master L’s birthday party next year. Something to keep them active and a great BBQ area below when the fun is done.
Some of the grown-ups in our group had a great time too - perhaps more so than the kids as they tackled the adult runs through the trees. No tree swinging for me however, between the running back home and being chief photo-taker I had no time. But it's something I want to try - perhaps without kids. Maybe a day out with the girls with a few bottles of bubbles and lots of giggles afterwards.
Our next stop was Maitland Park. The kids loaded into the back seat of the mini van which was driven by our hosts and I followed in the car. One nosebleed (don’t ask) and a few sandwiches later, we were re-fueled and off again to Maitland Art Gallery. Here the children played with the latest installation directed specifically at them. They LOVED the giant hamburger and the display of Faces. Master L came home that afternoon and drew faces, faces and more faces, in his attempt to be in the exhibition next year if they have it again. (He wanted to follow in Mummy’s footsteps, as many years ago I was exhibited at the Maitland Art Gallery in the secondary student art prize.) The Faces were all contributed by local area school children. Something to aspire to for my budding young artist.
I have never thought of taking my kids to the art gallery for a day. Its always been something that I did on my own. You know, quiet time? But Maitland Gallery offers a great kid friendly space that is air-conditioned and a welcoming place for children who can get interactive with the special kid space and enjoy some fabulous and ever changing installations from local artists. But be warned! Take coins, as the specially designed coin machines are fantastic kid traps. Not that we minded...they had fun.
Onward we journeyed to our next (pit)stop: Extreme Go-Karts at Thornton Business Park. This was something for the Mums and Dads of our group as you had to be over 13 to participate. I am a super wussy claustrophobe and the helmet just was not my cup of tea. NO THANK YOU! But this particular event brought out the race car driver in Jayne. The children cheered on the adult racers from the air-conditioned comfort of the viewing level. This is something my Top Gear loving husband would have enjoyed - and would make a great gift for him come Birthday or Fathers Day. (Mental note made...)
Exhausted, tired and very hot, onto the bus the kids piled again to our last destination: Laser Tag in Beresfield Business Park. This was not for the faint hearted. It’s dark, it’s hot, and it's not built for little hands. To my amazement however, Miss M - nine-years-old and very, very girly - LOVED IT! She loved the dark corners, loved the running around, and got the hang of the laser gun straight up.
But It all ended in tears here for my six-year-old Master L, who was just too little to handle the gun. So maybe that’s a mental note for Miss M’s birthday? Something a little different.
Despite our hectic action and adventure-filled day we made it home in time for our church meeting for Miss M. But by bedtime both children were more than exhausted. We have never done so much in one day.
If you get a weekend when the kids are bored, perhaps give TreeTops a call, you really do need to book in. Go in the morning in the summer when it’s a little cooler. Or, if it’s a stinker, be a little cultural and visit the Art Gallery. You want to relax under a tree while the kids play in a fun, all-abilities playground or scooter around a replica street with road signs and speed humps? Then Maitland Park is just the place for you. Got older kids? Go go-carting or take them to Laser Tag to get their adrenalin fix.
It really is worth taking time out every now and then because it’s wonderful to hear: “Mum, that was the BEST DAY EVER!”
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