Holidays at Home

Summer Staycation: Try a holiday at home

Danielle Wright
12 October 2010

The long hot summer is heading our way (hopefully), but with work commitments a 2-month vacation may not be practical. There are plenty of ways to create a vacation in your own city – just get creative and head outdoors for some good old-fashioned fun.

1. Grab a compass and navigate through one of the beautiful forests throughout New Zealand. You’ll be surprised at the things you’ll find by chance, and teaching your children navigation may be a skill that could one day save their life.

2. Fish for dinner by a lake. Buy good quality rods to avoid your time being spent unknotting the lines, and bring empty clear containers so your kids can look at what they’ve caught. Remember, kids don’t mind how big the fish they catch is – they just want to catch one! Make sure your children are wearing life jackets and there are enough adults to keep all children in sight.

3. Climbing trees is a favourite summer activity. Why not teach your children the age of the tree they are climbing? Just measure a metre up from the soil and around the circumference. Divide the measurement by 2.5 and you’ll know the approximate age of the tree. For example, a circumference of 140cm / 2.5 = 56 years old. For the serious tree climber, head to Auckland’s Woodhill Forest for the ultimate tree climbing experience.

4. Create a holiday in your backyard: Play ‘sneaky sprinkler’, where kids run around and you turn the sprinkler on and off to surprise them. Pitch a tent at home and camp under the stars without having to pack, create a day spa, treasure hunt or hide and seek in the dark with torches, all in the safety of your own backyard.

5. Make a go-cart (see www.dangerousbookforboys.com for instructions) and then head outdoors. If you don’t have time to make one, try the tide and wind dependent Blokarts – a cross between a sun lounger, a skateboard and a windsurfer! There are Blokarting Clubs throughout New Zealand.

There are so many ways to holiday at home, all you need is a little inspiration and planning for smiles all round!



Image courtesy of Blokart New Zealand