I know when I was younger, mum would try to have the school holidays planned weeks in advance, knowing when she would be working or not and how to keep us entertained during that time.

Over the years I have been to many school holiday programs but with the current economic climate this is not always the easiest option for families.

Here are my 20 Sanity Saving Activities both FREE and $$$:

1. Plant some veggies or herbs together. Nothing better than getting dirty with the kids in the garden and best of all they are learning about how plants grow…just don’t forget to water! Cost $10 approx

2. Day at the beach. This obviously depends on the weather but a day at the beach is not just fun but will wear the kids out so you get a peaceful drive home. Cost $0

3. Bike Ride at Westerfolds Park.  Lots of hills and lots of places to stop and play, plus it’s great exercise for both you and the kids  Cost $0

4. Camp out in the garden (or livingroom if weather is iffy). I used to love this as a kid, pretend camping outside and if I got too scared of the dark I could come back inside to my comfy bed! Cost $0

5. Invite a playdate around.   Don’t forget there is always the chance of the playdate being reciprocated…free time! Cost $0

6. Kids bedroom makeover. This can cost you as little or as much as you want.  Whether you just move the bed, rotate some toys, clean out the clothes that no longer fit or completely transform their room the choice is yours. Cost $0 – what you want to spend

7. Explore-a-saurus at Scienceworks.  My cousins went to this last school holidays and had a ball – you can even dig for a dinosaur fossil!  Cost $18 Adults Concession $9 Children (3-5) $5 Includes general entry into Scienceworks

8. Melbourne Show. Who doesn’t like the Melbourne Show, lots to see and do and this year that have a section for the adults with the Tastes of Victoria stage.  Cost $70 for family (2A + 2C) and don’t forget the extra for the showbags!

9. Get the kids to put on a fashion show. What kid doesn’t enjoy dressing up either in costumes or your old clothes, I know I did!  This will keep them busy for hours and make you laugh at their creations. COST $0

10. Picnic in the Park. Whether it be the park around the corner from your house or the Botanical Gardens, a picnic in the garden is a great way to spend your day.  Cost $0 (except food)

11. Fairs and Markets. There are heaps of fairs and markets happing throughout September/October.  Check out What’s On Melbourne for the markets about town.  Cost $0

12. Library Visit. Most libraries throughout Victoria run activities throughout the school holidays.  Check with your local library for times and activities.

13. FREE screening of Barbie’s The Island Princess @ the Zoo. Keepers talk about Barbie’s animal friends – the elephant, monkey, peacock and red panda – and kids can follow trails to collect free swap cards.  Cost Adults $23 Children $11.50 Families $52.40.  Call 9285 9300 for more info

14. Collingwood Children’s Farm.  With spring comes baby animals and Collingwood Children’s Farm is full of lots of cute, cuddly baby animals waiting for a cuddle from you.  Cost $16 Families $8 Adults $4 Kids

15. Sovereign Hill. Lots of fun activities running at Sovereign Hill these school holidays both for kids and adults.  Cost $107.50 Families (2 A + up to 4 K)

16. Puffing Billy. Who doesn’t remember as a child riding on Puffing Billy?  Let your kids experience the old world charm of a steam train with a great day out to Emerald. Cost $81 return for Families

17. Creative with Craft.  Make your own muscial instrument or paint a picture, you and your kids imaginations are only the limits. Cost $whatever you want to spend on supplies

18. Masterchef @ home. With Junior Masterchef starting this Sunday, why not get your kids involved in bake and creating some yummy things.  Don’t forget you will need to supervise this activity. Cost $whatever you want to spend on supplies

19. Build a Cubby (inside or out). I used to love building a cubby house in my bedroom with my sister.  We would use our beds, the kitchen chairs, elastic bands, sheets, pillows and blankets to create our castle, cave or lair and would be happy playing for hours! Cost $only your kids imagination and some help from mum to construct

20. Come to Fit Mummies!! During school holidays we will be running some extra day classes on Monday’s and Thursday’s 2-2.50pm and don’t forget to invite your friends to come and join in…the more the merrier.  Bookings Essential and don’t forget to ask us for a 2 week pass for your friends. Cost $nothing extra as covered by your weekly rate

So there you have my 20 Sanity Saving School Holiday Activities to help you through the school holiday.

Share your Sanity Saving School Holiday Activities so you can help save the sanity of other mums!

Yours’ in women’s health and fitness,

Katrina

I opened up the newspaper this morning…

only to find a picture of Rebecca Judd taking the catwalk by storm six weeks after giving birth to her beautiful baby boy Oscar…listening to all my mum’s at Fit Mummies I can see that there is a lot of jealousy surrounding these beautiful “super” mums.  Like the comic image above there is a lot of behind the scenes work done to get them this way.

Let’s face it their bodies are their job!

It was interesting to see in the article about Rebecca Judd this morning there was mention of pre-pregnancy exercise, during pregnancy exercise, post pregancy exercise, good nutrition and GOOD Genes…start to notice the pattern?

While it may be too late to fix your body before children, now is the time to put some time and effort into your body after children with regular exercise, healthy eating and positive thinking.

While most of us will never look like Miranda Kerr or Rebecca Judd, we can at least start feeling happy and excited about our new post-children bodies and start loving ourselves again.

How much do you love your body?  If not what are you doing to fix it?

Until next time,

Yours’ in women’s health and fitness,

Katrina