Alright dads, take a deep breath. You can smell it in the air, can’t you? That faint scent of freedom… mixed with the impending chaos of two full weeks of school holidays. It’s a time of great joy and potentially great peril. The TV is a powerful siren, the phrase “I’m bored” becomes the new national anthem, and your coffee budget is about to double.
But fear not. A dad with a plan is a dad who survives. A dad with a mission… well, he’s a dad who wins.
Forget trying to schedule every single minute. Instead, think of the holidays as a series of crucial missions. Your objective: to create memories, have some fun, and keep your sanity intact. Here’s your official Daderoo battle plan.
Mission 1: The Backyard Blitz
Your own backyard is a goldmine of adventure, and it costs next to nothing. This mission is about transforming the familiar into the fantastic.
- The Fort Knox Build: This is a classic for a reason. Gather every blanket, pillow, and couch cushion you own. Drape them over chairs and create a fortress of epic proportions. It’s a reading nook, a movie theatre, and a top-secret headquarters all in one.
- The Mini-Olympics: Create a series of simple challenges. Who can do the most star jumps in 30 seconds? Who can throw a soft toy into a laundry basket from five paces? Create gold medals out of cardboard and texta. The competition is fierce, the glory is eternal.
- The DIY Obstacle Course: Use pool noodles as hurdles, a blanket over two chairs as a tunnel, and chalk lines on the pavement to balance on. It’s 45 minutes of pure energy-burning genius.
Mission 2: The Local Explorer
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see your own suburb through the eyes of a tourist. There are hidden gems everywhere.
- The Playground Pilgrimage: Don’t just go to the usual spot. Make it a quest to find the best playground in your council area. One with a flying fox? A giant slide? Rate each one on a ‘fun-o-meter’.
- The Secret History Tour: Every town has a story. Find a local museum, a historical landmark, or even just an old building you’ve always driven past. You’d be surprised what you can find with a quick Google search for “local history of [your suburb]”.
- The Nature Walk: Find a local creek, reserve, or walking trail you’ve never explored. Pack a small backpack with a water bottle and some snacks, and call it an “expedition.”
Mission 3: The Kitchen Takeover
Hand over control of the kitchen for one meal. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, but it’s also a brilliant way to spend an afternoon.
- The Pizza Factory: This is the ultimate entry-level cooking mission. Buy some pre-made bases and a bunch of toppings. Let everyone create their own masterpiece. Even a weird combination of pineapple, pepperoni, and olives is a win if they made it themselves.
- The “Unicorn Spaghetti”: A pro-level move. Cook a packet of spaghetti, divide it into a few ziplock bags with a splash of water and different food colouring. Shake it all up. The result is a crazy, multi-coloured meal that kids find hilarious.
- The Cookie Crew: Bake a huge batch of simple oat or choc-chip cookies. The kids can help mix and measure. The mission objective: create enough delicious currency to be used for bribery and peace-keeping for at least two days.
Mission 4: The Brain Builder
Disguise learning as fun. This mission is all about stealthy education.
- The Board Game Battle: Dust off the classics. A game of UNO, Guess Who?, or Connect 4 is a great way to teach strategy and good sportsmanship. For older kids, something like Ticket to Ride or Catan can be a fantastic new challenge.
- The Library Challenge: Go to the local library with a specific challenge: find a book about sharks, a book with a red cover, and a book that’s older than Dad.
- The Science Lab: Look up simple at-home science experiments. The classic baking soda and vinegar volcano never fails to get a good reaction. You can also make your own slime or gooey creations with household ingredients.
Mission 5: The “Core Memory” Day
This is the big one. The special day out that requires a bit more planning and probably a bigger budget, but creates a memory that lasts.
It doesn’t have to be a trip to a major theme park. It could be seeing a kids’ movie at the cinema (with popcorn, of course), a trip to the nearest zoo or aquarium, trying an activity like indoor rock climbing or bowling for the first time, or visiting a science centre like Questacon or Scitech.
This is your ace in the hole. Plan it for that tricky second week when energy and ideas are starting to run low.
So there you have it, Dad. Your mission guide is complete. You don’t have to do it all, but with a plan in your pocket, you can turn these school holidays from a challenge to be survived into an adventure to be won.
You got this.