Find it at: Esplanade, Seacliff Although the playground is scheduled for an “official” opening on September 9th, the fences came down today for all the little ones to enjoy the newly completed playground in Seacliff. Shadesails and more plants will be added in September. The playground is in the same location as previously, although it includes part of the hillside now, spreading further than before. Yippee Angus Neil Reserve is...
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We live in a constantly connected world, with this generation of children and adolescents experiencing the direct impacts of this on their health and wellbeing. Their posture is being impacted by the smartphone or tablet in home, in the car, with the use of laptops and devices at school and followed by compulsory homework. This connected interaction is starting from an alarmingly early age and will continue through school years and beyond....
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Did you know its predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish? Or that it takes 250ml of oil and 3L of water to make a 250ml bottle of water? These are just a few scary facts about plastic rubbish that I recently learnt. I’ll admit it. I’m guilty of not putting enough thought into where my waste goes and how I can be more environmentally conscious. However, it’s something that I am very keen to...
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The recently completed Gully Road North Reserve Playground at Seacliff Park is so good! It’s a terrific location, with a beautiful winding creek bed of Gilbertson Gully to follow on one side, and the O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park on the other! There is still some work to be done on the grass next to the playground, but the basketball ring and playground are able to be used. What are it’s features? Large climbing...
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We recently visited Perth for a family holiday, and to catch up with old friends. While we were there, we managed to fit in a few great kid-friendly activities and I thought I’d share them with you! I’ve also listed some other great places/things to do that I know of from living in the WA capital some years ago. What’s so great about Perth? The weather! Summer goes FOREVER in Perth so the weather is usually pretty spectacular....
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Find it at: Symon Cres, Craigburn Farm The new Oak Tree Adventure Playground at Blackwood Park is part of a larger X-Terrain Park that includes an incredible running/walking/riding trail, creek, lake and the soon-to-be-completed “Tree Top Park” climbing structure. There are fitness circuits and exercise stations around the trail, but it’s nice just to relax in the beautiful landscape too! My kids were very excited when we...
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Toilet training. It’s not my favourite part of raising children, but I’ve always felt SO proud when the penny finally drops, and the child is successful. However, once toilet training during the day is mastered, then comes the challenge of toilet training during nap times, and at night. Obviously, this goes hand in hand with a LOT of wet sheets and a LOT of washing! To be honest, one of my biggest tips for toilet training overnight is to...
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This playground has been recently upgraded and includes some great new features! Flying fox (ideal for 3+, it has a bit of a jolt at the end, so make sure little hands can hold on)Baby and toddler swings, plus “big kids” swing and swinging basket2 playground structures, one aimed more at 1-3 year olds and one for 3+A ‘spinning wheel’ with 3 grip bars that the kids spent AGES on. A big hit! Key features we also liked...
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Find it at: Corner or Elizabeth Street and Day Terrace, Croydon This playground is a little gem. It has a bbq area and grassed area for lounging around or a small picnic, there’s also some shelter and benches.There are shops and cafe’s nearby, but toilets are not within the playground. ** UPDATE ** This park now has toilet facilities! The kids will love this park as it’s right next to the Croydon Train Station and the kids can...
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If you’re already a parent, chances are you’ve already heard about the range of Learning Toys from VTech and Leapfrog. What we didn’t know was how HUGE their range of toys is! Suitable for newborns right up to 9 years old their toys are innovative, educational and high quality. VTech and sister brand Leapfrog make sure that all their electronic learning toys are fun for children, but at the same time are encouraging them to...
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CACAO BANANA CAKE This Cacao Banana Cake is healthy, easy baking. A nice little recipe for after school. Yum! Prep: 15 mins Cook: 30 mins Makes 15 pieces Method: PREHEAT fan forced oven to 180°C (200°C conventional). LINE a medium baking tin with greaseproof paper. IN one bowl combine all the wet ingredients, perfect for a Magimix! IN a separate bowl, sift and combine all the dry ingredients. GENTLY combine the two mixtures and pour into lined...
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School Camp Tips You Can’t Live Without! School camp! A chance to dust off the old waterproof pants, shake the spiders out of the sleeping bag and throw on some explorer socks. You would think that school camp is something children can not wait for! But school camp can be something that many students dread- and parents can dread it just as much. Actually, truth be known, lots of teachers dread school camps too! Here are some tips on how...
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Cleaned-Up Bubble Bars These look scrumptious! Thanks to Simple Nourishment for the great snack idea! This is a great one bowl recipe to use with a Magimix Cook Expert Ingredients: Prep: 15 mins Set: 2 hours gluten free, dairy free 2 cups puffed rice or rice bubbles 1 cup desiccated coconut 2 tbs chia seeds 2 tbs cacao powder 1⁄4 cup coconut oil 1⁄2 cup honey Method: LINE a medium baking tin with greaseproof paper. IN a large bowl, combine the...
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In 2014, when the inaugural Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People was released, Australian kids scored an alarming D- in the area of Sedentary Behaviour. The report indicated that over two thirds of Aussie kids were engaging in recreational screen use for more than 2 hours a day. In fact, the average Australian young person was found to be spending about four hours a day in front of a screen of some sort. A typical home...
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Let’s face it, some reports are easier to read than others. This may depend on a variety of things. For example, some school reports are better set out than others or they might have less jargon. Or perhaps you just find it easier to read a report when it’s positive rather than negative! All of these reasons are good reasons for being a little wary (or weary!) of “report season.” If you follow these tips it might help...
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Thanks to the team at Simple Nourishment, we have a great recipe to get the July school holidays up and running with some deliciousness. “…With some children finishing school this week, and others finishing next week, you may not want to think about the school holidays but they are coming, so what better way to meet them other than head on and organised! For us, time in the kitchen is therapeutic and lovely and warm and fuzzy, we...
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Looking after your child’s teeth We are pretty pedantic about dental health in our family, but even so, I still dread going to the dentist! For some reason, despite all my previous years of check ups without a single filling, I still worry that the dentist will tell me I need my jaw broken, that my front teeth need to come out, or something equally horrendous! Of course this doesn’t happen, but I did feel similarly anxious taking my...
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CHEWY ALMOND BUTTER BARS from Simple Nourishment After school activities less the mess! With after school activities in full swing for this term, we’re always needing ways to get from A to B and maybe even C with stable energy levels that ensures children are fueled for the learning ahead. But let’s be honest, processed packaged ‘stuff’ just doesn’t do the job! And, while we’re being honest, if we’re...
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Find it at: Linfield Ave, Novar Gardens The playground at Lindfield Avenue Reserve is located in Novar Gardens, just North of Glenelg. It’s a huge park, with a wonderful playground for a range of ages and plenty of space for kicking balls, having a picnic or riding a bike. The play equipment is updated and has lots of challenging equipment for adventurous little kids, plus the standard swings and slippery dips for younger kids. Features:...
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Find it at: Young St, Port Augusta The Port Augusta Foreshore Playground is located on Young Street and is a great toddler playground. It overlooks the water, and there’s a great walking path going along the foreshore, which is perfect if you’ve got kids with bikes or scooters. You can skate or scooter right up to the great skate park better known as “The Wave” , opened in 2010. It has an open bowl, ramp and lots of...
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