School Holidays | Bear Hunts and Pooh Sticks

School holidays can often be a time of great panic and trepidation; what to do; where to go; will we have to re-mortgage the house to pay for it all?? This holiday we decided to remove all the thought processes, and get back to nature ... we went camping!

For those of you who have never been camping with kids, this task on its own may seem mammoth and insurmountable ... but the reality is, all the kids actually need is a tent, a sleeping bag, some food and a water supply; and all you'll need is a never ending supply of wine, a comfy chair, and a good book.  Sound more appealing? 

There's nothing better than a few days in the bush to wash away the stresses of everyday life, and get back to basics. Granted, setting up camp is sure to bring on a sweat, (and an argument or two), but once your simple abode is standing firm, the wine is poured, the snacks are out; then the adventure begins! 

There's no better way to explore your surroundings than going on a family bear hunt; you're going to catch a big one for sure! The kids will love tip-toeing through the bush (stick to the trail path!), listening out for every little sound that might indicate a great big hungry bear is lurking nearby.  Be sure to warn passers-by of the bears up ahead; you'll be surprised how many random strangers join in.  Everybody loves a good story (especially when there is a distinct possibility of a gruesome outcome!). 

Take a picnic and stretch it out; be sure to look out for "treasures" along the way; a stick; a feather; a stone; a leaf ... everything is treasure when you put your imagination hat on.  These special collectibles will also come in mighty handy when you stumble across a stream, particularly one which has a troll bridge; because these 'treasures" magically transform into wondrous pooh sticks on this bridge, ready to win the race! 

Pooh sticks, you may well ask. Yes, pooh sticks, the most captivating game in the wild.  Who's stick will get to the other side first? Who will be hailed the pooh-stick champion?  Guaranteed to take even the most steadfast stickler back in time to a less-complicated childhood. 

Identify as many birds, trees, leaves, insects as you can; taking back to base camp any particularly interesting finds - the kids can draw them later, whilst you relax with that good book and a glass of vino.   Not too many though, or you may be hearing bears in the woods all night! 

Classic Retro Toys

Classic retro toys are still loved by kids of today!

The first thought that often comes to mind on hearing the phrase retro toys is that they no longer exist anymore – that they are toys of yesteryear.  This however is far from true. They have become a lifeline for many kids in today’s generation, and likely will be for every generation to come.  The distinctive reasons as to why these toys are still so popular are that these toys provide excellent quality entertainment, are built to last, involve simple concepts, encourage the imagination, and since they are low technology, they are very easy to use. 

Retro toys are a creative outlet for many kids in today’s modern, busy world.

The toys of modern day are built to be disposed, in our throwaway plastic society – the noisier, the faster, the brighter, the better.  But this comes with a great cost, to society, to the land, to the air that we breathe, to future generations.  Toys are no longer durable and designed to be passed down from generation to generation.  Classic, traditional toys stand the test of time, and are a wonderful  way to conjure up old memories. They are one of the most fun ways of remembering past days of your own childhood.

Here are a few classic retro toys which have stood the test of time.

Marbles

This is a classic game which is still going strong today. It can be best played when a group of friends get together to have marble competitions. It is one of the best ways to build your child’s hand-eye co-ordination and turn-taking skills. The game never gets old. Basically, it consists of a collection of round coloured glass beads. So simple!

Yo-yo

These are one of the most classic retro toys which are loved by kids of all ages. They are easy to play with and are great fun. The toy contains an axle which connects two disks and a long length of string which is looped around the axle. You have to throw the yo-yo, spin and unwind the string and again look it back in its previous form. Hours of fun, and so many tricks that can be performed.

Frisbee

It is one of the best toys for kids to get engaged in some sort of physical activity. This game can be played for hours in the back yard, on the beach or on a camping trip with friends & family.  This toy has never gone out of favour over the decades. 

Matchbox & Dinky cars

These retro collections of cars and trucks are one of the biggest hits among kids. Children have been drawn to these collections for decades. If you present your child with anything from these collections, they are sure to love it, and you will see them spending most of theirs time with those set of wheels. 

If you want to surprise your kids with a gift, retro toys are the best way to go about it.