Technology has so many fantastic benefits such as being able to connect with loved ones, play games, watch our favourite movies or shows or find the answer to anything at the click of a button. In the age of technology, it’s important for both adults and children to find comfort in activities that don’t always involve a screen.
We’ve compiled a list of activities that involve little or no technology so you can get back to basics and enjoy some quality time together. These activities are sure to keep the kids entertained but they’re also great fun to enjoy with the whole family.
Take a walk or ride
There’s plenty of natural open spaces at Newenham, from the many neighbourhood reserves to the Newenham linear park that sits alongside the tranquil Western Flat Creek, all perfect for a lovely walk or ride to get out in nature and breathe in the fresh country air. The path that runs through the linear park is ideal for a family walk or ride as it provides easy access to coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants, in heart of Mount Barker only 2km away. If you’re up for a longer walk or ride, you can take a 16km round trip by following the pathway all the way out to the Laratinga Wetlands, which is one of the most successful and diverse wetlands in Australia, and the only one of its kind in South Australia. There a plenty of natural beauty along the way, so be sure to stop and notice it as you go.
Fairy Garden
In recent years, as our community has grown, some residents have started a charming communal fairy garden trail initiative. Spotted around the estate on verges and front gardens, these mesmerising miniature fairy gardens are a delightful showcase of community spirit. Seeing the joy on children’s faces as they discover new additions to each garden is priceless, bringing immense happiness to everyone involved. Fairy gardens can significantly boost children’s creativity by encouraging them to use their imagination and create stories for their miniature worlds. We encourage our neighbours to join in and create their own fairy gardens, adding to the magic and making our community an even more enchanting place to live.
Puzzles or board games
Puzzles and board games have been a favourite family past time for as long as we can remember so you’ve probably got quite a few games at home already. Now’s the time to pull them out and rediscover the fun, enjoyment and family connection they provide. If you’re looking to add to your games collection, you can shop online and have them delivered straight to your door! Who can go past the classics like Uno, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Trouble, Guess Who? or chess, not to mention all the fun a simple pack of cards can bring!
Colouring In
The simple joys of colouring in can sometimes be underestimated and have probably taken a backseat to the many online and screen-based activities kids are drawn to today. Not only does colouring in relax children and give them a sense of achievement as their picture comes to life, it also provides many other benefits too. From developing fine motor skills and stimulating creative thinking it is known to lower stress and anxiety levels and promotes a sense of calm, which is essential for health and wellbeing, in any age. Engaging kids in colouring in also gives busy Mums and Dads a chance to have a quiet cuppa as your little picassos focus on creating their masterpiece.
Cooking
With the weather starting to cool off, it’s lovely to be warm and cosy indoors and it’s also the perfect time to get the kids into the kitchen. Not only will you be teaching them a lifelong skill, but they’ll appreciate how rewarding it is to enjoy a home cooked meal they’ve prepared and shared with you. It’s a great opportunity to teach them all about different flavours and cuisines and maybe even inspire them in a future career. Pull your favourite recipe books off the shelves and let the kids get inspired. It might be time to test out some new recipes too. If you’re looking for some online inspiration, Maggie Beer is offering live family cooking sessions on her instagram and facebook page or you can find plenty of others to tempt you from chefs like Jamie Oliver, Marian Grasby, Nigella Lawson, Donna Hay and a host of others – simply google them, watch the videos and get cooking!
Help a neighbour
Doing something nice for an elderly or less fortunate neighbour is not only rewarding but a great way to build a strong relationship and help them to stay connected to the community. It can be something as small as writing a nice letter, drawing a picture, picking some flowers from the garden and tying them up with string, baking a cake or cookies or simply checking in to see if your neighbour needs something picked up from the shops. At Newenham our tight-knit community is something truly special and it is a joy to be a part of.
Arts and Crafts
Some of our favourite memories and keepsakes from childhood were created through arts and crafts. Whether it was making pet rocks or beautiful paintings that take pride and place on the fridge for months. Arts and crafts are a fantastic way to keep your children busy while also nurturing their creative skills. There are some fantastic sites online with hundreds of ideas that will keep the kids busy for hours. Pinterest is also great as it has thousands to choose from. Perhaps your keen to try something more challenging like a macrame wall hanging or even something recyclyed, like a rag-rug. Whatever you fancy, there’s plenty of options to keep young minds busy and engaged.
Go on a treasure hunt
Make a map, hide a treasure and let the kids go! This is a fun activity to do inside or outside, all it takes is a bit of imagination. If you don’t have the time (or mental energy) needed to make your own hunt, there are plenty of printable scavenger hunts for you to choose from that will get the kids active, learning and having fun.
Do you want to live in a community that values family relationships? Newenham offers the opportunity to build your dream home within the natural landscape of this beautiful pocket of the Adelaide Hills. We are extremely proud of the tight knit Newenham community and we invite you to share in our vision of this amazing place that our residents love to call home.
The Newenham Sales and Information Centre is located at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker or you can book by appointment for a personal tour at a time that suits you.
Come and see for yourself why you and your family will love living at Newenham.
