You can celebrate the National Day of Real Play anywhere! Get outside and have fun making up your own adventures, whether it is in the park at the end of your road or one Australia’s magnificent National Parks.
To help you get started though Nature Play and OMO have come up with our Top 10 ways to celebrate the National Day of Real Play, along with some great places in Western Australia you can go to try them!
1. Climb a tree
Climbing trees is something every kid should do!
Good climbing trees can be found just about anywhere and good kinds of trees to look for include Moreton Bay fig trees, mulberry trees and gum trees – look for strong, sturdy branches, with good spacing between (and a sandy or grassy base for softer landings!)
To be safe remember to always have three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and one hand) and not to climb on a branch that is thinner than your thigh.
2. Build a cubby at home or at your local park
Every kid needs a base of their own! Find a spot in the backyard to make a cubby just for you, or go to your local park and see if you can recruit other kids to help you make something you can share.
You can use just about any materials you can get hold of. Try cardboard boxes, bits of wood, sticks or sheets from the laundry. If you are making a cubby in nature remember to leave only your footprints and take home only memories!
3. Make a mud pie at Lane Poole Reserve in Dwellingup
Mud is good! There’s nothing better than squishy, dirty, gloppy mud to bring out your inner super chef.
Unfortunately mud isn’t easy to find near Perth because of our sandy soils. But you can venture out to the amazing Lane Pool Reserve in the hills where the soil is richer and mud pies are stickier!
4. Go camping in your backyard
Camping out under the stars is amazing and you don’t need to go bush to do it. Why not pitch your tent in the yard. If you don’t have a tent you can string up a tarp with rope and snuggle up with your doona and pillow.
Why not invite your friends around and camp together?
5. Go on a family bike ride on Camel Farm in Kalamunda
Having a bike is like having a licence for freedom! You can explore, meander, or just go on a ride to nowhere. But if you are looking for some real fun why not try taking the whole family to Camel Farm in Kalamunda where there are all the mountain bike trails you could need for day of messy adventure!
6. Make a kite and fly it at Kings Park
Kites are popular for kids all over the world. And best of all making them is super easy. A quick internet search will show you dozens of designs you can make with things you probably already have in the house.
Once you’ve made your kite try taking it to Kings Park where there are some great long stretches of grass for flying kites. Plus, being up on a hill it catches every breeze.
7. Invent an outdoor game with friends
The best thing about inventing your own game is that you get to make up the rules! Get some friends together and start inventing. You can do it in your backyard, in your neighbourhood or even organise a visit to one of Western Australia’s amazing National Parks.
8. Build a city in the sand at Leighton Beach
Sand is perfect for building your own city and Leighton Beach is just the spot to unleash your inner architect. It is a long and wide stretch of sand where you can find space for your own mega-city any day of the year.
9. Go on a photo safari in your neighbourhood
All you need for this activity is a camera (maybe mum or dad’s phone), and a sharp pair of eyes. Now, head out into your neighbourhood and see how many animals you can spot and photograph. Look for birds, insects, reptiles and pets.
You can even print your pictures and make a scrapbook of your safari to share with friends.
10. Make a stick boat and float it down a creek at Banks Reserve, Mt Lawley
Get creative with sticks and leaves you find on the ground and make a boat – it doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to float!