Sorry for being quiet for so long, this post is way overdue.
It’s meant to be for the holidays (They started 1.5 weeks ago, and there are
only 5 days left, hopefully there's still time).
The past 2 weeks have been crazy with Hillsongs Kids Easter
(I helped out with the setting up on Saturday, 3 services on Sunday, followed
by the packing up), helping a friend pack and move, going to the library at UQ
to get more textbooks for my own professional development, performing roving
children’s magic at Superhero Saturday for Starlight Children’s Foundation at
Doomben Racecourse (support them at http://www.starlight.org),
followed by performing roving magic at a camp organized by CanTeen (support
them at https://www.canteen.org.au), and lastly the Queensland Society of Magicians meeting.
I especially love performing for VWOs as that was how I got
started in performing children’s magic shows (In a past life before magic, way
back in Singapore, I volunteered with people with intellectual disabilities.)
Back to the post, it seems to me that everything is more fun
at night. Maybe it is because the weather is cooler, and the darkness adds a
layer of mystery. Another reason, for me at least, is that after a long day, it
is the time to relax. It is good that night also comes earlier as the sun is
setting sooner due to the change in season.
This post is about night-time activities that do not require
a lot of effort.
Here are some fun-filled activities that are just the most fun,
require the least amount of preparation and energy, and can be done immediately
(hopefully just before the end of the School Holidays).
1)
Red Light, Green Light (Flashlight Edition/Addition)
This game is played similarly to (http://childhood101.com/2015/01/games-for-kids-red-light-green-light/)
but instead of using your eyes to catch the moving child, you use your
flashlight. In case you are not familiar with the game, here’s how you play it:
- You need 2 (1 to be the traffic light) or more players (the more the merrier)
- The traffic light stands around 5 to 10m away from the rest of the players.
- When the traffic light says “green light”, the rest of the players move towards it.
- When the traffic light says “red light”, they have to stop moving. The traffic light uses the flashlight to catch any moving players.
- For added fun, the traffic light can say “yellow light”, and the rest of the players can move in slow motion.
- The round ends once any of the rest of the players touches the traffic light. The player who does becomes the next traffic light.
This is similar to the normal scavenger hunt, but played in
dimmed lighting or in the dark.
- Gather a couple of toys/items in the house.
- Make a list of them.
- Hide them in your living room or in your yard.
- Hand the list to your child/children.
- Equip them with a flashlight.
- Have fun.
3) Possum Spotting Walks
One thing I really love about being in Brisbane is spotting
and watching the possums. They are nocturnal, so you can only spot them at
night. Some people consider possums pests, but I think these gentle and
extremely adorable creatures are misunderstood. Possums are not aggressive;
they are in fact shy. You can often spot them on fences, walking on tree
branches, walking on the electric wires that dangle from post to posts.
Take a slow walk after dinner with your little ones and try
and see if you can spot one. If you do, talk to your little ones about them,
and also about being careful not to scare the possums.
4) Star-Gazing
Another thing I love about Brisbane is that you can still
see the stars. When I was growing up in Singapore, we could still see the stars
above. However, with the insane rate of urbanization, this is no longer
possible as Singapore is lit throughout the night.
Teach your child how to identify the Southern Cross and
Orion’s Belt. Explore the night sky with them while lying in your yard. Have
fun with a telescope or a pair of binoculars.
You can find more information on http://www.abc.net.au/science/starhunt/,
or you can try downloading an app for planets or stargazing on your iphone or
android where you just point your phone at the stars.
5) Sofa Fort/ Indoor Camping
This is my personal favourite after a really long and tiring
day when you just want to relax with your little ones. All you need are
cushions and blankets. Place a blanket in between your sofa and a chair and
voila you have a tent. Build it up with more blankets in between chairs and the
sofa, and fill it with cushions and now you have a fort.
Bring some story books, a flashlight, and some toys in. You can even watch a movie under the fort. Let
your child lead and you’ll have fun.
