It’s that time of year again – the school holidays are here – and while a lot of families head somewhere a little warmer, many families also choose to stay close to home. In our house, we have two (almost) teenagers, says NSM Jillian Daniels. And while there are plenty of activities on these school holidays for younger kids, she admits it can be difficult to find things to do with (almost) teenagers that don’t involve video games, shopping or watching movies. So here are her top five things she’s discovered you can do with older kids in Manly.
1. Swim from beach to beach
The ‘Bold & Beautiful’ is an informal group who meet out the front of Manly Life Saving Club and swim at 7am, seven days a week from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach and back – 750m each way. Wetsuits are a must in the cooler months and, while it seems crazy, being in the water is often warmer than being out! All ages are welcome and it’s not a race, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy some fresh air as a family – not to mention the fish and marine life along the way.
2. Go for ice-cream
There’s nothing better than getting rugged up and sitting on the Corso eating Ben & Jerry’s and enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Try the New York Super Fudge Chunk or the Cotton Candy. Kids of all ages will love this one – how many scoops can you do?
3. Snorkel at Ferry Bower
Marine life is in abundance at Ferry Bower, so grab the wetsuits and get out there to explore. This spot is a protected haven for marine life which makes it impossible not to see something amazing. Plenty of fish spotting (and spying the resident turtle!) are a fairly normal day in the water. This is a great activity for the family – along with a post snorkel hot chocolate at any one of the cafes nearby. The Dive Centre Manly runs Snorkel Safaris and diving sessions, if you desire a little more company and/or tuition.
4. Watch the sunrise
This might be a stretch, but if you can get the kids out of bed that early in the morning watching the sunrise can make the soul sing. The lapping of the ocean and the rising sun is such a beautiful sight to enjoy, and a great family experience. For more active families, you could try a little beachside yoga – it’s a great way to start the day.
5. Watch the whales migrate
This time of year (May to November) sees our magnificent Humpback and Southern Right whales migrating to warmer waters – and they happen to pass right by our doorstep. Grab the binoculars and head for high ground and watch these majestic creatures in all their glory. A number of operators host boat tours for whale watching, however I recommend you just take a picnic and get over to North Head or Manly for some great vantage points.
Do you have a favourite activity to do with your older children? Let us know in the comments section below.
More things to do in the holidays…