Ah, the weekend. Two blissful days of free time after a busy week at work. Except, of course, when you’re a parent – then Saturdays and Sundays can often feel like the most hectic of them all.
With summer on the way, weekend schedules are filling up once again. Whether it’s a morning soaking up the sun on the beach, a long afternoon spent with family and a picnic in the park, or a whole day of cheering from the sidelines at Saturday sport, it can be hard to feel organised enough to do it all.
So, we’ve rounded up the top tips for how to have a fun family weekend, with as little fuss as possible.
1. Preparation is everything
Sometimes, just getting out the front door for a fun day out can seem like a mammoth effort, so a bit of preparation can go a long way in making the weekend run a little more smoothly.
Things like laying out the kids’ clothes (with a quick check of the weather to decide if a jacket is needed), pairing up shoes and socks and finding a hat the night before can ease the stress of a rushed morning.
Snacks can be prepped beforehand too, with a school lunchbox pre-packed with some sandwiches, snack bars and chopped fruit doubling as portable picnic on the weekend.
Preparation is key – prepare snacks the night before to get out the front door faster.
2. It’s all in the bag
Just like Mary Poppins, a mum’s bag is her best friend when it comes to a day spent outside. Along with the snacks and water bottles, pop in a change of clothes just in case (because we know kids will always find fun in the messiest of places).
For short attention spans – or active imaginations – pop in some activities like bubbles or a colouring-in book and pencils.
Australian owned and made, Hamilton Sunscreen has been protecting generations of Australian skin since 1932.
Of course, a non-negotiable for any bag is sunscreen – choose 50+ SPF protection. Australian owned and made, Hamilton Sunscreen has been protecting generations of Australian skin since 1932 and has been specifically designed to cope with the harsh Aussie sun.
The Hamilton Active Family range is SPF50+ – that’s the highest SPF cover in Australia – and offers broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. The formula is dry-touch and fast-absorbing.
For the family’s mini members, there’s Hamilton Toddler, free from fragrance, lanolin, and colours for gentle care. Or there’s Hamilton Sensitive, which provides the same level of SPF 50+ very high protection for skin that’s a little more delicate.
3. Location, location, location
Sometimes picking the right place (and time) can make all the difference for fuss-free fun.
Hit the beach early to avoid battling the crowds (and circling the carpark in the hot sun to find a spot) or find a shady picnic spot with a playground nearby for kids who would rather climb and explore than sit still.
But the hidden secret of a weekend spent outdoors is that you don’t always have to leave the house – some of the best summer memories can be made right in your own backyard.
You don’t always have to leave the house to have fun.
Pop on some sunscreen and a hat, set up a sprinkler and let the kids take turns running through the water, or spend a Sunday morning planting a summer vegetable garden.
Even a walk around the neighbourhood – with the dog and a camera in tow – can be turned into a scavenger hunt.
Sponsored by Hamilton.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun.
