As much fun as Christmas has been, there is part of us that is craving the routine of the school run. But just because we are back to the daily grind (Bye-bye, chocolate for breakfast!) it doesn't mean we can't let loose on the weekends. And by loose we mean chasing adventures.
That's why we have put together some of the most fun, accessible and child-friendly ideas for your weekend. Pack the boot full of wellies, raincoats, picnics and the scooters and have a good old-fashioned excursion with your little ones.
1. Climb a mountain
Yes, they are just children and no, you don't need to freak out. Announcing you are going to climb a mountain is going to fill your adventure-loving children with glee. You just have to make sure you choose a large hill or manageable hike that is just high enough to get the feeling you are on top of the world without being overly ambitious. Not only is it great fun, but reaching the top is a nice goal as a family and the feeling of achievement will be wonderful. Best of all, you will have earned that ice-cream once you reach the bottom! We love the Sugar Loaf in Co. Wicklow which is manageable enough for little legs.
2. Wrap up and hit the beach
There is nothing more fun than bundling those littlies into their snuggest winter gear and boots and exploring your nearest beach. Defy the winter cold as you shell-seek to your heart's content. We love bringing our kite to the strand near our house on the weekends. There really is nothing like seeing those little faces searching the sky as they squint and squeal at their brightly coloured kite as it soars and falls. We sometimes get chips afterwards and enjoy munching on them as we sit on a blanket admiring the horizon and shooing away the seagulls. Good honest fun. One of our favourites is the amazing Dog's Bay in Roundstone, County Galway.
3. Forest fun
Wherever you live on this fair isle, there is never a forest too far away. Pack the family off into the car with a picnic and find the perfect spot. We usually try to incorporate a walk into this kind of adventure too. The children race ahead finding fairies and carefully selecting odd-shaped stones. When we finally choose our resting place, we crack out the flasks of tea and sandwiches and the children draw colourful messages on their precious stones. Then they hide them in marvellous places for the next mini-adventurers to find. There is nothing quite like the taste of a picnic against the backdrop of the forest greenery. We like going to the Vale of Clara in Co Wicklow where the Avonmore Way has quite an extensive trail system.
4. Camping
Preparation, preparation, preparation! This was our very ambitious plan last weekend. We lobbed everything we could possibly need into the car (Luckily we have a nice comfortable car with a giant boot!) including the blow-up beds, the tent and the mini-BBQ and off we set. There is a place we always went as children that is just right for kids of our age group (7, 6 and 3) and it really was the ultimate adventure. The kids were so exhausted after walking and exploring that by the time we had cooked the sausages, eaten facefuls of roasted marshmallows and told stories, they fell into bed and slept soundly except for the odd toilet break which is a WHOLE other adventure! Well worth it and something we'd highly recommend. There are some nice sites in Strandhill in Sligo.
5. A boat trip
It can be something as simple as the Viking splash in Dublin, or walking down to the pier and watching the boats bob gracefully, but being near the water is always an adventure. We recently drove to Dingle to see Fungi the dolphin and it was a wonderful way to spend a weekend. The irony is that we never actually saw Fungi himself - but we had a ball. Being huddled together against the cold and laughing into the breeze as we spotted Skellig Michael (to shouts of 'there's Luke Skywalker!') are some of the loveliest memories I have made in a long time. We'd highly recommend a jaunt seawards! Just make sure you pack the winter woollies!
Let's be honest, life with children is one big adventure. It is a brand new world of challenges, joys and discoveries. Adding a dash of fun and encouraging your family to experience those adventures together is something really lovely. It is also a great way to create really special memories that you will all cherish together AND a way of giving them a sense of wonder about life that will stand to them forever.
Happy adventures, mamas!
