[northernfive]

Hi there
Yeah - it is still summer and we are loving it....but I can't help but start thinking of the coming months and thought I'd start this thread to see what everyone does in the winter here......we haven't had a winter here yet and have been really enjoying the weather and the beauty of this country, but with three children under 5 I do wonder what on earth we are going to do with our time !!
There's only so much swimming and trips to the mall I can handle with three children to manage !! :wah

Any ideas ??? How do you keep yourself busy in the winter ?

[Sam B]

Well there are lots of sunny days, the trees are all evergreen, so bush walks are just as good, ski-ing and sledding if you're near a mountain, walks on beaches - we went swimming in the sea in June in Northland. It's a lot less depressing than the UK at any rate.

[thezorbster]

We arrived here in winter and started as we carried on. Spending time on the beach, making sand sculptures, collecting shells, going for walks, visiting playgrounds etc. Basically all we do in summer but with a few more clothes on. This winter we'll hopefully be heading for the local ski fields to ski and sledge. We'll drop the river tubing and kayaking for a few months though!

It really depends on where you live and what you like doing as we have very few 'attraction' type things around here, it's very much an outdoorsy make your own entertainment type area. I imagine if you're in one of the big cities you could spend time at the museums etc although with 3 under 5s that's probably not much fun either!

You'll probably find the NZ winter weather not so bad as the UK winter weather (if that's where you're from) so apart from extra layers you may be able to continue doing what you enjoy doing. Just wrap up warm, have leaf fights, run around etc etc and have fun.

[northernfive]

I must remember that the winters here aren't going to be as bad as the UK - I keep forgetting!

[thezorbster]

I must remember that the winters here aren't going to be as bad as the UK - I keep forgetting!

Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised - we rarely wore coats outside (inside the rental however I was in thermals, the lot!)

[northernfive]

Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised - we rarely wore coats outside (inside the rental however I was in thermals, the lot!)

Ha Ha:laugh
Yeah I can well imagine we will be doing the same !!! One gas heater for the whole house !! Yikes.

[jubjub]

During winter we go on playdates to other houses, put on a jacket and go to the park, if its not raining you can still do things like the zoo.

Rainy days, I dont know whereabouts you are but there are plenty of indoor playlands (but with 3 it could get pricey) Museum, library story time, hide and seek in the house?

If you dont already go to a playgroup or music group it may be worth looking at that too.

[Familyofmonkeys]

I also have 3 childern under 5.....they run me ragged at the best of times. We spent last winter visiting all of the indoor stuff in Auckland e.g sky tower, museums, zoo etc. We managed some nice walks round the parks/beaches on dry days and did quite a few car picnics when the weather started off OK but then rained. On the very worst weekends when the kids start bouncing off the walls, we take them all out to a coffee shop for some juice and cake. Mind you, we don't go for anywhere posh or busy in case the kids get noisey, but they feel like they are having a tread and we don't have to wash up....good all round! Also there are plenty of free sofy play areas in the bigger Westfield shopping centres. Haven't made it to chipmunks yet though.

[Tia Maria]

Like jub jub says its the rain dodging thats the problem. Sometimes because its so heavy you can't get out and other times because it rains just enough to keep everything at the park wet and soggy.

The beach is a nice option, we do shell collecting, drawing with big sticks or making pictures with stones.

Our local library has a free children's story time.

Move some outdoor gear inside, a little tykes slide aimed into a blow up paddling pool full of play balls, creates absolute chaos in the house but allows them some active time on a really rainy day.

We also have some cover on our back patio so the kids can play with play doh out there, even if it is raining (hate having the stuff in the house anyway!).

Join a Toy Library.

We've only been to an indoor play area once since being in NZ, it was good but like jub jub says, its expensive when you've got 3.

Like FOM suggested we go out to eat with the kids more often in NZ, there are quite a few places that have play areas and are very child friendly. It doesn't have to be a main meal, just a milkshake or a slice of cake to make it feel more of an outing.

Playgroup fills one morning a week and our local community hall also has music and movement classes for under 5s.

I've done puddle jumping round the block (I let the kids come too! :D )

Create artwork to send to overseas relatives

Playdates

I think mainly I'm just very aware that if its not raining, we get out and do something to help them let off steam, like riding scooters to the dairy (my 18 month old pushes his toy lawnmower). Then when it does rain I have a variety of indoor activities lined up.

When does your oldest turn 5? It will obviously get a bit easier when you are down to two!

Cheers

Tia

[northernfive]

Thanks for all that great advise!
My eldest will be 5 in July, so that's one down !! And middle child can start kindie in September......not that I want rid of them, but boy is it hard work these days !!!

[Lupin]

We swam lots!

And also, as others have said, you'll be surprised as it doesn't get bitterly cold so with a coat you can still get out and about but swimming was great, cheap and saw us through rainy days.

In winter it's easy to miss friends and family as you can't pop round for a cup of tea so best to get out and about and accept every coffee invitation going :)

[nippa&pippa]

Like jub jub says its the rain dodging thats the problem. Sometimes because its so heavy you can't get out and other times because it rains just enough to keep everything at the park wet and soggy.



My kids just go out and play, no matter what weather we got :laugh my kids favourite pasttime is try get wet much they can!! :wah :laugh from wet sky & wet puddle to sprinkers!!

[jubjub]

My friends little girl loves puddles and mud (such a tomboy!) and she got her these overalls..

http://www.littleducks.co.nz/main_home.htm

they kept her clothes clean and let her have a ball and get messy!

[Georgebulldog]

Have you had a look at

http://www.kidspot.co.nz/

I've found a few things I'll try now from here as you can search by your area, hope it helps (Thought I'd post it as I'll probably forget & so others can have a look, see you tomorrow)

[Georgebulldog]

My friends little girl loves puddles and mud (such a tomboy!) and she got her these overalls..

http://www.littleducks.co.nz/main_home.htm

they kept her clothes clean and let her have a ball and get messy!

These look great, wonder if I can get some in my size too (after the baby is born) as OH insists we go to the beach even on V.windy rainy days :wah
I'll be ordering later

[nippa&pippa]

I don't know if you can see my son on avatar wearing red overall?
I got it from
http://www.kouldjakids.co.nz/index.cfm/Wet_Weather.html?pidVal=220
Local-made :nice1

[Georgebulldog]

I don't know if you can my son on avatar wearing red overall?
I got it from
http://www.kouldjakids.co.nz/index.cfm/Wet_Weather.html?pidVal=220
Local-made :nice1

Time for a new thread as you've made me think of something I need to know

[northernfive]

Have you had a look at

http://www.kidspot.co.nz/

I've found a few things I'll try now from here as you can search by your area, hope it helps (Thought I'd post it as I'll probably forget & so others can have a look, see you tomorrow)

Cool website!!

[marcia]

have you looked at playcentre at all?

If you are a stay at home mum, its a great way to meet other parents and also be part of your childrens education, and also train yourself at the same time (not like kindy where you hardly step foot in the door - but each to their own!)

I joined one last year and have so many new friends and have also gained lots of new skills through the training.

Anyway won't ramble but it may be another option to consider - they take children from 0-6 years (legal age for school is 6 in NZ!)

http://www.playcentre.org.nz/

[northernfive]

have you looked at playcentre at all?

If you are a stay at home mum, its a great way to meet other parents and also be part of your childrens education, and also train yourself at the same time (not like kindy where you hardly step foot in the door - but each to their own!)

I joined one last year and have so many new friends and have also gained lots of new skills through the training.

Anyway won't ramble but it may be another option to consider - they take children from 0-6 years (legal age for school is 6 in NZ!)

http://www.playcentre.org.nz/

Thanks for that Marcia - I will def look into that - there is one very near us but I didn't know much about it - sounds good. My long term aim once the kids are all at school is to look into pre-school teaching - could be a good opportunity to gain experience. cheers

[Tia Maria]

Thanks for that Marcia - I will def look into that - there is one very near us but I didn't know much about it - sounds good. My long term aim once the kids are all at school is to look into pre-school teaching - could be a good opportunity to gain experience. cheers

Its a great way to gain experience as they will send you on courses. Also a very relaxed attitude and a good way to not just make friends but a genuine support network too.

You tend to have to put in a lot of effort at the beginning but then it eases off once you've done the courses and got to know everyone.

Cheers

Tia

[northernfive]

Its a great way to gain experience as they will send you on courses. Also a very relaxed attitude and a good way to not just make friends but a genuine support network too.

You tend to have to put in a lot of effort at the beginning but then it eases off once you've done the courses and got to know everyone.

Cheers

Tia


How long are the courses ? Would be a bit tricky with three children and nobody to help with looking after the kids here

[peebles16]

Playcentres have been recent discovery for me and I love them - have met lots of nice folk in a relatively short time period and they've been really helpful in answering all my daft lassie questions :)

As for training I think most of it is 'on the job' as in when you are attending the sessions with the kids but could be wrong... Anybody else??

Cheers
Karenx

[Tia Maria]

Ok a freind has very kindly described what she does at her Playcentre (thanks G! :nice1 ):

For Playcentre you have to do the course 1 and 2 before being able to leave any child over 2 1/2. It normally takes about 2 terms to get them done, although you can do them in less time. You have to attend a few talks, at our playcentre they are run in the evenings. They are pretty easy to do and you have to do them so you have a basic knowledge of what to do on a session etc. You do one duty day a week.

It was hard for me at first as Lucy was attending 4 sessions and because I didn't have my course 1 and 2, I had to attend the four sessions with her and take Alex (younger brother) along too.

After I'd completed my course 1 and started course 2 though, I got special dispensation and was able to leave Lucy for two of the sessions and I attended the other two with Alex.

Once Alex was 2 1/2 I got to drop him off for one of those sessions which meant that I only had to attend for my duty day, that was after about 6 months, which I guess is about 2 terms. I think it's more or less the same across all Playcentres although there may be small differences across different regions and also depending how rural the area is.

I'm actually doing course 3 now as we are low on qualified members and we need more course 3 people to have the proper ratios. But it's great for me now as I just do my one morning a week as a duty and drop Alex off for two other days so I get some time to myself. (Lucy is now at school)

Cheers

Tia

[Lupin]

How long are the courses ? Would be a bit tricky with three children and nobody to help with looking after the kids here

our playcentre put up babysitting voluntary rosters for every course. In practice it's very little adn designed with an understanding that everyone who does it will have young children. Worth asking about too as ours had a fairly relaxed attitude to leaving older ones- you just asked another parent to keep an eye out.

[Familyofmonkeys]

How long are the courses ? Would be a bit tricky with three children and nobody to help with looking after the kids here

That was my main reason for not joining playcentre. The local ones all run courses in the evenings. With OH's work and occasional last minute overtime, there is no way I can really commit to doing many evening activities....especially those that start at 6.30pm, when I am trying to get the kids scrubbed and into bed. OH has never had to put all 3 to bed by himself.....I know what he would say if I asked him :o

[peebles16]

Thanks for the clarification Tia and Lupin :)

Karenx

[marcia]

You really need to go and talk to the people at the playcentre where you want to go, as it seems to vary what you need to do on each centre. We have a full time supervisor at our centre who is fantastic (Jackie Jones - another pom been here for 27 years, couldn't believe it when she told me where she came from 10 mins from where we used to live! :exit ) At our centre you only need to complete course 1 before you are allowed to leave your child, but only once they are over 2.5 yrs. Usually the course tutors are quite accomodating and will courses at different times to suit parents if a group of you can do the same time. We also have in our budget money to help pay for travelling costs and babysitting costs if needed.

Do go along and see your local centre, have achat and they usually offer a certain amount of free sessions for you to 'trial' the centre, chat to other parents and just see how it feels for you!

I ended up taking on the position of co-president after only six months (mad i know!) its kept me pretty busy, but i love it!

Good luck, if I can help in anyway you can always pm me!

[northernfive]

Thanks so much for all that info.....really useful stuff.
My parents arrive next week for 3 weeks (can't wait, have missed them so much!!!!), but once they head back to the UK I will def get intouch with my local playcentre. Apparently it's a really good one (my daughters kindie teacher said that, which was a good person to hear it from as she is an excellant teacher)