Kids on the Coast - Party & Play Guide 2022 - Sunshine Coast by Shore Media

HEAD

P&ARTY PLAY We’ve found the BEST LEGO party on the Coast

How to host a sugar-free party

14 awesome playgrounds you must visit

SUNSHINE COAST

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CONTENTS

HIP HIP HOORAY! LET'S PLAY AND PAR-TAY! No matter what the last few years have thrown at us, the world has not stopped turning. Our kids continue to get older, and they still need to play and be kids. So, to help you ensure these important things still happen in 2022, we’ve put together our Party & Play Special! Head to the Party section for the best party venues, party games, party food, and tips on hosting a rockin’ party. Whilst our Play section has a round up of the Coast’s best playgrounds, skate parks, and loooooads of play ideas for all ages to ensure there is always fun to be had.

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CONTENTS

A brick-tastic new party venue in Maroochydore..................... 5 The best kids birthday parties on the Sunshine Coast.............. 9 Featured venues.......................................................................... 15 A next level birthday party......................................................... 16 Can you host a sugar-free birthday party?..............................20 Quick and easy party food........................................................ 24 Bringing back the belly laughs with kids................................... 34 14 awesome playgrounds........................................................... 37 16 sick skate parks.......................................................................41 Sensory play ideas......................................................................44

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PART Y

LOOKING FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES?

A BRICK-TASTIC NEW PARTY VENUE

IN MAROOCHYDORE

e chat with Gavin Hodgkins from Bricks 4 Kidz Sunshine Coast about the new LEGO® Creativity Centre, and find out why this is tipped to be one of the Coast’s favourite party and play venues.

Congratulations on opening such an awesome LEGO Creativity Centre! What prompted you to take the leap and open a bricks and mortar space (scuse the pun!)? I've been running Sunshine Coast Bricks 4 Kidz for seven years now—doing mobile parties, pop-up school holiday camps and school

incursions. And it's always been somewhat of an ‘on-the-side’ venture for me. But as things got busier and busier, it became apparent we really needed a permanent centre to operate from. So, I took the leap and opened a dedicated Bricks 4 Kidz Creativity Centre. The new centre means we have a fun, colourful space to hold heaps of regular activities. Parents can have confidence that our school holiday workshops are always on and are held in the same place. Plus, all the LEGO is in one spot now, rather than scattered across every corner of my house!

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What was your reason for including birthday parties when planning the centre? As a parent, I know first-hand how stressful it is each year when birthdays come around. And doing the mobile LEGO parties, I’ve seen the challenges of trying to hold a party in a home. The chaos and the mess just isn’t something that parents want to deal with! So I wanted to offer a simple, really fun LEGO-themed party that could be tailored for any age and interests. Where parents don’t have to worry, the kids have a great time… and it’s all very simple. The main thing that we’re trying to do with the parties is make it more of a personal experience for the kids. So, when people book a birthday party at the Bricks 4 Kidz Creativity Centre, they get the entire centre just for them. And we have a range of different activities and themes that we can run, each fully tailored to the child and the group.

What can a parent expect from a Bricks 4 Kidz birthday party? “The party runs for an hour and a half. We do one hour of LEGO-based activities and games tailored to the child. We might do a crazy tower build, or creative mosaic builds around the theme. Having the whole centre means that parents really can run it how they want.

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The theme could be Superheroes, Minecraft, Star Wars, Princesses. And then we align everything with the theme and really make it all about the child in question and about them having fun. After an hour of activities, the group moves to another part of the centre for food, followed by cake. Eventually we’ll have a range of food options available. But at the moment, we provide everything you need for the party itself— plates, napkins, cups, cold water—and the parents bring any food and drinks they want. And parents have the option of upgrading their party to include LEGO Mini Figures, lolly bags and also extra party time. Before and after every birthday party, the centre is thoroughly cleaned and re-sorted, so parents can rest assured their party is safe and sanitised.

PART Y

What other activities are available at the Sunshine Coast LEGO Creativity Centre?

Now we have a permanent space, we can host a variety of regular school holiday workshops. We run creative workshops where we might focus on character building and how to build with Technic LEGO. We do a junior robotics program as well using Technic LEGO, in which we build then attach it to a laptop and they then program the motor to do different things, adding in backgrounds and sounds. It’s a really fun introduction to coding and robotics. And we also do the advanced robotics workshops, which are more of an introduction to real-world technology, where they are

Yes, absolutely! We’ll have several instructors for the party, dependent on the size of the group. All of our instructors are blue card screened and fully trained. Most are primary teachers in training - in their final year of studying primary education at university.

building battle bots and using touch sensors. During term-time, we now have a homeschool program too, where we might do a robotics session one day and then a Technic session another day. We aim to align these sessions with the central subjects required for home schooling. For example, we might do the space program, so each week the children will build a different Technic LEGO model from the NASA space program. We talk about what it is and what they use it for. So, it's like a little bit of STEM plus a little bit of science, looking at the actual theory around that. It’s still playbased learning and organic learning. But it gives it that bit of structure. We do after school programs too. We'll run a central theme and make the builds a little harder each week for them. As these sessions are always in small groups, we can also heavily align these activities with the individual kids, and expand on their level and interests. And, we still do our school incursions, where we bring the bricks to you for a fun READ session of LEGO-based STEM activities. READ

Do you have LEGO instructors there to help with the games and setup?

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PART Y VENUES

THE BEST KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY PARTY AND HIT UP ONE OF THESE FAB VENUES.

Action and Adventure Parties AUSSIE WORLD Birthday parties at Aussie World are super easy, all you need to do is bring the guests and they will do the rest! Choose from two party packages—either unlimited rides for three hours, or unlimited rides all day. Both party packages come with party food and a reserved table for your use. They can even supply the cake! Minimum eight children required. aussieworld.com.au

B L I B L I AQ UA PA R K You can do your own birthday party and bring all your own food and drinks, or the Aqua Park can cater the entire party for you. They can provide a reserved table, lunch, drinks, lolly bags and birthday cake. There are a number of party options with different activities or they can tailor your party specifically to your requirements! blibliwatersports.com.au

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PART Y VENUES

L A S E R TAG IN A B OX Delivered to your doorstep, these big boxes of laser-guided fun have absolutely everything you need to host the most epic kids lasertag party—in your own home. Everything arrives ready to play. The instructions are easy to follow and the controller comes with several game options including Capture the Flag, Rush and Free for All. It’s value for money and easy to manage! lasertag.com.au N E X T L E V E L A DV E N T U R E PA R K Take your birthday party to the next level! Kids over the age of six can swing, leap, climb and fly above Maroochydore with their friends on the epic Next Level Adventure Park. They have several party packages—depending on the number of circuits, and whether you want extras like access to the viewing deck and a reserved picnic table. Participating adult supervision is required for kids ages 6 to 12 years, or you can keep your feet on the ground and hire an instructor! nextlevelpark.com.au/groups THE BIG BOING With a massive free jumping area, a slam dunk area, dodgeball court, giant airbag, toddlers area with foam pit, The Big Boing is a great venue for your birthday boy/girl to burn off steam with their mates. There are several packages available, based on age and food preferences. All include grip socks, a party table for 30 minutes and an hour of jumping. thebigboing.com.au/the-big-boing-party-2

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Indoor Parties BRICKS 4 KIDS The BRICKS 4 KIDZ® Creativity Centre in Maroochydore is one of our favourite birthday party venues. Appealing to all interests and ages, there’s always brick-loads of non-stop LEGO® birthday party fun for kids! They offer plenty of activities with a range of themes to choose from, including Superhero Academy, Spinning Ninjas, Mining & Crafting, Princesses & Palaces and Amusement Park Mayhem. They want it to be a personalised experience for the kids, so you have exclusive run of the Centre for the duration of your party. Prefer to stay at home? They offer mobile parties too! bricks4kidz.com.au/qld-sunshine-coast

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CHEEKY LITTLE MONKEYS P L AY C E N T R E A perfect party venue for the little ones, Cheeky Little Monkeys offers a range of party options to suit your needs. All options include unlimited play time in their soft play centre for the duration of the party and after! Bring your own food, or you can organise platters from one of the many vendors within Kawana Shoppingworld. If you prefer to party at home, they also offer a selection of mobile soft play options. The Cheeky Little Monkeys team will come to your venue before the party, set everything up, then return to pack it down once the party is finished. cheekylittlemonkeysplay.com.au/party-venue

CHIPMUNKS, SIPPY DOWNS Chipmunks offers a variety of birthday themes for little ones. Parties include playground access, one-hour dedicated party room, and a special party menu that comes with a variety of additional options. chipmunks.com.au HYPT Whether you like to disco, create, theme, run or get pampered HYPT has it all under one roof! Party themes include Ultimate HYPT, Harry Potter, Princess and Pirate, Slime, Hypt Zone Ninya, Nerf Wars, Glow Disco, Silent Disco… it will be the party your child remembers forever. hypt.com.au/projects-2

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PART Y VENUES

K I D D LY W I N K S F A I R Y P A R T I E S Bringing the party to you, Kiddly Winks Sunshine Coast Fairy Parties provide non-stop laughter, magic, sparkle, amazement and fun for your little fairies! kiddly-winks.com.au L ASERZONE SUNSHINE COAST No mess, no fuss, just plenty of fun for kids! Laserzone parties include three laser tag missions, three arcade tokens for each player, bottomless popcorn and water, large pizzas of your choice, a party table for the duration of booking and a party host to ensure things go smoothly. laserzonesunshinecoast.com.au

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PIXELS ARCADE, NOOSA A Pixels birthday party has everything your gamer kid wants. Enjoy an hour of unlimited play in the arcade, that includes all your favourite arcade games such as air hockey, basketball hoops, racing games and more. And if you want more, there is the option of adding on an hour in their epic platinum gaming lounge. Their party packages include plenty of pizza and drinks, and a dedicated party host, so there’s nothing for Mum and Dad to do other relax and try out some of the yummy cocktails. pixelsaustralia.com/noosa-eventsparties#birthday-parties

TIPS

IF YOU ARE WORKING TO A BUDGET, KEEP NUMBERS SMALL AND THINK ABOUT WHETHER YOU NEED PARENTS TO REMAIN AT THE VENUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN CHILD. MOST VENUES ALSO PROVIDE CATERING, SO CHECK AHEAD OF TIME ON ANY ALLERGY PROVISIONS, IN CASE SOME GUESTS HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS.

R O L L E R D R O M E F A M I LY S K A T E CENTRE The Rollerdrome has two party options—a day and a night. Both include entry and hire, snack chips, a bottle of water, a slushy drink and a hot food option. They also offer private parties! rollerdrome.com.au/parties RUSH ADVENTUREL AND Probably one of the easiest parties possible, a Rush Adventureland party can cater for kids from 1 to 15 years old, and they have a range of party packages and themes to suit every child and every budget. rushadventureland.com.au/party-packages

SEA LIFE SUNSHINE COAST Make your child’s birthday splash-tacular with a party at Sea Life! With 11 different zones and optional extras available, this is one of most unique birthday party venues you will find. From the party invitations to the food, drinks and cleaning up the mess, SEA LIFE will take care of everything. And, as SEA LIFE is completely indoors, you don’t need to worry about the weather. visitsealife.com/sunshine-coast TIMEZONE, SUNSHINE PL AZA With heaps of awesome games to play, preloaded Powertickets to spend at the Prize Shop, a dedicated party host to organise the fun, and zero stress for parents, Timezone has your next birthday party covered. They have several party packages available, depending on how many activities you want and food inclusions, and a really easy online booking process. timezonegames.com/en-au/locations/timezonesunshine-plaza STRIKE BOWLING & HOLEY M O L E Y, B I G TO P The beauty of Strike Bowling and Holey Moley is that you can mix and match your activities to suit your child’s interests. Choose from 9 or 18 holes of mini golf, add on bowling, an escape room… a bunch of pizzas and snacks. The food is fabulous and they include a party host too—making it a breeze for parents. Perfect for energetic tweens and teens, it’s a fun, safe and supervised party for all everyone. strikebowling.com.au/parties/kids-parties

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PART Y VENUES

Outdoor Parties BELLINGHAM MAZE The beautiful gardens and maze café at Bellingham Maze are the perfect location to host a kids next party. Suitable for all ages, the maze and the many other puzzles and activities offer a fun-filled, engaging, outdoor party. Bellingham Maze can offer everything from a location only, through to fully hosted events. You are welcome to self-cater, hire a BBQ or have them look after the entire event. bellinghammaze.com B I L LY ’ S B U D D I E S Billy’s Buddies takes the stress out of planning a party and puts on a jam-packed, fun and exciting sports program for your child and their friends. They will supply the coach and equipment to run the party for you, all you have to do is supply the food and choose a location! Games and activities can be themed, and invitations are included, providing a very affordable birthday party. billysbuddies.com.au/services/parties

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SUNSHINE BUTTERFLIES Enjoy two hours of farm-filled fun! Meet and greet their furry and feathered farm animals, play farm games and activities on their lovely green lawn. Party includes full access to the playground and treehouse, a farm-themed table, drink station and decorations, and a party host to set up, pack down, take you on a farm tour and assist with games and activities at the party. You can bring your own food and cake or they can cater for you. All proceeds are donated to Sunshine Butterflies disability charity, supporting people living with disabilities and their families. sunshinebutterflies.com.au/functions-events/ kids-parties WILDLING FOREST SCHOOL Looking for a party with a difference? Wildling Forest School birthday parties are perfect for your wild child! Get your child and their besties outdoors, challenging themselves with new life skills and making memories as they light fires with flints, build cubbies and rafts and have good old-fashioned fun together! Choose from a range of activities, including cubbies and shelters, raft building, tinkering workshop, flower crowns, crystal jewellery and crafts, and simple bows and arrows. wildlingsforestschool.com/birthday-parties

FEATURED VENUES

READ

course where all you have to bring is your swimmers. 2. Easy to organise with no clean up required. Say the words ‘kids birthday party’ and many parents break into a sweat. It’s stressful to organise and no-one enjoys the clean up! Holding your birthday party at a City Aquatics pool instantly takes both of those worries away. 3. It gets them active with their friends. A pool party gets the kids off the screens and in the water having fun with their friends. 4. It’s great for their swimming ability and water confidence. Learning to swim and being

Whether you’re five or 15, nothing says “party” quite like a pool party! The team at City Aquatics, the home of Rackley Swimming, share five reasons why a pool party is the BEST way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. 1. It’s inexpensive and flexible. A pool party at the local swimming pool is an affordable and fun way to celebrate a birthday. Each venue is unique and offers a different set of birthday party packages, catering, and activity options—from simple Marco Polo and BYO food, to a fully catered affair with an inflatable obstacle

Celebrate your next birthday with a splash at City Aquatics!

confident in the water is critical for all Queensland kids. A pool party is a great way to get kids in the water, building on those skills - and they don’t even realise they are doing it! 5. It is FUN! Yes, a pool party is super fun! From pool games and inflatables to playing in the water with friends, it’s an active, fun party that all kids will enjoy.

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A NEXT LEVEL BIRTHDAY PARTY

GOT A KID THAT LOVES TO CLIMB? WHY NOT CELEBRATE THEIR NEXT BIRTHDAY IN THE SKIES?!

f you’ve been to Sunshine Plaza in the last 12 months, you’ve undoubtably seen groups of excited people zipping around the lines over Cornmeal Creek. Yep, Next Level High Ropes has filled a much-needed adventure gap in the skies of Maroochydore, and thrillseekers of all ages can’t get enough. But, as well as the regular circuits that many of us have picked our way around, did you know that Next Level also does epic birthday parties? What better way for a little ninja to celebrate their next milestone than swinging, leaping,

climbing and flying above Maroochydore with their friends?! WHOA , BACK IT UP! WH AT I S N E X T LE V E L? Next Level Park is Australia’s largest high ropes course on poles! With four challenging levels spread across seven high wire circuits, the adventure park has over 145 aerial challenges including 16 ziplines stretching up to 135 metres across Cornmeal Creek. You can select your own adventure by choosing from low, easy, 10-metre circuits,

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PART Y

up to adrenaline pumping 18-metre ones. Climbers ages six and over can traverse along tight ropes, scramble across nets, balance on bridges and soar through the air on a zipline! “There is something for every level of participant, starting from the age of six and ranging up through all ages and skills to the most capable climbers, who will enjoy the challenge of the three most difficult courses which reach up to 18 metres above the ground,” says Treetops Adventure Group, General Manager, Nicolas Dansin. “It’s our first ever urban outdoor ropes course, but excitingly we’re also able to bring everyone a little closer to nature with our ziplines flying climbers over the creek! Also, being located at the Sunshine Plaza means that anyone can enjoy a full day of adventure.” S O U N DS G R E AT! S O, WH AT ’ S AT T H E PA R T I E S ? Next Level has three party packages to choose from. Standard Ticket: $25 per child • 1 circuit – choose your level onsite • 10% off for groups of 10+ • Digital invitations Party Starter: $35 per child • 1 circuit – choose your level onsite • 10% off for groups of 10+ • Viewing deck access • Picnic table hire (1 hour max) • Digital invitations • Reusable drink bottle • $25 voucher for the birthday child

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Party Extreme: $55 per child • 2 circuits – choose your level onsite • 10% off for groups of 10+ • Viewing deck access • Picnic table hire (1 hour max) • Digital invitations • Reusable drink bottle • $45 voucher for the birthday child Participating adult supervision is required for kids ages 6 to 12 years. However, you can hire a Next Level instructor to climb with your crew. They will hang around with the kids so you can keep your feet on the ground! #partywin

fast facts NEXT LEVEL HIGH ROPES COURSE AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST ROPES COURSE ON POLES

CIRCUITS TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR TO COMPLETE

140 PARTICIPANTS CAN BE ON THE PARK AT ANY GIVEN TIME

MORE THAN 1KM OF ZIP LINE

YOUNGEST PARTICIPANTS FROM 6YO+ 145 AERIAL CHALLENGES

LONGEST ZIP LINE IS 135M 22M VIEWING PLATFORM WITH 360-DEGREE VIEWS OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

“Keep your feet on the ground and hire a Next Level Instructor!” WH AT ’ S TH E V IE WIN G D ECK? If climbing is not for you, then take in the sights and enjoy the expansive 360º views of the Sunshine Coast from the 22-metre-high viewing deck above the circuits. If you hire an instructor for your party, you can relax and get plenty of snaps of your crew going around the course from here. It’s also a great spot if you have little siblings to entertain that aren’t climbing. It’s open to the elements, so remember a hat and sunscreen.

MORE INFO NEXTLEVELPARK.COM.AU

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PART Y FOOD

Can you host a

sugar-free birthday party? W

hen we were kids, sugar was the cornerstone of any kids’ birthday party. But today, parents are looking for ways to reduce that sugar rush. Author of Modern Dilemma Kids & Sugar, Emma Wilson, shares her tips on how to host a sugar-free party without losing any of the fun!

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Instead of filling pinatas with lollies, fill them with fun trinkets such as bouncy balls, pencils, marbles and erasers. It doesn’t need to be filled to the brim, just enough for kids to come away with something.

PROVIDE SUSHI, SAVOURY CHIPS, POPCORN OR FRESH FRUIT. MOST OF THE TIME KIDS DON’T EVEN NOTICE THERE’S NO LOLLIES! A COLOURFUL TABLECLOTH, COLOURFUL BALLOONS AND STREAMERS SERVE AS FESTIVE REMINDERS THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY.

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Be refreshing. What would happen if you lived by your own compass? Demonstrate that kids’ parties aren’t a competition about who has the biggest and the best, but about getting people together, celebrating and feeling part of a community.

SERVE WATER, AND ONLY WATER. KIDS OFTEN DON’T REALISE THEY’RE DRINKING IT AND THEY DON’T FEEL THEY’RE MISSING OUT. YOU CAN USE COLOURFUL PAPER STRAWS, COLOURFUL CUPS OR REUSABLE MINI-WATER BOTTLES TO MAKE IT MORE FESTIVE.

Opt for a simple homemade cake where you can control the ingredients. Don’t feel pressured to present a pinterestworthy creation! One handmade with love, along with all its bumps and lumps, will be adored by your child.

Party bags really are optional. If you must, there are plenty of fun alternatives to filling them with sugar treats. You could give a little pot with a cactus or plant, or a decorated paper bag with a few stickers, a yo-yo, cute pencils or a toy. Or you could have the guests decorate rock pets, or they could make dream catchers, a bracelet, bath bombs or other craft to take home.

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PART Y PL ANNING

organising

TOP TIPS FOR THE PERFECT PART Y Pull off the perfect party without breaking a sweat!

Set a date a minimum of six weeks prior, and have guests RSVP two weeks in advance. Have a specific time for the party – for example 1pm-4pm – giving yourself plenty of time to set up and tidy up. Time younger kids’ parties around sleep times, to make sure they have a good time! For 2-5 year olds, morning parties work best. For over 5s, choose anytime that suits the family schedule. Ask for allergies or special dietary requirements on the invite so you know ahead of time whether you need to cater for something different.

Keep a list of invited guests so you can easily tick them off when they RSVP.

SEND INVITES AS SOON AS YOU SET A DATE. USE WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU: TEXT, EMAIL, OR OLD FASHIONED PAPER!

Always have water and sunscreen available if the party is to be outside. Finger food is best for kids’ parties; kids don’t eat much when they are busy and excited! If you are doing a BBQ, get small-sized things to save on wastage, such as small dinner rolls and mini sausages. Kids love games so dedicate a large time for pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, statues, musical chairs. (Though be careful of prizes that could be choking hazards for kids under 3 years old).

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Theming a party is always fun! Colour themes are great and easy to organise. If you struggle to find party supplies at the moment, make some paper chains from coloured paper, and bunting from scraps of material. Sleepovers require completely different planning to a day party. Have plenty of healthy snacks and water to make sure kids don’t stay up too late. Popcorn and movies are a great way to get kids to settle before bed. Little touches such as matching PJs are a great, and a very simple way of making it an extraspecial night.

IN SUCH CHALLENGING TIMES, KEEP IT SIMPLE! KIDS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN WITH THEIR FRIENDS

Brick-tastic BIRTHDAY PARTIES Choose any of our FUN and popular themes

With the world’s most popular provider of LEGO®-themed birthdays!

DIFFERENT PARTY PACKAGES, INCLUDING: DELUXE PREMIUM THE WORKZ Book Now! Brand new centre in Maroochydore

bricks4kidz.com/qld-sunshine-coast ghodgkins @bricks4kidz.com 0477 077 060

RECIPES

Quick and easy party food Put on an awesome spread for your kid’s birthday party without spend hours in the kitchen!

CH I CKEN A N D ZU CCH IN I N U G G E T S Makes approximately 20 nuggets • 500g free-range chicken mince • 2 tbsp milk • 1 cup (100g) packaged wholemeal breadcrumbs • 1 small zucchini (courgette), coarsely grated • 1 golden shallot, finely diced • 1 heaped tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley • 1 tbsp olive oil or rice bran oil METHOD

From One Handed Cooks by Allie Gaunt and Jessica Beaton

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1. Combine all the ingredients, except the oil, in a large bowl. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix until thoroughly combined. You can lightly fry the shallot before adding it to the mixture, if desired. 2. Shape tablespoons of the mixture into nuggets and place on a tray lined with baking paper. 3. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Cook the nuggets, in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, for 4 minutes each side or until light golden and cooked through. Transfer to paper towel to drain.

SIM PL E PIZ Z A

Serves 4 • 1 quantity of pizza dough or purchased pizza base • 4 tbsp basic tomato sauce • 4–5 thin slices prosciutto or salami (replace with mushrooms or eggplant for a vegetarian version) • 5 tbsp grated mozzarella • a handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped • 8 cherry tomatoes • a good handful baby rocket leaves • olive oil • salt • freshly cracked black pepper

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 200C. 2. Roll the pizza dough out into a large thin circle. Place on a large oven tray lined with baking paper. 3. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 2 cm (0.8 in) border around the edge. Layer evenly with the prosciutto to cover. Sprinkle with mozzarella and basil. Scatter the tomatoes over. 4. Place in the lower half of your oven and cook for 7–10 minutes, or until the dough is cooked. 5. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little rocket, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper. 6. Cut into pieces and serve.

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HEAD

SU PER SL ID ER S WI T H H OM E M A D E TOM ATO S AU CE

Makes 12

SUPER SLIDERS

• 2 large stalks kale • 500g (16 oz) minced beef • 1 small onion, grated • 1 clove garlic, finely grated • 1 large courgette (zucchini), coarsely grated • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 2 tbsps quinoa flakes • 1 tbsp tomato paste • ½ tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper • 12 small slider (burger) buns • lettuce leaves, tomato slices, avocado slices for assembly. H OM E M A D E TOM ATO DIPPING SAUCE

• 25g (8 oz) organic tomato paste concentrate • 60ml (3 fl oz) pure maple syrup • 40ml (11⁄2 fl oz) white wine vinegar • 90ml (3 fl oz) water • 2 tsps onion powder • 1 tsp sea salt • ½ tsp garlic powder • ½ tsp mustard powder • ¼ tsp ground cloves

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METHOD

1. To make tomato dipping sauce, place all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until all the ingredients are combined and smooth. Place into a glass jar with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using, or overnight. 2. To make the sliders, thoroughly wash the kale. Remove and discard the tough stalk then chop the leaves very finely. 3. Place into a bowl with the mince, onion, garlic, courgette, chia seeds, quinoa flakes, tomato paste, oregano, salt and pepper. 4. Mix to thoroughly combine then shape into small flat patties or whatever size you prefer. 5. Heat a large non-stick frying pan and coat with a little extra virgin olive oil. Cook the patties on both sides. If you flatten them out (rather than rounded), the patties will cook more evenly throughout. Alternatively you can grill, barbecue or cook the patties on a griddle pan. 6. To assemble the sliders, lightly toast the buns, layer with some lettuce leaves, slices of tomato and avocado, top with the patties and serve with tomato dipping sauce or any other favourite sauce.

HCE IAPDE S RE

R OA S T ED C A R R OT H UM MUS

• 600g carrots • ½ tsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp coconut oil or other good quality oil • 4 cloves of garlic • 3 tbsp tahini • 1 tsp finely grated ginger • 3 tbsp of lemon juice • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 190C. 2. Place the carrots in a single layer in a roasting tin and rub oil, coconut oil and salt and pepper into the carrots. 3. Bake for 25-30 mins or until carrots are really tender. Allow to cool. 4. Place carrots and olive oil into a food processor and process until smooth. 5. Add the garlic, tahini, ginger, lemon juice and mix again until smooth. 6. Add a little water if too thick. Add extra seasoning if you feel it needs it. 7. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge or otherwise freeze half and then defrost when needed.

C A R A M EL PE A N U T B U T T ER FU D G E Makes 12 squares • 1 cup dates soaked in ½ cup water for 10 minutes • ½ cup LSA mix (Linseeds, Sunflowers and Almonds) available from all supermarkets or you can make your own • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter • 1/2 cup coconut flour • sesame seeds to decorate (optional) METHOD

1. In a small bowl, soak the dates in the water for 10 minutes to soften. Then drain the water. 2. Place the dates and LSA mix into a blender and blend to form a paste 3. Add the peanut butter and coconut flour. 4. Continue to blend until mixture comes together. 5. If the mixture is too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time. If the mixture is too wet, add 1 tablespoon of coconut flour or LSA mix. 6. Line a tupperware container with baking paper. 7. Using your hands, press the mixture evenly into the container and using the back of a spoon, flatten the top of the mixture to make it flat. Or you can roll the mixture into balls. 8. Optional - Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and press into the mixture. 9. Chill in the fridge overnight, or if you can't wait that long, place in freezer for an hour or two. 10. Using a sharp knife, cut evenly into squares.

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RECIPES

Recipe and image: taste.com.au

H E A LT H IER CH O CO L AT E B R OWN IES

• 3 eggs • ½ cup coconut flour • ½ cup cacao powder • 1/2 cup rice malt syrup or coconut nectar • ¾ cup butter METHOD

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well combined. 2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. 3. Line a small shallow baking tray with coconut oil or baking paper. 4. Pour the mixture in and flatten out with a spatula. 5. Pop in oven for 10-15mins. To ensure cooked, stick a knife through middle and make sure the knife comes out clean.

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

CH O CO L AT E B A N A N A TOA S T IES

• Raisin bread • Butter • Nutella • Bananas, sliced METHOD

1. Preheat jaffle maker. Spread four slices of raisin bread with butter one side and Nutella the other. Place two slices butter side down into jaffle maker. 2. Place sliced banana on top and top with the other slices of raisin toast, Nutella side down. 3. Toast for a couple of minutes until gooey. 4. Let cool slightly before serving.

HEAD

Easy PART Y

G A MES

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

GAMES

If you're totally new to the world of birthday parties, the most important thing is not to panic—it's only a birthday party! The trick is to have some easy games up your sleeve, to ensure the fun never stops. Here are our favourites.

lthough it's natural to want everything to go without a hitch, it's almost inevitable that something will go slightly awry on the day. The key is to not make a fuss and simply move on to the next activity. It can help to have the rules of a few games memorised so you can quickly get the guests involved in a game while you sort out any problems. Here are a few good ones for little kids, and the bonus is they are pretty ‘low energy’, so are quite useful if everyone’s getting a little flustered or out of control! There’s no need to have a prize for every activity—explain to the kids upfront that they’re playing just for fun and you may find they’ll enjoy it more. There are also less tears and tantrums when someone gets ‘out’ if they know there’s nothing riding on the outcome of the game. DOG AND BONE The great thing about this game is that it can easily be adapted to different themes—for example instead of a ‘dog’ and ‘bone’ it can be a ‘pirate’ and a ‘treasure’ or a ‘princess’ and a ‘crown’. The children sit in a circle. One child sits in the middle with his eyes shut and a ‘bone’ (cardboard is fine) behind him or her. The adult

points to one of the children in the circle, who then has to sneak in, grab the ‘bone’ and put it behind his back. All the kids now put their hands behind their backs and say “Doggie, doggie, who’s got the bone?” The child in the middle (who is the ‘dog’) opens his eyes and gets two guesses to try to and choose who has the ‘bone’. If the ‘dog’ guesses correctly, he or she gets another turn. But (as will more than likely be the case) if he doesn’t, the child with the bone becomes the new ‘dog’. WHO AM I? The children all sit in a circle. One child is chosen to put his head down and close his eyes. The adult in charge then points to one of the children in the circle who says “Who am I?” The child with their eyes closed can open them and try to guess who it was. If they guesses correctly, they have another turn. SLEEPING ANIMALS One child (or the adult in charge) calls out the name of an animal and everyone has to move around like that animal would move. When the leader calls out “Sleeping [name of animal]” everyone has to drop to the floor and lie still with eyes shut. Anyone that moves is out—they can then become one of the judges. BALLOON ROCKETS If creating balloon animals out of those long, thin balloons is too hard, blow up a balloon for each child and then, on the count of three, everyone points them skyward and lets them go! See whose balloon goes the highest! Make sure you collect them all afterwards.

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GAMES

ROUND THE BROOMSTICK Set up a table with an upturned plastic cup on one end, and a small (wrapped) chocolate or lolly placed on top. Take the kids to the other end of the room or yard (about 3 metres away) and give the first one a broomstick. Tell them to hold the broomstick with both hands and put their head up against it so they’re staring at the ground. Then they have to quickly turn around four or five times, keeping the broomstick touching the ground in the middle, until you say “now”. You then grab the broomstick and the child has to walk quickly to the table and try to pick up the chocolate without knocking it over. There may be a few spills and tumbles so if you play this game indoors, make it on a soft floor and allow plenty of space!

THE CLASSICS Musical Statues: Everyone stands up, play some music and everyone must dance. When the music stops, everyone must freeze. Anyone that moves is out and they become one of the judges. Musical Chairs: Get enough chairs for everyone in the party to sit down and place them in a row. Alternate which way each chair is facing. Then take the end chair away. When the music starts, all the children walk around the row of chairs. When the music stops, everyone must sit down. The one child left standing is out and becomes one of the judges.

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

Pass the Parcel: Ahead of time, buy a simple prize and wrap it in a layer of newspaper. Continue to wrap it in single layers of newspaper until you have a nice, big parcel. At the party, sit the kids in a circle and start the music. Children pass the parcel to each other in a clockwise direction. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel removes a layer. This continues until the last layer is removed. The child holding the unwrapped prize wins! Piñata: Always a party favourite, pick up a piñata from the local party or dollar store, pop some lollies in, hang it up and then let the kids take turns trying to burst it by hitting it with a broom handle.

Did you know? THE FIRST COMMERCIAL SAUSAGE BALLOONS WERE M A N U FAC T U R E D IN 1912. PEOPLE BEGAN TWISTING BALLOONS TO MAKE ANIMALS BY TH E L ATE 1930S .

THE FIRST EVER B I R T H DAY PA R T Y I N V I T A T I O N was sent out sometime around 100 AD by Claudia Severa, who was the wife of a Roman commander. The invitation was written on Roman slabs as paper had not yet been invented.

B I R T H DAY TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD Nose Grease (Canada) In Canada, the birthday boy/girl is ambushed by friends who rub butter on their nose to ward off bad luck for the rest of the year.

THE L ARGEST T E A PA R T Y E V E R WA S HELD IN INDORE, INDIA, WITH 32,681 TEA DRINKING GUESTS.

The tradition of having CANDLES ON A CAKE CAME FROM T H E G R E E K S . They wanted to create a glowing effect for their moon-shaped cakes which were offerings for Artemis. Thus, candles were added.

Flour Dusting (Jamaica) On their birthdays, kids in Jamaica are ambushed by their friends and dusted with flour on their birthday. Cake on the head (Ireland) A newborn baby’s forehead is sprinkled with a left over slice of their parents’ wedding cake. This is to give the child good luck. Ear pulling (Hungary) The birthday boy/girl will have their ears pulled by their friends while a saying which translates to “may you live so long that your ears touch your ankles” is repeated.

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P L AY

Bring back the

belly laughs Feel like you are so busy you forget to have fun? Parentline is here with some tips on how to bring back those belly laughs with the kids.

s we all know, play is an integral part of childhood. Play can positively benefit children’s cognitive development, social skills, gross skills, fine motor skill and much more. As parents, we want to support our children’s development as best we can. But sometimes it feels like we are so conscious of optimising the time we have, that we may be forgetting the most important thing for our kids—FUN! Simple, belly laugh-inducing fun. What if we make that the marker of quality play? Belly laughs. You know the type—the side-splitting, ‘Mum/Dad must be a comedian’, tears rolling down their cheeks kind of belly laugh. There is such delight in those moments. As parents, we want to foster beautiful connections with our kids and one positive way to do this is through play. Our role as parents in these moments is simply to be present. We want to be genuinely interested and invested in what our children love. Now, this is not always easy, especially when we are expected to engage in talking about Pokémon or Minecraft or, in my recent experience, retro Godzilla movies. But children

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

can tell when we are not wholly invested. Kids get a sense of brim-filling joy when they have their parent’s undivided attention, even in short bursts. KNOCK IT OUT You will need: Some recycled bottles, a tennis ball and stocking. Put the ball in the stocking and put it on your head. Challenge: Knock over bottles placed on the floor. Who wins? Whoever knocks over the most bottles in one minute. D E F Y I N G G R AV I T Y You will need: Balloons Challenge: Bounce two or three balloons in the air without them falling on the floor. Look at safe ways to sabotage the other player. Who wins? Time it and see who can bounce balloons for the longest. FLO U R S C I S S O R S PA P E R R O CK You will need: A plate, flour. Challenge: Scissors, paper, rock—winner gets to gently push the other player's face into flour

P L AY

Who wins? Well, this one will be obvious. W H O S E L I N E I S I T, A N Y WAY ? You will need: Your imagination. Challenge: Take turns to add a line to a story. Think big, think silly, there's no limit! Who wins? Everyone. BUILD A FORT You will need: Everything! Blankets, chairs, pillows, teddy bears…

Challenge: Build the biggest, best fort together. The challenge is getting it to stay up. Who wins? Everyone. By Kimberley Harper, Parentline Manager Keeping families connected is important but it is also important for parents to notice when they need outside connection too. Our kids do better when parents are effectively supported. Parentline have trained counsellors available to listen and help guide you through whatever is happening.

YOU C AN C ALL 1300 30 1300, SE VEN DAYS A WEEK , BE T WEEN THE HOURS OF 8A M AND 10PM OR VISIT PARENTLINE .COM . AU FOR WEBCHAT OR EM AIL SUPP ORT.

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Bring back the belly laughs HEAD

Play is an integral part of childhood.

Whether that’s jumping on the trampoline with the kids or building sandcastles on the beach.

Kids do better when parents are sharing the moment. We’re here to help and support. It’s FREE, non-judgmental and confidential counselling, available 7 days a week. Call 1300 30 1300 or WebChat with us via parentline.com.au

1300 30 1300 parentline.com.au

P L AY BELLS REACH

14 AWESOME

playgrounds Looking to keep the kiddies entertained without it costing a cent? Here is our pick of the best playgrounds on the Sunshine Coast. B E L L S R E AC H P L AYG R O U N D, CALOUNDRA This revamped playground is a children’s wonderland. With tunnels, rock climbing, a crow’s nest lookout and slides, there’s so much to keep them active here. Toddlers are well looked after, too, with a mini adventure play area in lovely soft sand. To add to the fun, there’s a soccer field, handball court, table tennis table, bocce court, hopscotch court and paths that are perfect for bikes and scooters.

CHAMBERS ISL AND, MAROOCHYDORE One of the Sunshine Coast’s most picturesque playgrounds lies on this little island, connected to the mainland by a 130-metre-long footbridge. With spectacular water views from every angle this pirate-themed playground has swings, a slide, and plenty of ways to keep the kids amused. G R A H A M E S T E WA R T PA R K , CURRIMUNDI Families can spend hours at this redesigned park which is all safely fenced. There’s a multipurpose court, flying fox, kids bike track with traffic signs, two playgrounds and picnic tables under shelters with barbecue facilities.

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P L AY G R O U N D S DICK CAPLICK PARK, EUMUNDI Located right next to the Eumundi Markets and local cafe strip, this recently revamped park is beautifully set under the shade of mature fig trees. Kids will love the tree fort with a rope bridge, a train with multiple carriages for imaginative play and a giant spinning wheel. Keep an eye out for little ones here as it’s not fenced.

NELSON PARK

L A B A L S A PA R K , B U D D I N A This popular waterfront park is a picturesque picnic spot with three playgrounds—one of which is fully fenced and shaded. Bring your bathers and snorkel as the shallow, calm waters of the Mooloolah River are just steps away. M A R O O C H Y D O R E R OTA RY PA R K , MAROOCHYDORE Located on the foreshore of the Maroochydore River, there are two fantastic playgrounds here, both with soft sand bases. There are rockers, monkey bars, slides, wooden logs, a giant climbing net and plenty of space to kick a ball and have a picnic. This one’s not fenced though, so watch out for the nearby road and water’s edge. MU L L E R PA R K , B L I B L I Bordered by the Maroochy River, this popular park has a great rope tunnel, spinning wheel and swings—which is all unfenced. There’s

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

plenty of room for other activities, too, with a half basketball court, skate park, picnic shelters with barbecue facilities. Part of the park also contains a signed, designated off leash area for dogs. N E L S O N PA R K , A L E X A N D R A HEADLAND This fully-fenced playground is a local favourite. Nestled amongst the duck ponds is a sand-floored playground that little ones will love. There are swings, slides, a fireman pole, walking bridge and mini boat for imaginative play. The central play structure features ADAcompliant extra-wide ramps for inclusive access and assistance from grown-ups, and there’s plenty of play panels at ground-level for those with mobility issues, or for little ones who just want to keep their feet on the ground and feel the sand between their toes! With barbecue facilities, shelter, toilets and offstreet parking, it's perfect for family picnics.

MULLER PARK

PEDAL PARK, AURA Located in Bells Creek, Pedal Park has an enormous slide among its many amazing features as well as a bike track that leads around the play equipment with working traffic lights, road signs, a tunnel and a roller coaster of speed bumps to ride over.

N O O S A R I V E R PIR ATE P L AYG R O U N D Located next to the Noosa Yacht Club, this park is one of the most frequented on the Coast. Its expansive layout features a Liberty swing, sunken ship, a spinning digger, sand conveyor belt, and several slides. Families can spend the whole day here with barbecue and toilet facilities right on the sandy-fringed waterfront. This one isn’t fenced. P E R EG I A N B E AC H PA R K A stone’s throw from the village shops and cafés is a lovely shaded playground right next to the beach. Kids will dig the fort style setup, tunnels and mini flying fox. There’s ample space for picnics and a few steps away is a half basketball court and shaded skate park.

P I O N E E R PA R K , L A N D S B O R O U G H This multi-sensory, all-ability playground is fully fenced and has a fantastic range of inclusive equipment. There is Braille signage, accessible swings, a herb garden and musical play equipment, plus an accessible play house or play kitchen. Kids will also enjoy the flying fox, climbing net, slides, sand play area, grassy area and flat paths for ride-on toys. P OWE R M E M O R I A L PA R K , MUDJIMBA While not fenced, this is a well-equipped beachside park. With a bark chip surface, kids can safely climb the monkey bars, whizz down the slide and swing to their hearts delight. There’s no shortage of sheltered picnic tables, and cafés and toilets are just a few steps away. T I CK L E PA R K , CO O LUM B E AC H This popular park is located right on the beachfront. The sand floored play area has a large climbing frame, slides, swing and small fort structure. There’s a large patch of grass with beautiful shady trees, as well as barbeque, picnic and toilet facilities.

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A NEW PLAY SPACE FOR NOOSA CIVIC

Did you miss the indoor play space whilst it was being upgraded? Yup, us too! Well, the new play space is open and the little ones LOVE it! Still in the same location - at the end of the Food Court - it’s a perfect spot for under five-year-olds to play. And with plenty of food options and great coffee to hand, it’s perfect for a mama catch up too. Kid’s Mornings have also returned, with free activities for your little ones every Tuesday at 9.30am. Held near the play space. The play space has been designed with easy cleaning in mind, to ensure the centre can uphold Covid guidelines. In line with this, the play space will close for 15 minutes every two hours for covid cleaning. Times are consistent so you can plan your trip.

NOOSACIVICSHOPPING.COM.AU

ACTIVE

16 SICK

skate parks ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Got a little skate grom at home who is busting to carve up a half pipe or land that rail slide? Here are 16 of the gnarliest skate parks on the Sunshine Coast!

A L E X S K AT E PA R K With an idyllic beachfront location, this is arguable one of the best skate parks on the Sunshine Coast. With two bowls and a variety of jumps, ramps and rails, it’s a favourite hangout for skateboarders, scooters riders, roller skaters and BMX riders of varying abilities. B A R I N G A S K AT E PA R K This skate park, located in Baringa Town Square, provides shaded and open areas with a combination of jumps, rails and ramps for skating enthusiasts of all ages.

B E E RWA H S K ATE B OWL Located at the northern end of the Beerwah Sportsground, this shaded skate park has coping, spine and grind rails, a seven-foot half pipe with three entries, two grinding blocks, a fun box, three quarter pipes, a declining quarter bank, flat bank and ledges. B I B L I S K AT E PA R K This location offers a smooth ride for skaters of all skill levels. Check out the wedge ramp, grind rail, quarter pipe bank, mini quarter pipe, mini triangular bump bank, declining quarter bank and coping.

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ACTIVE

C A LO U N D R A S K AT E PA R K Located within the Caloundra Aquatic Lifestyle Centre this skate park is fully fenced and supervised by the centre’s staff. The facility features grind rails, grinding block, a double launch ramp, five-foot three quarter bowl, six-foot three-quarter bowl, seven-foot three quarter bowl, two quarter bowls and three spines. Contact the Caloundra Aquatic Lifestyle Centre for entry prices and opening times. CO O LUM B E AC H S K AT E PA R K This facility is located in Tickle Park on the northern side of the Coolum Surf Club. It comprises a continuous bowl junior half pipe, grind block, slide rail, vertical wall drops, manual pod and pump feature. The majority of the skate park is sheltered by shade sails.

D I CK Y B E AC H S K AT E PA R K Newly revamped, this skate park next to the campground is attracting crowds of skating and BMX enthusiasts. There are ramps, rails, grind ledges, bowls, quarter pipes, and lots more. There’s plenty of off-street parking, toilet and picnic facilities too, as well as a playground. E U D LO S K AT E PA R K With its mix of street and skate elements, this park provides skaters and bladers with a smooth ride and plenty of challenges. There’s a mini half pipe, bank flyouts, rails stairs and drops. K AWA N A S K AT E PA R K This facility located on the northern side of the Kawana Aquatic Centre in Bokarina features grind rails, two flat banks, declining quarter bank, banked half pipe, grinding block spine, mini three-quarter bowl, triple hump and quarter pipe. Shade sails cover most of the skate bowl. K E N I LWO R T H S K AT E PA R K Perfect for a camping activity, this skate bowl is located beside the Kenilworth Show and Recreational Grounds. It features hips, banks and plenty of space to practise. L A N D S B O R O U G H S K AT E PA R K This skate park is relatively small but has multiple elements to keep the beginner to intermediate skater entertained. There’s a bowled corner, fun box, quarter pipe, flat bank and rails.

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

HEAD

M A P L E TO N S K AT E PA R K The facility boasts two flat banks, two grind rails, a tabletop, a mini spine, two quarter pipes and a curved bowl. Incorporating a balanced mix of ramp and street elements, it’s ideal for beginners and intermediates. MOOLOOL AH SPORTSGROUND This skate park is suitable for beginners, with ledges, rails, quarter pipes and flat banks. N A M B O U R S K AT E PA R K This award-winning skate park caters for all ages with a variety of skate and bike elements for beginner to intermediate. There are banks, ledges, rails, stairs and ramps, and right next door kids can enjoy a fenced playground, climbing structures and half basketball court.

PA L MWO O D S S K AT E PA R K Located by the Palmwoods Aquatic Centre, this skate park is within easy walking distance to shops and the train station. It has a range of skate elements that are ideal for beginners and intermediate skaters, with a large bowl, as well as banks, blocks and obstacles. P E R EG I A N B E AC H S K AT E PA R K This revamped park is great for all levels. It has a seven-foot main bowl, banks, transitions, blocks and stairs. It’s well-shaded with plenty of surrounding green space for chilling out. YA N D I N A S K AT E PA R K This park is renowned among skateboarders and BMX riders, with a halfpipe, banks, fun box and plenty more.

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PRESC HH EA OD OLERS

Sensory play

MESSY, FUN AND IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPMENT, SENSORY PLAY IS TOP OF OUR PLAY LIST

he first five years of a child’s life are a crucial time for learning. During these early years, a child uses all their senses to explore and make sense of the world, building an understanding of people, objects, spaces and places. As adults, we rely on our senses to help us make decisions thousands of times a day, often without realising. For children, these skills are best learnt through play. W H AT I S S E N S O R Y P L AY ? Sensory play is a style of play that allows a child to safely explore the world using a combination of their senses. Through openended, spontaneous experiences, a child’s touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste are all engaged. In this fun and safe way, a child can start to understand and trust the many textures, sights and sounds that exist, building positive pathways in the brain. It’s messy, fun and the opportunities are endless!

S U N S H I N E C O A S T: PA R T Y & P L AY G U I D E 2022

T H E B E N E F I T S O F S E N S O R Y P L AY Sensory play uses a variety of senses which is critical for brain development and building neural connections. Stimulating all senses also gets kids moving, engaging hand–eye coordination and fine and gross motor skills as they explore, touch, move and manipulate materials in a variety of ways. Sensory play encourages scientific thinking and problem-solving skills, it introduces maths concepts as they measure, pour, scoop, and creativity as they build, shape, sprinkle and taste. Sensory play is great for kids who are fussy eaters or are wary of things, as they can experience new textures such as wet noodles or crispy crackers—using all their senses to find they can trust and feel safe with new foods. Sensory play is also critical to early literacy skills. By experiencing different textures and sounds children learn new words such as slimy, crinkly, hot, cold, crunchy, soft, bright. The best way to learn these words is to experience them!

PRESCHOOLERS

EASY SENSORY Guitar box PL AY IDEAS

Stretch rubber bands over a loaf tin or empty shoe box (without the lid on).

Squiggly spaghetti Mix some cooled cooked spaghetti in a tray of dirt and kids can dig for the ‘worms’. Older kids can use old cooking tongs or tweezers to test out those fine motor skills.

Sensory bucket Add items of different materials and textures to a bucket to rummage in – large pasta shells, teething toys, toy dinosaurs, soft socks… whatever you can find! (Keep smaller items out for those under three years old.)

Sensory nature Go on a walk and collect various things you find - sticks, dried leaves, grass.

Sand and water Half-fill a large tray with dry sand and gradually add water (or just head to the beach!). Kids can experience the different textures and what happens when you mix the two.

Ice and water On a hot day, add ice cubes to a bowl of water. Kids can chase the ice cubes and feel the difference between the two textures and temperatures. Also add different toys to see how they feel and change when they get wet.

Texture balloons Pour a texture into a balloon, tie the top, and see how it feels – cornstarch, rice, marbles, salt, sand, playdough, slime – whatever you can find around the house!

Whisking bubbles Place some water in the bottom of a large washing-up bowl, add dishwashing liquid and a few drops of food colouring and using a hand whisk, kids can make patterns and bubbles by whisking the water.

Alphabet hunt Set some alphabet shapes in a bowl of jelly. Kids can rummage for letters, learning their alphabet and phonics as they go, and the jelly tastes great too!

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