Fun family ideas for the long weekend

Easter and Family Day are upon us - and what better way to spend your holidays than making special memories with the entire family. Megan van den Heever chatted to KZN Kids website founder Merle Dieterich about what family-friendly activities on offer in our province.

 

Family time is quality time

 

Merle is a firm believer that family time is instrumental to building strong, meaningful relationships with your children. “Our lives are so hectic, if we don't pause for a while and make an effort to spend quality time with our children by talking, playing or just being together, it will affect the quality of the bond between us in the future.”

 

Plan an outing

 

“Why not plan a day or outing where you eat and play together and generally spend some quality time. This is the best time to switch off your phone and step away from the computer- you don’t want any outside distractions”.

 

How you spend your time depends on your  family interests; you may be an outdoor family, love animals or you may love to stimulate your mind says Merle. “There are great action orientated activities, places with animals, playgrounds, museums and child friendly restaurants to visit.” 

 

Alternatives to going out

 

For pocket-friendly activities that won’t cost you a cent - why not stay home and get your hands dirty by painting and decorating Easter eggs or whipping up a storm in the kitchen. “If you decide to stay in, you can do things like choosing a recipe and cooking together, playing board games like scrabble or monopoly or even finding a craft activity to get creative with. The most important thing is to have fun, relax and really communicate.”

 

What’s on offer in KZN this Easter

 

A host of family-friendly activities will take place during the Easter weekend (29 March-01 April 2013). They include;

 

Easter Egg Hunts 

Animal lovers are in for a treat: have fun with your family and Durban’s beloved sea life at Ushaka Marine World, who claim to be organising Africa’s largest Easter Egg hunt. The Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) will also host a hunt, with plenty of animal sight-seeing too.

 

Outdoor Fun 

Spend time with the fuzzy and furry animals at the Flag Animal Farm in Salt Rock, cuddle your very own pony at the Pony Camp or take a horse ride at the Giba Gorge Horse Trails in Mahogany Ridge.

 

Craft Markets

Hop on the Easter Steam Train and enjoy a breath-taking ride from Kloof to Inchanga where you will stop at a craft market.

 

Holiday programmes

Akimbo Kids Daily will host an ‘Eggstravagant’ Easter Adventure whilst Kings Sports in Hillcrest will host an action-packed holiday programme for children of all ages. Funtubbles promises Fun Family Days in Umhlanga and Family Funfair is on at the Midlands Mall. 

 

Museums and exhibitions

If you’re looking for some ‘infortainment’ visit the Durban Natural Science Museum, The KZN Science Centre, the Old Courthouse Museum, the Port Natal Maritime Museum and the Shoreline Archaeology Museum (PMB) which are all open over the public holidays. 

 

For more information on what is available in KZN, visit: http://www.kznkids.co.za/holiday_activities.html#Easter