Well Melbourne, here we are with lockdown 2.0 and you may be thinking how on earth can I keep the kids entertained second time around?

This is certainly a challenging time for many families as they navigate tough restrictions, home schooling, work commitments, park closures and more.

So, take a breath, we have been through it once, we can do it again and here are some of our handy tips to keep your kids entertained during lockdown:

Pen pals

While it may be a new concept to your kids that us oldies actually used to send letters instead of emails, it can be fun to get your kids to write a letter to their friend and send it in the mail. Ask friends and family who would like to be involved, get their address and start writing. If your child isn’t quite at the writing stage, why not get them to draw a picture, colour in a drawing or decorate something with stickers. You will be surprised how excited a child can get receiving a letter in the letterbox!

Cubby houses, puppet shows & make-believe adventures

You don’t need much more than a good imagination, a couple of sheets and some chairs to create the ultimate indoor cubby or puppet show. Kids love it when an adult can get involved at their level of story-telling. Sail the high seas, navigate alien invasions, steer clear of pirates - the possibilities are endless. And your kids will love the adventure!

Treasure & scavenger hunts

This is a great way to keep kids entertained by hunting for treasures and can be done both indoors and outdoors. Why not come up with a list of treasure items the kids have to find, print off a list and get them searching! Some areas in Melbourne have even started Where’s Wally hunts and Where is the Green Sheep walks. All of which can be done in your own home! Good House Keeping have some great resources on creating scavenger hunts that you can find here.

Games nights

Why not dedicate a day or night during the week to play your favourite board games and card games? Classic games such as Uno and Snap are great for the young ones and can help consolidate learning numbers, patterns and colours. Games like Twister, Operation, Pictionary, Scrabble are classics games to get the kids involved in, and if you’re up for a challenge, there is always a game of Monopoly to be had!

Get baking

You would be surprised how much some kids enjoy baking and being involved in the cooking process. Make a list of foods you would like to bake each week and have your kids help out in the kitchen. With so many recipes online to choose from, you are sure to find a tasty recipe or two that will keep everyone happy! Woolworths have some great recipes suitable for kids here.

How have you been keeping your kids entertained during lockdown? Let us know on our Facebook page.

Winter is just around the corner, and as many of us have been spending an unprecedented amount of time indoors already, it can be a challenge to think of new ways to entertain the family. With recent restrictions in place, time indoors has significantly increased and it can be hard not to feel a sense of ‘cabin fever’ setting in. Winter may seem a bit gloomier this year than normal, so we have come up with a guide to get you through the coldest of seasons. We have complied a list of activities you and your family can enjoy to help bring some warmth and fun into your home!

Winter cooking

Winter is a great time to brush up on those cooking skills and involve the whole family. Think slow cooked meals, delicious casseroles, warming desserts and lots and lots of baking! Woolworths have a myriad of delicious winter recipes you can test out over the coming months you can find here. From chicken curry, easy baked tacos to banana muffins and poached pears - we are sure you won’t be disappointed!

Craft activities

When the weather is cold and gloomy, it’s a great time to get creative! Set yourself and your family weekly craft challenges to make together. Happiness homemade have a great variety of winter craft activities that anyone can make. For all your art and craft supplies, head to Fantastic Home & Gifts for some art inspiration!

Movie and take-away nights

When the cool weather sets in, organising a movie and take-away night can be the cosiest of options. Head to the Video Ezy Express kiosk to pick the latest in blockbuster movies and take your pick for dinner options with Subway, Sushi Sushi, Hermit House and Crunch Gourmet Pizza there for your convenience. For the perfect night in, top it off with a bottle of red from BWS!

Game nights

If you’re up for a little competition, why not stay in and challenge your family to your favourite board game! Pictionary, monopoly, chess, twister, scrabble.. there is sure to be a game to suit everyone. With so many options to choose from, you can have a lot of fun indoors without having to leave the house.

Redecorate your house

What better time to freshen up the house than in winter when you are spending more time indoors? Let this season be the time you restyle or revamp those rooms you have been thinking of doing but haven’t had the chance! Head to Fantastic Home & Gifts for a variety of gorgeous homewares, vases and pots, prints and mirror frames to get you on your way to a revamped house.

For all your winter comforts, head on down to Thrift Park Shopping Centre.

Current restrictions have seen the rise of people venturing outdoors and going for a daily stroll to counteract the fact many of us are spending much more time inside. Winter may be cooler and wetter than its predecessors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t venture out for a day walk, a quick stroll around the block or a walk with your beloved pet!

Mentone has some picturesque and historical walking trails to add to your to do lists this winter!

Here are our top picks for walking locations around Mentone to get you out and about exercising, and exploring your neighbourhood:

Mentone Historical Walking Trail

Discover Mentone’s rich history, charming architecture and character, as this 4km walk leads you to this area’s poignant features and historical landmarks. The one hour and ten-minute walk will guide you through a geographical time warp and highlight some of the town’s most important landmarks. The City of Kingston have developed a pocket guide to provide all the historical information you need to complement your adventure. You can download your copy here.

Mentone Beach North Walk

Starting from Mentone Beach and stretching northwards along the foreshore to the high red cliffs of Beaumaris, this stunning coastal track is one of the best in the state. This 2km trail offers stunning and serene beach views, with native flora and fauna at your perusal. The well-maintained trail offers built in seating for those moments you want to rest or simply take in the picturesque scenery. Enjoy spectacular cliff top views, and cosy niche’s hosting picnic areas should you wish to stop for a bite to eat.

This is a walk for the whole family - dogs included!

Black Rock to Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary

For a coastal adventure exploring crystal clear shallow waters, sandstone reefs, sea caves and rockpools, Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary is still a great place to visit in winter. Although swimming is off the cards in winter, there is so much to explore here as Rickett’s Point is home to unique animals and plants that call these rockpools home.

Make a day of it by starting your walk from Black Rock Gardens, following the sealed pathways accessible from the ramp and take the Bay Trail along Beach Road. The easy walk is just under 3km and well worth the views! For more information about Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary visit the Parks Victoria website here.

Don’t forget to grab all of your winter essentials from Thrift Park this season. For our guide to keeping entertained this winter, don’t forget to check out our blog post here.

This Mother’s Day on Sunday 10th May 2020 will be unlike every other year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current social restrictions in place. Unlike every other year, traditional family lunches, picnics or social gatherings are simply not possible as social distancing rules require us to stay at home. So, we have put together some ways you can still celebrate Mum & let her know she is special and loved.

Order a special meal

The Mother’s day lunch does not have to be scrapped this year. Instead order a special meal and get it delivered to Mum’s on the day.

Maybe Pizza might be on the menu for dinner? With a range of delicious gourmet or traditional pizzas from Crunch Gourmet Pizzeria; Order via Menulog so Mum can enjoy not cooking or cleaning up this year!

View their menu here!

Or perhaps a fresh lunch from Subway would suit Mum - delivered with Uber Eats.

On the other hand, if you live with Mum you can cook a special meal she will love. Woolworths have a great range of easy recipes where you can create a shopping list & pick up all the ingredient you need. Search for a recipe here!

Is Mum a seafood lover? Drop by to speak to the team at Fishi Business about all the fresh seafood at the best prices.

Organise a gift to be delivered beforehand

Whether it is a big bunch of flowers or a special gift, arrange your gift to be delivered to Mum before Mother’s Day. You might get a gift card form Woolworths or a nice bottle of bubbly from BWS. There are also other meal or gift vouchers that you could buy to treat mum this year.

Catch up virtually or post a special message

Drop into Fantastic Home & Gifts who stock a range of lovely cards, or if you are feeling crafty - create a personal and thoughtful card or handmade gift. Arrange to post this in the mail beforehand to arrive for Mum’s special day. On the day organise a virtual catch up with Mum or give her a call to let her know just how important she is.

How are you spending Mother’s Day with your Mum this year? Let us know on our Facebook page!