Oz Bubs @ Wizard of Oz

Help celebrate Playgroup NSW's 40th birthday at Wizard of Oz Funland in Hollylea Road, Leumeah on Wednesday the 1st of August from 10am to noon. Entry is FREE for existing Playgroup members. This event is being held in conjunction with Campbelltown Zone playgroups.

Recipe for a rainy day

If your little ones are starting to get cabin fever from all this wet weather Macarthur's been having, here's a recipe for home-made playdough:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1 cup flour
2 tbs cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
Few drops of food colouring.

Method:
Mix the dry ingredients in a saucepan then add the wet ingredients. Stir over a low heat for a few minutes until the mixture starts to congeal. (I know when this happens because my hand and arm start to ache!) Once it's a solid lump, allow to cool before turning out onto a floured board and knead lightly to ensure all heat from the middle is released before giving to children.

This recipe is based on the one in the ABA's NMAA Cooks - Recipes for Busy Mothers, which is a fantastic cookbook full of old-fashioned cheap and easy to make recipes. You can buy it from Mother's Direct or get more info from the Facebook page.

You can also find the recipe in double the quantities on the back of packets of McKenzie's Cream of Tartar. I sometimes also add glitter and / or a few drops of lavender essential oil. For older kids, if you don't mind messy hands, add the food colouring drops into the middle after it's been cooked and cooled and then let the kids knead the dough which changes colour as if by magic.

Home-made playdough will keep for several weeks in an airtight container.

Free activities these school hols

We all seem to be feeling the pinch these days so if you're looking for some free activities to keep the kids occupied these spring holidays, read on.

The bike education centre is open 10-3 every day during the school holidays except for Monday 4th which is a public holiday. This is a great location for kids aged 2-10. Scooters or bikes are allowed but helmets must be worn. Entry is free.

For older kids, the skate park on Hollylea Road at Leumeah is a great place to hang out. For skaters, skateboarders, scooters and BMX bikers, it has rips, a wave wall, a mini-pipe and a square rail. I have no idea what any of that is but the word on the street is that Leumeah skate park is "da beast". I suspect the fact that it's just across the road from Woodbine Maccas, Hungry Jacks & Krispy Kreme Donuts adds to the appeal. It does get very crowded though.

I've mentioned Mount Annan Botanic Gardens a few times in this blog as one of our favourite places to visit because of the great playground and picnic areas. But the $9.00 entry fee for cars puts us off visiting more often. However, on Tuesday 5th October, the gardens are having a free entry day and according to their Facebook page, there's going to be some craft activities happening too.

The blue tree: one of the many attractions in Mount Annan Botanic Gardens

What's on this weekend in Macarthur?

If you've got no plans for the weekend, head down to Aldi in Ambarvale (45 Woodhouse Drive) on Saturday to help celebrate their 1st birthday. There will be clowns and free food samples from 8:30am. Proceeds from a sausage sizzle will go towards the Bradbury Ambarvale Bears Soccer Club so it's a good excuse to have a sausage sandwich for breakfast.

After you've had your fill of yummy food, maybe head to the Woodland Road Public School Spring Fair in Helen's Park where there will be rides, market stalls, food stalls and games zones from 9am to 4pm.

Or enjoy browsing around the Camden Craft and Fine Food Fair at Onslow Park in Argyle Street. The fair starts at 8am and runs through until 4pm.

In the evening is one of our favourite events - Cinema Under the Stars at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens. This year they'll be showing Up and either Marley & Me (great movie for dog lovers but take tissues if you're sentimental) or The Blind Side. Food and drinks stalls are available or take a picnic. The fun starts at 6pm.

On Sunday, if you're not planning to enjoy some pedal power at the free Ready to Ride day event in Macquarie Fields and would prefer to enjoy some more sedate meanderings at the Camden Park House Open Day from 10am to 4pm. Tour the house and gardens of this historic Georgian home. Entry is $10 for adults.

Or head to Camden's taste food, wine and music festival at Camden Town Farm, Exeter Street from noon to 5pm.

Whatever you get up to, we'd love to hear about your weekend!

Kidz Club at The Party Kingdom

The Party Kingdom at Ingleburn are starting their KidzClub and Parents Group this Friday, 26th February. The group runs for two hours from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Cost is $5.00 per week ($3.00 each additional child) and includes tea and coffee for parents, craft activities and games for the children.

Kidz Club is a great chance for your kids to gain social skills and have fun in a clean and friendly environment. Also a great chance to meet other local parents. See the website or contact Carrie on 0433 612 420.

Feel like a scrap?

If you're into scrapbooking; card, invite or gift-tag making then you might be interested in the inaugural Sale A Bration Spectacular by local Stampin' Up! demonstrators planned for Saturday the 6th of February. The event runs from 11am to 4pm and is being held at the Ambarvale Recreation Centre in Woodhouse Drive, Ambarvale.

Entry is $25 at the door or $20 if you book and pay before January 21st with proceeds going towards a local charity. There will be door prizes, showbags, displays and more so if you're a little bit crafty, pack up your scissors, trimmer, etc. and put a stamp on your calendar!

Thomas and tipples

Have you got a Thomas mad toddler in the house? Well did you know you don't have to travel al the way to Sodor Island to see him? That's right, Thomas and his friends hang out right here in Macarthur! The Train Shed is located within the grounds of Vicary's Winery just south of Luddenham. It's very easy to find and well sign-posted along the Northern Road.

The Train Shed is a popular outing for us. Kids (and parents) can go for a ride on Thomas, Percy, Toby and James. The track has been extended in recent years and there's now even a tunnel. There's also a cafe serving drinks and snacks - they do a great Devonshire tea - plus a shop to stock up on Thomas gear. Admission is free. Train rides are $4.00 per child.

If you haven't been out to the Train Shed before, this Sunday - Father's Day - is a great day to visit because there's free rides for Dads and Grandads and a free sausage sizzle. If you can't make it this weekend, I recommend going on the second Sunday of the month when they have their craft fairs. The kids can go for a train ride, Mum can browse the craft and nick-nack stalls and Dad can do a spot of wine tasting - it makes for a good local day out with something for everyone. The location is stroller friendly and there is usually ample parking.

The Train Shed is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 4pm. For more info visit http://www.thetrainshed.com.au/ or follow the Vicary's Winery link to the left.

Kites for Kids

Kites for Kids is a free annual event held at Koshigaya Park in support of families raising a child with a disability. We went along on Saturday the 23rd of August. It was very gusty so it was perfect weather for kite flying. Perhaps not so much for kite making but with all hands - and occasionally knees - on deck to stop them flying away during the construction process, kids were able to make a kite and then easily send them aloft.

There was also a jumping castle and face painting. The Rotary club were there supplying food and drinks via a sausage sizzle. Volunteers handed out show bags to parents and windmills to those too young to have a kite flying licence.

The event has been running for seven years as a fun way of raising funds for and providing information about local services. Pop it in your calendar to drop by for next year, it makes for a fun couple of hours in between Saturday shopping.