When it comes to unstructured play outdoors the gold standard may well be time spent camping with family and friends.
Camping together as a family is a great time to bond, and also has many other benefits. No electronic distractions means you can focus on each other and do things together you might not ordinarily do if you were at home, like play card or board games, toast marshmallows and tell spooky stories.
Obviously there is a lot to be said for putting the tent up or laying out the swags on the back lawn when you are looking to turn a run-of-the-mill weekend at home into something out of the ordinary. If you are game for a bit more, there are lots of great camping options throughout the ACT.
There are a number of easily accessible camp sites managed by the ACT Government, the majority of which feature toilets and cleared, flat tent sites. If you want to venture further out of the ACT, the below links are also great resources.
Camping provides so many opportunities for learning and discovery. Whether its activities like fishing or hiking or how to set up camp, there is something to learn every time you head outdoors.
Camping makes being active easy and more fun. Whether it's playing in the creek, climbing trees, trekking up a hill or playing hide and seek, you’ll be exhilarated, connected and exhausted at the end of each day.
What’s not to love?
If you’ve never camped before as a family, watch the introduction to camping videos that our friends at Nature Play WA have created to help you get started. Some of the information is specific to Western Australia but most of the advice and tips are useful for you and your family no matter where you want to camp.