Finding things to do with the kids at home can be a challenge so we've put together some ideas, Freo style.
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS!
Rediscover the books of your childhood with your own kids. Check out the 'classics' or find a brand new favourite story. New Edition Bookshop and Paper Bird Children's Books and Arts have wonderful children's books. New Edition Bookshop is able to arrange delivery for phone orders and Paper Bird Books has an online store. Paper Bird Books has also put together some care packages for local book lovers as well as some lovely interviews with authors and illustrators on their YouTube channel - Paper Bird Books Home Club.
Image: Paper Bird Children's Books and Arts
STOCK UP ON PUZZLES AND BOARD GAMES
Toyworld Fremantle has got you covered for board games, puzzles, LEGO and more. The team at Toyworld are full of ideas for the best ways to keep the kids entertained.
Image: Toyworld Fremantle Facebook page
GET WILD ABOUT FREO
Whether you’re an expert, nature lover or you’ve just had more time recently to stop and smell the flowers, the City of Fremantle asks you to help observe and record what’s wild about Freo! Many of the plants and animals spotted in Fremantle and WA's south west are found nowhere else. We’re located in a global biodiversity hotspot, which means the area has over 1,500 plants found nowhere else on earth! Can you record your observations and share your research? Log on to the Wild About Freo project page on the iNaturalist platform and record your finds. Let them know what you find in your backyard or even when you are out and about locally. Be sure to take a writing pad and pencil with you on your outings to make notes and draw pictures of what you see. You can share your stories and pictures at My Say Freo.
ONLINE COURSES FOR KIDS
A period of isolation is the perfect time to realise your dream of playing an instrument! Penny Lanes Music Workshop has online music lessons available for both kids and adults teaching guitar, piano, violin, voice, ukulele, drums, flute, saxophone, banjo, bass guitar & clarinet. And Fremantle's Piano Easy at The Old Boys School have online piano lessons. As an introductory offer to the PianoEasy Online Program, players can access the first month for free in both the kids and adults course (no lock-in contract).
Circus WA have just launched term 2 of their Virtually Circus Program of online classes and they have something for all ages. The program offers 35 unique circus classes and 3 performance troupes training programs. Maybe all this time at home is perfect for learning and developing some new skills!
Image: Circus WA
MAKE A PUPPET
The team at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre have been getting creative. They have put together some videos on making puppets using materials found in the kitchen.
Image: Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
GET CREATIVE WITH MINECRAFT
Let imaginations run wild with the endless possibilities of Minecraft. The City of Fremantle joined forces with City of Canning to create LibraryCraft, a Minecraft server with multiple worlds for WA players between 7–17 years old. This creative world will keep kids busy and their minds active, with exciting challenges and monthly competitions to win.
ARTS AND CRAFTS AT HOME
If you are looking for arts supplies then Jacksons Drawing Supplies Fremantle has you covered. From clay, painting and drawing to feathers, matchsticks and paper mache masks, they got kids sorted for arts and craft at home. With an online store and easy delivery, or a quick pick up from their Fremantle store, Jacksons has got everything you need to get creative.