Abseiling in the Grampian Ranges
If parenthood isn’t the most anxiety generating experience of one’s life I don’t know what is. I worry about my children’s safety and development more than is probably healthy. I have been blessed with three beautiful kids, two of whom are confirmed thrill-seekers, the third, aged only 18 months is a suspected one. As far as I am concerned I have two choices with my kids –either to keep them cloistered inside as far from harm as is possible, or to embrace the thrill-seeking together. I chose the latter. As a result I seek out family activities that are exciting, but that are organised in a controlled, safe manner. These activities have the benefit (usually) of getting my kids out in nature, and improving their physical fitness. They are also activities that I enjoy myself, no standing by the sidelines in this family. So, without further hesitation here are five of our favourite family thrill seeking activities.
Tree-surfing
Tree-surfing involves participants negotiating a ropes course high in the forest canopy. Not just for adults, most tree-surfing operators have a course for young children. With the right safety gear and responsible operators I’m more than happy for my young kids to surf among the trees.
Ages of kids tree surfing: 4 and 7
Favourite place to tree-surf: Enchanted Adventure Garden on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and Jungle Xtreme Adventures Park in Phuket (kids tree surf over a huge circus style net)
Tree Surfing Nippers Course at the Enchanted Adventure Garden
Sea kayaking
My personal favourite sea kayaking combines being in a fabulous locale – out on the ocean with upper body exercise. On lucky days sea kayakers will spot turtles and other sea life. Well-fitted life vests are a must, and until she is older my one year old doesn’t sea kayak with us – this is an activity only for my kids that can swim.
Ages of kids sea kayaking: 4 and 7
Favourite place to sea kayak: Any where along the coast in North Queensland, Half Moon Bay in Melbourne and Phang Nga Bay in Thailand.
Sea kayaking in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay
Climbing and abseiling
We recently stayed at the Big 4 Parkgate Resort in the Grampian Ranges. The Grampians is arguably Australia’s abseiling capital so my kids were thrilled to have the opportunity to try abseling themselves. The abseiling was conducted as part of the Big 4 Parkgate Resort’s school holiday program. Of all the thrill seeking activities I let my kids try, this one made me the most anxious. Seeing my 4 year old step over a rocky outcrop ten meters from the ground was a heart in throat moment. Once again though, with the appropriate safety gear and supervision by trained operators I was comfortable with the safety and the kids have lasting memory.
Ages of kids abseiling: 4 and 7.
Favourite place to abseil: Grampian Ranges in Victoria and indoor at Clip and Climb Richmond
Bub 6 at Clip and Climb in Richmond
Tobogganing
Just last weekend we visited Victoria’s Mount Baw Baw for a day of family tobogganing. This was a great activity for the entire family including our one year old who tobogganed on our lap. The key to a safe tobogganing experience is to avoid runs that are overcrowded, as the biggest risk is of collisions. Tobogganing is only fun if kids are dressed appropriately for the snow in layers, with waterproof gear and snowboots.
Ages of kids toboganning: 1, 4 and 7.
Favourite place to toboggan: Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort inVictoria
Tobogganing at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort
Sand dune boarding
I was only recently introduced to the joys of sand dune boarding. The premise is simple – boarders hurtle them down a sand dune on a boogie board. Tremendous fun and an activity you can do with toddlers (on an adults lap). The downside is hiking back up the hill after each run.
Ages of kids sand dune boarding: 1, 4 and 7
Favourite place to sand dune board: The sand dunes at Blairgowrie in Victoria.
Sandboarding Blairgowrie Beach
There is however one activity that plenty of young thrill seekers enjoy that my own kids are not allowed to do. That is to ride a motorcycle. Call me a kill joy but I am appalled at the statistics from 2013 that showed an increase in injuries among children riding motorcycles in our home state of Victoria. In a four year period over 3000 children were injured riding motorbikes Victoria alone. One of the reasons is that the riding of motocycles by children off road is not legislated, meaning poor safety is common place. I’m all for encouraging my kids sense of adventure but motorcycling is where I draw the line.
I’d love to hear from other parents – what activities do you do with your young thrill-seekers and what do you think about kids riding motorcycles?
These are all great adventure activities for kids! My kids went kayaking this summer for the first time and loved it and they’re big fans of skiing (and tobogganing!). Sand dune boarding sounds particularly fun. I’m with you on the motorbikes though!
I Katja,
I didn’t mention skiing in the post because my kids have very limited experience of it but I’m so keen for them to learn.
I’m with you. My kids can do all of these activities except for motor cycle riding. Also, no parachuting. Jumping out of planes is where I really have to draw the line. : )
Hi Kirsten,
Yes, not so keen about my young ones jumping out of a plane. I do however have one that I’m sure will do it as soon as he is old enough to go without his mum’s consent!
It’s always a difficult balancing act of risks vs. experiencing…life- and I am definitely on the cautious side. In general, I believe in the US we are used to more safety precautions in general (wearing helmets, rides supervision etc). My husband and kids tried tobogganing in Switzerland recently (the 6yr old together with my husband) and she did fell out…as did a couple of other kids in an hour that we were there. I would not let her go tobogganing again as there is also a risk of someone running into her…
Hi Victoria – our own experiences of tobogganing have varied so much – the key to safety does seem to be how crowded the runs are. In a two week period we visited two different alpine resorts and had completely different experiences of tobogganing – one positive the other really negative.
We have some great opportunities in Utah for tobogganing, climbing, and sand sledding. And we tried sea kayaking on a vacation this summer!