Nothing bonds family members faster than a fun and enjoyable family outing. It may take some planning, but the end result is worth it. 

Here are some ways that you can plan a pleasant family outing this summer – all without breaking the bank.

Start with a Nice Lodging

A pleasant lodging enhances your vacation. Rather than going for budget hotels, why not try staying in a cabin or a lodge instead? You would be surprised by how affordable these places often are.

If you are going to be visiting the coastal area of Australia, say, at a North Coast Holiday Park in Ballina, a cabin would be just the perfect place to stay for you. 

When you have had enough sun, you can return to a comfortable, homely cabin where you can enjoy the views outside while you rest.

Visit Petting Zoos

You always have the option of visiting zoos near you. Alternatively, you can also visit petting zoos, where your children will enjoy interacting with the animals they see. 

Australia is rich with Mother Nature’s gifts. There are lots of options for how to show your children all the beauty the country has to offer.

If your children are young, you can also take this opportunity to teach them about different animal species, their habitats and the sounds they make as well. 

Have Fun in the Indoor Parks

You can still organize your family activities even if the weather is too hot or rainy. There are many indoor parks that you can take your children to. There are indoor play centres, trampoline centres or even the play area in the Bunnings store near you.

Most indoor parks are located in malls too, so the adults have the option to head off for their shopping spree session when the children are done playing. 

Camp in the Backyard

Host a barbecue night and set up tents to give your young ones the experience of a different lifestyle, all from the comfort of your backyard.

Consider digging a small pit for a campfire in which your family members and you can roast marshmallows while sharing stories at night. 

Check to see whether or not there is a total fire ban before lighting any outdoor fires, though.

You can enrich this camping experience by enforcing a no-phone policy, and include stargazing into your night-time activities. Be sure to prepare blankets for everyone, as it may be colder at night when you are sleeping outdoors.

Play with Water & Colours

Did you know that you can create colourful washable paint with cornstarch, food colouring and water? 

This paint mix can be used as squirtable ink in a water gun for a messy, colourful painting session. 

Alternatively, you can also add this paint mix into balloons, and have an exciting water balloon fight.

The best part about this colourful playing session is that the ingredients are safe for consumption, which means that you do not need to worry about your kids accidentally getting some of these colours in their mouth.

Visit the Museum

Summer holidays can also be a good time for you to introduce your children to the history of your local town or of Australia itself. 

Most museums are family-friendly and would have different historical themes as their focus. Some would be art-focused, while others are about the Australian culture.

Choose one that is close to you and explore the histories of your town. 

You might even be surprised by some town trivia that you were not aware of. By the end of the museum visit, you can discuss the most exciting findings of the day with your family members.