Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The games we play...

Have I told you that we didn't bring any kid's toys away with us on the road?? It's true! Apart from a teddy each of course.

Part of the appeal of this trip for me was to see if we could do it lightly. If we as a family could live without a lot of stuff. Our house in Daylesford is filled with clutter. I wanted to see if we need it or like it. The limited storage space in the caravan helped make packing decisions easier, but even so on the day we left the cupboards were only half filled.

When it came to deciding which toys to bring, rather than each of my three girlies choosing an age appropriate selection, we brought none.

Instead we decided to leave it up to the op shop/thrift shop fairies.

Over the past two months we have visited op shops along the way and found and bought a huge bag of odd Lego bits, Jenga, a pink spotty tea set in a basket, solitaire, some bottles of bubbles and a selection of books.

Each game we have found has really been played with and enjoyed. Unlike half of those that fill our cupboards back home.

And the best part is that when we get tired of them, we'll donate them back for some other family to enjoy.

There is no sentimental value. I will absolutely never get to the stage when I hate those little pieces of plastic and swear when I step on one. It is a sustainable way to buy and play.

I am secretly hoping we discover a game of Snakes and Ladders or Scrabble next.

Packing lightly has also had the added reward of creativity. These kids have been making plenty. Fairy houses from shoe boxes (below), walkie-talkies from sultana boxes, lanterns from drink cartons...

I am planning one mega clean out when we get home.

And my giveaway is still open on my last post. What began as a thank you to you guys has become such a humbling and emotional experience for me. Thank you for every single entry. You guys are awesome!! I will certainly be reading back on your comments next time I have a 'what's the point of blogging' moment. And if you haven't entered yet, please do, it's open until Friday.

Happy playing. xx

74 comments:

  1. Love it Kate - I brought very little to the UK for our 6 week visit to the grandparents and have found they have been buying bits and bobs from their local op shops for the kid and it is working out just fine and dandy.
    Amanda xox

    ReplyDelete
  2. You've given me even more backbone for the Big Clearing Out. I'm just waiting for the kids to turn their backs...

    ReplyDelete
  3. The op shop - many a holiday saved by one! My son lamented at his Aunties that there weren't more toys but a visit to the oppie and library fixed his boredom with the peg bucket - which lasted well for quite some time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The op shop - many a holiday saved by one! My son lamented at his Aunties that there weren't more toys but a visit to the oppie and library fixed his boredom with the peg bucket - which lasted well for quite some time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think every family needs to do a trip like yours and work out how little they really need in life. I am sure we could get rid of at least 3/4 of our house contents and not really blink an eye in the long run.

    Hooray for op shops!!! I'm sure you will find a scrabble or snakes and ladders soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm impressed - I don't think I could leave home without at least 10 books!!
    It's funny how little kids need. My son Julian is turning 10 soon and I asked him to make a birthday list and after a while he came and said to me ... 'i've been thinking and thinking and there's not really anything I need....i kinda feel like my life is complete and I have everything I need'. Wow!
    I love the fairy house - it's absolutely gorgeous :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. How sweet is that tea set! I'm gearing up for a clear out, just waiting for the right moment (a child free hour or two, and this time I'll remember to donate the toys to some far away opshop so that we don't keep buying them back!

    ReplyDelete
  8. When we moved to Australia it was literally as a family of six with four suitcases (keepsakes and photos followed once we settled) It felt liberating to be free of 'stuff' and we became very selective with what we then brought for our children. We have never been huge on buying mass produced toys, we are an outdoorsy family so tend to stick to things we all enjoy using.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am impressed too. I love the idea.

    A friend recently read some literature which said that kids get stressed with clutter and are so much more relaxed without it. It is a shame then that kids just wont let anything go. Like Tan, I am waiting for a prolongued back turn. A 6 month caravan trip might come sooner :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. if I had it my way I would chuck out 9/10th of the toys in Busys room- they drive me mental all those stupid little bits of plastic- I think we have discussed this before. Its more fun your way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Op-shopping toys was a brain wave! Master Cohen used to occasionally get a book or toy when we went op-shopping, now he seems to think that EVERY time we go op-shopping he should get a toy or book...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Did a toy cull last week while the kids were at school. Waiting for the realisation to sink in with the kids. Lego I must say is always a winner in this house.I love seeing the kids play with it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Brilliant! Op-shop / swap meet toys are truly the best...and the handmade kind of course.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I couldn't have managed it. We could never have left the house without at least some books, paper and textas and a teddy or 2.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a wonderful post - I totally agree! When my girls were little, they'd go to my mum's at the beach for a week every Christmas and that week was my big clean out time here. Thankfully, as they've got older the 'stuff' has got smaller and I haven't had to do it the last couple of years... There is light at the end of the tunnel Kate! But they'll probably get there much faster after this fabulous trip of yours because they'll see how little they actually need the stuff. What a great gift that is :) Kx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Makes so much sense doesn't it........and it's also lots of fun "finding" new toys at the "oppie". Photo's are gorgeous too, hope your all well and happy on your epic journey around the continent!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds fantastic Kate. I read something once by a person who does 'professional organising' (funny job!). I think they were American, anyway, the thing I remember most clearly was them saying that when they encourage parents to clear out their childrens rooms (I don't know how old the kids were), the parents are all like 'no, they love there x toy -whatever toy', anyway the organiser sounded abit 'tough love' and told them to just do it... the organiser said that they (he/she, can't remember) had never ever seen a kid re-enter their room and be sad- he/she said, inevitably, they come in and DANCE. I thought that was amazing (actually, if someone went into my room and got rid of all the shit, I'd probably dance too!). Happy thrift shop fairies to you xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a cool idea letting the op shops decide! Love it! Great finds by the way! You can't go wrong with lego, and that tea set is bloody fantastic!

    Good luck with whatever comes your way next! Exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  19. this is the best yet, I love your adventures, loved them at Daylesford too though. This is the best idea, no toys but op shop toys, unreal. Keep travelling safe.

    ReplyDelete
  20. At our place... which granted is bigger than your caravan... our approach is that we have finite space. Before the birthday & Christmas season the children go through their "stuff" and donate to the oppy in order to make room for new stuff. No donations, no room for new stuff. That's the way we try to roll :)
    Over time we've also found that our children are more likely to play with a cardboard box than any super fancy gadget that we buy them.
    Belonging to a toy library was also good there for a while.

    I just love the way your girls have used their creativity to make their own toys and amusements. Wonderful.

    ...and what about on the road games? Have you been playing lots of eye spy? Have you made up any new games?

    Oh yeah. And have you driven past lots of Boab trees? Our eldest's middle name is Boab. One of the grandest trees I've ever seen.

    Oh... and have you driven through Fitzroy Crossing yet? One of my all time favourite WA towns. Had an awesome night out at the smaller of the locals years back.

    ReplyDelete
  21. So refreshing to visit you every wingle time. Aaaahhhh. This morning I thought to myself "What if we challanged ourselves to NO media in the house for a month...???" I quickly changed the thought to 1 week as I suddenly got a funny worry feeling in my stomach. How would it really be to be without TV, Wii, computer, Nintendo DS games...??? Of course we would do perfectly fine but still... I do have a secret dream about living small, throwing out all the plastic toys, start laying puzzles together in the evenings, play board games as a family and laugh our butts off in doing charades. So why don't we do it? I should really make this a true discussion with my husband. Maybe we should give it a go? I am not worried about me. I am worried about everybody else. On second thought now (or third...) 1 week is to short. We probably could need a month to go through the "media detox" process and find our way back to imagination and play. Sometimes I wish we were really poor so that we couldn't give in for the "Please Mama, can I just choose one toy to bring home. I'll choose a cheap one!" One more toy that clutters the house and tomorrow there is a new toy to add, and the day after that, after that, after that... You get it. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sounds like the perfect toy system to me. ( though glad to hear ted came from home ;)
    Love that by packing lightly they've made their own toys too, it's inspired them to make thing from whatever was on hand.
    and those are the best sorts of toys i think, the toys made by kids for themselves. xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. this afternoon i read this post, put my laptop down and immediately proceeded to the playroom for a major pre-move cull. thanks!

    {now i just need to smuggle the bags out to the op-shop without the hoarders i dwell with realising...}

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love that you pick up and drop off things along the journey at Op shops..you would never know what is going to be the next source of fun and entertainment.
    I think every now and again the gaining of perspective of our stuff should take place....hmmm we are well over due for ours!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a fantastic idea and one I wouldn't mind trying even though we're not on a road trip!! LOL!! Cx

    ReplyDelete
  26. A first I thought - what you packed no toys .. but then as I read on I realised just how clever that was and how great it is to have the op shop adventure of finding something new. Might just have to get have a little clear out here I think!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fantastic Kate, i can not wait to move again & see how much we can give away, start fresh (should be quite easy considering our youngest will be 9 or 10 when we do) & hold onto those toys they truly love. As i live in very much a handmade world many of their softies will be kept forever, well for my girls, i'll only hand over the gorgeous handmade goodies if i like my son's wife, oh boy she has some boxes to tick to win my heart (i say this while he's still only 7). Love Posie

    ReplyDelete
  28. That teaset is a SCORE! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. That is a great idea Kate, and a kind way of re homing unloved toys.
    We might take a few toys because having twins means we would have to have to find two of everything (well in reason).

    ReplyDelete
  30. It's hard to come by educated people about this subject, but you seem like you know what you're
    talking about! Thanks

    my web-site registry cleaner review
    my web site: best registry cleaner

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi there! I was curious to know if setting up a blog
    such your own: http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4573422992082776289&postID=2660420239430668504 is tough
    to do for unskilled people? I've been hoping to create my own blog for a while now but have been turned off because I've
    always believed it required tons of work. What do you think?
    Thanks!

    Look into my web page; anytime fitness swan and sunrise
    My web site :: fashion show themes

    ReplyDelete
  32. Greetings from Florida! I'm bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you present here and can't wait to take a look when I get home.
    I'm shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G .
    . Anyways, very good site!

    Feel free to surf to my site: lovelyrecipe.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi there your web page url: http://www.blogger.com/comment.
    g?blogID=4573422992082776289&postID=2660420239430668504 seems to be redirecting to a completely different site when
    I click the home page link. You may want to have this checked.



    My web-site; fashion to figure website

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hello! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I'm getting tired of Wordpress because I've had problems with hackers and I'm looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Here is my blog post hardwood floors
    my website - www.flooranddecoroutlets.com/hardwood-solid.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. I believe everything published was very logical.
    However, what about this? what if you were to create a awesome post title?
    I ain't suggesting your information isn't good., but suppose you added something that makes people desire
    more? I mean "The games we play..." is kinda vanilla. You could peek at Yahoo's front page and see how they write article titles to get viewers to click. You might add a related video or a pic or two to grab readers interested about everything've got to say.
    In my opinion, it would bring your blog a little livelier.

    cleaning hardwood floors

    My blog post hardwood floor
    my webpage :: engineered hardwood flooring

    ReplyDelete
  36. Greetings from Colorado! I'm bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you present here and can't wait to take a look when I get home.
    I'm surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G .
    . Anyhow, great site!

    Feel free to visit my weblog; artepages.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. You are so interesting! I don't believe I've read through anything like this before.
    So great to find another person with original thoughts on this subject matter.
    Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that's needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

    my weblog toe nail fungus treatments

    ReplyDelete
  38. You need to take part in a contest for one of the
    finest sites on the net. I'm going to recommend this site!

    My website; actingalert.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
    However think about if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more,
    "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could certainly be one of the very best in its niche.
    Good blog!

    My site ... cleaning services

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi there I am so grateful I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say
    cheers for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I donít have time to read
    it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your
    RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a
    lot more, Please do keep up the awesome b.

    Feel free to surf to my web page :: rheem furnace

    ReplyDelete
  41. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids.
    I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.

    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!



    My web-site - mitsubishi heating And cooling

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi there! I'm about to start my own blog and was wondering if you know where the best place to purchase a website url is? I'm not even sure if
    that's what its called? (I'm new to this) I'm referring to "http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4573422992082776289&postID=2660420239430668504". Exactly how do I go about obtaining one of these for the website I'm creating?
    Thanks!

    my webpage - semiconductor electrochemistry ebook

    ReplyDelete
  43. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole
    my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!


    Check out my web blog rs232 protocol pdf

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have loaded your blog in 4 different browsers and I
    must say your blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Would you mind emailing me the name of your web hosting
    company? My personal email is: brigidawallis@gmail.

    com. I'll even sign up through your affiliate link if you'd like.

    Bless you

    Also visit my website; Home repair grand rapids mi

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog
    platform are you using for this site? I'm getting tired of Wordpress because I've had issues with hackers
    and I'm looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    my blog post - furnished apartments naples fl

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great information. Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon).
    I've book-marked it for later!
    1st source bank

    Also visit my homepage - erotic pictures

    ReplyDelete
  47. Howdy! This post couldn't be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I am going to forward this post to him. Pretty sure he'll have
    a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

    my homepage - best registry cleaner for windows 7

    ReplyDelete
  48. Such great ideas! I think my little children would love these! You described complete post very well. Buckets of thanks to you!
    toys come to life

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but
    when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!



    Also visit my web page - garcinia spp

    ReplyDelete
  50. Terrific post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!

    Have a look at my web page: tanda pearl ionic teeth whitening system

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it
    was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any points for inexperienced blog writers? I'd really appreciate it.


    my page: garcinia indica health benefits

    ReplyDelete
  52. This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!
    ! Finally I have found something that helped me.
    Cheers!

    Here is my page: whitening devisce

    ReplyDelete
  53. I like what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the awesome works guys I've included you guys to my own blogroll.

    Feel free to surf to my web page; light teeth

    ReplyDelete
  54. Outstanding post however , I was wanting to know
    if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thank you!

    My blog post; garcinia berry extract

    ReplyDelete
  55. An outstanding share! I've just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your website.

    Feel free to visit my webpage raspberry ketone supplements

    ReplyDelete
  56. If some one wishes expert view regarding running a
    blog after that i advise him/her to pay a visit this webpage, Keep up the good work.


    my weblog ... moringa leaf powder

    ReplyDelete
  57. It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for bookmarking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

    Feel free to surf to my weblog: buy green coffee

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thanks for some other informative site. The place else may just I get that type of information
    written in such an ideal method? I've a project that I'm just
    now operating on, and I've been on the look out for such info.

    Feel free to visit my page green coffee bean weight loss

    ReplyDelete
  59. Currently it sounds like Wordpress is the best blogging platform out
    there right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?


    My web page; teeth whitening paint

    ReplyDelete
  60. This design is steller! You obviously know how to
    keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I
    was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost.
    ..HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.

    Too cool!

    my weblog: gourmet coffee beans

    ReplyDelete
  61. I do agree with all of the ideas you've offered to your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

    Stop by my web page :: hca extract benefits

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
    Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?



    My weblog ... work office

    ReplyDelete
  63. Excellent web site. Plenty of useful information here.
    I'm sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!

    Here is my page - pure green coffee extract 800 mg

    ReplyDelete
  64. Does your website have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd
    like to shoot you an e-mail. I've got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

    my website: raspberry ketone

    ReplyDelete
  65. When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the
    same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that
    service? Cheers!

    my web-site garcinia cambogia extract zero fillers

    ReplyDelete
  66. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice,
    keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. All the best

    Here is my webpage garcinia cambogia dr oz

    ReplyDelete
  67. My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .
    net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because
    of the expenses. But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using Movable-type on
    various websites for about a year and am worried
    about switching to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.

    net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into
    it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

    My web page :: garcinia oz

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a
    captcha plugin for my comment form? I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having problems finding
    one? Thanks a lot!

    Here is my web site garcinia kola

    ReplyDelete
  69. My partner and I stumbled over here by a different website and thought I may
    as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.

    Look forward to going over your web page again.



    Visit my web blog: raspberry ketones african mango saffron extract weight loss supplements

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi there, constantly i used to check weblog posts here early in the break of day, since i like to find out more and more.


    my page; deer antler spray

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of
    clever work and exposure! Keep up the good works guys I've incorporated you guys to blogroll.

    Also visit my webpage; www.amazon.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Visit my other blog.