I usually book my kids into Woodhouse for at least one day in the school holidays to break things up. Coincidentally, my son went to Woodhouse on a school excursion just the other week and he hasn't stopped talking about it since. When he got home he was already begging me to book him in again. What I've loved about my kids' visits is that it isn't just holiday care, it's a day full of adventures and new experiences. They get to hang out with new kids and make friends outside their usual circle, kids from all over the Hills and even down the hill too. Here's how a day runs.
A DAY AT WOODHOUSE
The UNPLUGGED holiday program
1. Drop-off and the full day, 9am to 5pm
The UNPLUGGED program runs every day of the holidays, for a full day from 9am to 5pm, and you can drop kids off from 8:30am. It's a proper day out, long enough that they come home tired, grubby and full of stories.
2. A different theme every day
Each day has a different theme. One day the kids might be learning survival skills and cooking over a campfire, the next they're busting myths with science experiments, or charging around in a laser tag battle. It keeps every visit feeling new, which is part of why mine want to go back.
3. Choose-your-own-adventure afternoons
My kids tell me they love the afternoons the most, because this is when they get to choose their own adventure between activities like tackling Challenge Hill or going on the tube slide (weather permitting). Even just one day makes the holidays feel a little more special.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Woodhouse is a community-minded not-for-profit that's all about giving kids in the Hills big adventures and plenty of fun. They've passed on a special code for Adelaide Hills Pantry readers, PANTRY5, which gets you 5% off, for as many kids and as many days as you'd like. Pick a theme that suits your kid, pack them off for the day, and brace yourself for the campaign to let them go back for more.
Header photo: Woodhouse Activity Centre.