Stuck for ideas for entertaining the little ones over the school holidays? Never fear, colonial Queensland has the inspiration you need.
Swimming.
Let your children run free in the surf. Preferably, yards from any supervising adults. Or, if it has been raining too much for the beach, consider alternative options.
There’s nothing wrong with allowing two small boys to mess around in boats. As you can see, both boys are wearing nice, shady hats.
Horseplay!
Having your children play with horses isn’t as expensive as you think. Never mind the expensive riding schools. Try hiring just one horse – it can hold four children, including a baby.
If you quail at the thought of young children on horseback, let them romp around with one in the backyard. Mind the hooves, and of course, make sure everyone is sun-safe.
Equestrian activity on the cheap!
Can’t afford horses? Try goats. Your young lads can race them, they can have carts attached to carry the smaller children, and they make an affectionate pet. You will also save on lawnmowing, hedge trimming, etc.
Playing in the Garden.
Back yards are so much safer than parks, and remember, young children are perfectly capable of minding babies and toddlers.
Blowing bubbles can amuse all children. You can let them climb all over your raised verandah while they’re at it. Harmless.
Children are very inventive with their charming made-up games. Just make sure that the gun is a toy gun.
Allow your girls to host a tea party. They won’t mind at all if they have to perch on adult chairs on a slope. But do make sure that that their millinery is on point, or you’ll never hear the end of it.
Dress-ups.
Dress-ups are always fun. Try to be as inventive as the parents of these colonial children! (Actually, come to think of it, these outfits are probably ordinary play-suits made by doting mamas, and not fancy dress…)
Dancing.
Never mind those expensive classes. Maypole dancing doesn’t require much skill beyond the ability to move forward while holding a long ribbon. You could probably make use of a clothes hoist and some of those resistance bands you’re never going to use. Just look how much fun these young gels are having!
Hopefully, your school holiday dilemmas have been solved with this old school inspo. If not, well, there’s only one more week left (in Queensland, at least).
Two boys with a rowboat at Wellington Point, Brisbane, 1890-1900. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1890-1900, Negative number: 60314. State Library of Queensland.
Three children display a pet goat, 1900-1910. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 95046. State Library of Queensland.
Portrait of two children in matching costumes, ca. 1900. Details: Original version copy print : black & white, 1900, Negative number: 158742. State Library of Queensland.
Portrait of five children in a yard, 1900-1910. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 54685. State Library of Queensland.
Group of children with a horse, 1890-1900. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1890-1900, Negative number: 10256. State Library of Queensland.
Group of children blowing bubbles from the verandah of the Charles Allen Brown residence in Maud Street Newstead Terrace, Brisbane, in the 1890s. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1890-1900, Negative number: 11154. State Library of Queensland.
Group of boys with a goat cart, possibly at Winton, 1900-1910. Details Original version: photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 51348. State Library of Queensland.
Four children on a horse at Canungra, 1900-1910. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 160205. State Library of Queensland.
Children’s tea party at Marlborough, Queensland, 1900-1910. Details: Original version: photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 152182. State Library of Queensland.
Children playing at Banchory, Queensland, 1890-1900. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1890-1900, Negative number: 47736. Please attribute State Library of Queensland.
Children playing a game in a yard, ca. 1900. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, ca. 1900, Negative number: 146136. State Library of Queensland.
Children on goats lined up for the start of a goat race, 1900-1910. Details: Original version copy print : b&w, 1900-1910, Negative number: 6674. State Library of Queensland.
Children maypole dancing, 1900-1910. Details: Original version photographic print : black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 62312. State Library of Queensland.
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