Are we bored yet? (And a beastly giveaway...)

It’s that time of the school holidays where tempers start getting frazzled and humans start bouncing off the walls. 

There are never-ending cries of: ‘I’m bored’ and complaints that there is never anything fun to do around here. Ever.

And I’m just talking about the adults.

This is where Maid In Australia comes to the rescue.

I’ve come up with a few tricks to try at home and beyond, and there should be something here for kids of all ages. Yes, even the fussiest.

And if you look carefully, there are a few freebies and giveaways as well.


Tinker with it
Firstly, the movies. There are loads to choose from during the school holidays, but what small child (or inner child) would not be thrilled by the latest instalment of Disney’s much-loved Tinker Bell classic?

“Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast” explores the  ancient myth of a fabled creature whose distant roar sparks the curiosity of Tinker Bell’s good friend Fawn (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin).

Anyone who loves Tinker Bell, will know Fawn is an animal fairy who’s not afraid to break the rules to help an animal in need.

But this animal—massive and strange with glowing green eyes—is not really welcome in Pixie Hollow, and the scout fairies are determined to capture the mysterious beast before it destroys their home.

Fawn, who sees a tender heart beneath his gruff exterior, must convince Tink (voiced by Mae Whitman) and the girls to risk everything to rescue the NeverBeast before time runs out. 

Thanks to the lovely people at Disney we have five family passes to “Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast” to giveaway. (It’s rated G). To enter, leave a comment below, and answer the question: Would you break the rules for a beast in need?

Oh and you can watch the trailer here:

Face up to it

This next one is just for Queenslanders aged 12-25 years, aged 12 to 25 years. To celebrate National Youth Week, any Queenslander in that age group with a story to share about volunteering can score a sweet phone case with their face on it.

Fill in the form, hit "share my story" and the peeps at National Youth Week will send you your phone case and share your story in their Volunteer Gallery.  You might even see yourself on the National Youth Week home page or on their social media accounts!

If you are aged under 18 years, get your parent or guardian's permission to enter.

Thinking about volunteering? Visit the Volunteering Queensland website for more information and to search for opportunities.

Game on

My kids are gamers, and if yours are too, great news: The Pokémon Video Game Championship Series is back!

That means the search for Australia and New Zealand's best Pokémon Trainers is on!

If you enjoy Pokémon Video Games and want to meet other Pokémon fans, then come along and join in the fun at one of the events taking place in Australia and New Zealand.

In previous years in Australia and New Zealand, players competed at regional championship events and top finishers were awarded travel awards to the national competition, where they could compete for qualification and travel awards to the world championships. (I know: Who knew there were world championships in these things?)

In the 2015 season, players will be able to compete in more events than ever as the series expands with the introduction of Premier Challenge Tournaments and championship points that build toward coveted world championships invitations and travel awards to the Pokémon Video Game World Championships held in Boston, in August! All expenses paid.

That's right parents, your child's obsession with all things Pokemon could pay off.

Games days are being held around Australia and New Zealand, starting in Brisbane on Saturday, April 11. Yep, this weekend. 

All the details are here! Entry is free, but terms and conditions apply, and kids under the age of 15 need a parents' consent and an adult to accompany them on the day.

All the games day are really kid and teen-friendly, and there are helpers if kids get lost or overwhelmed – and plenty of prizes throughout the event.  All competitors get a special lanyard and card just for being there. 

Go For Broke

Lastly, don't forget to check out your community for local festivals and events, like A Little Bit Of Italy In Broke. (Don't forget I have a giveaway running for a $120 hamper of giveaways if you can't get to Broke in the Hunter Valley for that one!).

Or Bollywood Baby

Close to home, in Kingaroy, Queensland, an Indian couple are putting on the region's first Bollywood evening.

The innovative pair, who took over the town's Singh's Royal Cuisine restaurant seven months ago, decided to give the South Burnett region a taste of Bollywood on Sunday, April 12. Restaurant co-manager Sandy says, there will be traditional Indian street or stall food on offer, as well as the usual menu. 

Bollywood movies, with English subtitles, will be screened during the evening. A traditional Indian beauty therapist, Meena, will be travelling from Brisbane for the evening to attend to the beauty needs of women of the South Burnett.

Eyebrow and facial threading will be on offer, as well as creative henna designs, at a small additional charge.

How about that? A taste of Bollywood in the South Burnett.

Enjoy your holidays - and watch this space for more ideas and more giveaways. And if you like Tinker Bell - or Beasts - don't forget to enter the Disney competition.

Entries close at 5 pm AEST on April 16, 2015, and is open to Australian residents only. 

The competition has ended and the winners are: Mitchvee, Kelly, Lorraine, Tegan, and Stephanie Prendergast. Please get in touch with your addresses via my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MaidInAustralia so we can send out your passes.