Parents have a chance to give children a treat

At this time of the year, many parents are now cursing the fast-moving calendar that will soon see the “chaotic” visitors return when schools close and children return home.

The usual quiet house that waits for dad and mom after a long day’s work will soon be invaded.

“Dad and mom, I want this and that, my friends are coming this weekend, so please give us a treat,” you will be told, not once, but probably throughout August.

But, again, parents should prepare to give a different treat, and it is only once a year.

The animals — the Great Migration of wildebeest from Serengeti into the Masai Mara — are back.

It is not the ordinary holiday break, but one that offers opportunity for family bonding and adventure; a time to engage your children on what they think about their future.

Why not budget for a trip to the Masai Mara or the Coast, if only for the warm weather.

The latter case would be the perfect timing for people living in Nairobi to escape the chilly weather and temporarily run away from the biting water problem.

Take a break from the day to day city hustle and bustle.

Just like the clockwork, the wildebeest are here again, crossing the Mara river from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in search of pasture.

This has become one of the greatest attractions that it is called the Great Migration. From July to October, the animals which also include zebras and Thomson’s gazelles among others, cross the river into the reserve.

Accessible by road or air from all major towns in the country, Masai Mara is a major attraction for both local and international tourists.

Here, families can enjoy various activities such as game drives, balloon safaris above this savannah landscape that gives a bird’s eye view of the terrain. A time to dinner in the wild.

The children can carry a chart to identify various animals they spot across the plains with each having extra information about the animal, turning the trip into a learning experience.

They can also interact with the original inhabitants of the area, the Maasai, and learn more about their culture.

If engaged well, the tour guides can help the children to learn about flora and fauna and the environment, some of the things students only read about in the books.

If a holiday in the wild is not the ideal family outing, the Kenyan Coast is now warmer than the city, and promises a thrill.

At the Coast, there is a rich menu of activities that over the years worked to draw local and international tourists.

What with the recarpeted roads and more flexible flight schedules, reaching the Coast has become cheaper.

Scheduled flights have hit more than 100 per week to Mombasa. Kenya Airways, Fly 540, Jetlink and Air Kenya service the route. Tickets average Sh10,000 this August.
Families with young ones will have less stress as the hotels offer nanny services, giving the toddlers meals, enter the pool under a watchful eye and are engaged in various activities to keep them busy throughout the day.

So, when making hotel bookings ask if these activities are provided.

However, if going on holiday this August is not possible, engage the children in various activities that will pull them away from the television, unending entertainment or idleness.

Sports clubs
Various sports clubs and youth groups offer activities for young people especially sports that will keep the children outdoors.

Ligi Ndogo and Parklands sports clubs engage young ones of various ages in football while Sadili in Lang’ata offers tennis.

You never know, the next Kenyan sports stars could be in the making.

Away from sports, for active participation as opposed to the TVs and DVDs, children could also find room to learn playing musical instruments, dancing, horse riding, singing or making crafts.

Because of the loaded school curriculum, now blamed for confining children to the classroom and probably killing their talent, as a parent you have a responsibility to offer a different menu.

There is cost element involved, but the results should help the parent or guardian to budget for a more engaging holiday. Enjoy.