Resources
Things to do during the school holidays
No matter what stage of treatment your child is at, here are some fun and easy ideas on how you can spend meaningful time together these school holidays.
Playing games
If your child is up for visitors at the hospital, or is at home recovering, everyone can play easy games like making a chatterbox
Music and movement
Do some musical activities with young children and teens using music and movement to encourage self-expression. These activities are easy and can be done while in hospital, at home or anywhere you feel like moving a little or a lot!
Some of the activities include in the Redkite Music Box Program include:
Reading books
This is a non-fiction children’s book that was conceived by Alison Johns when her daughter, Amelia, was diagnosed with cancer.
Alison was faced with the challenge of explaining it to her children so they knew what to expect. The book speaks directly to children and is informed by Alison’s journey from Amelia’s diagnosis to her recovery.
“The Hair Holiday” is an uplifting and colorful book about the experience of losing your hair during treatment for cancer.
Written in a light hearted way it’s great for cheering up a child who is struggling with their hair loss or to start conversations.
Hey Warrior – A Book for Kids about Anxiety tells a beautifully illustrated story about anxiety, and how it makes us feel.
Kids can do amazing things with the right information. Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from is a powerful step in turning anxiety around.
Practicing mindfulness
Mindfulness can be wonderful way to connect with your children, especially if anyone is feeling worried, anxious or stressed about something. Enjoy the worksheet below, which covers mindfulness through your five senses;
Cook as a family
Brookey’s Club Sandwich
If you love bacon – you will love Brookey’s Club Sandwich! Filled with avocado, lettuce, tomato, turkey, mayonnaise and more, your kids will be asking for more!.
For more sandwich ideas download our FREE downloadable recipe book here.
Ingredients
- 12 slices of Coles Brand Bread
- 4 slices of streaky bacon
- 1/2 an avocado
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 12 iceberg lettuce leaves
- 3 small tomatoes – thinly sliced
- 150 grams shaved turkey breast
Method
- Place bacon in a frypan cook until crispy.
- Put avocado and lime juice in a small bowl and combine until smooth.
- Spread the mayonnaise over 1 side of all the bread. Take 4 slices of bread and spread 1/2 the avocado mixture on them, top with half of the lettuce, tomato, turkey and bacon.
- Put 1 slice of bread with mayonnaise on the top of each sandwich. Spread the top side of bread with a little mayonnaise. Then repeat the avocado, lettuce, tomato, turkey and bacon.
- Place the last 4 slices of bread spread with the mayonnaise side down on the top of the filling.
- Use a serrated bread knife to cut the club sandwich in half.
Pizza people. Makes 6 small pizzas. Prep 15 mins Cook 10 mins Total 25 mins
Children are often drawn to colorful and visually appealing foods. Pizza faces use a variety of vegetables to create fun and attractive designs.
Ingredients
- 6 mini Lebanese bread circles or 2 large Lebanese bread circles
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup cheese, grated (e.g. mozzarella or tasty, preferably low fat)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables, e.g. sliced mushrooms, zucchini, olives, capsicum, cherry tomatoes, etc.
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C fan forced.
- Prepare a baking tray lined with baking paper and place Lebanese bread circles on top.
- Spread bases with crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with cheese.
- Arrange vegetables on top of bases to look like faces.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes (until golden and crispy).
Tip: Pizza people can be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed in a fridge or reheated in an oven.
For more helpful tips, activities, and recipes, join our ‘Refresh Kids’ Eating’ online program for parents and carers.
Request information And support
We’re ready to help. Please call us on 1800 REDKITE (Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm AEST), or fill out the form below.
Related resources
Mindfulness through your five senses
Many big emotions come up when you’re facing childhood cancer, for parents and for children. The below mindfulness exercises can help you reduce and manage these strong feelings.
Mindfulness through your five senses
Many big emotions come up when you’re facing childhood cancer, for parents and for children. The below mindfulness exercises can help you reduce and manage these strong feelings.
How to encourage healthy eating after childhood cancer
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
How to encourage healthy eating after childhood cancer
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
Tips for keeping the family connected during cancer
A childhood cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Here are some ideas to help keep your family connected.
Tips for keeping the family connected during cancer
A childhood cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Here are some ideas to help keep your family connected.
Musical activities for children and teens with cancer
Music can be a real source of support during the cancer experience. Our Redkite Music Box activities for young children and teens going through cancer can help them through challenging times.
Musical activities for children and teens with cancer
Music can be a real source of support during the cancer experience. Our Redkite Music Box activities for young children and teens going through cancer can help them through challenging times.
