This week is Children’s Week and the Douglas Shire has lots on for the kiddies in our region from a teddy bears picnic, story time and a sausage sizzle with games.

The Children’s Week Association, an incorporated body since 1988, coordinates a range of activities in collaboration with local community organisations and Neighbourhood Centres.

The aim of these activities is always to bring to public attention the value and the needs of young children.  Organisations are encouraged to conduct a wide range of activities involving children and adults together to celebrate the uniqueness and importance of children.

Nicole Carnaby the Child and Parent Support Worker at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre (PDNC) advised they are organising a teddy bear’s picnic on Tuesday 27th October at Rex Smeal Park near the playground from 9:30am to 11:30am.

“This is a wonderful way in which mums, dads and the kids can mix from ages 0 to 5 years old.  This is a parent supervised activity where the parents take part while learning how to interact with their kids.  There will by the LJ Hooker bear and you just need to bring a plate to share and refreshments,” said Ms Carnaby.

With several programs currently running at the PDNC with the aim of socialisation between parents and their children, Children’s Week is just another way to encourage unstructured play.

Ms Carmody said the PDNC also conducts structured play groups and a parents group  where parents can meet other parents with children of similar ages in a safe and trusting environment.

Other Children’s Week activities include Story Time at the Mossman Library in Mill Street on Thursday 29th October from 10:00am to 11:30am.  There will be a Goodstart Early Learning sausage sizzle with games and activities on Friday 30th October from 3:30pm to 4:30pm located at 14 Johnston Road Mossman. Port Douglas State School has numerous activities for the students throughout the week.