Our guide to a healthy and happy day at the Royal Show
Spring is here which means it’s almost time for the annual Perth Royal Show to roll into town! With so many things to see and do, it’s a good idea to take some time to plan your visit before jumping in the car or on the train and setting off. Otherwise, this fun filled day out can end up costing you a lot more than just the tickets at the gate. To minimise the money spent (and the meltdowns) try some of our top tips for a healthy and happy day at the Show.
Pack healthy foods to fuel the family
Whilst a little bit of Show food is all part of the experience, have a think about what you are prepared to buy and aim to pack most of your food from home. This will help reduce impulse purchases when hunger strikes. Little legs are going to need sustenance as they make their way around the showgrounds, so be sure to pack lots of food that’s easy to eat on the go and will sustain energy.
Lunch
If you plan on packing lunch, then throw in some rolls or wraps with a few simple fillings that don’t need to be kept cold, and make sure they’re not too bulky or fiddly to eat. Aim for wholegrain varieties to sustain energy. Other great options include fruit bread, fritters, savoury pikelets, or muffins.
Healthy snacks
When it comes to healthy snacks, fruit is the ultimate portable snack. Pack a couple of pieces of fruit per person if staying for the whole day. Bananas, apples, mandarins, or pears all make easy snacks to munch on the move. Pack some easy to grab and go vegies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber sticks, or some cherry tomatoes. You can even throw in a whole avocado and a spoon.
For something a bit more filling, stock up on wholegrain crackers; either plain or spread with some tahini, sliced cheese, or hummus. Alternatively, make some muffins, pikelets, or a healthy slice the day before and pack in a reusable snack bag. Make your baked goods smaller than normal so they are easy to eat on the move.
You can find plenty of great lunch and snack options on our recipes page.
Choose your show bags wisely
Children of all ages get excited about choosing a show bag. However, they can be quite expensive and are often filled with lots of junk food or throw-away, single-use items. Think carefully about whether you want to spend the money and how much - remembering to set limits and stick to them. If you decide to allow your kids a show bag, why not jump on the Royal Show website together and encourage them to make their decision before you go. Look for bags that have durable contents such as hats, t-shirts, wrist bands, pens/pencils, or posters. It can be quite overwhelming when surrounded by the noise, excitement, and activity on the day so choosing ahead of time should make the process a lot less stressful for everyone.
Focus on experiences, not purchases
There are plenty of amazing things to experience at the Show that don’t come at a cost. Plan your movements to make sure you’re spending plenty of time visiting the displays and enjoying the many shows happening around the grounds. Most of the pavilions provide free activities and giveaways for you to touch, see, taste, and take home with you, which can be a nice way of extending the experience beyond the day.
Set a family budget and stick to it
This teaches kids important lessons about limits and spending wisely. Allocate each child a set amount of money and ask them to put some thought into planning how and where they will spend it ahead of the day. Being prepared before setting off will avoid disappointment and emotions running high.
In the lead-up to the Show, you could also give your kids additional jobs around the house to earn some extra money to take along on the day. Spending their own hard-earned cash encourages them to be more mindful.
Don’t forget about the fireworks
If you can hang in there until the very end, the Fireworks Spectacular takes place every night at 8pm. This free event is a visual feast for everyone to enjoy and an incredible way to wrap up your day at the Show.