Engage Northern Beaches

05/12/2024

There’s SO much to do with the kids this weekend - you’re going to love it!
 
Ready for some family fun? Keep scrolling 👇
 
➡️ Swipe for inspo - a list of some of the things you can do with the kids.
 
A few highlights would be are in Warriewood, the kids can have Brekkie with Santa at and head to on Sunday for a FREE reptile show!  The switch on Saturday night and lights turn on Sunday at the .  There’s heaps more happening so make sure you head to our website and peruse at your leisure!

Some of the favourite categories you can search are:
🎅 Christmas
🎫 Events
🤩 Activities
🛝 Playgrounds
☔️ Rainy Day
 
And…. Did you know you can keyword search on the discovery page? YEP!!! 🙌🏼

The school holidays are packed with exciting activities - bookmark the website now to make it your go-to for the Christmas break!
 
Does this make life easier? 🤞
 
Have fun 🎉
Jo x

02/12/2024

Did you know, there’s an outdoor cinema you can enjoy with the kids, coming to Manly next week?
 
🍿 Manly Open Air Cinema Summer Sessions are on between 11 – 13 December at Manly Oval.
 
🎥 We took the kids for their Christmas In July event, and had a great time!
 
Movies you can enjoy with the kids are:
🌒 Thursday 12th, 7.45pm: The Nightmare Before Christmas
🏠 Friday 13th, 4.30pm: Home Alone 2
 
🎫 Tickets are only $11.90 for kids and $15.40 for adults, if you use the code ENGAGE at checkout. The code works for all sessions… just incase you’re looking for a date night idea 😉 ❤️
 
🍹🍧 Enjoy live music, food by , some cheeky drinks, festive snacks + to make a fun night out with the kids!
 
🎟️ Book via our link in bio – search “Manly Open Air Cinema”, or via bio ✌️
 
Have fun! 🎉
 

28/11/2024

🌧️ Weekend plans looking a little... soggy? Don’t panic!
 
While the weather’s bringing the rain, we’ve got you covered with PLENTY of fun things to do with the kids! 💦🎉
 
👉 Click the link in our bio and search by date, location, cost – AND yep, you guessed it – you can even search “Rainy Days”! ☔️
 
No more looking for “what’s on” posts  - everything is now at your fingertips!
 
This weekend’s highlights: 
🎪 is back in Warriewood 
🎅 Meet Santa at 
🎉 FREE festive fun at the + heaps more FREE activities.

💻 All the details are just a click away in our bio – let me know what you think of the new website in the comments!
 
🎄PS – Don’t forget it’s time for Elf On The Shelf’s arrival this Sunday.  There’s a post on the grid if you’re looking for inspo.

🎄🎄PPS – Be sure to check for cancellations – the rain might shake things up! 🌧️
 
Have fun!
Jo xx

24/11/2024

It begins… this week. For some parents it’s fun, for the rest, not so much… No matter how this Christmas tradition makes you feel, we thought we would make it easier on you by bombarding you with Elf On The Shelf goodness.  Godspeed✌️
 
PS – the Barbie one, might not go down a treat, but it made me laugh 🙊
 
SWIPE FOR IDEAS or comment below and I’ll send you a list with more ideas!
 
Have fun – just think of the memories! 🤣
 

19/11/2024

Today is the day before launch day. arrggg!!!

Tomorrow morning I’ll announce that the new website is live.

I know Instagram has been helpful in getting you out with the kids, but this website is next level. Although I’ll continue to use Instagram to remind you of some of the things you can do, this website lists it all! You will be able to search by date, location, age, day of week, cost, category…. You will literally be able to press a few buttons and you’ll have a list of all that there is to do in a moment, and a list that is based on your criteria!!!! I can’t wait for you to see it!

I honestly can’t believe it. Im not sure I actually thought this day would come. I’m a perfectionist so everytime we got close I wanted to make it better. I still want to make it better. I still want to add features and build it out but it’s time. No one launched their final version!

What a crazy ride. I thought I knew what hard work was, and I look back and laugh. I thought this would take three months. It took 18. I learned so much, and I have so much more to learn. I even learned to code! I learned to show up. To show up even when I feel like I am failing. I’ve learned to believe in something that is way bigger than myself and to commit to the hard work. I’ve learned that real hard work hurts but the joy it brings when you push through is beyond. I’ve learned you need good, positive people around you and that things work better when we do them together. I’ve learned people can be really really kind.

Thank you for all your support, your encouragement, your messages, for believing in me enough to tell people about Engage, for coming oblong on this journey!!

I truly now believe that anything is possible!

24 hours and counting….

Let’s go!!!!!

Jo ###x

(PS don’t all use it at once I don’t want it to crash! 🤣)

12/11/2024

Looking to get out and celebrate Christmas with the kids?  Here is your go to guide for just some of the family friendly activities across the beaches. 
 
🎄There are other events listed on our website and more to come…. 
 
❤️ Share with your friends and plan to celebrate together! 🤶
 
PS How is it even Christmas already?  
 
Have fun! 🎉
 
Jo xx

31/10/2024

Here are a few ideas of things you can do with the kids this weekend!
 
🎥 We’ve done a reel for any highlighted explore idea, so go have a look at our reels grid if you want to see what it’s like.
 
Click the link in our bio for more details and links to the event(s).  Make sure you check directly with providers incase of changes or cancellation.
 
Have fun with the kids this weekend! 💜
 
Jo xx

29/10/2024

I’m all about making memories, but this… I’ll be honest, I struggle 🤷‍♀️

24/10/2024

Did you know the beaches are BOO-min’ with fun this Halloween? 👻
 
👉 Swipe for a sneak peek of just some the spook-tacular events we’ve found – Insta limits me to 20 slides. BOO!
 
🪦 You will find plenty more happenings and all of the details on our website or in story highlights!
 
Feeling lazy like a zombie? 🧟‍♂️  Just comment HALLOWEEN and I’ll pop the info into your DMs faster than a ghost playing tag! 👻💨
 
You can thank Chat GPT for the hilarious caption, I’m not that funny!  😆
 
❤️ At least give me a double tap for my efforts - It’s like giving me a Halloween high-five 🙌🏼 – and also means other families will find this post! 💛
 
Have fun with the kids ✨
 
Jo x
 

11/10/2024

Wondering what to do with the kids this weekend?
 
We have it covered!  Swipe for a few ideas – but there’s plenty more on our website 👨‍💻
 
🤔 How do you find the details?  EASY!
1. There are a number of links in our bio
2. Check our “This Wknd” highlight
2. Comment below and I’ll send you a link to the full list of events
 
❤️ Double tap if this has made your weekend EASY!
 
Have fun 🎉

Jo x
 
⭐️ New website coming VERY soon.  Sign up to our newsletter to keep in the loop! ⭐️
 

08/10/2024

29/09/2024

Here’s your guide to what’s on this week for the school holidays 🙌🏼

👉 Swipe for a list of EVERY DAY and DAILY activities between 30/9 – 4/10
 
🌸 Save this post for quick reference and share with friends 💛
 
❤️ Please double tap if this is helpful and you’d like me to do a week two.
 
🔗 Click the link in our bio for more details, as some activities require booking
 
Jo x
 

27/09/2024

Are you looking for fun activities that will keep the kids entertained for hours these school holidays? I know that’s music to my ears!! 🎶

Did you know that offer full day entry every weekday throughout the school holidays? PLUS these school holidays they are running $2 activities for the kids!

🧁 Activities include Arts & Crafts, Cupcake Decorating, a Slime Workshop, a Magic Show (on my birthday!) and a Create Your Handprint workshop!

Entry is for the full day 9am – 3.30pm (weekdays)
Entry From $16 4 Years + | $14 Under 4 Years | $3 Under 1 Year

📍 is located at in Freshwater

Visit their website for more info or click the link in our bio to book a session 🥳

Have fun!
Jo x

26/09/2024

POV: You’re time poor and use Meta AI to help you with Instagram content… 🤦‍♀️
 
This is the result of me asking Meta AI to do my job and create me a post that depicts just some of the things that are on this weekend.  I’m sure it’s super clear that there’s a kite flying festival happening at St Ives Showground, a few events that involve snakes and reptiles, that you can grab a movie for $10 at , Marvel Trivia at (I’m there!) and is back at the from Saturday!
 
🤷‍♂️ Oh dear… but at least it made me laugh!  Not sure how it’ll look on the grid 🤣
 
The good news is that there is plenty to do at the moment, from weekend events, holiday activities as well as all of the local things you can do across the beaches.  There’s definitely enough listed on our website to get you out of the house easily.  Click the link(s) in our bio.
 
❤️ If you want me to send you a full list of EVENTS, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES or LOCAL IDEAS comment which list you’d like below 👇
 
I’m so focussed on testing the new website and fixing bugs, I tried to save time on other areas and enlisted the help of Meta AI …  maybe I’d be better off hiring a VA? 🤔
 
Which is your fave image? 1, 2 or 3? 🤣
 
Have fun!
Jo x

25/09/2024

UPDATE: PLEASE READ – and share ❤️
 
If you haven’t worked it out by now, I’m a perfectionist. I try really hard to get everything right, but sometimes I don’t… 🤷‍♀️

This post provides an update to the FREE school holiday activities post - as I missed a few details and I wanted to make sure you have the correct info!
 
Always make sure you check with providers directly incase of changes or cancellations.
 
Please like and share this post so that this reaches families and gives them a little guide to all of the free things they can do with the kids these holidays. 
 
🎻 Without me getting a small violin out, I work my lil socks off to get this info to you, as I’m a bit obsessed with making it easy for you to get out with the kids easily.  If you can tickle the algorithm and engage with the content to help push it out to other parents and carers, that would be ah-mazing x
 
Click the link in our bio for more details on specific activities.
 
Have fun!! 

Jo xx

23/09/2024

👋 Are you looking for FREE school holiday activities on the Northern Beaches?
 
➡️ Swipe >>> you’re in for a treat!
 
Details on each program are below. Comment FREE ACTIVITIES if you want me to send you a full list of all the school holiday activities.
 
🤸PLAYCONNECT+ (every day, 10.30am – 12pm) – excl. 4 + 7 October
PlayConnect+ is a FREE holiday activity run by that encourages parents and carers to engage with their kids, through an involved exercise and play movement program.  Run at
 
🔮 THE NEWPORT (every day, from 12pm)
FREE activities including an outdoor cinema, slime workshops, reptile show, mug + cupcake decorating, a magic show + more!
 
🧱 TERREY HILLS TAVERN
are hosting FREE activities including a magic show, lego workshop, science and slime + a reptile show.
 
🦎 HOTEL STEYNE
are hosting FREE activities with a reptile show, face painting and a lego workshop.
 
🍦RUBBISH FOR ICE CREAM (every day, 12pm – 4pm)
Head to , and head out for some time with the kids on the beach.  If you collect a bucket of rubbish you can finish off your time together with some FREE ice cream.
 
🎨 FREE PLASTER FUN (8 – 11 October)
are hosting a FREE Plaster Painting Workshop for the kids that love painting!
 
🤖 FREE ROBOTICS DROP IN at various library locations where kids will explore the world of robotics and coding.
 
🏓 BELROSE HOTEL (every day)
The are hosting a number of free activities including face painting, paint-a-pot, make-a-mask and table tennis.
 
✏️ SCHOOL HOLIDAY CRAFT (Tuesday – Friday, 3.30pm – 4.30pm)
Drop in to your local library where themed craft will be created each week.
 
🌿 NATURE BUBS (Wednesdays, 9.30am)
Join a FREE morning in nature at . Ages 0 – 1 years.
 
🎃 DESIGN HALLOWEEN LUMINARIES at different locations in prep for Halloween!
 
🧿 BEADING FUN – Drop in to Manly or Warringah Mall library for an afternoon of beading.
 
🦇 BATMAN EXPERIENCE (every day)
Explore a range of themed activities at
 
❤️ For more details on holiday activities hit the link in our bio!

16/09/2024

This is Georgia. She is my friend. She was our Deputy Mayor until recently, and this is a photo of her and I together on the day she came down to Manly to support me during the new website photoshoot.

Georgia has been a huge support and encouraged me so much on this Engage journey as she is all about family!

She is pretty much one of the most beautiful, kindest and passionate humans I know. She has two small babes under three, her juggle is real like the most of us and she has now put her hand up for her next challenge, in Pittwater.

I was hesitant to post this on Engage as I’m not the political type and don’t know much when it comes to politics but what I do know is Georgia and how much she cares for our community! She works tirelessly and is a huge inspiration to me, to work hard while living gracefully ~ I could not be more proud!

This is my friend who I’ve seen handle some of the most challenging of times and walk through them in love and gratitude!

Give her a follow and see what she’s up to ❤️

Jo xx

11/09/2024

Take me back…. 🤦‍♀️