{"id":14467,"date":"2022-05-09T11:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T01:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/?p=14467"},"modified":"2024-03-19T14:54:44","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T04:54:44","slug":"saving-energy-with-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/saving-energy-with-family\/","title":{"rendered":"8 ways to turn a SpikeHour into family fun time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you’ve signed up for our new Origin Spike program<\/a> that rewards you for saving energy. What now? Do you turn off all the lights and sit in the dark waiting for the hour to pass? No way! There’s no need to be bored by candlelight \u2013 after all, Spike’s about reducing your energy, not eliminating it all together. There are plenty of ways to stay entertained and connected during a SpikeHour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out these creative ideas on how you can spend a fun-filled hour with the family while increasing your Spike points at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start a book club<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SpikeHours occur pretty regularly, so why not take the opportunity to start a family book club?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can spend the first catch-up deciding on a book you\u2019d all like to read and head down to the local library or bookshop to stock up on copies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then set a goal of how many chapters you\u2019ll all need to read before the next impromptu Book Club session. Scour the internet for book-club conversation starters to get you going. Make it a real shindig each time and prep some snacks and drinks (cocoa, juices, a family-friendly grazing plate, etc) the day before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Break out the board games<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take a break from screens and get the whole family excited about regular board-game nights. To get in the swing of things, let everyone decide on their favourite games and cycle through them each SpikeHour.

Looking for some inspo? Choose from classics like Monopoly and Jenga or mix things up with games like Throw Throw Burrito. Keen to be more creative? Grab a whiteboard, some markers, and see who the real Picasso is in the family with Pictionary. Don\u2019t forget to prep some easy snacks, like crackers and dips, before SpikeHour kicks off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spend an hour playing a board game with family or friends<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pack a picnic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Does your SpikeHour fall on a weekend or during a long summer evening? Scope out your local botanic gardens or parks and make an evening of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picnics are a cost-effective way to enjoy a change of scenery and spend some quality time with friends and family. Find out who else you know is enjoying SpikeHour at the same time, and plan to meet up at a playground or picnic flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platters or foods that can easily be popped into mason jars (like salads, granola bowls or soups) are perfect eats to pack in your basket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the ultimate picnic make sure you pack some staples like a comfy rug, throw pillows, a light blanket in case it gets breezy, and some cute d\u00e9cor like a small bunch of flowers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get some fresh air <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bust out the bikes, or lace up your sneakers, and take the opportunity to explore your own neighbourhood<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenge yourselves to put a dent in your 10,000 steps, adventure down the side streets and laneways you\u2019d usually pass by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need a little bit of caffeine or a cool smoothie, pop into a new caf\u00e9 and grab a couple drinks. It\u2019ll give you an opportunity to incorporate some mindful wandering into your day \u2013 and help support local businesses while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan a BBQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take advantage of the notification the day before your SpikeHour and plan a BBQ.

Grilling is a great way to save energy, prep a reasonably quick dinner and take advantage of dry weather. As long as it\u2019s not raining, you can get outside whether it\u2019s warm or fresh.

Top up your gas bottle, grab some things to grill and prep a couple of salads. Voil\u00e0! You\u2019ve got a tasty dinner and an opportunity to get the whole fam outside and away from screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get artsy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who\u2019s the most creative person in your household? Find out after you host a \u2018paint your pal\u2019 night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gather your tools \u2013 paints, crayons, pencils, some canvases or large cardboard, an easel or surface for everyone \u2013 and host a creative night in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task everyone to buddy up or choose someone in the family to paint a portrait of. Unearth some previously hidden talents \u2013 and have a few giggles along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build a fort<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building a fort in the living room is sure to get even the biggest kid excited. Take out all of the old sheets, fuzzy blankets and chairs and set out to craft an architectural masterpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The end goal? To have a sturdy fort you can watch a movie from once the SpikeHour is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you really want to up the glam factor, grab some throw cushions, pot plants and battery-operated fairy lights (or Christmas lights). All that\u2019s left to do once the SpikeHour\u2019s over is to pop some popcorn and decide which film you\u2019re going to hit play on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold a family talent show<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Does your household have talent? Hold a family talent show and find out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Split the fam out into groups (judges and contestants) the day before and let imaginations run wild when it comes to creating the acts. Mock up some cardboard scorecards, grab some lamps for lighting the \u2018stage\u2019 and set a timer for each contestant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to make it extra competitive, offer a prize for the winner \u2013 maybe they get some extra screen time during the week, pick the takeaway for dinner, or delegate their household chores to another family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: Need more contestants? Grab the laptop and recruit family members via Zoom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Join Origin Spike today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Origin Spike’s all about saving and getting rewarded. These creative ideas will help turn your Spike Hours into family fun time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":18202,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[47,96],"oe_author":[],"class_list":["post-14467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-at-home","tag-energy-efficiency","tag-spike"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14467"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14467\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14467"},{"taxonomy":"oe_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oe_author?post=14467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}