Yellow Pages® helps keep the school holiday blues at bay

With the last week of school holidays upon us, chances are boredom is dangerously lurking in the shadows at home. With many families having at least one partner back at work, now is a good time to find some easy and affordable ways to entertain the troops before schools starts up.

Over the January school holidays, the number of people searching www.yellowpages.com.au for popular entertainment options spikes by around 35%. Among those more in demand over January include cinemas, fishing tackle, ice skating and roller skating rinks, museums and computer and video game stores.

But in the last week of holidays, it can be hard to come up with activities that haven't been ticked off the list and won't require you to break open the piggy bank.

With a Yellow Pages® directory at your fingertips, it's easy to find a range of activities by browsing the index in the print directory or by searching by category on yellowpages.com.au or Yellow Pages® Mobile. Here's a few examples to get you started:

Discover a farm yard in the city or the wilds of Africa in Victoria

If your kids love interacting with animals, there are over 58 listings of Zoos, Sanctuaries and Animal Parks in Victoria on yellowpages.com.au. Listings include places to visit farmyard animals, deer parks, zoos and wildlife parks, so you will be sure to find something that suits in your area. For a full list, go to Zoos, Sanctuaries and Animal Parks in Victoria.

Slip slop slap and head to the local swimming pool

If you don't have the luxury of owning your own pool, an affordable and fun way to beat the heat and fill in some time is to visit the local baths. There are over 259 listed public pools and water parks in Victoria on yellowpages.com.au. Simply type in Swimming Pools and your local area, to view results near you. For a full list, go to Swimming Pools in Victoria.

Rain drowning out holiday fun? A quick trip to the store will ensure hours of entertainment

 Whether it's pouring rain outside or too hot to sit in the heat, indoor games are a perfect way to spend time and have fun. With 48 business listings on yellowpages.com.au for stores specialising in indoor games, you can find the perfect puzzle or board game to entertain the kids within your budget. Search for Games Indoor to find a store closest to home. For a full list, go to Games Indoor in Victoria.

Looking for a bit of adventure in the outdoors?

Whether you are looking to hire a bike to ride through Federation Square or go canoeing as a way to experience the best of Victoria, there are over 190 options for adventurous types on yellowpages.com.au. Type in Outdoor Adventure into the search field to find the nearest outdoor activity in your area. For a full list, go to Outdoor Adventure in Victoria.

A pony for a day

 There are over 217 horse riding centres in Victoria listed on yellow.com.au, most of which offer a great way to experience what it is like to have your own horse without the responsibility of ownership. It is also a great way to see the countryside, with most horse riding schools based just outside of the Melbourne CBD. There are options to suit all ages and levels of experience. Search under Horse Riding to find an option nearest you. For a full list, go to Horse Riding in Victoria.

 Expand your horizons at the public library

 Your local library runs activities each school holidays, from reading sessions to writing workshops. Each library has its own program, with libraries like the Victorian State Library offering a how to guide on how to make your own picture book. There are over 351 libraries in Victoria listed on yellowpages.com.au. For a full list, go to Libraries Public in Victoria.

The 2009 Yellow Pages® print directory is currently being delivered to homes and businesses across Melbourne. This year, homes and businesses are also receiving a mini-edition called the YellowTMIn the Car directory. A small, glovebox size, the YellowTMIn the Car directory is a portable directory for people to use when on the go or to keep in a handy location such as the car or workshop.

 Media enquiries:

 Red Agency, Emily Bellemore, ph: 03 9670 8350, email: emily.bellemore@redagency.com.au

Sensis, Stephen Ronchi, ph: 03 8653 7828, mob: 0417 138 649, email: Stephen.Ronchi@sensis.com.au

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About Sensis:

Sensis is Australia's leading information resource. We make complex lives simpler by helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated search solutions via print, online, voice and wireless channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating: the White Pages® and YellowTM directories; the Citysearch® entertainment site; the Whereis® location and navigation database; sensis.com.au - the search engine for Australians; Sensis 1234, the operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and The Trading Post Group's stable of weekly and monthly publications and Universal Publisher's mapping publications; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis owns a majority shareholding in SouFun.com, China's leading real estate and home furnishings website. Sensis also recently acquired majority shares in China's leading auto sites Autohome.com and Che168.com, and leading digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.