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Click here for September 2011 School Holidays.
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[flickr id=”2149327309″ thumbnail=”medium” align=”center”]
Image by johnpetru82
I read lots of blogs from mums in the northern hemisphere and during our winter this year, I came across the term “staycation”. It is a term many use to describe their holidays when they don’t actually leave and go anywhere. We are having a “staycation” these school holidays and will be in lovely Melbourne for the whole two weeks.
Luckily for us Melbourne has an enormous range of free and cheap children’s activities during the holidays. Here are ten of my favourites:
(1). ACMI Free Kids Flicks
In Federation Square, Melbourne, this school holidays there is a number of kids movies on at ACMI. The stand out for me is the animated adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows (free). It screens daily from Mon to Fri of both weeks of the holidays at 10.30am.
EDIT: Other films during the holidays are at a fee of $5 per ticket.
(2). The Melbourne Magic Festival
The Melbourne Magic Festival is being held at Northcote Town Hall from Sept 22 to Oct 4. Depending on the age group of your children there are a variety of magic acts from comedy, to clowns and illusions.
(3). Puss In Boots Pantomime
He’s behind you!!!! The Tivoli Theatre in Malvern has regular children’s productions and this school holidays it is Puss In Boots. Highlight of course would be the fairy bread and lemonade (incl in ticket price) at interval.
(4). Just Macbeth
Running from the 19th Sept to 5th Oct, “Just Macbeth! by Andy Griffiths is a really silly version of Shakespeare’s great big gory tragedy.” Suitable for children from 7 onwards.
(5). State Library of Victoria
The Play Pod is a colourful and kid-friendly space in Experimedia. Children can dip into their favourite picture-books, view children’s digital art, or borrow an activity pack and make their own book, or a replica of Ned Kelly’s helmet! (Young children should be supervised by an adult.)
The Play Pod is open to the standard library hours. No bookings are required and it is free.
(6). Immigration Museum
All About Me – Who are you and where do you come from? Children can take part in our special activities and learn more about yourself, your siblings, parents and grandparents. Then they can design their own family tree using our specially created 3-dimensional template. Entry to the museum is $6 for adults and children are free. Activities are also free.
(7). National Gallery Of Victoria (Australia)
NGV Australia is also located at Federation Square in Melbourne. The theme for Artcart during the first week of the school holidays is Found & Made. From 12pm – 3pm children can see how sculptor Robert Klippel turned toy parts and other found objects into mini-sculptures. Children can then see what they can find at Artcart to create their own mini-sculpture. Free
(8). Melbourne Fringe Festival – The Mermaid’s Daughter
There are a handful of events in the Fringe Festival aimed at families. The pick for me is The Mermaid’s Daughter. It is a shadow puppet play with traditional African music, folklore and storytelling.
(9). CERES
CERES is located on 4.5 hectares (10 acres) on the banks of the Merri Creek, in East Brunswick, close to Melbourne’s centre. CERES runs on renewable energy, is a 55 tonne carbon sink, conserves and recycles its water and waste, grows organic food, and allows visitors to explore environmentally friendly ways of living.
Spring school holidays is the perfect time to take the kids for a tour of this wonderful place. Donation entry.
(10). Gasworks – Swordfighting
Gasworks has an amazing program of workshops for children of all ages during the holidays from acting to media workshops to….Swordfighting. The choice was clear for Little Rascal when he was showed the options!
The workshop is taken by a nationally accredited coach, Chris Jones who teaches the basic skills of fencing and sword fighting in an intensive class. Cost is $18 and see their website for various days and times.
So much to do, so little time! I love to take the kids to fun, new and interesting activities but do try to balance it with days at home pottering as well. We have a great list to choose from here and will be doing only a few of these children’s activities during the school holidays. If you are on school holidays, I hope you have a fun and relaxing time whatever you are up to.