February is a big festival month here in Melbourne (although Melbourne does love a festival so there is always plenty of them out there!). Below you will find 10 kids activities for February including a number of festivals. There is a mix of age groups targeted for the activities – from tots to teenagers!
1. Natured Kids
Natured Kids is a very different type of activity to do with the kids. It is a weekly activity run in school terms for 0-5 years and their families in nature. You don’t turn up to the same place each week, but have a schedule that will have you visiting:
- Flora and Fauna reserves
- Local Beaches
- Community Parks and Gardens
- Wetlands and Bird Hides
- Galleries and Sculpture Parks
- Agricultural farms
‘Natured Kids’ recognises that bonds are strengthened, communication flows and memories are made when they share the same experiences in nature. Time spent by children and adults together in nature forms the foundation for eco-literacy and influences attitudes and lifelong respect for and care of their natural environment.
The classes start Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th Feb and run for 9 weeks. They locations are all based around Franskton way. I wish there was something similar closer to me.
When: Tuesdays – Butterflies 9.30 – 10.30am and Wednesdays – Dragonflies 9.30 – 10.30am
Cost: 1st child, 9 sessions = $99 ($11per session) 2nd & 3rd child $72 ($8 session). $10 family 2011 registration. To participate in craft, all children must register. Adults/babies free (with paying sibling)
Ages: 0 – 5 years old
Bookings: Can be made by downloading and completing the below form or for enquiries contact Narelle on 9783 5746 or 0431791379 or oaks@bigpond.net.au
Booking Form for Natured Kids
2. Melbourne Ukulele Festival
The Melbourne Ukulele Festival runs from Feb 25 – Mar 1. The video above is a highlights package from the 2010 festival. It looks pretty family friendly in general but they also have a couple of specific kids activities like:
Ukulele Workshop for Kids
Learn to strum, pluck and sing ukulele–style with Australia’s most loved ukulele lady, Rose Turtle Ertler. Bring your own ukulele or borrow one of ours on the day.
Cost: $16 / $14 (4 tix or more)
Workshop: $12 (accompanying adult free)
Ages: Performance 3+, Workshop 5 – 12
Bookings: The Arts Centre or 1300 182 183
All kids must be accompanied by an adult. For the performance all adults must have a ticket.
3. SYN Workshop: Interviewing Bands
This workshop is run by SYN.
SYN is a youth-run media organisation that provides training and broadcast opportunities for young Australians. SYN offers young people aged 12-25 the skills and platforms to be creators, not consumers, of media.
In this workshop SYN’s music department teaches you how to arrange an interview with your favourite local band, and how to prepare and conduct the chat. Interview skills will focus on radio and TV formats, but there’ll be lots of chat about magazine and newspaper interviews too.
Date: Wednesday 2 February
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Where: Signal – Flinders Walk, Northbank, Melbourne VIC 3001
Behind Flinders St Station towards Sandridge Bridge
Cost: FREE
Bookings:training@syn.org.au or ph: 9925 4693
Ages: 12 – 25
4. Painting with Sally Rippin
Join Sally Rippin ( illustration from books such a Speak Chinese, Fang Fang) to explore the art of Chinese brush-and-ink painting. Make your own pictures using ancient techniques that are fun to do, and learn about Chinese art and culture.
Where: State Library Of Victoria
Dates:
Sunday 13 February 2011, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday 13 February 2011, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Sunday 20 February 2011, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday 20 February 2011, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Bookings: Book online or 03 8664 7099
Ages: Recommended for children aged five to 12 years.
5. Darebin Community and Kite Festival
The Darebin Community and Kite Festival at Edwardes Lake Park to make the most of the music, activities and kite flying in the sunshine.
Along with the kite flying and the music there is a specific VicRoads KidsZONE:
Jam-packed full of fun activities with plenty of giggles and smiles for children of all ages including free face-painting, an animal farm, free craft activities, free amusement rides and top-notch entertainment throughout the day.
You can see the full program here, but my top picks would be at the dance tent:
- 1:00pm – Bollywood (Jhoom Bollywood Dance)
- 2:00pm – Go-Go Dancing (Anna’s Go Go Academy)
Date: Sunday 27th February
Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir
Cost: Free
Ages: Family
6. St Kilda Festival
One of Melbourne’s best festivals in my opinion. Like most festivals, they have a dedicated kids program but there is some fantastic stuff for older kids. My older boys (9 and 12) would love this:
FOOTBALL FEDERATION VICTORIA’S BEACH FOOTBALL
After the excitement of last year’s inaugural tournament, Football Federation Victoria (FFV) is excited to bring beach football to the sands of St Kilda once again!
A welcome addition to one of the most popular events in Victoria, the St Kilda Festival, FFV’s Beach Football Tournament will kick-off with the open men’s pool play action on Saturday 12 February followed by an open women’s challenge series and the finals of the open men’s competition on Festival Sunday, 13 February.
FAT TYRE FLYERS BIKETRIALS
A unique sport where the aim is to ride a bike across a set of obstacles known as a ‘section’ without putting a foot down. These sections can contain anything from rocks and logs to cars, trucks or pallets.
HIP HOP STAGE
A showcase of hip hop subculture courtesy of young artists from Central Vic’s Hiphopportunities For Youth Inc. Highlights include
- Dance Battle Heats
- Dance/Emcee/Beatbox freestyles
- Street Art Demo
And there is plenty for adults. The only problem is the gig I would like to see is Muscles but that doesn’t start until 9.15pm . Somehow I don’t think the kids and I could stick it out that long!
The St Kilda Festival has its own iPhone App which can let you know everything that is on for the entire festival.
When: 5 – 13 February, Sunday 13 February is the main day.
Cost: Free
Ages: Family
Transport: Parking is notoriously difficult so public transport is highly recommended.
7. Sunny Sizzle Launch
The launch of the Sunny Sizzle ‘Shedding Light on Disability’ campaign, is being held at Federation Square on Friday 25th February.
Federation Square will be buzzing with live music from a range of rockin’ Melbourne bands, a wheelchair basketball game set up in collaboration with Disability Sport and Recreation, circus skills workshop, Sunny Activity workshops and the much loved beach scene, face painting, balloons and a traditional sausage sizzle to sustain your energy levels!
If that’s not enough… if you want to know what ingredients makes the best sausage, how to make your own sausages and the best way to BBQ them, owner of La Luna Bistro and The Great Australian Sunny Sizzle Ambassador Adrian Richardson is your man. Adrian is using his love of meat and bringing it to Federation Square for the Celebrity Sizzle Off!
If you want to know more about the campaign to get people thinking about disability from a new perspective, head to their website downloads page and for some fab resources.
When: Friday 25th February
Time: 10am – 7pm
Where: Federation Square, Melbourne
Cost: Free
Ages: Family
8. PlaySchool Concerts
Featuring Two Presenters plus the toys from the popular television show. This show is full of active participation. These popular Play School live shows are specially designed to delight pre-schoolers and parents alike. Each show features 40 minutes of songs, games and stories with many of the well-loved toys plus along with two past or present presenters from the television series.
Late last year, I realised that I have not taken my youngest two kids to a concert like a Playschool concert yet! So we have booked to go and see a show in early March. Check out their website for the full dates and locations, but they are touring around country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne late February and early March.
When: Various Dates
Where: Various Locations
Cost: All Tickets *$14.50. Adults at children’s prices. Under 12mths free at the time of the concert. $6.60 Processing fee per booking not per ticket
Bookings Essential: Online
Ages: Preschool and under
9. Yarraville Festival
Another community day of entertainment, craft and market stalls, kids entertainment. The Kids Kingdom at Yarraville Festival has a variety of rides and amusements as well as a full day of entertainment on the Green Stage specifically for kids. Activities include:
- Jumping Castles
- Cyclone
- Chair-O-Plane
- Pluka Duck
- Mini-Bike Ride
- Cha-Cha
- Face Painting
- Fairies and Wizards!
When: Saturday Feb 12
Where: Anderson and Ballarat st, Yarraville
Ages: Family
Cost: Free (some paid activities on site though)
10. Tot Spot: I can paint
We have attend the tots art sessions at the NGV International and have had a wonderful time. In February the focus is painting.
See some of the big, bright and colourful paintings in the gallery and paint a picture in the Education studios.
Where: NGV International 180 St Kilda Road, Great Hall, Level G
When: 28 Feb 2011, 10.00am – 11.00am or 11.15am – 12.15pm
Cost: $14 (includes a complimentary tea/coffee voucher, bookings essential)
Ages: 3-5 years old
Bookings: Essential on 8662 1555