This give away has now closed. The winners as chosen by Nuffnang were:
1. Sandy M
My kids haven’t been yet, but I just know they will love the performance about Tiddalik the frog. I think it is so important that all Australian children learn about our aboriginal culture and why looking after our land is important for the future, and this makes it so easy and fun!
2. Cheryl Moulton
My Grandchildren have moved her from the ACT and are very eager to visit the Melbourne Museum. They (naturally) wish to see the dinosaurs and the mummies…..don’t all children? Anyway, I would love to have a chance to take them to see something which is not only fun for them but also educational, these school holidays, instead of them staying indoors playing Wii or going to the movies
3. Elise
My young amphibian lover has been dying to see Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog since an ad for them came up briefly on my blog. I’ve promised to take her to the Museum when we go back to Melbourne later this month as she is dying to visit it now thanks to that ad.
4. Trace
Dinosoars!!!
But your post has shown me that there must be a lot of the museum that we missed last time!
I would love to go back and check out all the things you mentioned
5. Michelle Carr
we have never been … but my four children would love the interactive aspect of the museum. will be a must do for 2012
This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.
Just before Christmas I took the 8, 5 and nearly 3 year old to the Melbourne Museum to see a sneak pick of Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog at Melbourne Museum.
Tiddalik is an Aboriginal creation story from the Gunai people of Gippsland, Victoria. It is a funny and entertaining story with an important message about looking after the water resources around us.
A greedy frog, Tiddalik, drinks all the water and the other animals need to work out how to get Tiddalik to return the water, so they and the plants can also have the water they need.
Uncle Herb (pictured above) is of the Gunai people and he and the rest of the cast had such a great connection with the kids in the audience.
Funny dancing and animated expressions are always a hit with the kids! The kids are encouraged to clap and get up and dance too.
The props and the set is just gorgeous – vibrant colours and beautiful patterns, really drawing the kids in to the action on stage.
Throughout the performance you get to meet a host of Australian animals, all of them working together to try and get that water out of Tiddalik.
We were even lucky enough to have Uncle Herb play some Christmas songs on a gum leaf. My kids have been trying to master this skill ever since with no luck!
Tiddalik is a collaboration between Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre (at Melbourne Museum), Melbourne Museum and Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
You can find these organisations on twitter as well – @bunjilaka @Ilbijerri @melbournemuseum.
Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog – the details
When: Performances of Tiddalik run daily 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm from 3rd Jan until 31st Jan 2012 (except Saturdays and Australia Day)
Duration: 20 minutes (perfect timing for younger kids)
Where: Melbourne Museum Theatre
Ages: All
Bookings: Not required
Cost: Free with entry to the Melbourne Museum. Entry prices to Melbourne Museum – Adults are $10, children and concessions are free!
As we only were able to see a sneak peak and the kids loved it so much, I have promised to take them back so we can see the full performance!
Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog – additional activities
The Melbourne Museum is one of those places you can take kids back time and time again, as there is so much to see.
After seeing a little bit of Tiddalik we headed down to the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. No photography is allowed in this space, but it was great to follow up the Aboriginal creation story with more exploration of Aboriginal Culture in Victoria.
There were similar themes in the Belonging to Country exhibition we saw as well (it is finishing quite soon). In the Talking Country section taking care of the land we are on was prominent:
“It is a duty to look after our country. The people belong to the land rather than the land belongs to the people. This duty of care is felt equally in the bush and in the cities.”
Lin Onus, 1992
We then moved to the forest gallery, which is a favourite with my kids. We were visiting on a beautiful sunny day, so spent quite a bit of time exploring the forest.
The theme of water and our role in looking after this resource flows through this space. Showing the kids also how many living creatures are dependant upon us taking good care of the environment around us.
We were even able to see frogs and if you look closely at the photo on the right hand side, you can see the mum frog with a baby on her back the kids spotted!
During the school holidays the museum will be running Frogs Alive! Kids will be able to meet some of the frogs that live at the museum and learn more about their habitats, life cycle and behaviours.
Frogs Alive will run from 11am – 3pm at Bunjilaka and you can check their website for more details.
While at Bunjilaka the kids will also be able to paint their own Tiddalik the frog mask. Both of these events are included in the entry price.
Children’s Gallery
After the Forest Gallery we were all getting a little bit hungry, so like us, you may like to pack a picnic lunch and head to the Children’s Gallery.
We sat outside and had a picnic. The Children’s Gallery is such a great space, both indoors and out. We sat outside for about half an hour.
After a quick bite to eat the kids were off playing with the equipment in the area.
Then it was back inside to the interactive displays of the Children’s Gallery.
Lots of things to touch and feel!
Once again we had a fabulous time at the Melbourne Museum and the kids are looking forward to going back in the new year!
Give Away – 2 x Adult Entry to Melbourne Museum
Thanks to Melbourne Museum I have 5 double passes for adult entry to the Melbourne Museum. To enter:
- Leave a comment below letting me know what is your kids favourite part of the Melbourne Museum or if they haven’t been yet, what part you think they will love the most.
- The giveaway is open to Australian residents only. If outside of Melbourne you must be able to use the passes by June 2012.
- You may only enter once.
- Entries close at 5pm AEDST 12th Jan 2012.
- Five winners will each win a double pass.
- Good luck!
Fine print:
Passes are valid until 30 June 2012
Excludes special exhibitions and events.
Not valid with any other offer. Not redeemable for cash.
Open daily 10am – 5pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)