Not long to go now when we will be on our long summer break! Some fab activities on over the summer in Melbourne. If you missed yesterdays’s post, it was all about Sydney.
The Langham Christmas Lightshow
The Langham Christmas Lightshow has been created to share with children and adults the magic of Christmas. It tells the story of our ‘Goose Hunter’ statue making a Christmas wish to be brought to life in a Winter Wonderland.
{You will need to click through to the blog if you are reading this via email, to see the beautiful video of the Lightshow.}
Ages: Family
Show Times:
Friday 7th December 2012
7:05pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm, last show 11:00pm.
Saturday 8th December – Friday 28th December 2012
12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm,
3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm,
6:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm,
9:00pm, 10:00pm, last show 11:00pm.
Location: 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Melbourne
Cost:
Make-A-Wish® Australia has been active since 1985 and grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions, providing hope strength and joy when needed most.
If you would like to help make wishes come true for seriously-ill children, you can make a gold coin donation in the fountain. Make-A-Wish® Australia collection tins are also located at the Front Desk, Concierge and Melba Reception. All donations collected during The Langham Christmas Lightshow go to Make-A-Wish® Australia.
Bookings: Not required
More information: Langham Hotel website
Australian Treasure Walks
I am yet to do this with the kids, but found out about this one from some lovely mums at the kid’s primary school who highly recommended them.
Description: There are a number of different walks you can choose from in the Melbourne CBD area. There is a booklet for each walk that you pay for. Each booklet has a map and directions to follow to take you on an interesting walk. After payment you download the booklet and print it off yourself.
The walks are like a treasure or scavenger hunt as you need to hunt around the sights to find the answers to clues that will allow you to solve a final puzzle. The walks are specially designed to lead you to some of Melbourne’s most treasured sights.
When you have solved the final puzzle you will be able to enter the competition to win an Amazon or Cole/Myer voucher.
Ages: Family
Date/s: Any
Time/s: You choose!
Location: Melbourne CBD
Cost: Maps range from $12 – 18
Bookings: Not required
More information: Australian Treasure Walks
Hoyts Bean Bag Cinema
Bean Bag Cinema is also new to me – I think my teen would love it!
Description:
Bean Bag cinema is a revolutionary experience – it’s the new Hoyts chill out zone and the only cinema where you can enjoy the latest quality blockbusters from the comfort of your very own deluxe beanbag. A world-first in cinema design, this is entertainment at its coolest! Bean Bag cinema is about comfort, fun and kicking back in your own individual style.
Distinctly unique, with a fresh and funky vibe, Bean Bag cinema is the the perfect function alternative for those after something a little bit different!
Ages: Doesn’t state any age restrictions, but I think this would be best for upper primary and secondary kids.
Date/s: Any
Time/s: You choose
Location: Only one in Melbourne to date, which is at Hoyts Melbourne Central. There are other locations around the country.
Cost:
- Ad/Ch Bean Bag Seats 2 tickets 34.50
- Adult Bean Bag Seats 2 tickets 39.00
- Child Bean Bag Seats 2 tickets 30.00
- Booking Fee $1 per ticket
Bookings: Required. Booking can be made online.
More information: Hoyts Cinemas
Apples and Jam
I love Apples and Jam. They have fab classes for kids and it is located in the gorgeous South Melbourne Commons.
The youngest three attended a creative class at Apples and Jam last school holidays and you can see my full review here.
Click on image to see a larger version of the classes available this school holidays.
Ages: from 2.5 – 8 years
Date/s: Various
Time/s: Various
Location: South Melbourne Commons, 217-239 Montague St, South Melbourne
Cost: Ranging from $20 for shorter classes to $60 for longer sessions.
Bookings: Required and can be made by ringing 03 9682 6367
More information: Check the Apples and Jam website or the Apples and Jam facebook page.
Museum Victoria
Description:
Carnival of Science – Scienceworks
Explore the science behind the carnival! Navigate the maze of mirror and challenge yourself with the strength tester. Like a human cannonball, launch yourself head first into the weird and wacky world of the carnival!
Date: Opens 15 December 2012
Time: 10am–4.30pm
Cost: $16 adult, $5 concessions and $4.50 children – MV Members receive 50% discount
Includes general entry to Scienceworks
Waa and the Seven Sisters – Melbourne Museum
Travel back in time and discover one of the Kulin nation’s most beloved creation stories. Meet Waa The Crow, his many friends, and discover a world of legends in the story of how the gift of fire was brought to the Kulin nation. Share in the fun and enjoy a show filled with laughter, drama, dance and song.
Date: 2 to 28 January 2013
Time: 11am, 12pm and 1pm
Cost: $10 adult, $5 concession and child, $6 MV Member adult, $3 MV Member concession or child. Includes Melbourne Museum entry.
Leaving Dublin – Immigration Museum
This is one activity I would really like to get to. Yes there are fab kids activities as you see below, but there is also a fantastic photographic exhibition:
Since 2010, Irish photographer David Monahan has captured on film the sense of adventure, excitement, hope, sadness and anxiety of those who are part of the current wave of people leaving Ireland. Some have chosen Australia as the place to make their home and fulfil their dreams.
These images and stories are also universal, part of the global movement of people.
On the Immigration Museum website they have a great video which runs for about 15 minutes with interviews of Irish who have migrated to Australia and the reason why. I have to admit, I had no idea how badly effecedt the Irish economy was by the global financial crisis.
Irish Fling
Irish Kids Fest
Explore Irish culture and spend a craic’n Sunday with us at Immigration Museum, enjoying performances and workshops by the lively Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance. Learn to play the Irish bodhrán drum, try an Irish jig and join in the kids céilí dance session. See the Leaving Dublin photography exhibition and savour Irish tales, food and drinks.
Date: Sunday 13 January 2013
Time: 11am–4pm
Claddagh Bangle
Decorate your own Claddagh bangle with gold and silver card, glitter and sequins. The Claddagh bangle, which is worn by both boys and girls, was inspired by the traditional Irish symbol of friendship, love and loyalty. Legend says that it was created around 400 years ago in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, by an Irish jeweller who learnt his craft after being kidnapped by pirates!
Time: Daily, 10am–5pm
Location: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm (except Christmas Day)
Cost: Museum entry – Adult $10, child/concession FREE. All exhibitions and activities are FREE for children.
More information: 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum
The Flying Trapeze Centre Melbourne
Both Mr I and Master 14 have had a trapeze session and loved it.
Description:
This centre runs sessions for kids aged 2 – 13 (older kids are welcome in other classes). They even do kids parties.
The details for the school holiday program are still be TBA, but there are casual sessions you can book depending on the age of the child.
The summer school holiday program will be a 5 day intensive program that will give kids the opportunity to master and learn a number of circus skills such as juggling, hoolahoops, tumbling, acro balance, aerial skills and flying trapeze!
The days will be broken in to 3 sessions with two in the morning before lunch then the 3rd being 2 hours of flying trapeze every afternoon!
The last day of the intensive will involve a showcase of the weeks work for family and friends.
Location: 26 Cottage St, Blackburn
More information: Call 9877 7727 or check out the Flying Trapeze Centre website.
The Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance school holiday programs are an ideal way for families with children aged 6-12 to participate in remembrance and discover the spirit of ANZAC.
Young families can explore the Shrine of Remembrance this summer with the help of Lofty the Light Horse and Pat, an Australian Light Horse soldier. Pick up the Children’s Tour book from the Visitor Centre and navigate around the Shrine through a series of fun and educational questions; find out about Australian military history and the importance of the Shrine in remembering our servicemen and women.
All families who complete the tour will receive a Shrine Explorer Bag with lots of great information and goodies. All participants will be entered into a draw to win one of three Friends of the Shrine Family Memberships.
When: Daily, Thursday 3 January to Sunday 27 January 2013
Any time between: 10.30am-4.30pm Activity
Location: Shrine of Remembrance, Visitor Centre
Program Length: 60-90 minutes
Suitable for: ages 6-12
Cost: Free, donations welcome
More information: www.shrine.org.au/families or phone 03 9661 8100
Public transport: All trams along St Kilda Road (except number 1). Stop 19.
Phineas and Ferb’s Brilliant Backyard
Brief description:
the kids and kids-at-heart can get zapped by Phineas and Ferb’s latest invention, the ‘Photo-Inator’. Every kid attending will receive a free Phineas and Ferb photo frame, plus kids can build their own Platy-plane, play Phineas and Ferb games, and watch the latest and greatest offerings from Disney Channel.
Ages: 5-12 approx.
Date/s: 18-20th January
Time/s: Open daily from 9am Fridays and Saturdays & 10am on Sundays
Location: Westfield Fountain Gate (Centre Court, level 1) 352 Princes Highway, Fountain Gate
Cost: FREE!
Bookings: Not needed
More information: Phineas and Ferb’s Brilliant Backyard Website
Stonnington Council Teenage Holiday Program
Stonnington Council have a fantastic Teenage Holiday Program running this summer holidays. I did try and find similar programs run by other councils but didn’t come up with much. Please let me know in the comments if you know of others.
The Teenage Holiday Program is a recreation program, suitable for young people aged 10-15, in Year 6 to Year 9. The program runs from Monday to Friday for two weeks during the school holiday periods.
The holiday program provides a safe, social environment in which young people can try new activities and meet new friends. Activities vary daily to provide a diverse range of active recreation opportunities for young people during the school holiday break.
Registrations are now open for the 7 January -18 January 2013 Teenage Holiday Program, with an exciting variety of activities on offer, including:
- Adventure and Fun Park Visits
- Harold Holt Swim Centre Fun Day!
- Ice Skating
- Indoor Rock Climbing
- River Kayaking in Anglesea
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Surfing in Ocean Grove
- Tree Adventure Climbing and;
- Much, much more!
Age: All participants must be in Year 6 to Year 9 and aged between 10-15.
Booking and Payment: Stonnington residents have booking priority until 5pm Friday 7 December 2012. Bookings and payments are due, in person or by mail, prior to 5pm Friday 28 December 2012.
Cost: Ranges from $30 – $45
Departure Location: All activities will depart from and return to the Malvern Town Hall, corner High Street and Glenferrie Road.
What ever you do this summer holidays, be happy and safe!