HOT: Melbourne Museum Children’s Gallery + Giveaway

Melbourne Museum is one of my must-do recommendations in Melbourne for families with kids.

As well as the usual exhibitions of fossils, forests and Phar Lap, the Children’s Gallery is a kid-friendly space aimed at teaching mainly 3-8 year olds about natural history, with an adjoining undercover play area housing old-fashioned games such as hopscotch and quoits. The museum is also surrounded by Exhibition Gardens where there’s plenty of grass for roaming, basketball courts and a squeal-inducing playground.

NKOTB is now old enough to appreciate enjoy a visit to Melbourne Museum and so thanks to Nuffnang I took her to explore the Children’s Gallery. The main exhibit is called 1, 2, 3 Grow which teaches kids about how plants, animals, minerals and humans grow. There are specimens in glass cabinets, videos, games – lots of things to play with, climb and touch.

With school holidays on the Melbourne Museum also has a special school holiday program at the moment, including a performance of Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog.

Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog is a Aboriginal creation story from the Gippsland region about a small frog who drinks the entire world’s water supply, leaving all the plants and animals thirsty and dying. It’s a collaboration between Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum and Ilbijerri Theatre Company and the performance is suitable for children of all ages.

The show was fun (yes, even for adults), colourful, interactive and went for 20 minutes – short enough to keep NKOTB’s attention, her big round eyes following the performers every move.

Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog is showing until 31 January every day except Saturdays and Australia Day at 11.30, 1pm, 2pm. Bookings aren’t required though do get there early as it’s a popular show and people were being turned away.

The performance is free with entry to the museum, which is normally adults $10, children and concessions free.

Giveaway! Thanks to Melbourne Museum I have 2 passes for the Museum valid until 30 June 2012 which you can use to visit the museum and see Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog if you go before 31 January. To win all you have to do is leave a comment below and the winner will be drawn this Wednesday 25 January so I can send the passes out in time for the last weekend of the school holidays. Good luck!

The winners are Michelle and Judith! Your ticket will be mailed out today.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Michelle Vamvas January 23, 2012 at 8:45 pm: Hi! I LOVE the Melbourne Museum!! It’s a wonderful place for my three beautiful daughters to learn whilst having fun.
Thankyou for the opportunity to win.

Bron January 23, 2012 at 8:48 pm: What a great prize!

Denise Fung-Henderson January 23, 2012 at 9:46 pm: Love the Museum and the performance sounds lovely!! Would be great to watch I reckon! ^_^

Judith January 23, 2012 at 9:51 pm: I’d love to have the chance to visit the Melbourne Museum with Miss Five. She’d love it (and so would I!). Thanks for the giveaway.

Effie January 24, 2012 at 3:51 pm: Thanks for this great giveaway! I love visiting museums with my kids as they always see and learn something new each time!