Hi there Reader

We’re in the first week of school holidays and the household budget might already be stretched – so this week’s issue is built entirely around FREE and low-cost ideas.

In our recent Reader Survey, many of you said that you want lots more ideas for things you can do with kids, without the spend. So that’s what we’re going to include from now on (I love being useful!).

And just in case you need even more to work with, our Winter School Holidays hub and Winter PDF Guide are both packed with extra inspo – from venue round-ups to indoor day-out ideas to wet-weather backup plans.

Joyce xx

P.S. Save this one (you might come back to it when the rain sets in and someone’s already asking what’s for dinner at 3pm).

🌟 Featured Events

​Junior Rangers Activities (Various sessions until Friday 10 Jul) Free ranger-led activities across Victoria’s parks for primary-aged kids – book fast, sessions sell out. 📍Various locations, VIC

​Spartan Kids Holiday Workout at Saltwater Reserve (Friday 3 Jul) A high-energy 1-3km obstacle workout just for kids with a warm-up, headband and finisher sticker, only $15. 📍Point Cook

​The Epically Awesome Odyssey with R.A. Spratt (Wednesday 8 Jul) A hilarious afternoon with author R.A. Spratt at The Capitol, full of myths, jokes and Greek-god mayhem. Ages 7+, kids $10. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Rituals of Return (Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 Jul) Free workshops at the Immigration Museum exploring care, memory and belonging through cooking, hosting and gathering. 📍CBD

​Firelight Festival (Friday 3 – Sunday 5 Jul) Three fiery nights at Docklands with fire performers, glow pickleball, food trucks and a laser show. Free entry. 📍Docklands

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​EMERGENCE(Y) (Wednesday – Saturday until Friday 5 Dec) A free exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne exploring how life adapts, from stem cells to Martian winds and fungal fashion. 📍Parkville

​Cupcake Creations Workshop (Friday 3 Jul) A free hands-on workshop with Hume Youth Services where kids 10-14 bake and decorate their own cupcakes from scratch. 📍Sunbury

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​Yakult Farm to Table Program (Monday – Friday until 10 Jul) A free factory tour, hands-on crafts and Yakult samples make this an unexpectedly fun school holiday day out. 📍Dandenong South

​Home in Colour (Daily until Sunday 12 Jul) An immersive RONE-designed streetscape at Chadstone where kids bring black-and-white rooms to life with colour. Tickets $5. 📍Chadstone

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​Winter School Holiday Fun at Bunjil Place (Various events until Sunday 12 Jul) Free family theatre, Room on the Broom on stage, and a vibrant sari exhibition all in one visit. 📍Narre Warren

​Creative Whitehorse Family Events (Various sessions until Saturday 7 Nov) Free and low-cost family workshops from collage and clay to cottage hunts exploring local history. 📍Box Hill

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Winter Wonderland (Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 Jul) Two free days at Little Creatures Brewing with 60+ market stalls, a petting zoo, bouncy castle and roving magicians. 📍Geelong

​Plastic Free July Pop Up Parties (Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 Jul) Join Tot Hot or Not founder Joyce as she hosts free pop up parties inspired by Plastic Free July. Join the opening celebration with kids activities and workshops or drop into a local park for free party snacks, games and giant bubbles. 📍Footscray, Seddon, West Footscray