A full week of stories starts Saturday 📚

The Weekend Wrap

Curated weekend fun + latest posts, straight to your inbox

Hi Reader

Book Week kicks off this Saturday, and this year’s theme is a good one: Symphony of Stories, with artwork from Briony Stewart setting the tone.

It runs right through to Friday the 28th, so there’s a full week of dress-ups, library sessions and readings to look forward to.

The CBCA’s Book of the Year shortlist gets its winners announced tomorrow, and I’m always curious to see which ones end up on high rotation in our house afterwards.

Your local council and library will likely have their own Book Week events on too, so it’s worth a quick look at what’s happening near you. We’ve also tucked a couple of events into this issue to get you started!

Joyce xx

Event Picks

🌟 Featured Event

​PAW Patrol™ Live! “Race to the Rescue” (Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 Aug) Ryder and the pups race to save Mayor Goodway, with sing-alongs, favourite characters and the iconic Pup Pup Boogie. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Winter Warmer at The Street Social (Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 Aug) Free family weekend by the water with food trucks, live music, big-screen sport and an outdoor movie night. 📍Docklands

​Symphony of Stories (Saturday 22 Aug) MSO musicians bring Book Week to life through storytelling and music, perfect for ages 3-12. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​Seed Stories (Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 Aug) Kids explore soil science and plant native seeds to take home in this hands-on Science Week workshop for ages 5+. 📍Carlton

​Family Skating Workshop (Sunday 23 Aug) All-skill-levels indoor skating with coaches on hand to help beginners find their feet. 📍Preston

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​Star Aquatics Grand Opening (Saturday 22 Aug) Free celebration with face painting, pool tours and a ribbon-cutting to mark the pool’s big relaunch. 📍Mentone

​Family Disco (Saturday 22 Aug) Dance away the winter blues with music and prizes at this all-ages family disco, $10 per family. 📍Blind Bight

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​The Happy Place (Thursday 20 – Saturday 22 Aug) Camberwell Showtime’s 60th scout production brings comedy and music to life, all ages welcome. 📍Nunawading

​Teddy Bear Hospital Winter Check-Up (Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 Aug) Kids bring their teddy for ECGs, x-rays and physio at this much-loved pop-up hospital. 📍Malvern East

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Circus Royale (Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 Aug) A traditional big top show with aerialists, acrobats and the motorbike globe of death. 📍Melton

​Dino Family Fun Day (Saturday 22 Aug) Free dino-themed messy play, circus fun and a sausage sizzle for all little dinosaurs. 📍Footscray

New + Noteworthy

PARTNER CONTENT

​Adventure Camp Lands in Melbourne​

After 12+ years getting Sydney kids outdoors, Adventure Camp lands in Melbourne this Spring. Three days of games, challenges and adventure at Beaumaris Life Saving Club for ages 6–11.

Save $100 with code TOTHOTMELB-26.

​The Bike Trail That Has it All​

Balance bike or tween-ready, this trail scales to your crew from Brimbank Park to Docklands.
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​Where Kids Eat Free​

Cafes, pubs and restaurants that won’t blow the budget.

​Win Before the Season Starts​

Join the SS26 waitlist before Friday for a shot at a Father’s Day book pack from Penguin Kids, plus a Bluey plush toy.

Don’t want to hear about Tot Perks SS26? Click here to opt out while staying subscribed to everything else.

​Empty Beaches + An Easy Pace​

Visit off-season for empty beaches and affordable stays at a fishing village that’s calmer than Lorne.
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​The Parks Locals Rate Highest​

Council upgrades have turned these parks and playgrounds into every-age destinations.

Hot Off the Feed

6,600 years in the making 🕰️

Before the pyramids. Before Rome. The Gunditjmara people built one of the world’s most sophisticated food systems, and it’s still standing on Gunditjmara Country near Warrnambool.

We visited with our teenagers and it’s a trip that stays with you. Do the tour, ask questions, and don’t leave without trying the smoked eel.

Comment BUDJBIM and we’ll send you the link to the full guide

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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