This week Glow Winter Arts Festival is back with a night-time art and light adventure and get your science on with Science Week‘s free and paid events ending on Sunday 18 August, including the Festival of Soil at Artplay.
And thanks to last week’s washout my family-friendly event Invisible (L)Ink has been rescheduled to this Friday 16 August. Come along if you’re free at the new time and help us decorate a Footscray footpath with invisible ink. (Cross fingers it doesn’t rain again!).
We’ll also see you on the dance floor for the first outing of Wham Bam Thank You Fam in Footscray!
Finally, I’m sure school parents won’t forget – this weekend is the start of Book Week! (Sunday 17 August – Friday 23 August). To get into the spirit check out Melbourne’s best children’s bookshops, Melbourne’s best libraries. and get your costumes organised asap.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- Winter Garden at Fed Square (Fri 16 Aug – Mon 26 Aug) – a joyous and playful profusion of handcrafted flowers in a riot of glorious colour to brighten our midwinter days!
- See You In the Soup (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 17 Aug) – See You in the Soup is a surreal animated exploration of the Melbourne epicurean landscape, seen through the eyes of a small and curious duck.
- Marvel: Journey of Heroes (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 29 Sep) – free exhibition showcasing each of Marvel’s eight decades, starting with its origins as Timely Comics. Read my review.
- Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 13 Oct) – Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality is a large-scale presentation of the Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Warriors. Presented in parallel, Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape, will see contemporary artist, Cai Guo-Qiang, create all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions. Read my review and Buy discount tickets to the Terracotta Warriors here.
- A Fairy Tale in Red Times NGV (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
- Terracotta Warriors High Tea (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – luxurious Chinese-themed high tea where you can paint your own chocolate terracotta warrior. Read my review
- Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 18 Aug) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
- AFL Sunday Funday (Sun 18 Aug) – free entry for kids and activities on at Sunday AFL games.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 3 Nov) – musical of Roald Dahl’s iconic book. Read my review.
- Wonka Bar The Westin (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 3 Nov) – Step inside a world of pure imagination and head to our Wonka Bar for a pre or post show sugar hit. Also enjoy Wonkariffic High Tea with three tiers of sweet treats handcrafted by our very own Oompa Loompas.
- LEGO Sea Explorers SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium (Fri 16 Aug – Fri 19 Sep) – Build, draw, colour and create with LEGO bricks. Read my review.
- The Winter Village (Fri 16 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – ice rink, food & drink pop up bars, a mega igloo dining hall and an Igloo Village of 21 cosy igloos. Read my review.
- Riverslide Skate Park Learn2Ride (Sun 18 Aug) – Riverslide Skate Park runs regular skateboard, BMX and scooter lessons for beginners as well as more experienced riders.
- Winter Night Market Queen Victoria Market (Wed 21 Aug) – crackling fires, mulled wine and a revolving line-up of roving entertainers and live music, over 30 street vendors and designer and artisan stalls. Read my review.
- Ned Kelly Tour (Wed 21 Aug) – Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, read pages from the Jerilderie letter and see photos and historic objects related to his life.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- Disposable (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 31 Aug) – Science Gallery’s pop up exhibition all about waste and finding creative solutions to our throwaway culture. Full review.
- Convent Made (Sat 17 Aug) – meet Convent creatives at their studios between 11am – 3pm and join a free Convent Made studio tour, learn a new skill or purchase a range of textiles, fashion, jewellery, ceramics and artist-made gifts.
- Free Kids Activities Preston Market (Sun 18 Aug) – free kids activities during June/July every Sunday.
- Spit for Science + Gut Feelings spot talks (Sat 17 Aug) – we are creating a digital microbe map of Victoria, by taking a sample from one of the gut; your mouth. Your saliva donations will be analysed by Melbourne University for this cutting-edge research. Spot talks running in Gut Feelings exhibition all day.
- All For Kids Market Coburg (Sat 17 Aug) – 70 indoor stalls of quality pre-loved baby and kids clothes, toys, prams, ride-ons, nursery furniture and everything in between!
- Neko HQ 2nd Annipurrsery (Sat 17 Aug) – face painter and balloonist for the kids (or kids at hearts), a bake sale, vegan BBQ and lots of other entertainment.
- Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market (Sun 18 Aug) – all stallholders make, bake or grow their own wares.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – miniature railway with playground next door. Read my review
- Pacific Kids (Wed 21 Aug) – Free kids activities every Wednesday.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Glow Winter Arts Festival (Thu 15 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – arts, culture and food festival. Full review.
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 16 Aug – Thu 22 Aug) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, kids dance classes and music – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
- DUPLO Kids Club Legoland (Fri 16 Aug – Thu 22 Aug) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
- Rain Room (Fri 16 Aug – Sat 29 Sep) – art installation in bespoke pavilion that is a 100 square metre field of continuous rainfall. Read my review.
- Hank Marvin Market (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – launch of weekly markets at Elsternwick Primary School and Ripponlea Primary School.
- Sound Collage Linden New Art (Sun 18 Aug) – Join sound artists Dale Gorfinkel and Bryan Phillips for a special sound workshop. Using recycled materials, organic or kitchen objects to create sound sculptures, kids will bang, clash and make a collective music composition.
- Mornington Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sun 18 Aug) – high quality pre loved, handmade, and new goods at reasonable prices.
- Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 21 Aug) – Every Wednesday a different activity where your mini me’s can play, learn and be entertained.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Lake Mountain (Fri 16 Aug – Thu 22 Aug) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
- Mt Baw Baw (Fri 16 Aug – Thu 22 Aug) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
- Jurassic Unearthed by Silver’s Circus (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – See Australia’s finest circus along with everyone favourite prehistoric creatures.
- Park Orchards Market (Sat 17 Aug) – Enjoy music, kids activities, playgrounds, plenty of parking, coffee, bread, pastries, fresh fruit & veg, local eggs, honey, wholesale meat, artisan deli goods, cheese, wine, plants, gifts, homewares, dogs & cats painter, arts & crafts and jewellery.
- Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. READ THE REVIEW.
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
- Winter Igloo Garden & Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 18 Aug) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore! Read my review.
- Heide Art Babies (Tue 20 Aug) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
- Wallaby Wednesdays Healesville Sanctuary (Wed 21 Aug) – Dress up as wallabies with wallaby face painting, wallaby ears and wallaby tails for pouch races, hopping games and wallaby trails. Bring your favourite soft toy animal to join in the fun. Wallaby tails and wallaby ears are provided for dress up fun. Also don’t forget Future Vets and Pouch House indoor play.
- Possum Play Thursdays Healesville Sanctuary (Thu 22 Aug) – Join our play makers for stories, activities and possum-themed face painting. Every Thursday during school term at 11am.
- Hot Chocolate Festival Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Fri 16 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – 31 limited edition hot chocolates and hot chocolate tastings. Full review.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST
- West Projections (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – projection art will illuminate creative spaces, VU campus, businesses and public places. Join me at my family-friendly event Invisible (L)Ink!
- Brickman Cities Scienceworks (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 3 Oct) – Discover the world’s most iconic cities and build your own creations at this brand-new interactive LEGO® experience. Read my review.
- Dingo Puppy Encounter (Fri 16 Aug – Sun 22 Sep) – Cuddle and photograph cute fluffy cubs and meet friendly dingo adults at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre. Full review.
- I Am Me Younger Sun Bookshop (Sat 17 Aug) – Join us and storybook creator Silvana Philippoussis for a special storytime and craft activity.
- Essendon Traffic School (Sat 17 Aug) – mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Full review.
- Altona Beach Film Festival (Sat 17 Aug) – interactive evening of film and entertainment by the Bay.
- Eid Festival (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – rides and food stalls from many different cultures
- Mini Zoo Keepers Werribee Zoo (Sat 17 Aug, Thu 22 Aug) – Children aged 2-5 years and their adults can go on an intimate guided tour with a Zookeeper to help look after some of the special animals in the zoo.
- Tall Ship Enterprize (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – tour the replica of John Pascoe Fawkner’s Schooner Enterprize.
- Altona Miniature Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – Every third Sunday of the month the Altona Miniature Railway is opened to members of the public and members take kids and adults on rides on the mini steam and diesel engines. READ THE REVIEW.
- Wham Bam Thank You Fam (Sun 18 Aug) – on-the-spot DJ lessons and pizza making, or even a chance to tear it up in the Fortnite dance zone.
- Little Italy Food Fest (Sun 18 Aug) – Traditional Italian Foods, Traditional Italian Coffee, Entertainment, Pop Up Bar & More.
- STEM Sundays Scienceworks (Sun 18 Aug) – robotics and coding workshops for kids every Sunday. Read my review.
- Bulla Hill Railway (Sun 18 Aug) – Every 1st and 3rd Sunday the ride this the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read my review.
- Kensington Market (Sun 18 Aug) – monthly market showcase of talented local artisans and crafters.
- Swagger Child Design Market (Sun 18 Aug) – exclusive seasonal children’s style market where you will find independently designed and handmade decor, furnishing, clothing and toys.
- Little Sparks Scienceworks (Mon 19 Aug) – 50 minute, fun-filled workshops for children 3-5 years led by a Scienceworks educator according to themes that change throughout the year. Full review.
- Pacific Werribee Kids Club (Tue 20 Aug) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 21 Aug) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
- Toddler Circus Footscray (Thu 22 Aug) – learn circus skills with aerials, balances, circus circuits and games. Read my review.
- Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 22 Aug) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
- Arty Tales Incinerator Gallery (Thu 22 Aug) – Introduce your pre-schooler to art with early learning program Arty Tales. Full review.
- Hot Chocolate Festival Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie (Fri 16 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – 31 limited edition hot chocolates and hot chocolate tastings. Full review
I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
