For our first outing for TOT: HOT OR NOT, Baby Explorer and I jump on a tram to visit ArtPlay for Beam Me Up, Baby! presented by Emma Salzano. It’s a play space set up for baby adventures full of fun and exploration for babies 2 months to 14 months.
In the foyer we are greeted by Emma and Benji who point out the family-friendly facilities and ample pram parking before opening the session with a Welcome to Country, recognising our meeting on the land of the Kulin Nation.
Trained at Mangala Studios of Yoga and Creative Dance, Emma introduced her own children to modern dance, realising how the practice was perfect for little ones learning to move and interact with the world around us. While her own children have grown up, Emma continues to introduce modern dance activities to little ones. As per the session’s description, Baby Explorer has brought her “most playful adult” which I have interpreted to mean wearing clothes that I can comfortably crawl around the floor in; we are also told to take off our shoes and socks so I am relieved that I’d bothered to slick on some polish onto my toes prior to leaving the house!
Benji instructs parents to leave our phones behind so that we can be fully present to experience the activity with our children. Who knew that babies are surprisingly well-adapted for Space! Baby Explorer is just shy of five months when we get beamed up.
The session runs for around 45 minutes which is a good length of time to capture baby’s attention – her face lighting up and delighting in the sounds, textures and opportunity to meet other babies.
This session reminds me that the every day can be elevated to something a little more delightful simply by adopting a playful attitude. Emma is resourceful and her practice highlighted how ordinary household items can be combined to create a new world even for just a few moments. A wonderful way to add a sense of adventure to an otherwise regular day.
As an added bonus I am delighted to find that Baby Explorer gets so tuckered out that she naps for two hours after the session is over- hurrah! You can beam us up into space, anytime!
Click here for more places to go with babies and toddlers in Melbourne
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT TIPS:
- Artplay run free and paid workshops for children 0-12 years;
- Easy pram-access and parking;
- change table available for use in the accessible bathroom;
- If you are bringing more than one child, Artplay recommends that extra adults attend;
- A 5-10minute walk from Flinders Street Station or pre-book a carpark at Federation Square for $17 per hour – but effectively you get three hours parking as you have an hour’s grace on either side for entry and exit;
- before or afterwards visit the Artplay playground;
- Eat at cafes at Federation Square – I recommend Riverland and Pilgrim by the water or the ACMI cafe. Top tips on places to dine out with kids in the CBD.
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