Experience Winter Lights, Celebrate Solstice + Free School Holidays

Get the Scoop

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Hey Reader,

As you know, Iโ€™m all about helping parents and carers to make happy memories with their kids through exploring the best of Melbourne + Victoria.

Over the years, Iโ€™ve seen (and heard) it all when it comes to the struggle to keep kids entertained, active and engaged. And my team and I have built a huge website, send weekly newsletters and curated multiple social media accounts to keep you inspired.

But these upcoming school holidays have got me thinking.

Planning out what to do with your kids EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. of the holidays can be particularly complicated and overwhelming.

But with a friendly guide? Itโ€™s so much easier.

Why canโ€™t I be that friend?

I can arm parents and carers with the best, kid-tested information – so if they are venturing out they feel safe in the knowledge that theyโ€™re going to have a great time. Plus we could offer our community exclusive freebies and discounts too!

Thatโ€™s where the idea of The Daily Scoop has come from.

These winter school holidays weโ€™re going to be sending a super-short daily email with ONE perfect thing to do with your kids.

The Daily Scoop will take you 30 seconds to read over your morning coffee – then BAM your day’s fun is sorted. No guesswork or Googling involved.

What do you think? Feel free to hit reply and ask me any questions youโ€™ve got. Iโ€™m here!

Joyce xx

P.S. Speaking of freebies – we’ve got one right here! I have 24 double passes to give away for the awesome Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF). The tickets are valid for any session except Inside Out 2.

To score a double pass, just be one of the first 24 people to click on the REPLY TO ME button above, with the subject line ‘I want to go to CHIFF‘. Good luck!

See The Light

PARTNER CONTENT

โ€‹Lightscape opens this Friday at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne!

Featuring brand new installations, a reimagined trail and a range of dining options – it’s a family winter wonder you won’t want to miss.

There are also two relaxed sessions for people who would prefer to experience the event in a more relaxed environment.

What’s On

  • โ€‹Aussie Bush Illustration with Jess Racklyeft (Sat 15 Jun) โ€“ Be transported to the Australian wilderness in this hands-on illustration workshop with award-winning illustrator and author Jess Racklyeft.
  • โ€‹The Art of Banksy โ€“ Australia: โ€œWithout Limitsโ€ Exhibitionโ€ (Wed 12 Jun – Sat 3 Aug) โ€“ The Art of Banksy: โ€œWithout Limitsโ€ is a stunning street art exhibition of museum quality featuring over 150 artworks.
  • โ€‹Warburton Film Festival (Fri 14 Jun โ€“ Sun 16 Jun) โ€“ This film festival is in its 35th year and is a fantastic opportunity to be exposed to smaller, genre-breaking films.
  • โ€‹Trust Makersโ€™ Market (Sun 16 Jun) โ€“ Shop lovingly handmade art and design on the sprawling lawns of Rippon Lea Estate.
  • โ€‹Lightscape (Fri 16 Jun โ€“ Sun 6 Aug) โ€“ An immersive, after-dark experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. See iconic tree canopies drenched in colour, vibrant bursts of light from the undergrowth and more!
  • โ€‹Box Hill Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the Month) โ€“ Ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. Read the Box Hill Miniature Railway Review.
  • โ€‹Willy Lit Fest (Fri 14 Jun โ€“ Sun 16 Jun) โ€“ Willy Lit Fest (est 2003) brings together readers and writers for an annual celebration of story-telling, author talks, panels and writing workshops at a historic seaside setting.
  • โ€‹Incy Wincy Babies (Fri 14 Jun) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
  • โ€‹Flowerpot music at Billilla (Sun 16 Jun) โ€“ Everyone is invited to bring Billilla gardens to life with the ringing sound of flowerpots. Composed by Elliot Cole, Flowerpot music is a composition celebrating the unlikely beauty of the humble flowerpot.
  • โ€‹Enterprize One Hour Day Sails (Sun 16 Jun) – sail from five locations in Port Phillip Bay and occasionally in other ports along the south-eastern coast of Australia.

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What’s Hot

โ€‹Celebrate The Winter Solsticeโ€‹

Discover the best winter solstice events across Melbourne

โ€‹Ready, Set, SAVEโ€‹

EOFY is upon us, and itโ€™s the perfect time to treat yourself and your family to fantastic deals

โ€‹Illuminated Dinosaursโ€‹

Stomp over to Melbourne Zoo for a prehistoric adventure that’ll thrill the whole family

PARTNER CONTENT

โ€‹Keep Dry On Snow Adventuresโ€‹

When I head to the ski fields I like to wear my favourite Merry People gumboots when Iโ€™m not zooming down the slopes.

โ€‹Game Onโ€‹

Discover a mind-boggling array of sporting memorabilia and interactive zones at this museum

โ€‹Snow Much Fun – For Free!โ€‹

Find something fun and FREE to do with the family these winter school holidays

โ€‹Holiday Fun At Scienceworksโ€‹

Check out the exciting new shows at the Melbourne Planetarium, augmented reality experiences, exclusive on-site tours, and interactive workshops at Air Playgroundโ€‹

โ€‹Read All About Itโ€‹

Find the best book subscription for inspiration on what to read next or for staying abreast of new releases (especially if you are time-poor!)

Giveaway

Enter now for your chance to WIN 1 of 3 Despicable Me 4 Family Passes!

Promote Your Event

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Are you running an event or promoting an attraction these upcoming school holidays?

Get it featured in Melbourne + Victoria’s biggest newsletter for families, with 21,000+ readers actively looking for fun things to do with kids every week.

Limited June and July ad spots are available. You can book your ad spot by clicking HERE.

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PO Box 2511, Footscray, VIC 3011

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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