The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (Wednesday 27 March – Sunday 31 March 2019) may not immediately come to mind as a child-friendly event, but in fact there’s enough to see and do at the show to make it a worthwhile visit for around 2 hours. Children under 14 are also admitted FREE!
In 2019 The Beyond Blue Charity Garden will feature outdoor playsets, flower crown & tiara making, drawing stations, a Funky Monkey Bar installation, face painting and a take-home show bag for all children who visit. Parents can also join in the fun with giant Snakes and Ladders and Jenga games or relax on beanbags in the chill out area.
The Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) will debut an all-new educational kids zone where little ones can get their hands dirty pot planting, taking turns pedalling a bike that generates water supply, playing hide-and-seek site in a bamboo forest tunnel, climbing the log fort, and taking part in workshops exploring the microscopic world of mini-beasts and the intricate layers of worm farms.
The Diggers Club will also host a sensory extravaganza in the gardens, where children can sample delicious heirloom fruits, explore a mini pumpkin field, count the colours of the rainbow in the veggie patch and frolic with clucking chickens.
Green Connections will excite visitors with an interactive and stimulating multisensorial play area, where kids can connect with plants, natural materials and learn from the surrounding environment.
The Great Hall of Flowers in the Royal Exhibition Building will be a world of pure imagination with The Plant Society’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-inspired indoor plant installation alongside a giant palace fallen into disrepair.
All tickets booked by Tuesday 26 February will automatically go into the draw to WIN $500 to spend at the Show. Secure your tickets now at www.melbflowershow.com.au
In previous years the show is had a Kids Under Cover Cubby House display. It features incredible architecturally designed cubby houses being auctioned for charity. Buy a raffle ticket to win one of them!
Kids (and adults) are welcome to play inside and outside the cubby houses!
Indoors there’s floral displays, student showcases, a retail store and floral designs by RMIT fashion students.
Outdoors in the ‘Avenue of Achievable Gardens’ (ha!) are more boutique gardens to please the eye and maybe inspire some keen gardening. You can view all the entrants and the winner gardens at the show.
The show also includes gardening-related retailers – I particularly like the birdhouses and other garden accessories by Bird’s The Word.
Depending on the patience of your children you could spend a good half-day at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and under 14s get in free. Add a visit to the playground nearby in Carlton Gardens and Melbourne Museum and you have a fun family adventure![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:
- RACV members get discounted entry;
- under 14s get free entry;
- change facilities and feeding area inside Royal Exhibition Building;
- pram access available everywhere, including ramps to get in/out of building to gardens;
- food options are average so BYO picnic and eat on the lawn;
- street parking limited, best to park in Melbourne Museum or take the train to Parliament then the 86/96 tram.
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