Storytime, science and one loud pup 🐾

Fast 5

Your top weekday events guide + the best posts for under 5s

Event Picks

🌟 Featured Event

PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” (Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 Aug) Marshall, Chase, Skye and the rest of the pups hit the stage for a high-energy musical rescue mission the whole family can sing along to. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

Bedtime Storytime (Tuesday 18 Aug) Pop on pyjamas and grab a teddy for this free bedtime storytime for ages 2 to 7. 📍CBD

Stompers at Southbank Library (Thursdays during term) A weekly library program of songs and stories for toddlers aged 18 months to three years. 📍Southbank

Songbirds at City Library (Fridays during term) Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers up to 18 months and their grown-ups. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks

Science Week Storytime with Bundoora Park Farm (Wednesday 19 Aug) Science-themed stories and hands-on learning bring Science Week to this free storytime session. 📍Preston

Under 5s Art Classes (Fridays until 4 Sep) Weekly art sessions let kids aged three to five explore materials and processes alongside their carer. 📍Bundoora

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience (Daily until Monday 30 Nov, excl. Tuesdays) Oversized bubbles and a hot air balloon flight simulator make this sensory world worth the visit. 📍Brunswick

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks

Paper Puppet Pals (Daily until Friday 21 Aug) Stuff, stick and colour your way to a wonderfully wacky puppet at this Sandringham studio session. 📍Sandringham

Hot Chocolate Festival (Daily until Monday 31 Aug) Free entry and eight indulgent hot chocolate flavours to sip your way through this winter. 📍Bellbrae

Very Young Voices of Melbourne (Tuesdays) Babies, toddlers and preschoolers explore beat, rhythm and song through the Kodály approach to music. 📍Caulfield South

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks

All In – Our Community Youth Exhibition (Tuesdays – Sundays until 30 Aug) This free exhibition celebrates local kindergarten and school children’s creativity for National Reconciliation Week. 📍Healesville

Storytime (Tuesdays during term) This free session builds early literacy and group learning skills for children aged one to five, with older kids welcome if it suits them. 📍Mulgrave

Baby Time (Thursdays during term) Share songs and rhymes with your baby up to 12 months in this weekly singing session. 📍Hawthorn

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks

Science Week Discovery Time (Tuesday 18 Aug) This free, hands-on Science Week program sparks curiosity for preschoolers aged three to five, no bookings required. 📍Altona Meadows

Kangatraining (Thursdays during term) A baby-wearing fitness class led by a qualified trainer, designed to support postnatal health. 📍Maribyrnong

Toddler Art Sessions (Fridays during term) Drop-in painting, cutting and pasting sessions for toddlers and preschoolers aged 18 months to five years. 📍Maidstone

New + Noteworthy

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Early Access, VIP Style

Join the SS26 waitlist now for weekly giveaways, member parties and Cliqit discounts.

This week’s prize is tickets to the Kiri & Lou Go Raaa! movie, plus plush toys and the book “What Do They Like?

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

Pack Light + Stay Local

Keep the family close to home with these top Melbourne family hotel picks.

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Tot’s favourite Melbourne bubble tea stores, from classic milk tea to fruity blends.

Enter to Win

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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