What’s on this week in Melbourne for your family? This weekend we’re going to be busy with books, music and LEGO!
Follow our adventures on Facebook and Instagram as we visit the Williamstown Literary Festival for Wordburger with Leigh Hobbs and David Astle and Adventures with Andy Griffiths, enjoy MSO Family Jams Carnival of Dangerous Creatures and the new Brickman Cities LEGO exhibition at Scienceworks!
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 14 June – 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.
- A Fairy Tale in Red Times NGV (Fri 14 June – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
- Alice Through the Opera Glass (Fri 14 Jun – Sat 15 Jun) – Follow the White Rabbit through the corridors of time to meet famous characters from your favourite operas in this wonderfully creative pastiche, which includes music from Bizet, Delibes, Handel, Mozart and Verdi.
- MSO Family Jams Carnival of Dangerous Creatures (Sat 15 Jun) – In this family-friendly musical adventure, the musicians of the MSO will play the part of some of the most dangerous creatures in the world.
- Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 16 Jun) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
- The District Makers Market (Sun 16 Jun) – enjoy entertainment and shop fine arts, crafts, jewellery, artisan goods.
- The Winter Village (Fri 14 Jun – 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.
- Alexander Calder Workshop for Kids (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 4 Aug) – Incorporating hands-on activities that explore the artist’s interest in inventing and constructing new artistic forms, this installation draws inspiration from Calder’s unique exploration of space using line, objects, scale and movement. Read my review
- Riverslide Skate Park Learn2Ride (Sun 16 Jun) – Riverslide Skate Park runs regular skateboard, BMX and scooter lessons for beginners as well as more experienced riders.
- Beneath Artplay (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 1 Sep) – Explore an underwater landscape created with recycled plastic. Surprising creatures and strange sounds are lurking on the ocean floor.
- NGV Under 4s (Tue 18 Jun) – Share in your child’s first art experiences and get involved with hands-on making activities in this program for toddlers aged 2-4 and their parent or carer. Read my review.
- Winter Night Market Queen Victoria Market (Wed 19 Jun) – 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.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- 50 Years of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Fri 14 Jun) – Storytime to celebrate the 50th birthday of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Mum & Babes Flower Workshop (Fri 14 Jun) – A chance for Mums to connect while making something gorgeous and seasonal for your home.
- Dino Park Melbourne Zoo (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Get up close during this unique walkthrough experience with roving dinosaurs thanks to the creators at Erth Visual & Physical Inc. Read my review.
- Big Fish Little Fish (Sun 16 Jun) – Enchanted Forest themed family rave. Read my review.
- Book launch The Little Bookroom (Sun 16 Jun) – launch of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire by wonderful debut author and all round entertainer, Nat Amoore.
- Eltham Craft and Produce Market (Sun 16 Jun) – every one of our stallholders makes, bakes or grows their own wares.
- Free Kids Activities Preston Market (Sun 16 Jun) – free kids activities during June/July every Sunday.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – miniature railway with playground next door. Read my review
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 14 Jun – Thu 20 Jun) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, kids dance classes and music – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
- Intrude Bunjil Place (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 23 Jun) – stand in awe amongst giant sized rabbits that light up at night
- DUPLO Kids Club Legoland (Fri 14 Jun – Thu 13 Jun) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
- Beauty and the Beast (Fri 14 Jun – Sat 15 Jun) – The award-winning Windmill Theatre Company bring the timeless Disney love story, Beauty and the Beast to Bunjil Place.
- Hank Marvin Market (Sat 15 Jun) – weekly Saturday market with an awesome playground at Alma Park.
- Mornington Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Movies at the Market (Tue 18 Jun) – Every market day (10am and 12.30pm) Dandenong Market brings you a range of heartwarming tales and heroic adventures all whilst lounging in comfy bean bags and enjoying delicious popcorn.
- Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 19 Jun) – Every Wednesday a different activity where your mini me’s can play, learn and be entertained.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Warburton Film Festival (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 16 Jun) – This film festival is in its 35th year and is a fantastic opportunity to be exposed to smaller, genre-breaking films.
- Megabeasts Healesville Sanctuary (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – discover 10 MegaBeasts from Australia’s ancient past in an animatronic spectacular.
- Mt Baw Baw (Fri 14 Jun – Thu 20 Jun) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
- Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 16 Jun) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
- Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. FULL REVIEW.
- Heide Art Babies (Tue 18 Jun) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
- Brownie Festival Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Thu 14 Jun – Sun 23 Jun) – line-up of different Brownie flavours, be tempted by Brownie Bites and Brownie Bombs and a specially churned brownie ice cream, plus a host of different brownie inspired desserts to try. Read my review.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST
- Shadowfax Wines Friday Nights (Fri 14 Jun) – live music and late opening hours every Friday night in June. Full review.
- West Set (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 23 Jun) – FREE program of live music in Footscray.
- Brownie Festival Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 23 Jun) – line-up of different Brownie flavours, be tempted by Brownie Bites and Brownie Bombs and a specially churned brownie ice cream, plus a host of different brownie inspired desserts to try. Read my review.
- Williamstown Literature Festival (Sat 15 Jun – Sun 16 Jun) – speakers and panel discussions for readers as well as workshops for budding writers, activities for kids, music
- Enterprize Sail Williamstown (Sat 15 Jun – Sun 16 Jun) – 1 hour sail on tall ship Enterprize comes to Williamstown.
- Brickman Cities Scienceworks (Sat 15 Jun – Discover the world’s most iconic cities and build your own creations at this brand-new interactive LEGO® experienceSun 4 Aug) –
- Winter Music in the Valley (Sun 16 Jun) – series of four free classical music concerts held on Sunday afternoons.
- Kensington Market (Sun 16 Jun) – monthly boutique market offers an eclectic mix of fresh produce, designer fashion, jewellery and visual art creations, vintage, retro and antiques, all set in a vibrant environment filled with live music, great coffee and delicious foods.
- Bulla Hill Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read my review.
- STEM Sundays Scienceworks (Sun 16 Jun) – Lego Robotics and Coding workshops for children age 8 – 12 years. Read my review.
- Altona Miniature Railway (Sun 16 Jun) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. FULL REVIEW.
- Little Sparks Scienceworks (Mon 17 Jun) – 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 18 Jun) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 19 Jun) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
- Toddler Circus Footscray (Thu 20 Jun) – learn circus skills with aerials, balances, circus circuits and games. Read my review.
- Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 20 Jun) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
- Zoorassic Werribee Zoo (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Nine life-size dinosaurs come to life through animatronics and soundscapes. Meet a Dinosaur Ranger and find out what it is like to care for and train this species. Read my review.
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