So are you breathing a sigh of relief or a sigh of regret that school holidays are over! Either way, embrace the best of winter this week with more family fun continuing all the way into the end of July.
This weekend we’re going to be hanging out at Artplay for Workshop a Workshop and Noisy Office and planning our Open House Melbourne adventures for next weekend!
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- European Night Market (Fri 19 Jul) – Drawing inspiration from Christmas markets in countries like Switzerland and Germany, there’s food, drink, stalls and entertainment.
- See You In the Soup (Fri 19 Jul – Sun 17 Aug) – See You in the Soup is a surreal animated exploration of the Melbourne epicurean landscape, seen through the eyes of a small and curious duck
- Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 19 Jul – 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 19 Jul – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
- Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 21 Jul) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
- The Winter Village (Fri 19 Jul – 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 19 Jul – 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 21 Jul) – Riverslide Skate Park runs regular skateboard, BMX and scooter lessons for beginners as well as more experienced riders.
- Winter Night Market Queen Victoria Market (Wed 24 Jul) – 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
- Brazilian Winter Festival (Sat 20 Jul) – Welcome to Thornbury celebrates winter with Brazilian bands, Brazilian theatre and Brazilian food!
- Diamond Creek Regional Playspace pop up (Sat 20 Jul) – Come along and share your ideas for the new playspace.
- Book launch The Little Bookroom (Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – book launches and storytime.
- Eltham Craft and Produce Market (Sun 21 Jul) – every one of our stallholders makes, bakes or grows their own wares.
- Free Kids Activities Preston Market (Sun 21 Jul) – free kids activities during June/July every Sunday.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – miniature railway with playground next door. Read my review
- Pacific Kids (Wed 24 Jul) – Free kids activities every Wednesday.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 19 Jul – Thu 25 Jul) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, kids dance classes and music – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
- DUPLO Kids Club Legoland (Fri 19 Jul – Thu 25 Jul) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
- Luna Park Hot Dog Eating Competition (Sat 20 Jul) – annual Hot Dog Eating Competition. Full review.
- Bakers Exchange Ripponlea (Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – hit up some of Melbourne’s finest makers of cakes, breads, patisserie, doughnuts, and sweet treats.
- Hank Marvin Market (Sat 20 Jul) – weekly Saturday market with an awesome playground at Alma Park.
- Whisky Wine and Fire (Fri 19 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – tastings, fire-driven feasts, hot cocktails and art.
- Casey Central Cheeky Monkey Market (Sun 21 Jul) – Offering handmade & locally sourced delights in the one location with free, convenient parking & kids entertainment
- Mornington Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 24 Jul) – Every Wednesday a different activity where your mini me’s can play, learn and be entertained.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Lake Mountain (Fri 19 Jul – Thu 25 Jul) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
- Mt Baw Baw (Fri 19 Jul – Thu 25 Jul) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
- What’s in the Box Market (Sat 20 Jul) – unique, Australian and handmade products including textiles, illustration, jewellery, décor, boutique clothing, woodwork, paintings, resin + glasswork, ceramics, plants, furniture, mosaics, millinery, and more.
- Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. READ THE REVIEW.
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 21 Jun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
- Bumblebee Kids Baby Market Berwick (Sun 21 Jul) – pre loved, handmade, and new goods.
- Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 21 Jul) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
- Heide Art Babies (Tue 23 Jul) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST
- Winter Wonderlights Sovereign Hill (Fri 19 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – Christmas in July with snow falls, carols and projections. Full review.
- Brickman Cities Scienceworks (Fri 19 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – Discover the world’s most iconic cities and build your own creations at this brand-new interactive LEGO® experience. Read my review.
- Kids Eat Free Pacific Werribee (Fri 19 Jul – Wed 7 Aug) – Kids can enjoy a free meal at participating Urban Diner restaurants with any adult meal purchased over $15.
- Dingo Puppy Encounter (Fri 19 Jul – 22 Sep) – Cuddle and photograph cute fluffy cubs and meet friendly dingo adults at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre. Full review.
- Special Storytime with Nicki Greenberg (Sat 20 Jul) – Join award-winning author Nicki Greenberg for a very special storytime to celebrate her newest picture book BITSY!
- Essendon Traffic School (Sat 20 Jul) – mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Full review.
- Chris-mutts in July (Sat 20 Jul) – transforming The Lot into a Christmas Winter wonderland for you and your Pups.
- Union Road Little Free Pantry (Sat 20 Jul) – eco activities for kids, Roving Refills, pot luck lunch.
- Little Creatures Winter Wonderland (Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – live entertainment and wintery treats
- Free Ship Tours MV Steve Irwin (Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul) – FREE ship tour of Sea Shepherd’s retired flagship vessel.
- Jane Austen Winter Festival (Sat 20 Jul – Wed 31 Jul) – Join workshops in Regency style cooking and crafts, watch presentations on her writing, the fashion of the era.
- STEM Sundays Scienceworks (Sun 21 Jul) – robotics and coding workshops for kids every Sunday. Read my review.
- Altona Miniature Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Every third Sunday of the month the Altona Miniature Railway is opened to members of the public and members take kids and adults on rides on the mini steam and diesel engines Read the review.
- Reuse It Baby! Market (Sun 21 Jul) – Bubs, kids & mums second hand, recycled & new gear.
- Bulla Hill Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. FULL REVIEW
- Kensington Market (Sun 21 Jul) – monthly market showcase of talented local artisans and crafters.
- Little Sparks Scienceworks (Mon 22 Jul) – 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 23 Jul) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 24 Jul) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
- Toddler Circus Footscray (Thu 25 Jul) – learn circus skills with aerials, balances, circus circuits and games. Read my review.
- Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 27 Jun) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
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