What’s On – Friday 2 August to Thursday 8 August 2019

Happy August!

This weekend is the last chance to visit the Gertrude Street Projection Festival and Alexander Calder Workshop for Kids. Plus we will be checking out the LEGO Sea Explorers at Melbourne Aquarium, seeing The Red Tree at the Arts Centre Melbourne based on Shaun Tan’s book and visiting Science Gallery’s newest program Disposable all about waste and finding creative solutions to our throwaway culture.

Next weekend is the opening of West Projections Festival, illuminating Footscray, West Footscray and Seddon with light and projection art. Join me for my family-friendly event Invisible (L)Ink on Saturday 10 August where we will be decorating a Footscray footpath with invisible designs!

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• Winter Garden at Fed Square (Fri 2 Aug – Mon 26 Aug) – a joyous and playful profusion of handcrafted flowers in a riot of glorious colour to brighten our midwinter days!
• See You In the Soup (Fri 2 Aug – 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.
• Marvel: Journey of Heroes (Fri 2 Aug – Sun 29 Sep) – free exhibition showcasing each of Marvel’s eight decades, starting with its origins as Timely Comics.
• Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 2 Aug – 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 2 Aug – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
• Terracotta Warriors High Tea (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – luxurious Chinese-themed high tea where you can paint your own chocolate terracotta warrior. Read my review
• Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 4 Aug) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
• The Red Tree (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – Based on the beloved book by Shaun Tan, follow the little red leaf into this spectacular new work of musical theatre for ages 7 and older.
• LEGO Sea Explorers SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium (Sat 3 Aug – Fri 19 Sep) – Build, draw, colour and create with LEGO bricks. Read my review.
• The Winter Village (Fri 2 Aug – 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 2 Aug – 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
• Pirate Sunday Polly Woodside (Sun 4 Aug) – Dress as a pirate and come help us search for hidden treasure, play tug of war and have your face painted. Read the review.
• Riverslide Skate Park Learn2Ride (Sun 4 Aug) – 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 7 Aug) – 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.
• Ned Kelly Tour (Wed 7 Aug) – Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, read pages from the Jerilderie letter and see photos and historic objects related to his life.
• Beam Me Up Baby (Thu 8 Aug – Fri 9 Aug) – Shooting stars, milky ways, a lunar eclipse and strange creatures await in this play space for babies. Full review.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• Gertrude Street Projection Festival (Fri 2 Aug – Sat 3 Aug) – projection art along Gertrude Street at Australia’s longest-running projection festival. Read the review.
• Tread Sculptures Open Day (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – upcycled sculpture trail showcasing metal art.
• Warrandyte Riverside Market (Sat 3 Aug) – Local, hand made, hand crafted, grown and baked at home with love from the artists, crafters, designers, seamstresses, builders, woodworkers, potters, growers, cooks and artisans
• Free Kids Activities Preston Market (Sun 4 Aug) – free kids activities during June/July every Sunday.
• Family Day Collingwood Children’s Farm (Sun 4 Aug) – enjoy Pony Rides, Tractor rides, Guinea Pig cuddles and an affordable BBQ. Read the review.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 4 Aug) – miniature railway with playground next door. Read my review
• Vegan Food Truck Party (Wed 7  Aug) – Welcome to Thornbury celebrates with Vegan drinks over the bar, and the best vegan and food trucks and stalls.
• Pacific Kids (Wed 7 Aug) – Free kids activities every Wednesday.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 2 Aug – Thu 8 Aug) – 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 2 Aug – Thu 8 Aug) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
• Hank Marvin Market (Sat 3 Aug) – weekly Saturday market with an awesome playground at Alma Park. Also Sun 28 Jul market at Sandringham.
• SKODA Cycling Family Day (Sat 3 Aug) – ŠKODA and SBS will host two free community launch events in Melbourne and Sydney, bringing together Australian cycling legends and the next generation of two-wheeled star.
• Portable Iron Houses tour (Sun 4 Aug) – Get an insight into life during the Gold Rush era when you visit one of the few remaining pre-fabricated iron buildings in the world.
• Free Toddler Yoga Chadstone (Sun 4 Aug) – free Toddler Yoga at Chadstone Shopping Centre this weekend with Little Warrior Yoga.
• Mornington Railway (Sun 4 Aug) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Moorabbin Miniature Railway (Sun 4 Aug) – miniature railway on the first Sunday of the month.
• Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 7 Aug) – 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 2 Aug – Thu 8 Aug) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
• Mt Baw Baw (Fri 2 Aug – Thu 8 Aug) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
• Hawthorn Makers Market (Sun 4 Aug) – Over 70 stallholders will showcase their truly unique products.
• Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 4 Aug) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
• Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sun 4 Aug) – pre loved, handmade, and new goods at reasonable prices.
• Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 4 Aug) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
• Heide Art Babies (Tue 6 Aug) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
• Wallaby Wednesdays Healesville Sanctuary (Wed 7 Aug) – Dress up as wallabies with wallaby face painting, wallaby ears and wallaby tails for pouch races, hopping games and wallaby trails. Bring your favourite soft toy animal to join in the fun. Wallaby tails and wallaby ears are provided for dress up fun. Also don’t forget Future Vets and Pouch House indoor play.
• Hot Chocolate Festival Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Fri 2 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – 31 limited edition hot chocolates and hot chocolate tastings. Full review.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST

• Brickman Cities Scienceworks (Fri 2 Aug – Sun 3 Oct) – 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 2 Aug – 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 2 Aug – Sun 22 Sep) – Cuddle and photograph cute fluffy cubs and meet friendly dingo adults at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre. Full review.
• Essendon Traffic School (Sat 3 Aug) – mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Full review.
• Mini Zoo Keepers Werribee Zoo (Sat 3 Aug, Thu 8 Aug) – Children aged 2-5 years and their adults can go on an intimate guided tour with a Zookeeper to help look after some of the special animals in the zoo.
• Altona Homestead Devonshire Tea (Sun 4 Aug) – historical homestead is open every 1st Sunday for Devonshire Tea.
• STEM Sundays Scienceworks  (Sun 4 Aug) – robotics and coding workshops for kids every Sunday. Read my review.
• Open Day Explosives Reserve (Sun 4 Aug) – A guided tour of Explosives Reserve, learning all about the history of the reserve and the plants and animals that reside there.
• Little Kids Day In Scienceworks (Mon 5 Aug) – Enjoy a day of fun and play-based learning activities, museum exhibits, shows and storytelling for children and parents to get involved in. Full review.
• Pacific Werribee Kids Club (Tue 6 Aug) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
• Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 7 Aug) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
• Toddler Circus Footscray (Thu 8 Aug) – learn circus skills with aerials, balances, circus circuits and games. Read my review.
• Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 8 Aug) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
• Hot Chocolate Festival Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie (Fri 2 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – 31 limited edition hot chocolates and hot chocolate tastings. Full review

I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!