Happy Father’s Day to all the special men in your lives! It’s also the beginning of Spring, hooray!
This weekend I’m going to be diving in the Melbourne Writers Festival program (check out their Family Day events on Sunday 1 September) in between packing for a snow trip. We’re heading up to Mt Buller for a final ski trip this season!
We’re also being a tourist in our home town by taking a guided tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, exploring the city with the Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk and enjoying the last weeks of Science Gallery’s Disposable program.
If you’re feeling nostalgic about winter visit the Winter Village and book for the last weekend for the Winter Igloo Garden.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 14 Sep) – Take an immersive self-guided journey through the streets, laneways, heritage buildings and local businesses of Flinders Quarter as a collection of new and existing art is brought to life with augmented reality (AR).
- Marvel: Journey of Heroes (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 29 Sep) – free exhibition showcasing each of Marvel’s eight decades, starting with its origins as Timely Comics. Read my review.
- Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 30 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 and Buy discount tickets to the Terracotta Warriors here.
- A Fairy Tale in Red Times NGV (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
- Wonka Bar (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 31 Jan) – Enjoy scrumdiddlyumptious desserts, candylicious cocktails and a Wonkariffic kids high tea for kids inspired by the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Read my review.
- Melbourne Fashion Week String Bean Alley (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – live music, meet the makers and creators, and shop the stalls!
- Terracotta Warriors High Tea (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – luxurious Chinese-themed high tea where you can paint your own chocolate terracotta warrior. Read my review
- Melbourne eSports (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – If you love Minecraft or Pokémon and think you can take on Australia’s largest inflatable obstacle course, this festival is for you!
- Imagination Gamespaces: Dreaming (Sun 1 Sep – Sun 8 Sep) – Imagination Gamespaces are immersive escape room experiences designed by kids. In this first workshop, we’ll collaborate as a team to dream up fantastical settings and far-fetched characters, and spin stories that bring them to life.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Dec) – musical of Roald Dahl’s iconic book. Read my review.
- LEGO Sea Explorers SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium (Fri 30 Aug – Fri 19 Sep) – Build, draw, colour and create with LEGO bricks. Read my review.
- The Winter Village (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 29 Sep) – ice rink, food & drink pop up bars, a mega igloo dining hall and an Igloo Village of 21 cosy igloos. Read my review.
- Tai Snaith: Drawing Live (Sun 1 Sep) – Artist and writer Tai Snaith marries the act of making with the art of storytelling, and her book, You Might Find Yourself, opens up a world of possibility and wonder.
- Maxine Beneba Clark: Fashionista (Sun 1 Sep) – Work it, wear it, believe. Maxine Beneba Clarke’s latest picture book, Fashionista, encourages people of all ages to flaunt their hearts on their sleeves and express themselves the way they want to be.
- Oliver Phommavanh: Natural Born Loser (Sun 1 Sep) – Like the characters in his books, Oliver Phommavanh always felt a little weird growing up. Join him for a pee-your-pants, laugh-out-loud lesson on how letting your creativity shine and being your wacky self is all that’s needed to be happy.
- Andrew Daddo: Sailing the Seven Seas (Sun 1 Sep) – author Andrew Daddo and swashbuckling illustrator Stephen Michael King unfurl their masts and set sail in search of adventure. Will they find treasure? Monsters? Everlasting friendship? Only one way to find out! Join them on their raucous quest.
- Fathers Day Royal Botanic Gardens (Sun 1 Sep) – Unwind with a delicious picnic from The Terrace or Jardin Tan.
- Riverslide Skate Park Learn2Ride (Sun 1 Sep) – Riverslide Skate Park runs regular skateboard, BMX and scooter lessons for beginners as well as more experienced riders.
- Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 1 Sep) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
- Pirate Sunday at Polly Woodside (Sun 1 Sep) – Dress as a pirate and come help us search for hidden treasure, play tug of war and have your face painted. Read my review.
- Queen Street Plaza (Sun 1 Sep) – A place to sit, eat, have a drink and enjoy free family entertainment right in the heart of the city.
- Queen Victoria Market’s Big Aussie Barbie (Sun 1 Sep) – Come on down to the Market this Father’s Day, grab a snag and help raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer.
- AFL Sunday Funday (Sun 1 Sep) – free entry for kids and activities on at Sunday AFL games.
- Children’s Garden Royal Botanic Gardens reopens (Sun 1 Sep) – The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden is the perfect place for kids who love getting their hands dirty in the garden. Read my review.
- Ned Kelly Tour (Wed 4 Sep) – 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.
- Curiouser and Curioser (Wed 4 Sep – Thu 5 Sep) – Discover a world with its own rhythms as you push, roll, bounce and play together in a world that gently unfolds over time.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- The Little Bookroom (Fri 30 Aug) – special Storytime with Jess Racklyeft author of There’s Only One Dad Like You.
- Disposable (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 31 Aug) – Science Gallery’s pop up exhibition all about waste and finding creative solutions to our throwaway culture. Full review.
- Warrandyte Community Market (Sat 31 Aug) – Local, hand made, hand crafted, grown and baked at home with love from the artists, crafters, designers, seemstresses, builders, wood workers, potters, growers, cooks and artisans.
- Tread Sculptures Open Day (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – upcycled sculpture trail showcasing metal art.
- Family Day Collingwood Children’s Farm (Sun 1 Sep) – Tractor rides, Guinea Pig cuddles and an affordable BBQ.
- Free Kids Activities Preston Market (Sun 1 Sep) – free kids activities during June/July every Sunday.
- Dad Joke Trail Melbourne Zoo (Sun 1 Sep) – Give dad a taste of his own medicine with the hilarious ‘Dad Joke Trail’.
- Fathers Day Melbourne Zoo (Sun 1 Sep) – Show Dad how special he is by bringing him to Melbourne Zoo to enjoy a Father’s Day Buffet Breakfast or a delicious 2 Course Lunch!
- Hello Possums Storytime Melbourne Museum (Sun 1 Sep) – special Melbourne Writers Festival edition of the popular Hello Possums series at Melbourne Museum.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 1 Sep) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read my review
- Playbox Melbourne Museum (Fri 30 Aug – Thu 5 Sep) – special sensory program for kids 1-3 years an hour before museum opens. Read the review.
- Pacific Kids (Wed 4 Sep) – Free kids activities every Wednesday.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 30 Aug – Thu 5 Sep) – 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 30 Aug – Thu 5 Sep) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
- Rain Room (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 27 Oct) – art installation in bespoke pavilion that is a 100 square metre field of continuous rainfall. Read my review.
- Hank Marvin Market (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – launch of weekly markets at Elsternwick Primary School and Ripponlea Primary School.
- Live N Local (Fri 30 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – week of free live music and events.
- Fathers Day Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (Sun 1 Sep) – unleash your inner green thumb on our Urban Gardening Tour, or kick back and venture between the garden beds with a ride on our comfy Garden Explorer busses.
- Moorabbin Miniature Railway (Sun 1 Sep) – miniature railway on the first Sunday of the month. Read my review.
- Mornington Railway (Sun 1 Sep) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Young at Art Mornington Peninsula Art Gallery (Tue 3 Sep) – program for 0-5 year olds. Sing, dance, clap and stomp your feet with Matteo! Do an exciting activity with the Education Coordinator afterwards.
- Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 4 Sep) – Every Wednesday a different activity where your mini me’s can play, learn and be entertained.
- Babes to Kids Market Caribbean Gardens (Wed 4 Sep) – new and preloved baby gear, free train rides and face painting.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Lake Mountain (Fri 30 Aug – Thu 4 Sep) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
- Mt Baw Baw (Fri 30 Aug – Thu 4 Sep) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
- Jurassic Unearthed by Silver’s Circus (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sep) – See Australia’s finest circus along with everyone favourite prehistoric creatures.
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 4 Sep) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
- Winter Igloo Garden (Fri 30 Aug – Sat 31 Aug) – Hire a private igloo and enjoy wintery food and beverages. Read my review.
- Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 1 Sep) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore! Read my review.
- Man with a Pram (Sun 1 Sep) – Join all dads – old, new and to-be – in a walk with your kids and your prams and meet other new dads in the local area.
- Puffing Billy Fathers Day Lunch (Sun 1 Sep) – Enjoy a relaxing afternoon aboard Puffing Billy as you spoil dad for lunch this Father’s Day.
- Heide Art Babies (Tue 3 Sep) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
- Wallaby Wednesdays Healesville Sanctuary (Wed 4 Sep) – 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.
- Possum Play Thursdays Healesville Sanctuary (Thu 5 Sep) – Join our play makers for stories, activities and possum-themed face painting. Every Thursday during school term at 11am.
- Hot Chocolate Festival Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Fri 30 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 30 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.
- Dingo Puppy Encounter (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 25 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 31 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 31 Aug, Thu 5 Sep) – 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.
- STEM Sundays Scienceworks (Sun 1 Sep) – robotics and coding workshops for kids every Sunday. Read my review.
- Altona Homestead Devonshire Tea (Sun 1 Sep) – historical homestead is open every 1st Sunday for Devonshire Tea.
- Fathers Day Werribee Zoo (Sun 1 Sep) – Show Dad how special he is by bringing him to Werribee Open Range Zoo to enjoy a Father’s Day hot buffet breakfast or buffet brunch held in our Meerkat Bistro (closed off to the public) as well as heading out on a Safari.
- The Story Experiment Scienceworks (Sun 1 Sep) – Museums Victoria bring science to life through a wonderland of tales and adventures.
- Gardens of Tieve Tara reopens (Sun 1 Sep) – Explore 7.5 acres of sweeping lawns, lakes & trees, with vibrant seasonal colours. Read my review.
- Pacific Werribee Kids Club (Tue 3 Sep) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 4 Sep) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
- Toddler Circus Footscray (Thu 5 Sep) – learn circus skills with aerials, balances, circus circuits and games. Read my review.
- Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 5 Sep) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
- Hot Chocolate Festival Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie (Fri 30 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!
