Making The Most Of School Holidays
Photo: cornishhorizons.co.uk
The important thing is to keep them entertained, and it's a bonus if you can entertain yourself as well. Melbourne has plenty to offer, even in the middle of winter. Think ahead and plan a few outings, and everyone wins.
Council Activities
First, check your Council website. Councils usually organise plenty of activities during the school holidays, and most of them are free. Council activities are a great community resource which too many people ignore or overlook.
Warrawee Park Oval
For a day out, visit Warrawee Park Oval at 1 Atherton Road, Oakleigh. The big open play space for children and adults includes slides, monkey bars, spinning equipment, swings, and tunnels. If the weather is good, it is just the place to relax for a picnic.
Skating At Festival
The Skating At Festival, featuring a line-up of food, drinks and family-friendly entertainment, takes place at nine different locations across Australia from June 22 to July 18.
There will be two Pop-Up ice-skating rinks in Melbourne as part of the Festival, in Southbank and St Kilda. Costs per 45-minute session range from $16 for children to $28 for adults, with family tickets available.
For full details and bookings, visit melbourne.skatingat.com.au.
The Big Bubble Show
For unusual entertainment, the UK's incredible Samsam Bubbleman is bringing his amazing Big Bubble Show to Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre at 188 Collins St.
He has been delighting audiences with his bubble magic for 30 years, and holds 10 Guinness World Records.
There will be only three shows, all on Thursday 5 July. Tickets from $29.90 are available at www.bubbleshowtickets.com.
Gumbuya World
For a day's excursion outside the city, try Gumbuya World, on the Princes Highway near Tynong. After operating for years as Gumbuya Park picnic ground, with rides and native animals, it was rebuilt last year as a theme park.
In summer there are water activities, but in winter there is still plenty to keep you amused.
Gumbuya World is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. Find out more and book online at gumbuya.com.au.
Yoon K