You won't be short of things to do in Victoria these summer holidays.
For NSW school holiday listings, read Beat the school holiday blues on Essential Baby.
Things to do with the kids in Victoria these summer school holidays!
The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame's story of life on the riverbank is an established family fave. Dec 29-Jan 30 (no shows Jan 1 or 26), 11am & 6pm, Tues-Sat. Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Ave, Gate F, South Yarra. $25, group of four $90. Tel: 1300 122 344 or 136 100, australianshakespearecompany.com.au
The BFG Roald Dahl's classic (and interactive) adventure The Big Friendly Giant, performed by RMIT students, and directed by Lynne Ellis. Suits ages 6+. Jan 5-22, 10.30am & 1pm Mon-Fri. RMIT Kaleide Theatre, Swanston St (near cnr Latrobe), city. $15. Tel: 9685 5111
Hi-5 Surprise Songs, stories, games and dancing from the crew. Jan 5-9, 10am, 12pm, 2.30pm. Arts Centre, Playhouse, city. Jan 19-27, Ballarat, South Morang, Ringwood, Geelong, Dandenong, Shepparton, Frankston. $30-$46. www.hi-5.com.au
Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition The English National Ballet performance based on the children's book character Angelina Ballerina, the mouse. Suits ages 3+. Jan 5-12, 10.30am, 2pm & 5pm. Arts Centre, State Theatre. $45/$35. Tel: 1300 182 183, theartscentre.com.au/angelina
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Traditional panto includes lemonade and fairy bread. Jan 12-22, 10.30am & 1.30pm Mon-Sat. Tivoli Theatre, 1390 High St, Malvern. $16. Tel: 9509 9066
Sunday Arvo Music Series A foot stompin', arm wavin', hip shakin' good time with the Mudcakes and the Mighty buZZniks. Jan 24, 3pm-5.30pm. The Amphitheatre, Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland St. $5, under 12s free. Tel: 9362 8888, footscrayarts.com
FREE SHOWS
Fairy Fanfare Dress up in costume for an interactive one-hour show with singing, dancing and acrobatics. Jan 16-31, 10am & noon daily. Fitzroy Gardens, near the Fairy Tree, city. No bookings. Tel: 9658 9658
The Whale's Tale Created and performed by Born in a Taxi, take a deep breath and dive inside the massive jaws of Manilayo, the inflatable eight-metre humpback whale. Suits ages 3-12. Jan 13-17, 10am, 11.15am & 12.30pm (35-minute performance). Lawn Stage, Arts Centre, St Kilda Rd, city.
Sunset Concerts and Dance Live music on Saturday nights (Pablo Discobar, Custom Kings, the Snappers and Deborah Conway) and free dance lessons to live music on Sundays (swing, afro-funk, bollywood, salsa). Jan 9-31, Sat & Sun 6.30pm-9.30pm. Fitzroy Gardens, Stage Lawn. thatsmelbourne.com.au
FILMS & GAMES
ACMI The bumper program of films includes the popular Kids' Classics with free screenings of Eloise: Little Miss Christmas and the all-chimp spy spoof series from the 1970s Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp (Dec 14-Jan 30, Mon-Fri 11am, Sat 11.15am). The Kids' Flicks program screens nine films including Meet Me in St Louis (G), The Muppet Christmas Carol (G), Tarzan, the Ape Man (G), Dunston Checks In (G), Curious George (G) and the computer-animated Space Chimps (G) (Dec 13-Jan 30, dates vary, 1pm; $5). ACMI Cinemas, Fed Square, city. Tel: 8663 2200, acmi.net.au, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Outdoor Films Family-friendly Moonlight Cinema screenings include Ponyo (Dec 18), Fantastic Mr Fox (Dec 19), UP (Jan 7), G-Force (Jan 8), Where the Wild Things Are (Jan 20) and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Jan 23). Season Dec 17-Mar 14, sundown screenings. Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra, $15/$13. Tel: 1300 551 908 or moonlight.com.au; Cameo Outdoor Cinema, Belgrave provides deckchairs and films include Fantastic Mr Fox. (Jan 5 & 6), $17.90/$13.50. Tel: 9754 7844, cameocinemas.com.au
Best of the Independent Games Festival 2009 Play a selection of the most exciting new computer games from this year's Sundance Festival for Games. All games suitable for kids (no violence, drugs or sexual content). To Feb 14, 10am-6pm daily. ACMI, gallery 2, Fed Square, city.
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
PERFORMANCE, MUSIC AND SONG
VCA Theatre School Week-long acting and performance sessions for secondary students up to 17 years. Jan 11-15, 10am-4pm. Victorian College of the Arts, 234 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. $396. Tel: 9685 9229, www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
MTC Summer School for VCE A practical course for students preparing for VCE Drama and Theatre Studies in 2010 through the principal assessment areas of each VCE course. Includes an excursion to MTC's production of The Drowsy Chaperone starring Geoffrey Rush. Jan 18-22, 9.30am-4pm. MTC, 252 Sturt St, Southbank. $420. Tel: 8688 0963, mtc.com.au
National Theatre Youth drama program for ages 7-11 over four mornings (Jan 18-21, 10am-noon, $140) and three-day program for ages 12 plus (Jan 18-20, 10am-4pm, $210); ballet school program for junior, intermediate and senior from ages 8+ (Jan 11-16). Cnr Barkly and Carlisle sts, St Kilda. Tel: 9534 0223 (drama) or 9534 0224 (ballet), nationaltheatre.org.au
Stage Left Act, sing, dance and put on a show in a week. Jan 11-15, Rowville and East Malvern; Jan 18-22, Hampton. Five full days for ages 8-16, $325; five mornings for ages 4-7, $155. Tel: 9504 2500, stageleft.com.au
St Martins Youth Arts Centre Five-day drama workshops. Jan 11-15 & Jan 18-22. Ages 5-8, $200; ages 9-12 & 13-16, $240. Discounted fees for Stonnington residents. 28 St Martins Lane, South Yarra (also Northcote venue). Tel: 9867 2477, stmartinsyouth.com.au
Alfred Brash SoundHouse For budding songwriters - get familiar with easy-to-use music software, access the massive sample library, discover the art of mixing and record your own voice (if you like), and take home your track on a CD. Suit ages 8-12. Jan 13, 15 & 16, 10.30am-noon. Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, St Kilda Rd, city. $16 (accompanying adult free). Tel: 1300 182 183, theartscentre.com.au
CIRCUS
Circus @ NICA Four-day program for kids (ages 7-12), teens (ages 12-18) and adults (ages 16+, two hours, $152), for beginners and intermediates. Jan 18-21, three-hour session, $185. National Institute of Circus Arts, Prahran. Tel: 9214 6585, nica.com.au
NICA @ Fed Square Try your hand at basic circus skills at fun drop-in workshops with experienced NICA trainers. Suits all ages. Jan 14-Mar 18, Mondays noon-2pm. Fed Square Amphitheatre, city. Free. nica.com.au
Little Devils Circus Two-hour sessions on juggling, trapeze, tightwire, rope-climbing and more for kids of all levels, aged 5-13. Jan 4-14, $22. Day-long Circus Bootcamp for ages 5-7 and 8-13, Jan 15-21, $60/$70. Moorabbin. Tel: 9555 1591, littledevilscircus.com.au
FILMMAKING, ANIMATION AND DIGITAL
OPENChannel Three-day course where teens shoot, act, direct and edit a short movie. No experience necessary, ages 13-17 only, Dec 19-22 & Jan 12-14, 9.30am-4pm; $270. Young Filmmakers Redux course, for those who've already completed the beginner program. Choose to focus on acting and directing, writing, camera or editing for as many days as you like. Ages 13-17 only, Jan 19-22, $125 per day. OPENChannel, Victoria Harbour, Docklands. Tel: 8610 9300, openchannel.org.au
Go-Motion Studios Short media courses in 3D modelling, claymation, cartooning, flash animation and more, suits ages 9+. From Jan 12, $89-$129. Brighton Grammar School. Tel: 1300 661 993, gomotionstudios.com.au
VCA Teen Flicks Introduction to the key film roles of writing, directing and cinematography with three-day hands-on filmmaking course, for ages 13-17. Jan 7-9, 10am-4.30pm, $375. Also Take Two for those who've completed the beginners course, Jan 11-16, $695. VCA, 234 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. Tel: 9685 9033, www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
ACMI Kids in the Studio Kids can star in their own magical movie and discover the secrets of green screen technology where anything is possible. For ages 5-9. Jan 11-22, Mon-Fri, noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm (45 minutes). ACMI Studio 1, Fed Square, city. Free (register on the day). Tel: 8663 2200, acmi.net.au
BUILDING AND SCIENCE
LEGO 45-minute age-appropriate hands-on LEGO and DUPLO sessions, exploring tech machines, gears and pulleys for ages 4-12+. Jan 4-22, Mon-Fri, varied times. LEGO Education Centre, Moonee Ponds. $12. Tel: 9372 8728, mooreed.com.au
CSIRO Science Education Centre Day-long science activities cover making plastic, building a battery or experimenting with eggs. Includes lunch. For junior (ages 7-9), intermediate (10-13) and a half-day program for littlies (5-6). Jan 13-21. Highett, Kew, Yarraville, Glen Waverley. $90/$50. Tel: 9252 6506 (no phone bookings), csiro.au/events/VicHolidayPrograms
Woodwork Classes with take-home project, tuition and materials, ages 4-14. Dec 14-24, Jan 11-29, 9.30am-noon & 1.30pm-4pm, Mon-Fri. Learning By Doing, Elsternwick and Camberwell.From $30. Tel: 9532 9500, woodworkroom.com.au
COOK
Gourmet Kids Age-appropriate one, two or three-hour sessions for children aged 2-13+. Dec 15-19 (gingerbread houses only; $70) & Jan 18-29, sweet and savoury classes ($25-$45). 1397 Malvern Rd, Malvern. Tel: 9824 5979, gourmet-kids.com.au
Queen Victoria Market Cooking School Restaurant chef Emma Mackay leads two-hour classes in after-school and late-night snacks, easy pastries, chocolate desserts and cooked breakfasts, (ages 11+). Jan 12, 14, 19 & 21, 11am. Electrolux Kitchen, 69 Victoria St, city. $50. Tel: 9320 5822, qvm.com.au
Relish Mama Cooking Classes Kids cook and eat mini hamburgers and fruity yoghurt. Ages 6+ (Jan 22, 4.30pm-6pm, $35). 81 Bay Rd, Sandringham.Tel: 0418 592 607, relishmama.com
ART, CRAFT AND MIXED
Gasworks Workshops include 3D Christmas tree construction, paper sculpture, step-by-step Michael Jackson Thriller dance routine class, two-day drama course, cartooning, boot camp game play, fencing, creative writing, photography, 3D construction from egg cartons, pastel drawing and a three-day stop-motion animation workshop (ages 9-12, $130). For ages 3-14. Dec 21-23 & Jan 18-22, Mon-Fri. Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham St, Albert Park. $15-$95. Tel: 9699 3253, gasworks.org.au
Footscray Community Arts Centre Classes in music, puppetry, comics, animation, hip-hop dance and visual arts, for ages 6-12. Jan 19-21, 10am-3pm, $156/$108 three days, $64/$48 single day. 45 Moreland St, Footscray. Tel: 9362 8888, footscrayarts.com
Box Hill Community Arts Centre Clay, sculptures, drawing, jewellery, painting, dance, cooking, drama, cartooning and art excursions for pre-schoolers, teens and families. Jan 11-22 (Mon-Fri only) & Jan 28, one-hour to full day. 470 Station St, Box Hill. $12.50-$40 per session. Tel: 9895 8888, bhcac.com.au
Frankston Arts Centre Foot juggling master-class suits ages 8+, (Dec 21, 22, 23, 10.30am-12.30pm; $23/$62); high-flying trapeze for ages 6+ (Dec 29, 9am-1.30pm; $55); art-room activities for families to create together, for ages 4-14 and adults. (Jan 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, & 17, 10am-12.30pm; $14 first child, $7 subsequent children). Cube 37, 37 Davey St, Frankston. Tel: 9784 1060, artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
GALLERIES
NGV International Follow Secrets from the Tombs, a trail for kids about Chinese burial ware, and draw a mythical beast or guardian spirit at Art Sparks, for ages 3+ (Dec 19-Jan 19, Saturdays, plus Jan 18, 20, 21 & 22, noon-3pm; free). Great Hall, 180 St Kilda Rd, city. Tel: 8662 1555, ngv.vic.gov.au
The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia See the art of contemporary Australian artist Ricky Swallow, then model, paint, draw and assemble to make an art work in a small box, for ages 8+ (Jan 21, 10am-12.30pm; $25, includes exhibition entry) or make art over two days with artist Anna Hoyle, for ages 11-15, (Jan 28 & 29, 10.30am-3pm; $90); drop in to Level 3's Artcart on Sundays, get to know the collection and exhibitions then create your own artworks, ages 3+. Dec 19, also Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, plus Jan 26-29; noon-3pm, free. Fed Square, city. Tel: 8662 1555, ngv.vic.gov.au
Heide Museum of Modern Art Half-day artist workshops include sculpture, plant-inspired jewellery, cubist constructions (ages 7-12), plant-inspired jewellery (ages 6-11) and botanical sunprints (ages 5-10). Jan 13, 14, 21 & 22. Heide, 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen. $25. Tel: 9850 1500, heide.com.au
MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONS
Melbourne Museum Get up close to the animals in Wild: Amazing Animals in a Changing World with activities themed around this new permanent display including making an animal mask in Creature Features (Dec 26-Jan 31, daily 11am-3pm); or take part in a 20-minute Wild party in the Milarri Garden with music, dance and games (Jan 1-31, noon, 1pm & 2pm). Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Dec 25). Nicholson St, Carlton. $8, child/conc free, all activities included in entry. Tel: 131 102, museumvictoria.com.au
Scienceworks Pilot an airship through sky hoops, ride the hovercraft and land a plane on the flight simulator in the newly opened exhibition, Going Places: The Technology of Transport. Plus the popular interactive exhibition Toys: Science at Play returns (from Dec 19), with robots, dolls, hula hoops, building blocks, toy timelines and kaleidoscopes. Catch Winging It, a live show about flight (noon & 2pm daily); design a glider (10am-4pm daily); build a kite then fly it outside (1pm-3pm daily). Dec 26-Jan 31, 10am-4.30pm daily. Booker St, Spotswood. $8, child/conc free, all activities free (additional charges for Planetarium and Lightning Room shows). Tel: 9392 4800, museumvictoria.com.au
Immigration Museum Celebrating the special exhibition, Callaloo: The Caribbean Mix in Victoria, kids can make a rasta bracelet, toucan mask or musical instrument. At the one-day kids' festival (Jan 10, 11am-4pm) watch the Sweet Sweet Jamaica show starring Jigzie Campbell and rapper RuCL; make your own drum kit, cricket bat or other craft items; taste Caribbean food. To March 6, 10am-5pm daily. 400 Flinders St, city. $8, child free, all holiday activities free. Tel: 131 102, museumvictoria.com.au
National Sports Museum Celebrate Boards, Bats and Balls this summer; catch the 20-minute Summer Sports Show (noon & 1.30pm daily); make your own surfie accessories (1pm & 2.30pm daily); design, make and wear your own badge (10am & 2pm daily); take on the guest sports star in Game On! (12.30pm & 2pm daily); plus mini-tours devoted to all things cricket (Jan 4-15, 11.30am & 2.30pm) and the Winter Olympics (Jan 18-29, 11.30am & 2.30pm). Jan 4-Jan 29, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. MCG, Olympic Stand, Brunton Ave, Gate 3, Richmond. $15/$11/$8, family $45. Tel: 9657 8879, nsm.org.au
City Museum The Toy Box exhibition features toys from Melbourne's once thriving toy industry, including rocking horses, treasured dolls, bicycles and tricycles. Activities include making a puppet and putting on a play (Jan 13, 10am-noon & Jan 23, 2pm-4pm; ages 5-12; $10); watching a ventriloquist show by Bob-E-Dazzler (Jan 16 & 19, 2pm; free); or making a toy using recycled materials (Jan 25, 2pm-4pm; ages 5-12; free). To Mar 14, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat & Sun. Old Treasury, Spring St (top of Collins St), city. $5/$3, family $10. Tel: 9651 2233. citymuseummelbourne.org
Leonardo Da Vinci - Anatomy to Robots Ninety separate exhibits, including 30 anatomical panels and interactive 3D human and animal models, replica artworks and frescoes, rare limited editions of Da Vinci's Codices, all with computer programs, animations, notes and illustrations. To Jan 31, 9am-9pm (last entry 8pm). Da Vinci Pavilion, Queensbridge Square, Southbank. $25.50/$18/$11, under 4s free, family $58. Tel: 9329 4447, davincimelbourne.com.au
State Library Take the Ned Kelly tour; see his armour, hear stories and then make and decorate a replica of Ned's famous helmet, (Jan 12, 14, 19 & 21, 10.30am-11.30am, ages 5-12, free, meet in foyer). State Library Victoria, Swanston St, city. Tel: 8664 7555, slv.vic.gov.au
GET MOVING
Active Zone Free daily changing sport activities provided by City of Melbourne include ball sports, bat and racquet sports, aerobics, athletics, and taekwondo, led by coaches and athletes, suits ages 5-12 (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). 9.30am-11.30am. Jan 11-15, Brens Pavilion and Smith Oval, Royal Park, Parkville; Jan 18-22, Fawkner Park, South Yarra, near Northern Pavilion; Jan 25-29, JJ Holland Park, off Childers St, Kensington. Free. Tel: 9658 9658, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Fitness for Teenagers A free program for teenagers to use a variety of gym equipment and participate in group classes. Ages 14-18. Dec 19-Jan 27, daily 11am-3pm (suburban clubs), 9am-11am & 2pm-4pm (CBD clubs). Fitness First Health Clubs. Free. Tel: 1300 557 799. Details, pre-register induction and conditions online, fitnessfirst.com.au/community/ffit
Aerial Antics A professional trapeze team runs four daily trapeze workshops and there's a performance by the troupe every afternoon. Ages 7+. Jan 23-Feb 7, workshops 8.30am, 11am, 3pm and 5.30pm daily; performance 1.30pm. City Square, cnr Collins and Swanston sts, city. Free, bookings essential. Tel: 9658 9658, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Australian Sports Camps Running for 27 years, day and half-day camps (plus some residential camps) in cricket, tennis and netball for all standards, ages 7-17. Cricket (Dec 14-17, Dec 21 & 22 & Jan 4-7); netball (Dec 21 & 22); tennis (Jan 4-7). Bulleen, Mentone and Essendon. $150-$310. Tel: 1800 671 808, australiansportscamps.com.au
Sailing Five half-days of water-based safety activities off the beach. Ages 7-14. Dec 14-18, Dec 21-24 ($210) & Jan 4-8, Jan 11-15, Jan 18-22; 9am-noon. $265. Sandringham Yacht Club. Tel: 9598 7444, sycba.com.au. The Boatshed at Albert Park offers an introductory sailing program on the lake, for ages 4-7, 7-14 and 13-18. Dec 14-Jan 31, varied dates depend on age and course. $40-$260. 3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park Reserve. Tel: 9686 2571, theboatshed.net.au
Shaun Brown's Cricket Coaching Age-specific two and three-day clinics, boys and girls of all abilities, ages 5-8 and 9-17. Dec 21-23 & January (dates vary depending on location). Metro Melbourne and regional areas. $114-$234. Tel: 9465 6166, cricketcoaching.com.au
Yarra Tennis Coaching Coaching for all levels from ages 3-16, includes a 3 to 5-year-old program ($35, two hours). Dec 21-24, 9am-noon. $45 per session. Eaglemont Tennis Club, East Ivanhoe. Tel: 0414 373 586, yarratennis.com.au
Wimbles Tennis Coaching Two-hour clinics for all standards, ages 5+, plus pre-schoolers indoor program; Nunawading, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Malvern East. $25. Jan 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18. Tel: 1300 946 253, wimbles.com.au
Australian Basketball Services Varied camps for beginners to advanced, plus girls only, ages 6-17. Dec 16-18 & Jan 11-22, dates vary with locations, MSAC Albert Park, Nunawading Stadium (Burwood East). $100-$195 camp. Tel: 9348 1364, ausbasketball.com.au
VICSWIM Teaching kids the essentials of swimming and water safety since 1976, in a five-day intensive program (daily 40-minute lesson) at 125 locations statewide. Beginners to advanced, for ages 4 and above. Jan 4-8, Jan 11-15 or Jan 18-22. $65 per week (discounts for siblings or multiple weeks), plus daily pool entry fees. Tel: 9271 3800, vicswim.com
SplashOUT Wave pool, water and speed slides, giant inflatables and aqua climb wall. $8/$6, family $17.50/$22. Planet Sport: Fully supervised energetic sports sessions and pool access for kids 5-12. (Dec 21-23 & Jan 4-29, 8am-6pm Mon-Fri) $38.40 full day/$18.70 half day, bookings essential. Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, Albert Park. Tel: 9926 1555, msac.com.au
OUT AND ABOUT
Twilight markets Market stalls, on-site food vendors, a bar, live entertainment and free entry make for an easy choice on a summer's night. Markets include the Suzuki Night Market, Queen Victoria Market, city, 5.30pm-10.30pm Wednesdays, to Feb 24, qvm.com.au; Geelong Night Market, Johnstone Park, Cnr Mercer and Gheringhap Sts, Geelong, 5.30pm-10pm Fridays in January; St Kilda Night Market, O'Donnell Gardens (Luna Park), 5pm-10pm Thursdays, Dec 17-Feb 25 (not Dec 24 or 31), stkildabeachnightmarket.com.au; and Abbotsford Convent's new Supper Market, Fridays 6pm-10pm to Feb 26, Heliers St, Abbotsford, suppermarket.com.au
Ten-pin bowling Take advantage of $8 school holiday games (per person, per game, including shoe hire) when you join up as an AMF Roller (free; conditions apply). Dec 19-Jan 26, $8 games. Tel: 132 263, amfbowling.com.au
Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo Animal-mad kids might like the all-day Zoo Adventures program. Melbourne Zoo offers behind-the-scenes hands-on animal interactions focusing on the new seal and penguin enclosure Wild Sea and a vets/keepers-in-training session (Jan 11-15 & Jan 18-22; ages 5-12; $58). Werribee Zoo offers a Keeper for a Day program designed for teens (ages 13-18; Jan 12, 14, 19 & 21; $99), Slumber Safaris ($295, kids over 12) or an Open Vehicle Adventure ($60-$75, kids over 8). Tel: 9285 9406, zoo.org.au
YMCA Check your local Y for aquatic instruction and water play, family fun days, vacation camp programs for primary school-aged children, grandparents and grandkids exercise classes and more. Details victoria.ymca.org.au or 1300 883 994
Adventure Park Huge water theme park with rides for all ages, heights and bravery levels. Dec 13-Feb 1, 10am-5pm daily (closed Dec 24 & 25). 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington (between Geelong and Queenscliff). $27/$25, under 1.2m free. Tel: 5250 2756, adventurepark.com.au
Junior Rangers Led by a park ranger, children (aged 4-12) can get close to wetland creatures that live in the ponds, including dragonflies, bugs, water birds and skinks, and can create their own habitat for some wetland critters. Jan 18-29, 10am-noon Mon-Fri. Royal Park, Trin Warren Tam-boore, Oak St, Parkville. Free. Tel: 9658 9658, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Birrarung Yarn Brings Melbourne's indigenous culture to children through traditional dance performances and face painting featuring animals, tracks and symbols typically used in indigenous drawings, for ages 3-12. Jan 17-Feb 14, Sundays 10.30am-12.30pm. Birrarung Marr, near Adventure Playground, behind Fed Square, city. Free. Tel: 9658 9658, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Explore the vegie garden with a story and gardening fun (Jan 6, 14, 19 & 20, 10am-11am, ages 4-8, $10). Ian Potter Children's Garden, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. Tel: 9252 2429, www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Holiday activities include fairy stories and craft, habitat surveys using water-quality test kit, making a bird fridge magnet from felt, looking for birds, reptiles and insects on a safari hunt. (Jan 11-25, dates, times and costs vary depending on session; suits ages 2-10+; $3.20-$9.60). Royal Botanic Gardens, cnr Ballarto Rd and Botanic Drv, Cranbourne. Adult entry to Australian Garden $9.80/$8.35, under 16s free. Tel: 5990 2245, www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Luna Park The Circus of Screams is back, a live-interactive walk combining elements of theatre, sideshow and special effects. Dec 19-31 (closed Dec 25), Sun-Thu 11am-6pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm. Jan 1-31, Mon-Wed 11am-6pm, Thu, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-8pm. Lwr Esplanade, St Kilda. Single rides $3.50-$8.50, unlimited rides $12.95-$40, family $123. Tel: 1300 888 272, lunapark.com.au
Sand Sculpting Sand sculptors make "Great Moments in History" with 3500 tonnes of sand. Free activities include storytelling, sand workshops, sculptor's talks and more. Dec 26-Apr 26, 10am-9pm daily during holidays. Frankston Waterfront, Nepean Hwy, Frankston. $10/$8/$7, under-4s free; family $30. sandsculpting.com.au
Mr Sandman Twenty tonnes of sand sculpted into eye-catching sand installations, with hands-on workshops for kids to play and create their own sand carvings (ages 4-12). Jan 11-31; workshops Jan 13-17, 10.30am, 11.15am, noon & 12.45pm. Waterfront City Piazza, Docklands. Free, (book for workshops). Tel: 9658 9658, thatsmelbourne.com.au
Action Zone A collection of inflatable amusements, a super swing, bungy trampoline, base jump, stunt bags and more to challenge you acrobatically, all with pillow-soft landing. Ages 4+. Dec 19-Jan 31, 10.30am-5.30pm daily. Waterfront City Pavilion, Docklands. $8-$10. Tel: 1300 842 030, waterfrontcity.com.au
For NSW school holiday listings, read Beat the school holiday blues on Essential Baby.
Source: The Sunday Age
