Luna Park: 100 Years Old and still laughing

There's a new thrill ride at Luna Park, and with extended opening hours until 11pm some evenings, the days really are longer.

Find out about what's happening at Melbourne's most iconic family attraction this school holidays here.

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Spring into ANZAC this School Holidays
10 Fun Study Break Ideas

Spring into ANZAC at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance

Spring into ANZAC, a free program designed with families in mind, is worth a look these school holidays.

Held at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, families are encouraged to begin at the Visitor Centre where maps for the School Holiday Trail are available and staff will be on hand to answer questions. 

Be brave and let the kids take the lead, using the map to pick their way away around the displays, in no particular order.

Think on the “Spirit of Anzac”, learn about Australian military history, visit the Shrine’s building, gardens and memorials, find out about wartime jobs for men and women, and learn how animals played a part in wartime. A short commemorative ceremony featuring the Ray of Light will be a highlight for many. The whole program is expected to run for 45-60 minutes. Continue reading

Other ideas for the school holidays

Pirate Sundays at Polly Woodside

Federation Playspace at Warrandyte

Top Family Activities in Barwon Heads

Dandenong Creek Trail

Ringwood Lake Park

McAlpin Reserve

Review: How to Train Your Dragon - Arena Spectacular

My review of the World Premiere of How to Train Your Dragon - Arena Spectacular in Melbourne is now published online by Stage Whispers.

The production was a hybrid theatre-movie event, with projection just as important as the dragons themselves. As a spectacle it does well. However the audience needs to indicate its appreciation far more than it does. Parents, please teach your children how to clap their hands when patronising live theatre.

Read the review
Read my earlier media call wrap

10 Party Games for Grand Final Day

Melbourne is at a standstill. Poised, waiting for Saturday afternoon when the AFL Grand Final will be decided.

Tomorrow is irrelevant except if you are planning a gathering of friends to watch the game. As an avid AFL fan (Go Bombers) I am more interested in actually watching the game. So if you've been lured by the title you will possibly be disappointed. However, here are some ideas to mark the day.

1. Arrival: Face Paint

Invite your guests to show their true colours by donning face paint ahead of the game.

2. Lucky Door Prize

Hand out raffle tickets and draw winners at half time. Prize ideas include chocolate footballs, umpires whistle, footy garb, badges, posters etc...

3. Food

• The usual MCG cuisine: meat pies, cold drinks, hot jam donuts, coffee
• Team coloured food
• White jellybeans or white witchetty grubs' - white maggots' (affectionate term for umpires)
• Cake in team colours
• Jelly cups in team colours

4. Clothes

• Provide raincoats and make space behind the seating for those for whom footy is not right without  standing room in the outer.
• Eye patches for one-eyed supporters
• Whiskers for Cats supporters, feathers for Magpies.

5. Music

Obviously the team songs, but also Advance Australia Fair and footy songs by Mike Brady of 'Up there Cazaly' fame.

Ok, ok, so you'd like a few games to warm up before the game. What about these for starters:

6. Lolly Game

Chose either M&Ms, Smarties, Jellybeans or similar. Guests race the clock to fish team coloured lollies from a central bowl. The person with the most lollies of the right colours in their cup after a minute wins.

7. Handball Competition

You know what to do.

8. Play 'Malthouse says', or 'Scott says' (aka Simon says)

9. Footy Piñata - a great half-time occupation. 

10. Ladder competition 

Divide guests into teams. Use either an actual ladder, or make one from cardboard and fix it to the wall. Provide each team cards on which each AFL team is written. Race the clock. Team members take turns to pick up a card and place it on the ladder in the order which the teams finished this year.

You may also be interested in 10 Party Games for Melbourne Cup Day 

Hidden Treasure in the Burbs - McAlpin Reserve

Ever been to Ringwood North?
Know about McAlpin Reserve?
It has to be one of the most serene places in Melbourne's suburbs.
Read my review now published by Weekend Notes.

Federation Playspace - Warrandyte (review)

Looking for something the whole family will love?

A trip to Federation Playspace is within coo-ee of activities to engage history buffs, fitness freaks, foodies, sweet tooths (or is that teeth), and wildlife lovers. My review of Federation Playspace in Warrandyte is now published online.