Little Day Out
THIS free festival is the headline event of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival and will include rides, live acts, roving performances, interactive family workshops, children’s activities, dance clinics, storytelling and puppetry, food and market stalls, and more.
The day includes free Noble Park Aquatic Centre entry from 1pm to 4pm.
– Ross Reserve, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Sunday 28 September, 11am to 4pm.
Babe on the big screen
THIS free family-friendly event is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
Viewers can bring a blanket, seat or a picnic.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 27 September, noon to 1.30pm.
Sandown tribute
FOUR times Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Harry White will be honoured with a race in his name.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Saturday 27 September.
Holiday fun
KIDS can put their craft and gardening skills to the test at Heritage Hill throughout the school holidays.
There’ll be workshops for different age groups covering gardening, recycled craft, gymnastics, weaving, silkworms, discovering animals and 3D puppets.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. $5 per child per workshop. Spots are limited and bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511. Visit www.heritagehill.com.au for the full program.
Friends of Fotheringham
THIS free activity helps kids explore the 16-hectare reserve adjacent to Yarraman Creek as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Fotheringham Reserve, Alexander Avenue, Dandenong – meet near the tennis courts on Alexander Avenue. Sunday 28 September, 10am to noon. No bookings required. Call 8571 1702 for more information.
Movie time
MOVIE ParaNorman follows a misunderstood boy as he takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Bring blankets, seats and a picnic to this free activity which is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Sunday 28 September, noon to 1.30pm.
Planes on the big screen
THE movie Planes will screen free of charge during the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
Viewers can bring a blanket, seats and a picnic.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Monday 29 September, noon to 1.30pm.
Recycling fun
THIS bus tour to Polytrade Recycling will show kids what happens to the recycling they place in their bin at home.
There’ll be recycled art activities and a visit to the sorting factory, all suitable for children aged five to 12.
It’s part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Bus departs Springvale Council Offices, 397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale. Monday 29 September, 9.30am to noon. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1715.
Fairy cupcake decorating
KIDS can decorate their own cupcakes with pretty fairies or scary goblins as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
The free activity is suitable for children aged four to 12. Bookings are essential.
– Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North. Monday 29 September, 11am to noon. Call 9795 9279 for bookings or more information.
Funky Fairies
CHILDREN can dress up as a fairy and have fun with Fairy Michelle as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
The free event is suitable for children aged three to seven.
– Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North. Tuesday 30 September, 10am to 10.45pm. Bookings essential. Phone 9795 9279.
Weaving workshop
CLARE James will teach kids how to make a round woven rug using hula hoops and T-shirt scraps.
The workshop is suitable for children aged five to 12 and is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 30 September, 10am to noon. Bookings essential. $5 per person. Call 9793 4511.
The Travelling Kitchen
THIS hands-on workshop gets kids up close with fresh foods and teaches them about healthy eating and hygiene and safety when cooking.
This free activity is part of Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be Here in Greater Dandenong and the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival, and is suitable for children aged five to 12.
– Parkmore Shopping Centre (near Specsavers), 317 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Tuesday 30 September, 11am and 12.30pm. Call 9798 9494 for bookings or more information.
Showko
THIS performance of comedy and traditional Japanese puppetry is suitable for children aged from three to 10.
It’s free and is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Tuesday 30 September, 11am to 11.45am. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Playgroup in the square
CHILDREN can take part in an informal playgroup session as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
There’ll be a playgroup session from 10am to 11.30am, storytime from 11.30am to noon and a movie screening at noon.
The free event is suitable for children aged up to five years.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 30 September and Thursdays 25 September and 2 October, 10am to noon. No bookings required. Call 8571 1826 for more information.
Nebula: My Place
CHILDREN can explore the threads of community and place using dyes and paints to colour fabric and paper, and written and spoken words.
The free event is suitable for all ages and part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 30 September and 1 to 4 October, 10am to noon. Call 8571 5203 for more information.
Chipwrecked
THERE’S a free screening of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 30 September, noon to 1.30pm.
Theatre sports
BUDDING actors can get tips from Diana Nguyen at this free Springtacular Holiday Program event for 12 to 25-year-olds.
– Springvale Town Hall Supper Room, 397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale. Tuesday 30 September, 2pm to 4pm. Book at Y-Stop (39a Clow Street, Dandenong) or a council customer service centre.
Cook It Up
LEARN how to cook healthy and tasty food at this Springtacular Holiday Program event for 12 to 25-year-olds.
– Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 51-53 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Tuesday 30 September, 11am to 1.30pm. Bookings essential. Book at Y-Stop (39a Clow Street, Dandenong) or a council customer service centre.
Sports field battles
THE Inter-Council Sports Day will see Greater Dandenong residents battle other holiday programs in the region in soccer, basketball and bowling.
The $8 event is part of the Springtacular Holiday Program and is open to 12 to 25-year-olds.
– Pick-up from Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale available. Wednesday 1 October, 9am to 4.30pm. Book at Y-Stop (39a Clow Street, Dandenong) or at a council customer service centre.
Brave and big
PIXAR movie Brave will appear on the big screen as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 1 October, noon to 1.40pm.
Bedtime storytime
KIDS can bring a teddy bear and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes.
The event is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival and is suitable for children aged three to five.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Wednesday 1 October, 7pm to 7.45pm. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Zumba for Kids
THIS free class is choreographed with kid-friendly routines and is suitable for children aged five to 12.
Parents must remain with their child while the class is in progress. It’s part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North. Wednesday 1 October, 10am to 10.45am. Bookings are essential. Call 9795 9279.
Give netball a go
THIS free ‘come and try day’ is suitable for children aged eight to 12 and is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Netball Centre, Greaves Reserve (off Bennet Street), Dandenong. Wednesday 1 October, 11am and 1pm. Call 9794 6168 for more information.
Circus skills
LEARN juggling, diabolo and acrobalance from the National Institute of Circus at this Springtacular Holiday Program workshop for 12 to 25-year-olds.
– Pick-ups available from Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong. Thursday 2 October, 1pm to 3.30pm. The workshop is $5. Bookings are essential. Book at Y-Stop (39A Clow Street, Dandenong) or at a council customer service centre.
Trouble in Fairytale Land
THIS plotted pantomime is suitable for five to 10-year-olds and is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
Dandenong Library, Levels 2 and 3, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Thursday 2 October, 11am to 11.45am. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
See the Wizard
THIS free screening of the Wizard of Oz is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Thursday 2 October, noon to 1.45pm.
Leisurefest
MEBOURNE Leisurefest will showcase the latest adventure and touring products from Australia and overseas.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. 2 to 5 October. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 concession. Children under 15 enter free accompanied by an adult. Visit www.melbourneleisurefest.com.au for more information.
Normie Rowe in concert
THE Australian singer will perform his hits in this 74-minute matinee show.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 2 October, 10.30am to 11.45am. Tickets are priced from $14.50. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 9771 6666.
Monsters University
BRING a blanket and watch this free screening of Monsters University.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 3 October, noon to 1.44pm.
Children’s Expo and Fun Day
PARENTS can connect with services and information while kids enjoy free entertainment and activities.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 3 October, 10am to 1pm. Call 8571 1000 for more information.
Sea of Monsters
PERCY Jackson: Sea of Monsters will appear on the big screen as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 4 October, noon to 1.44pm.
Family movie
HOMEWARD Bound: The Incredible Journey will appear on the big screen as part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Sunday 5 October, noon to 1.25pm.
Bird watching
THIS Greater Dandenong Environment Group activity will include water watch and bird watching and is suitable for all ages.
The free event is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
– Dandenong Wetlands, Stud Road, Dandenong North. Sunday 5 October, 9.30am to 11am. Call 8571 1702 for more information.
