Fantastic fungi
Kids aged five to 10 years can learn facts about local mushrooms and make small clay specimens to display in a terrarium.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 3 April, 11am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com to book.
Let’s Go VR
This free school holiday activity for ages 12 to 25 will explore virtual reality through Lego Mindstorm and Wii.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 3 April, 2pm to 3.30pm. Bookings are essential. Call 1300 630 920.
Weaving with Rachel
Rachel from Wunder Weave will teach kids aged five to 12 years how to make a super shaggy woven wall hanging.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street Dandenong. Wednesday 4 April, 11am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for bookings.
The Amazing Mr Twist
This free, interactive magic show includes doves, bunnies and balloons and is designed for kids aged five to 12 years.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Wednesday 4 April, 2pm to 2.45pm. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff for more information.
Hands-on with ceramics
Students aged 12 to 18 years will learn the fundamentals of working with clay.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 4 April, 2pm to 4pm. $10 per person. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com to book.
Bird menagerie mobiles
Kids aged two to five years can make a bird menagerie mobile using coloured paper, glitter and feathers.
– – Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 5 April, 11am to noon. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for bookings.
Scoot, skate or bike
Greater Dandenong Council, Shredability and the Australian Scooter Association are delivering workshops in skateboarding, BMX and scooter for 12 to 25-year-olds.
– Noble Park Skate Park, corner Memorial Drive and Heatherton Road, Noble Park. Friday 6 April. Scooters 10am to noon, BMX 12.30pm to 2.30pm, skateboarding 3pm to 5pm. $5 per session. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 2155.
Little Devils Circus
This two-hour interactive workshop is for kids aged five to 12 years.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Friday 6 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for bookings.
Autumn Fest
This free event is designed for the whole family – including four-legged friends.
The event will feature live music, roving performers, workshops, games and sports, arts and crafts, circus play, a jumping castle and more.
For dogs, there’s a lure course and interactive training games.
– Frederick Wachter Reserve, Kingsclere Avenue, Keysborough. Sunday 8 April, 11am to 4pm.
Turtle power
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will perform for shoppers, and will be available for photos and handshakes at noon.
– Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, corner Matthew Flinders Avenue and Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills. Monday 9 April to Friday 13 April, 11am and 1pm. Call 9700 2374 for more information.
Commonwealth Games fun
Kids can gear up for the Commonwealth Games with free workshops this school holidays.
Week one there’ll be healthy eating sessions from Monday 2 to Friday 6 April featuring Easter smoothies, edible bracelets, healthy chocolate, slinky apple cookies and more.
Week two, from Monday 9 to Friday 13 April, will feature lawn bowls, basketball, rugby, table tennis and bowling alley action.
– Centre court on level two at Dandenong Plaza, McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 2 to Friday 6 April, and Monday 9 to Friday 13 April, 11am to 2pm.
Monster Pots
Kids aged four to 12 years will re-purpose tin cans and vinyl to create their own Monster Pot, complete with plant.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 10 April, 11am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com
Trees Adventure
In this activity, 12 to 25 year olds will visit Trees Adventure for obstacle courses in the tree canopy.
– Trees Adventure, Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave. Tuesday 10 April, 11.05am to 4.20pm. $15. Bookings are essential. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com.
Artist Kyoko Imazu
As part of the Greater Dandenong Libraries’ and Walker Street Gallery’s Dandenong Art Series, local artist Kyoko Imazu will teach participants how to create their own shadow puppet.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 10 April, 6.30pm to 8pm. Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Tuesday 17 April, 6.30pm to 8pm. Bookings are preferred. Call 9706 8441.
Reuse art workshop
Kids aged four to 12 years can learn how to use everyday materials to make art.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 11 April, 11am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com
Hip hop and breakdancing
This dance workshop is for 12 to 25 year olds. Transport will be provided.
– Wednesday 11 April, 11.45am to 4.05am. $5 per person. Bookings are essential. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com
Discover Dandenong Creek Festival
Families can enjoy a free barbecue, fishing, face painting, live animal show, native fish display, nature craft and science activities, wetland walk, wildlife gardening tips, live music and more.
– Tirhatuan Park, Kriegal Way, Dandenong North. Thursday 12 April, 11am to 2pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702.
Paper marbling
Children aged 5 to 12 years will learn how to float coloured inks on water and make a unique print.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 12 April, 11am to 12.30pm. $7 per child. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com
Jewellery workshop
This workshop will teach 12 to 25 year olds how to design and construct jewellery using basic plastic tools and techniques.
– Thursday 12 April, 1pm to 3.30pm. $10. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 2155 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com.
Sam Chipolata
This performer specialises in magic, juggling and musical entertainment for kids aged 5 to 12 years.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Thursday 12 April, 2pm to 2.45pm.
Cambodian New Year Festival
This community event marks the traditional Cambodian New Year period and incorporates Buddhist and Khmer observances and cuisine.
There’ll be music, entertainment, traditional food and rides.
– Khmer Buddhist Temple, 458-462 Springvale Road, Springvale South. Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April, from 10am. Call John Jago on 0417 384 498 for more information.
Little Wing Puppets
Bunraku is a traditional Japanese form of theatre that involves three puppeteers working closely together to operate one puppet.
This free workshop for all ages will explore the basic principles of bringing a puppet to life as a team.
– Laurel Lodge at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Friday 13 April, 11am to 12.30pm. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com
Madagascar JR
This musical adventure is based on the Madagascar movie.
– Drum Theatre, 226 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 14 April, 11am and 3pm. Tickets are priced from $16. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Springvale Fire Brigade Open Day
Visitors can find out what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter, watch fire-fighting demonstrations and enjoy kids’ activities.
– Springvale Fire Brigade, 518 Springvale Road, Springvale. Sunday 15 April, 10am to 2pm.
Heritage Hill Garden Party
Visitors can bring a picnic and stay for the day.
There’ll be games, art and craft, face painting, music entertainment and gardening.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Sunday 15 April, 11am to 4pm. Call 9793 4511.
