It’s school holidays time in Melbourne, which means it’s time for kids to roll their sleeves up, get their hands dirty and learn new cooking skills at Eastland’s super-fun activation, The Food Factory. We’re talking cookie decorating, lamington making and learning to cook with some our city’s best chefs and bakers. Best of all, it’s lots of messy fun with no clean-up for parents!
Kids will have the chance to play, cook and explore their creativity through a wonderful line up of workshops, but you’ll have to be quick to book your spots, as they are sure to be very popular! There is a $5 booking fee for each workshop (per child) with all proceeds going to The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. When you arrive at the workshop you’ll also receive a complimentary coffee card (yasssss) and an additional hour of free parking, to ensure both you and the kids have time to enjoy the fun.
This morning I took my little man Jack along to the Rainbow Fruit Sticks school holidays workshop, run by the fantastic Horribly Healthy team.
The workshop set up is gorgeous, I’m loving their pastel and sprinkles theme these holidays. After checking in, Jack was given his own chef hat to colour in and decorate, to wear during his cooking class.
All the kids had so much fun, cutting their fruit into cute shapes and then threading them onto skewers. Horribly Healthy also demonstrated how to make a yummy refined sugar-free chocolate sauce (which Jack loved) to drizzle or dip their sticks into and coat with coconut sprinkles. The fruit sticks were then popped into a takeaway container so the kids could take their creations home, or enjoy around the centre so the next workshop could begin.
The session was perfect for 5 -13 year olds, both boys and girls got a whole lot of enjoyment (and learning) from the experience. I’ll definitely be booking Jack into some more classes next week!
Our Workshop Top Picks
Melbourne Kids will love The Food Factory at Eastland
Not So Naughty Choc Balls
Workshop
As a fun way to educate kids that not all treats have to be naughty. Children will mix together ingredients that together form a delicious cacao-based mixture. They will then be able to get their hands a little dirty as they roll them into yummy balls and cover with coconut.
Rocky Hedge Hogs
Workshop
A mix between a hedgehog slice and rocky road. Kids will crush up choc biscuits in a bag, mix it with coconut and lots of different yummy colourful sweets (marshmallows, smarties, choc chips) and mix it all together with a pre-made sauce. They will then get their own small tin to press it into and be able to take the tin home with them.
Cupcake Decorating
Workshop
Kids will receive a cupcake to act as their canvas for their school holidays decorating masterpiece – using icing and toppings, to create their delicious treat.
Smashed Pav
Workshop
Taking a modern twist on the delicious pavlova, participants will be shown how to make their own delicious pav, smashed style. Mixing together all their favourite toppings with meringue, to create a yummy Eton mess.
Other school holiday activities at Eastland
Eastland retailers also have lots of fun activities happening through the April school holidays to keep kids entertained. Here’s a round up of some you should check out…
We Love Burgers by Huxtaburger
(45-minute classes)
Do your little ones love burgers? Then they’ll love this hands-on masterclass where they’ll learn tips and tricks to making the perfect burger.
DATES: Thursday 5 & Friday 6 April
TIMES: 11am, 12pm & 1pm (45-minute class)
LOCATION: Huxtaburger, Town Square
COST: $5, bookings essential
Let’s Go Skating by Street Machine
Kids can learn how to skate with the skating pros Street Machine (note all boards and safety gear will be provided).
DATES: Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 April
TIMES: 11.30am, 1pm & 3pm
LOCATION: Melbourne Street, near Town Square.
COST: $10 (redeemable in store), bookings essential.
It’s Story Time with Robinsons Bookstore
Kids (and parents) get the chance to sit back, relax and escape to another world with a story.
DATES: Wednesday 4 – Sunday 15 April
TIME: 11am
LOCATION: Atrium, Town Square
COST: Free.
While you are at Eastland, also be sure to check out some of my favourite insider hidden gems:
• Get your shop on in The Arcade
• Enjoy a tasty treat at Goldeluck’s Doughnuts
• Pop into the gorgeous new The Daily Edited boutique
• Check out the Fashion and Art Collide exhibition by Jayson Brandon
If it’s your first time visiting Eastland, you can have confidence knowing that the centre has heaps of under cover parking, as well as being accessible by train (just jump off the Belgrave/Lilydale lines at Ringwood). Tip: I always park near the Coles entrance off Warrandyte Road, it’s my go-to for fast entry and exit. Parking is free for up to 3 hours and there’s also a Valet Parking service if you’d like to make the most of a special day out for you and the kidlets. If you have a baby, their Parents rooms are wonderful for feeding and changing facilities.
Head over the the Eastland website here to make a booking for your kids right now.
See you at Eastland!
This post is brought to you by Kate & Co and Eastland.
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