School’s out for summer, so it’s time to round up your little tackers and read on for our ultimate Melbourne School Holiday Guide.
If you’re on the hunt for some fun activities in Melbourne to keep the kids entertained during the holidays, then look no further. This January, Eastland have the ultimate line up of creative activities and workshops with their smART activation – and guess what, they are free!
smART encapsulates learning about art in new and unexpected ways, to encourage and inspire children’s imagination. This morning I headed along with two of my favourite little ladies, and I cannot wait to visit Eastland again and again over the next fortnight with my own kids.
Melbourne School Holidays Guide
Creative Activities for Kids in Melbourne at Eastland
Kids smART workshops
The Eastland smART workshops are specially designed for primary school aged children (ages 5 and above). Each workshop is specially designed to allow children to get their craft on! They’ll learn everything from how to weave their very own custom dream catcher; too creating their own flippy art book; and how to design an animation.
At the end of the workshops there will be time to explore all the other smART pods… Read on below to learn more about the pods.
Location: Level 1, Central Mall, outside Commonwealth Bank.
Dates & Times:
Saturday – Wednesday, 11am – 4pm (Every 30 minutes)
Thursday – Friday, 11am – 6pm (Every 30 minutes)
All workshops are FREE, but you need to head over to the Eastland website here to book your selected session.
HOT TIP – Book asap because sessions are filling up fast!
Kids smART Pods
STRINGY THINGY
With a modern twist on the ancient artform of weaving, kids can create art by winding bright coloured yarn around the pegs to create an amazing community art piece, full of colour, style and individuality! Exploring shapes and colours, little ones can extend their imagination with creations like geometric animals or stars and the moon.
COLOUR BY NUMBERS
A super-fun mega colour by numbers challenge! Choose from five different colour by number templates and once you have completed your creation, be sure to get a snap under the neon sign with the giant crayons.
COLOUR CYCLE
Keep your eye out for the seriously cool deconstructed bike! Kids can spin the wheel or turn the pedals of the bike to create bright geometric art. Invented by a mathematician, the spirograph creates elaborate spirals and geometric drawings you can try in an array of bright colours! It’s lots of fun.
SECRET SCRIBBLE
With a mix of art and technology, children can do a drawing using magical invisible pens (just like a secret spy), then shine a special light on their artwork to see it come to life before their eyes!
Location: Level 1, Central Mall, outside Commonwealth Bank.
All smART pods are free and no bookings are required.
More School Holiday Activities
Retailers around Eastland are offering a wide range of other school holiday activities including cooking workshops, teddy bear making and plant-seed growing fun. Some of these activities do have a small fee, so you need to click on the ‘find out more’ links for all the details. Here are a few of my top picks of the offerings…
KIDS PIZZA MASTERCLASS
with 400 Gradi
Kids can make their own pizza dough from scratch, enjoy their delicious creation and finish off with a scoop of gelato!
Find out more here
LITTLE GROWERS
with Muffin Break
Learn about sustainability and plant seedlings using collected coffee cups and grounds
Find out more here
CHOCOLATE DECORATING
with Sisko Chocolate
Decorate a delicious chocolate disk with a variety of toppings.
Find out more here
Eastland is the place to get ready for the new school year with great offers from their retailers. All offers are valid from 14 – 27 January, unless otherwise stated in-store.
Address: 175 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Opening Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 5:30pm
Thursday – Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm
If it’s your first time visiting Eastland, you can have confidence knowing that the centre has heaps of under cover parking (parking is free for up to 3 hours), as well as being accessible by train – just jump onto the Belgrave/Lilydale line and exit at Ringwood Station.
Insider Tip: I always park near the Coles entrance (Entry 8). It’s my go-to for fast entry and exit.
There’s also a Valet Parking service located in the South carpark (Entry 5 or Entry 6) off Warrandyte Road. If you have a baby, their recently upgraded Parents Rooms are wonderful for feeding and changing facilities.
This post is brought to you by Kate & Co and Eastland.
