25 Spring School Holiday Events in Melbourne’s West
The Spring School Holidays are just around the corner (Saturday 22 September to Sunday 7 October) so now’s the time to start planning your family fun in Melbourne’s west!
Joyce Watts from the popular Melbourne-based family travel blog TOT: HOT OR NOT has compiled a list of her top 25 school holiday events and activities happening in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Melton, Moonee Valley, Wyndham and Maribyrnong.
Even better – many of them are free or low cost but some may require bookings in advance.
1 ~ Camp Woodgrove (Sat 22 Sep – Sun 7 Oct) – Over the two-week period, Woodgrove will be transformed into an active oasis, with kids taking to the field for some fun in the Mini-Olympics. FREE
2 ~ Scienceworks (Sat 22 Sep – Sun 7 Oct) – Learn all about how we lift ourselves off the ground these spring school holidays! How do wings work? What’s in a rocket? Where’s my jetpack? Adults $15, kids FREE.
3 ~ Royal Melbourne Show (Sat 22 Sep – Tue 2 Oct) – Victoria’s largest annual community event, bringing together the very best of entertainment, agriculture, attractions and fine food for a fun and memorable day out to enjoy with family and friends. Adult tickets from $32 online. Read my review.
4 ~ Sunshine Lantern Festival (Sun 23 Sep) – Free community event with entertainment, rides, street performers, music, food of many nations, magical Lion and Dragon Dancing, a Lantern Parade to celebrate the full moon and ending with spectacular fireworks. FREE
5 ~ Little Designer Club Myer Werribee (Mon 24 Sep – Thu 27 Sep) – design your own handbag or necklace at the pop up studio. FREE. Full review
6 ~ 100 Story Building (Mon 24 Sep – Wed 3 Oct) – writing workshops for 7+ years. $49.
7 ~ Footscray City Gymnastics Club (Mon 24 Sep – Fri 5 Oct) – various workshops and daily open gym. $40.
8 ~ The Art Factory Essendon (Mon 24 Sep – Fri 5 Oct) – various art activities and workshops. $40.
9 ~ Little Art Yurt Yarraville (Tue 25 Sep – Thu 4 Oct) – creative workshops with Dawn Tan in a Little Art Yurt. From $40. Read my review.
10 ~ Footscray Community Arts Centre (Tue 25 Sep – Thu 4 Oct) – full day ‘Extreme Arts’ and Theatre Intensive From $80.
11 ~ Circus Skills Wyndham (Tue 25 Sep) – learn self confidence and sweet circus skills with the performers from Children Are Stinky – Circus Trick Tease. $15.
12 ~ Ickypedia Clocktower Centre (Tue 25 Sep) – Australia’s favourite kidult comedians, The Listies, bring their best-smelling book Ickypedia: A Dictionary of Disgusting New Words to the stage! From $27.50.
13 ~ Incinerator Gallery (Tue 25 Sep – Thu 27 Sep) – Let the kids explore their creative potential in these exciting, artist- led school holiday workshops. $17.50.
14 ~ Children Are Stinky Werribee (Wed 26 Sep) – High calibre circus, a rocking soundtrack and genuine belly laughs. $15.
15 ~ Red Racing Hood (Thu 27 Sep) – An inventive reimagining of the classic fairy-tale, Little Red Riding Hood. $10 adult.
16 ~ Playing Up (Fri 28 Sep) – Make clothes out of food, remote control your parents, invent your own form of sports, search for miracles, deconstruct electrical devices. Pick a card, follow the instructions, create your own piece of Live Art, and perform it! FREE.
17 ~ Wild Child (Sun 30 Sep) – The great storyteller Dortchen Wild knew a lot about children in the woods, fantastical beasts, magic and mischief. She was also a neighbour of the Grimm Brothers who took credit for her wondrous stories. We want to find Dortchen’s real fairytales and we need some wild children to help us! FREE.
18 ~ Bunk Puppets Werribee (Mon 1 Oct – Tue 2 Oct) – In this a craft and performance workshop, children will create their own individual shadow character made from scraps, crafts, tinsel, tape and teddy bear fluff. $15.
19 ~ Sticks Stones Broken Bones Werribee (Tue 2 Oct) – Flying chickens, brain transplants and sneaky ninjas! Watch as household junk is transformed into surreal shadow puppets. You and your family will love being drawn into a playful world of strange silhouette characters and cartoon-like comedy. $15.
20 ~ Circus Roadshow Workshops Clocktower Centre (Tue 2 Oct – Fri 5 Oct) – Circus Roadshow is cruising through Moonee Valley with a series of fun workshops and a performance that little circus enthusiasts will love! $20.
21 ~ Superhero Hunt Werribee (Wed 3 Oct – Thu 4 Oct) – school holiday hunt through Werribee City Centre plus craft workshops, face-painting and prizes for the best dressed. FREE.
22 ~ Aquapulse Open day (Sat 6 Oct) – free entry to all school aged children and families between 9:00am to 10:00am, with free access to all aquatic activities including the water slides. Full review.
23 ~ Melton Learning Festival (Fri – Sun 5 – 7 Oct) – A three day celebration and opportunity to investigate new learning opportunities and activities. FREE.
24 ~ Indonesian Family Festival (Sat 6 Oct) – Showcasing Indonesian music and traditional dance, interactive cultural booths and workshops for all age groups. FREE.
25 ~ Lost Picnic Melbourne (Sun 7 Oct) – ultimate outdoor live music experience, celebrating springtime, music, food and performance. A family-friendly bohemian gathering with entertainment, fun activities and plentiful feasting options. From $99.
As well as these events don’t forget to check what’s on at your local library and community centre!
Joyce Watts helps families have more fun together! Her blog TOT: HOT OR NOT reviews things to do and places to go with kids in Melbourne, Regional Victoria and beyond. Sign up to her weekly newsletter here and follow her family’s adventures on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.