Nature Play SA has put together a list of 20 things to notice with your kiddo when you’re out in nature, because you just never know what you might find if you’re looking!
A long weekend looms! What better time to indulge in some new music and support our local artists? ABC Radio’s Kate Bailey gives us her top tunes to help us strike the right note this long weekend!
We’ve compiled a list of some of Adelaide’s best pram friendly walks (think bitumen, and predominantly flat) within the confines of Adelaide metropolitan area.
Get into gear, strap the kids car seats in and hit the road friends; The History Trust of South Australia’s National Motor Museum will re-open its doors to visitors today at 10am.
Looking for something to read? We’ve got the Kiddo Community approved 12 books to read in 12 months, guaranteed page turners that you’re not going to want to put down.
Here’s our list of 31 must-see movies that will hit theatres in 2021. There’s something here for everyone, date night, girls night, family night – we’ve got you covered.
Book your babysitters, and get out of your active wear, we’re eating out! And we can have a drink too! Coronavirus restrictions have been eased a little early.
We’ve compiled a list of the best “are we there yet” proof locations for families who want to camp but don’t want to be stuck in the car with their kids for 6 hours!
The Farm Barn in Hahndorf have launched a series of “learn from home” live streams where kids can learn about the animals who call The Farm Barn home.
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Cleland Wildlife Park has been able to reopen this week, and the animals can’t wait to see you!
Put your winter woolies on, and pack a picnic, after seven weeks of closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is open again for everyone to enjoy.
An adventurous new audio-led theatre experience, Mountain Goat Mountain, has been created during isolation for families across Australia to enjoy at home. The work was created by Australian theatre company Threshold and developed with the support of Adelaide Festival Centre’s DreamBIG Children’s Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, AWESOME International Children’s Festival and HOTA, Home of the Arts. Aimed at families with young children (aged five years and older) who miss going to the theatre, Mountain Goat Mountain is an interactive storytelling journey. DreamBIG Children’s Festival Creative Producer Susannah Sweeney: “We’re excited to be part of this project, and the great thing about Mountain Goat Mountain is that it is a totally new work and it’s perfect for the situation we find ourselves in. It’s a wonderfully fun and imaginative experience. “The artists behind this work have been part of our festival previously with Rain in 2017 and The Boy Who Loved Tiny Things last year, and we love what they create, so we are delighted to be supporting this project along with our interstate colleagues.” Through a series of activities that help families set up and step into their own magical imaginative world, participants will find themselves crawling through tunnels, crossing lava pits and swimming through underwater caves – all without leaving home. Guided by a narrative soundscape, families will embark on this 45-minute theatrical experience using only a charged audio device (computer, phone or tablet), a bed sheet (the bigger the better), a piece of blank paper (A4 will do) and their favourite pencils, pens or markers. The unique theatre experience created for children and grown-ups to share together was created in isolation by artists Zoë Barry, Liz Francis, Nikita Hederics, Tahli Corin and Sarah Lockwood for Threshold. Threshold is a new Australian company that use theatrical tools to create experiences that bring people together. Co-creator Sarah Lockwood said Mountain Goat Mountain was for families who enjoy adventure: “It’s for families needing a break from monotony and who are looking for a sense of occasion and a way to celebrate each other and this time together. Over many years I’ve been working with members of this creative team to create invitational spaces that encourage relationships to grow. When theatres started shutting down, we realised that we had a unique offering.” Co-creator Tahli Corin said as artists who live regionally and are raising small children, she and Sarah had been thinking about how to bring theatres into homes for some time: “Threshold launched in June last year, so we were already interested in how we could work to create theatre in people’s homes before the pandemic hit and made it a necessity. There’s a lot of commentary right now about what the world will be like post coronavirus, and Mountain Goat Mountain is an opportunity to imagine and explore a new world together.” Audiences can access Mountain Goat Mountain via The Show Must Go On, Adelaide Festival Centre’s new collection of online interviews and performances: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/the-show-must-go-on Tickets cost $12.95 per family and are valid for 30 days, with all funds going to the artists who created the work. For more information about Threshold, visit: thethreshold.com.au
MINI MAD craft kits are brimming with crafty fun ready for you to get creative at home! The kits are designed inspire open-ended creativity. With their range of beautiful, engaging materials, you can either follow the Mini Mad Things craft tutorials or create your own fun projects. There are lots of options. Check out the Collage Creative Craft Kit below: COLLAGE CREATIVE CRAFT KIT With the COLLAGE CREATIVE craft box you have the option of making the following MINI MAD CRAFT projects:Collage RainbowCollage RobotsTexture printingPaper Bag Monster masksPLUS extra materials to make your own creations The box includes the following materials:Cardboard rainbow template x1Cardboard robot body parts x1Large paper bag to make a mask x1Cardboard printing block bases x1Textured materials to make printing blocksReady cut collage materials in rainbow coloursA sheet of monster and robot eyes to cut outPaper fastenersA4 white and coloured paper x8 sheetsPom PomsFelt shapesTo complete these projects you will also need the following tools/materials that are NOT supplied in this box:PVA glue or glue sticksPaint and brushesColoured marker pensScissors MINI MAD CRAFT kits are all beautifully presented and packed with care, no plastic packaging materials are used AND you can use the cardboard packing box to start building your own CARDBOARD BOX TOWN! Suitable for ages 3+ Check out more boxes at MINI MAD THINGS
LA LA LOCAL – WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK So, you’re happily married, working full-time and raising kids (home-schooling at the same time, in fact, thanks to COVID-19) – but still manage to release a new single with a French label. That’s something to smile about at this crazy time. And Thom Lion has done just that. His new single “Not Your Bfrnd” was introduced to the world last Friday. Musically it was inspired by French band Phoenix who straddle the Indie Pop and Electronic genres with ease (playing in a pre-Daft Punk band and supporting AIR will do that). Lyrically, it was inspired by a doozey of a break-up. While the break-up was documented in a journal about 8 years ago it was only taken to the band last year. Rather than make it into a sad song they turned it into something effervescent and danceable. Inviting a celebration rather than a sulk. As Thom joked to me – like a Divorce party. I wonder if they’ll still be a thing post-Corona?? And for clarification, this song is NOT about the lovely TV presenter Jessica Braithwaite who is the person Thom is happily married to and raising children with. Now, this is such a good line I’m going to rip it straight from his press release – Thom Lion packs a musical punch, like Arcade Fire having a barbecue at Paul Kelly’s house – the beers are on, the songs are catchy, and each tells a moving story. And this track is no different. Note to self – look out for the little E when playing this track at home. An angry Thom knows how to let one rip. It’s only once, but it packs a punch. Thankfully the version I sourced for the ABC was clean. And while it wasn’t good news for Thom last weekend, when he lost his voice and had to postpone his Instagram performance, it might be for you. It’s on this weekend instead. 5pm on Sunday. Check him out. Now let’s rap. Or talk about it at least. I have three boys. They all love music. But their tastes vary. As do all of ours. The 10-year-old is partial to Eminem right now. And I get it. Eminem combines beats, angst and humour with ease. I can’t help but enjoy hearing him tackle the lyrics of Lose Yourself as he learns it on guitar. However, should you dig that song but prefer your kids don’t get a taste for an artist known to suggest alternative uses for staplers (in his tamer moments) I can recommend an alternative version for you to investigate. It comes from Ella and Sienna, talented young performers from Mt Barker, who well and truly support the theory that sibling harmonies are often the best. They’ve had a cracker of a year winning numerous awards and places in talent shows. And up in Tamworth Kasey Chambers surprised them by appearing out of the crowd to join them on-stage as they sang one of her tracks. Doesn’t get much better than that. Their music spans across acoustic rock, pop and contemporary country genres. So, for some family-friendly music inspiration look them up and follow them on Facebook. They’ll be streaming live from their loungeroom this Saturday night. Until next time, stay safe and healthy and support local music however you can. Kate x
This Starlight Day, Friday 1 May, Starlight Children’s Foundation needs your help to raise $250,000 to deliver fun and happiness to more than 5,000 seriously ill and hospitalised children around Australia. As Starlight’s biggest national fundraising event, Starlight Day aims to raise much-needed funds to support sick kids through its hospital services – the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight. With a Starlight Express Room in every children’s hospital in Australia and over 180 Captain Starlights nationally, every child admitted to hospital, regardless of their illness or injury, can access these vital services with their family. CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation, Louise Baxter, said: “Happiness is critical to a sick child’s development and to building resilience. The work Starlight does to support sick kids in every children’s hospital nationally is only made possible through the community, who we rely on for support.” “Being seriously ill shouldn’t mean missing out on the fun of childhood, especially when evidence shows happiness helps kids bounce back after going through tough times.” “While health professionals treat the serious illness, Starlight, through its hospital services (Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room) is there to deliver fun to sick kids and their families when they need it most.” Anyone can make a donation today on the Starlight Day website, with all donations made before midnight AEST Sunday 3 May generously doubled by Starlight’s corporate partners. To donate today, please visit starlightday.org.au. About Starlight Children’s Foundation Starlight Children’s Foundation brightens the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and young people by replacing pain, fear and stress with fun, joy and laughter. Since its establishment in 1988, Starlight has expanded to become the broadest reaching children’s charity in Australia. There is now a Starlight Express Room in every children’s hospital in the country and over 180 Captain Starlights nationwide. This year, Starlight will be refurbishing its Starlight Express Room in Newcastle. In 2019, Starlight granted 500 life-changing wishes with 100% of families recommending a wish experience to other families. Starlight also delivered over 610,000 positive Starlight experiences to seriously ill children, young people and their families. www.starlight.org.au