Shopping Centres with Free Kids Activities

Shopping Centres with Free Kids Activities

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Posted 2015-06-09 by JoMfollow
Entertaining young children on a budget doesn't have to be difficult, with many major shopping centres around Melbourne offering free children's activity programs.

All of the activities below are completely FREE. (Although if you can leave a shopping centre without spending a cent then you have, more willpower than I do!) Several of the shopping centres also offer discounts and vouchers for families that attend the sessions.

In addition, most of them also contain an educational element, be it through storytimes, science workshops, craft activities and more.

Be aware that none of these programs provide free childcare. They all require the parent or carer to remain with your child during the activity. Most programs do not run during school holidays, but check individual shopping centre websites for details.

The following shopping centres provide free children's activity programs (listed alphabetically):

Broadmeadows Shopping Centre
Every Thursday morning, Hume City Library presents Bilingual Storytime at Broadmeadows Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. The session runs for one hour, and includes stories, songs, craft activities and more in English and a number of common community languages.



Where: Children's Area (outside Target), Broadmeadows Shopping Centre, 1099-1169 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows

When: Thursday 10:30-11:30am

More Information: Broadmeadows Shopping Centre website
Chirnside Park
Chirnside Park Shopping Centre runs monthly 'Play and Learn' sessions (PALs) in association with the Early Learning Centre at Chirnside Park Community Centre. The interactive program aims to encourage children's learning through play. It includes a different activity each month, including a Petting Zoo, Science Workshop, Puppet Show and more.



Where: Centre Court, Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, 239-241 Maroondah Highway, Chirnside Park

When: First Monday of every month, 10am-2pm

More Information: Chirnside Park website
Fountain Gate
Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in Narre Warren conducts regular Free Kids Mornings on Tuesdays. Ms Candy Sparkles runs workshops with a variety of art and craft activities for pre-schoolers.



Where: Kids Mall, Level 2, Fountain Gate Westfield, 352 Princes Highway Narre Warren

When: Some Tuesdays 10am-1pm (1-2 sessions per month, check website for dates)

More Information: Fountain Gate website
Highpoint
Highpoint Shopping Centre runs weekly sessions known as The Colour Club on Mondays. The sessions are free and fully supervised, and include a variety of different activities including cooking classes, giant Lego construction, storytelling and more. Details of activities are available on the website for a few weeks in advance.



Where: Highpoint Shopping Centre, 120-200 Rosamund Road, Maribyrnong (check with Centre Management for exact location)

When: Mondays 10am-1pm

More Information: Highpoint website
Knox
Knox Shopping Centre presents Kids Mornings fortnightly on Tuesdays throughout the year. A different activity is conducted at each session, including Autumn Leaves Art Workshop, Churros Donut Workshop with San Churro, Bring Your Grandparents for Morning Tea and Storytime and more. There are also exclusive offers and a special gift when your child first joins Westfield Knox Kids Club.



Where: Level 2 (near Rebel), Knox Westfield, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South

When: Fortnightly on Tuesdays, 10am-1pm (check website for dates)

More Information: Knox Westfield website
Plenty Valley
Weekly Free Kids Mornings are conducted every Tuesday at Plenty Valley Shopping Centre in Mill Park. There is a different activity each week, including Jetts Fitness Fit Kids, Giant Lego Construction Zone and Curious George Mask Workshop.



Where: Outside Kmart, Plenty Valley Shopping Centre, 415 McDonalds Road, Mill Park

When: Tuesday 10am-1pm (does not run during school holidays)

More Information: Plenty Valley Westfield website

Southland
Southland Shopping Centre in Cheltenham recently introduced Kids Mornings every Wednesday. There is a different activity aimed at pre-schoolers each week, including Space Odyssey, Active Bodies Adventure and The Music Man. There are also a number of discounts and special offers available to parents who attend, for use on Wednesdays only.



Where: Level 2 (outside Toyworld), Southland Shopping Centre, 1239 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham

When: Wednesday mornings 9am-12pm (does not run in school holidays)

More Information: Southland Westfield website
Watergardens Town Centre
Watergardens runs a Monthly Mother's Group Brunch on the last Thursday of each month. The sessions include free storytime for the little ones thanks to Sydenham Library, and light refreshments for mums. It is a great place to meet other mums and babies from the local area.
There are limited spaces for these sessions, so registration online is essential.



Where: Exact location provided upon Registration.
Watergardens Town Centre, 399 Melton Highway, Taylors Lakes

When: Last Thursday of each month, 11am (RSVP essential)

More Information: Watergardens Website
Werribee Plaza
Werribee Plaza, in conjunction with Early Childhood Educators, offers free weekly Playgroup sessions. Playtime in the Plaza is an opportunity for children and caregivers to enjoy activities together.
In addition, Pacific Kids is another free weekly program for kids at Werribee. It offers a different activity each week including Meet the Minions and Kids Yoga Classes.



Where: Both activities are held outside Best & Less, Werribee Plaza, Corner Derrimut and Heaths Roads, Hoppers Crossing

When:
Playtime in the Plaza: Thursday 10am-11:30am
Pacific Kids: Tuesday 10am-1pm
Neither activity runs during School Holidays.

More Information: Werribee Plaza website
Robinsons Bookshop, multiple locations
In addition, Robinsons Bookshop also holds weekly Children's Storytimes at four of their Melbourne stores. These sessions are designed for 3-4 year olds, and include a couple of stories and a fun activity. Parents must remain in the bookstore throughout the session.



Where: Robinsons Bookshop at these locations:
Frankston - Shop 3/11 Station Street Mall, Frankston (just outside Bayside Shopping Centre)
Greensborough Plaza - Shop 308, 25 Main Street, Greensborough
Highpoint Shopping Centre - Level 2, 120-200 Rosamund Road, Maribyrnong
Northland Shopping Centre - 2-50 Murray Road, Preston

When: Mondays at 11am at all locations (Does NOT run during school holidays or public holidays)

More Information: Robinsons Bookshop website
Most other major shopping centres in Melbourne offer some children's activities at certain times of year and/or have free children's playgrounds. However, at the time of writing, none of them have a specific program of free activities. If you are aware of any, please add them to the comments below.

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128971 - 2023-06-13 05:28:02

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