Two active boys inside all day after a week of 40 plus temperatures is starting to tire me out. So today, I share options to embrace the hot weather and run to the comfort of air conditioning in public places.
My top three picks for this week are either free or cheap, but are air conditioned and only require heat exposure in the walk to and from your car. All have car parking on site.
1.
The Melbourne Museum
Enter the underground car park via either Rathdowne Street or Drummond Street and then head straight to the children's section. Your kids are going to love playing with the dress ups and puppets, building Lego, and trying to build stalagmites. Afterwards head into the dinosaur, insect and animal exhibition next door.
Stop for your picnic lunch on one of the seats and tables, then continue up to the
Bunjilika Aboriginal Cultural Centre and watch your children learn about indigenous culture and how hard it is to make fire from rubbing two sticks together. The exhibitions are interactive and highly visual – great for kids of all ages. And everything is cool, air conditioned and fun.
Kids aged 3-16 are free, adults are $10.00 or free if you hold a concession card. Open daily from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
Your kids will dance themselves silly at Melbourne Now.
2.
Melbourne Now
Enter the underground car park via Sturt Street and head up the elevator to the NGV.
Melbourne Now provides a visually dynamic, interactive exhibition of amazing pieces over the three levels of the gallery.
Begin your day with an kid friendly workshop in the
Community Hall, take some amazing photos at the
Rory Hyde exhibition, and then continue exploring the astounding artworks and interactive projects on display throughout the ground level. Leave your mark at the
Juan Ford exhibition and finish your day with a game of
trugo gogo. The exhibition also offers necklace making, music making and dance rooms - all for free and all in air conditioned comfort. It is well worth the visit.
The gallery is free for adults and children. Open from 10:00am – 5:00pm every day, except Tuesdays.
Make sure you take your camera!
3.
ACMI
Parking is underneath Federation Square, with entry via the main entrance on Russell Street or the service road on Batman Avenue. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation square is great for kids.
Screens Worlds is a highly interactive display for all ages, with interactive displays focusing on TV, film and the moving image. Make your own "Matrix" and relive the original Neighbours cast with Scott and Charlene. Open daily from 10:00am – 5:00pm, with extended hours for
White Night Melbourne. If you would like to see a kids film for only $7.00 or 3D for $9.00, check out the
ACMI kids flicks website for session times.
Make sure you take plenty of water and fruit to hydrate your kids. With all the running around they will be doing, they will need it!
