Sculpture Garden Sunday, Sunday 4 March 2012

Every year in March the National Gallery of Australia holds a day of arty activities for little ones in the Sculpture Garden on the lake side of the gallery.

The activities are suitable for even the littlest toddlers. In previous years we (or just I depending on the level of cooperation of my toddler) have:

• created a collage
• painted a masterpiece
• washed some baby dolls in little baby baths
• drawn with crayons
• stuck clay on a life-size sculpture of a man
• won a t-shirt for Daddy
• made a crazy hat.

Sculpture Garden Sunday is Sunday 4 March 2012 from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Here's how to get there and where to park. Get there early, it's extremely popular!

If, as happened to me last year, your toddler should decide that creating art is not for him that day, here are some other things to do at the gallery:

• have your photo taken with the pears on the other side of the gallery
• find the secret fern garden
• check out the new Play exhibition in the Children's Gallery. 

Canberra Show, 26-28 February 2012

I am not into fairy floss or side shows and I'd prefer if my children never found out about their existence. Taking them to a show is risky. But there is actually a lot for littles at the Canberra Show. I recommend: 

• the milking demonstration
• the petting zoo and farmyard nursery
• the cow, sheep and alpaca sheds 
• the parade of cows who have won ribbons
• the dogs - near the dog show ring you can find fly ball, which is great for babies who like balls and dogs, and the agility, which is like Gymbaroo for dogs
• the Australian Breastfeeding Association's baby feed and change room, which has friendly volunteers to pass you wipes and a place for toddlers to play. 

 

Here's the program, the show hours, and how to get there. Tickets are $22 for adults and free for children under six.  

Elmo's World Tour, 18-19 May 2012

Before I had children, I used to find Elmo quite irritating. But I now find him quite endearing, which could be because a fluffy toy Elmo helps my toddler go to bed each night.

 

Elmo's World Tour - featuring Elmo and lots of his friends from Sesame Street - will be stopping by Canberra on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May 2012. The concert will be playing at Canberra Theatre and you can book your tickets here.

 

World's Biggest Playgroup 28/03/12

To celebrate National Playgroup Week, ACT Playgroups is holding a World's Biggest Playgroup from 9.45am to 11.45am on Wednesday 28 March 2012 at Wakefield Gardens in Ainslie, which is behind Ainslie Shops. There will be many fantastic activities for little guys.

The event is suitable for babies to five-year-olds.

Parking optimists and early birds might like to look for a spot at Ainslie Shops, otherwise park in a nearby street and walk.

N.B. This event incorporates Paint and Play, which is usually held at this time and place. 

Crace Carnival tomorrow!

In news just in, Crace in Gungahlin is having a pirate themed carnival from 4.30pm tomorrow, Saturday 18 February 2012. And everything appears to be free. Find out more here.

Places to go with your mothers' group - part one

This post is for mothers of babies who are still in the cafe-friendly pre-crawling stage. Here are three places to go, user tested for parking, pram access, pram space at the table, yummy food and change facilities should your baby have a poo incident.

1. The Terrace, Australian War Memorial
This cafe is to the right as you face the War Memorial. Enter off Fairbairn Avenue, park underground at the far end of the car park, wheel your baby up the ramp and there you are. There is HEAPS of space for prams indoors and out, the food is great and well-priced and the service is fantastic. The disabled toiled has a fold down change table.
Note the cafe is changing hands and will be closed on 28 February.

2. Adore Tea, Gold Creek
Adore Tea does tea and sweet treats and is lovely. It has plenty of seats and pram space outdoors, but indoors is a different story, so it's not the best winter destination for mothers' groups. And don't even think about sitting indoors if you have a toddler with you. If you park behind Cockington Green, you can drive almost up to the door. There is a change table within one of the toilet cubicles in the ladies' toilets.

3. Cheeryseed, Gold Creek
This cafe sells exquisite cupcakes. It's tiny on the inside, but on a warm day it's lovely to picnic outside. They lend out picnic rugs. Parking is very close, turn into the gravel driveway on the left of The Chapel.