Looking for some activities to keep your children occupied? We’ve got you sorted!
Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s eCollection has a number of resources for young at heart and those with overactive imaginations. Discover our eResouces designed for play.
LOTE-online for kids: with over 35 languages to choose from, read and discover stories from around the world.
Tynker: do you have a child who loves to code, Tynker is designed for self-paced learning from beginners to advance.
Scratch: program your own stories and games with Scratches interactive platform. From creative thinking to collaborative problem solving skills, Scratch teaches more than just coding skills.
Story Box Library: discover talented Australian authors as they share their picture books through animated videos of beloved stories such as Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy and Auslan story, Busy Beaks by Sarah Allen and Jason Ashford. Story Box Library also contains resources to help make learning fun.
Banyule Council
Across Banyule Council, there are several activities aimed at youth and children. Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
Spring Outdoors Festival
As the weather gets warmer, we're reminded of how lovely it is to be outside in our community. Banyule, Nillumbik and Manningham have again teamed up to bring you a program of spring themed events in 2021.
With all of us keen to get out and about again, these programs give you the chance to learn about some amazing natural and sustainable work happening in your local area. Some programs are planned to be in person, but also online ready if restrictions mean we must make adjustments.
For information on all events: Spring Outdoors Festival.
Biodiversity Photo Contest
Wednesday, 15 September – Sunday, 31 October 2021
Our local animals, plants and landscapes are diverse and inspiring. Have a camera?
If you are a Banyule resident, share a photo of a local native plant, animal, or natural landscape for your chance to win free plant vouchers.
A panel from Banyule’s Biodiversity Team will select the top 3 photos. Winners will receive plant vouchers redeemable at our locally supported, indigenous nurseries.
The Biodiversity Team will also select 10 images that best represent our local biodiversity for display at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub and online at the end of the Spring Outdoors program.
Dungeons and Dragons Monthly Meetups
For young people aged 12-25, join the adventure in these monthly meetups. Current sessions are hosted online and beginners are welcome!
More information at https://www.banyuleyouth.com/dungeons-dragons-group
Banyule Youth Portal - Keeping connected from home
The Banyule Youth Portal has been created to provide activities, information and support to the community during the time of COVID-19.
Find lists of online activities and streaming options, ideas for things to do from home and ways to connect with us for support or to keep busy. The Banyule Youth Portal is updated regularly with new resources and information.
Check out Banyule Youth resources: https://www.banyuleyouth.com/banyule-youth-portal
Nillumbik Council
Across Nillumbik, there are several activities aimed at youth and children. Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
Water Bug Activity
Wednesday, 22 September 2021 10:30am to 11:30am
If you have curious kids who’d like to learn more about the water bugs that platypus eat (or if you want to find out more about these fascinating creatures), come along to a free webinar on 22 September.
You will be provided with an insight into different kinds of water bugs, including dragonfly larvae, mosquito larvae, beetles and snails.
This all-ages webinar, you’ll get to learn about water bugs and see what they look like under a magnifying glass.
More details at https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Living-in/Events-and-festivals/Events-calendar/Water-Bug-Activity-online
Chooks 4 Kids & Families
Saturday, 25 September 2021 10:00am to 11:30am
This online workshop is for families with chook loving children who are wanting to learn the basics of backyard chicken keeping with Farmer Rae. There will be plenty of opportunity fro questions and advice!
In this workshop you will learn about the characteristics of different breeds (in order to make a selection that suits your setting and needs) as well as the housing and care of chickens.
Farmer Rae has been one of the farmers here at Edendale for 4 years, and has worked on other farms and animal settings for nearly a decade as well as undergoing formal animal husbandry training. She also has her own backyard flock close to the city, so is aware of many of the challenges and requirements of owning chickens in an urban setting.
Proudly brought to you as part of Nillumbik Shire Council’s annual Spring Outdoors program in conjunction with Manningham and Banyule councils.
Bookings are essential. Please note this is a paid event $10 per screen.
Further details can be found at https://www.edendale.vic.gov.au/Events-Activities-Workshops/Chooks-4-Kids-Families-Online
Wildlife Xposure - Life Cycles
Wednesday, 29 September 2021 11:00am to 12:00pm
An online interactive event full of amazing information on the stages of life. Learn about the natural cycles and the path an animal can take through its life, its nothing short of magical. Nature’s ability to find a way to survive, flourish and reproduce is forever evolving.
Children will be introduced to a number of different classes of animals and discuss their reproductive strategies, how they have adapted to suit particular environments and conditions allowing them to survive.
Topics:
- Invertebrate life cycles & metamorphoses
- marsupials & placental mammals
- Why some animals lay eggs and others are live bearing (viviparous, oviparous and ovoviviparous)
- Vulnerability in certain stages of their life cycles and how they overcome them
- Long and short life spans
- Energy flows
- DNA and the importance of genetic diversity
Bookings are essential. Please note this is a paid event $10 per screen. Best suited to children 5 years and older.
More details at https://www.edendale.vic.gov.au/Events-Activities-Workshops/Wildlife-Xposure-Life-Cycles-Online
Using cloth nappies
Saturday, 13 November 2021 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Join Elana from Cloth Nappy Workshops Melbourne in this webinar to discover the world of modern cloth nappies. She will take you through everything you need to know to get started with cloth nappies.
This workshop will cover
- where to buy them and what to look for
- different styles of modern cloth nappies
- how to wash them
- tips, tricks and myth busting.
There will also be time to ask questions.
Proudly brought to you as part of Nillumbik Shire Council’s annual Spring Outdoors program in conjunction with Manningham and Banyule councils.
For more details see https://www.edendale.vic.gov.au/Events-Activities-Workshops/Using-cloth-nappies-Online
City of Whittlesea
Across City of Whittlesea, there are several activities aimed at youth and children. Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
Youth podcast
Tune into Figuring it out Together, a podcast about growing up as young leaders.
Figuring out Together is brought to you by a group of young people who have conversations about real issues that affect them and other young people in the community.
To access the podcast search for Figuring it out Together on your podcast app
Whittlesea Cartooning Project
Wednesday 25 August.
2 sessions: 5:30 - 6:30pm and 7:30 - 8:30pm
(please note, these sessions are the same workshop)
Have you ever wondered the secrets to drawing awesome cartoons? Maybe you've had dreams about creating your own comic book or animation series. Brett's free cartooning workshop is an awesome place to start! Join local artist and cartoonist Brett as he takes you through the steps, ticks and secrets behind cartoon drawing.
Bookings essential. Visit https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/arts-events-recreation/things-to-see-and-do/events/whittlesea-cartooning-project/
Community Art Workshops via Zoom
Located at Creeds Farm Living & Learning, this online art group is aimed at children aged 5 – 12 years old on Monday & Wednesday.
More information at: https://creedsfarm.org.au/courses/
Arabic for Children
Located at Creeds Farm Living & Learning, this language class is distant learning based with families sent class notes and supported by a tutor.
Classes run Saturdays 9.00 am - 12.00 pm.
More information at https://creedsfarm.org.au/courses/
Khalsa Online Gurmat Classes
Located at Creeds Farm Living & Learning, these classes educate in areas like Kirtan, Gurmukhi language Arts, and Sikh History on Thursdays 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm.
More information at https://creedsfarm.org.au/courses/
Playgroup Victoria
Looking for a playgroup online? Playgroup Victoria continue to provide their wonderful online playgroup at home sessions.
More information at https://bookings.playgroup.org.au
Letters to Nonna
Connect with our older members of the community with Thomastown Neighbourhood House’s community project, Letters to Nonna.
More information at https://www.tnh.org.au/
Spoonville at Thomastown Library
Thomastown Neighbourhood House’s artist in residence, Becky James has brought promisetown to the library with spoonville and it’s many residents.
More information at https://www.tnh.org.au/