School holiday experiences your kids won't want to miss
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Today is the last day of school term and, like many other parents, I have two weeks of inevitably ‘bored’ children to entertain. When the novelty of your own backyard, craft supplies and DVD collection has been exhausted, why not check out one of these holiday experiences?
Zine Making Workshop
What do you get when you combine a typewriter with a dymo maker and a fluorescent pen? A zine! A zine (pronounced ‘zeen’) is a handmade, self-published comic or magazine – from 1930s sci-fi to 70s punk, zines have been a way for fans to document their experiences, as well as providing an alternative voice to those held by the mainstream.
The Museum of Australia Democracy at Old Parliament House’s Zine Lounge is open 9am to 5pm daily – it’s a bright and colourful creative space equipped with pens, pencils, scissors, stamps and other tools where people of all ages can make their own ‘zine’.
During the first week of the ACT school holidays, kids aged five years and over can learn the skills of zine making with a professional zine artist in a Zine Making workshop. But it’s not just for primary school kids – high schoolers will also really appreciate this activity – it’s a great way for them to express themselves and have their say on issues that matter to them.
The workshops are being held from Monday 14 – Thursday 17 April in two sessions: 5–12 years and carers’, morning session: 10–11.30am, and 12+ years, afternoon session: 2–4pm.
Book by calling (02) 6270 8215 or emailing events@moadoph.gov.au
The Canberra Rail Trail
The theme for this year’s Canberra and Region Heritage Festival (currently underway) is ‘Journeys’ and is inspired by the first steam train to arrive in Canberra in May 1914. Supporting this year’s theme is the Canberra Rail Trail: a fun and interactive activity for families, historians and rail enthusiasts alike that will take you on journey through Canberra’s rail history and plans for the future – unveiling activities and facts along the way.
Not many people would know that the original plans for Canberra included a railway for the City and the significant role trains played in Canberra’s history. The Rail Trail offers the opportunity to discover eight locations where you can unlock the secrets of the city’s trains.
The event is free and will run until 20 April. Download the app and participate in Canberra’s first mobile augmented reality activity: download the Apple iPhone or iPad app here or the ANDRIOD app here. No Smartphone? You can still join in – download and complete your Rail Trail activity sheet.
If you complete the rail trail before Wednesday 16 April you can enter the prize draw to win a golden ticket to the Easter Steam Extravaganza at Canberra’s Railway Museum. Each ticket will give you free entry to the museum and take you and three family members on Canberra’s iconic 3016 steam train ride to Queanbeyan and back.
A child’s journey to school: Blundells Cottage to St John’s
St John’s Schoolhouse and the National Capital Authority are working together to bring the 19th century to life. The journey starts at Blundells Cottage where children will meet Mrs. Blundell and get ready for school (if they are not already in period clothes). They will visit the Cottage, help with chores and be served a morning tea of damper and syrup, before walking to school with Florrie Blundell. After some schoolwork at the old desks it will be time for play. The event concludes outside, with traditional games.
The journeys are being held 10am to 12.30 tomorrow, Saturday 12 April and Thursday 17 April. Cost is $5 per child. Bookings and enquiries to Jenny Garden on 6249 8392 or jenniferg@grapevine.com.au
Music at the National Museum
Visit the Musical Garden of Australian Dreams at the National Museum of Australia, where specially created interactive exhibits will tempt kids’ musical curiosity. These instruments have been created using everyday and recycled objects. Try playing the UFOnium for an amazing other-worldy sound, or ring the metal sprinkler bells. This free activity runs from 9am to 5pm every day during the school holidays.
Or enter the Discovery Space for ‘Museum maestros’, inspired by the musical instruments made out everyday materials in its Journeys gallery. Discovery Space: Museum maestros invites children to create their own musical instrument using recycled materials. Drums, maracas, trumpets, panpipes, tambourines and chimes are some of the instruments children can make during the workshops.
Music facilitator Matthew Armstrong will also conduct makeshift orchestras and jamming sessions in the Hall, so children get to play the instruments they have made. For the younger ones, a toddler area with experimental musical instruments will also be available.
After their Discovery Space experience, children will be looking at everyday objects in a different way, imagining the sounds they could make with them.
Families can also experience a musical trail in the Garden of Australian Dreams to ignite their musical curiosity through a range of specially created interactive exhibits. The Discovery Space: Museum maestros drop-in school holiday program runs from 14-17 and 22–24 April, 10 am – 1 pm.
Foiled again!
Kids aged 8 to 12 can connect with the Gold and The Incas exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia and take their knowledge deeper, with Foiled! A metal embossing workshop. Using brass and copper sheeting, they’ll emboss and stamp metal tiles in the style of precious metalwork of the ancient Incans.
Workshops are being held at 10am and 2pm in Gandel Hall. Cost is $25, $20 child members.
Steampunk Jewellery workshop
Kids aged 12-17 years can make their own steampunk jewellery using vintage watch parts etc. ‘What is steampunk jewellery?’, I hear you ask. The internet tells me that, “Steampunk jewellery is designed to reflect the culture and fashions of the steampunk subculture. Like other non-mainstream movements, steampunk places great importance on the value of beauty that reflects unusual or antiquated ideals. The jewellery is often bold and aggressive in appearance, but usually attempts to retain at least an echo of femininity.” So, there you go!
Workshops are being held in Dickson on Thursday 17 April and in Belconnen on Thursday 24 April.
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