Wondering how you’re going to keep the rugrats occupied over the winter school holidays? On the weekend of July 5-7 bring them to the MLIVE’s Family Fiesta Weekend, a participatory mini arts festival that aims to get kids (and their carers) reading, drawing, singing and dancing.
There’s loads of free family-friendly programming from 10am to 4pm daily at the recently launched Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts. Drop into the Fiesta Book Nook for storytime, independent reading, activities with authors and a chance to meet children’s book character Maisy Mouse. Kids can get creative in Jessica Wilson’s I See You Like This, a photo studio where they can art direct a creative portrait of their parents (think of it as payback for all the photos you’ve taken of them over the years). In Sound of Drawing by Polyglot Theatre, little ones can don headphones to hear a soundscape triggered by their pencils and crayons on a custom drawing table. When you need a snack, visit Script at the Jazz Club for tyke-appropriate food and drink options.
All the weekend events are free except for an interactive production of The Young King, a family-friendly adaptation of an Oscar Wilde short story. Produced by the award-winning Slingsby Theatre Company, the production keeps children engaged with pre-show activities as well as onstage participation. Tickets cost $20-$35 and can be purchased on the Family Fiesta Weekend website; registering for the free author events is also recommended.