LITTLE BIG SURPRISE! – FAMILY SHOWS, 17TH & 18TH NOVEMBER
Come and tell your story and see it turned into your very own show!
You might be littler than the adults, you might seem small, but we know that really you’re a giant inside!!
This is a special show for young people where you get to share how BIG you feel, and have a team of actors and musicians turn your story into an amazing show on the spot.
Come and share your big adventures, your big dreams, your big magical world, and hear stories from other ‘giants in disguise’ (aka kids) too!
60 minute show, suitable for ages 5 and up (though littler ones are more than welcome too).
COMPETITION TIME!
We have a family pass to give away to the performance of your choice – just email us at georgina@kiddingaroundaustralia.com and let us know when you would like to go!
Inspirational mum Natalie Rebot, who is the inventor and founder of Moonlite (a storybook projector that is powered by the flashlight of your mobile phone), just might be one of the nicest people we have interviewed at Kidding Around Australia!
Natalie took an idea that she had whilst reading to her daughter Chloe (pictured above) and created something that kid’s love (Isaac is all about his Moonlite!). She has now partnered with Spin Master to bring her invention to a worldwide audience and everyone from Kristen Bell, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland and Rachel Zoe to parents everywhere are falling in love with Moonlite!
If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales — Albert Einstein.
What is Moonlite?
The Moonlite projector is portable, lightweight and easily clips to any IOS or android mobile phone (hello travelling families), that combines traditional storytelling with modern technology to create a completely new way of reading with your child before bed. The Moonlite collection is presented in book style packaging that conveniently fits into any book shelf.
The free downloadable app (complete with sound effects, read-a-long features and page detection software that automatically turns the page on the screen when you turn the reel), allows parents to be present and enjoy the special nightly experience.
How did you go from idea to product production?
Natalie explains, “It took about six months to bring my idea to fruition and until I had the first protype in my hand. Then it was another four to five months before I launched the product on Kickstarter (a fundraising platform for creative projects). Every day Chloe and I
would eagerly watch the Kickstarter page – and to see people around the world donating funds as they believed in my product was simply overwhelming.”
In late 2017 Spin Master announced a global licensing partnership with Natalie to bring her popular Kickstarter campaign to life.
What advice do you have for potential entrepreneurial Mums?
“Mums are some of the most creative people I know. They are the best people at multi-tasking and have such great ideas because they are around children all day, but they have a tendency to underestimate their own potential. So don’t have a great idea and not pursue it, take those first steps! Use your network and test it among your friends. Get a prototype made – technology now such as 3D printing allows you to get something made cheaply and once you have a prototype you need to find a fit for it. The hardest part is finding a market for it, but chances are if you think it’s a good idea other parents will too.”
How do you choose what stories you will add to the collection and what do you currently have available?
“We work 18 months to 2 years in advance, so we are planning titles for two years from now.”, said Natalie. “In the beginning, I would read a story I loved and have to contact the writer, illustrator and publisher to get the license. Now, we have great relationships with the publishers however my daughter still has to give the tick of approval before we go ahead!”
Currently available in Australia is:
Moonlite Gift Pack Fair Tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Ugly Duckling, Sago Mini on Vacation) $59.99 (includes projector and five story reels) *Available exclusively at Kmart.
Moonlite Gift Pack Mr Men (go on Holiday, go Swimming, go to the Park, at Bedtime and Mr Tickle) $59.99 (includes projector and five story reels).
Moonlite Starter Pack – Eric Carle (Very Hungry Caterpillar and Very Busy Spider) $29.99 (includes projector and two story reels)
Moonlite Story Reel Tale of Peter Rabbit $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Spot Loves Bedtime $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Dinosaur Roar! $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Little Miss Princess $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Wherever You Go $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Goldilocks and the three bears$14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Mr Strong $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Jemima Puddle Duck $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Elmer and the Rainbow $14.99
Moonlite Story Reel Spot Loves Shopping $14.99
We can all agree that reading to your child is an important part of improving young children’s language, literacy, brain and cognitive development and Moonlite makes reading so much fun!
MORE INFORMATION
Moonlite is available in Kmart and all good retailers.
THE BUSH BUS
A Kidding Around Australia Initiative
Tim, Georgina and the Kidding Around Australia team are excited to announce that we have applied for a “Pick My Project” grant to fund The Bush Bus Nature Playgroup program.
It will be FREE for all families, we just need your vote!
How can you help us to get the “Pick My Project” grant for The Bush Bus?
Please vote for us and PLEASE SHARE our project with your friends, family, neighbours and networks to encourage them to vote. Please note, you need to be in Victoria to vote.
If you live outside of The Bush Bus area but have a connection to it then you can use the postcode 3756 or the town Wallan as your location to vote.
The Bush Bus is a mobile nature playgroup that welcomes everyone with children aged from 0 – 6 years old to play freely in a bush or park setting. Children will participate in activities such as nature inspired arts and crafts, water, mud and puddle play, sensory imaginative play and educational nature walks and talks to uncover the indigenous flora and fauna of their local area.
The Bush Bus playgroups are FREE and will be conducted in a relaxed and informal space where parents, carers, babies and children can come together in a friendly and inclusive environment.
At The Bush Bus, children can:
• Engage in new experiences
• Interact with other children and adults
• Practice sharing
• Make new friends
• Strengthen healthier relationship with parents /carers
• Learn and develop social and creative skills through play
The Bush Bus is not only a fun and engaging place for children! Parents and carers can benefit in a number of ways:
• Meet other parents and develop new friendships
• Share ideas, information, concerns and experiences
• Play with children in a fun, safe and friendly environment
• Learn and develop skills with their children through play
• Discover new ideas for extra fun at home
• Find out more about services and support within the local community (in conjunction with local council and maternal health centres)
What happens at The Bush Bus Playgroup Program?
The facilitators will meet and greet participants, sign them in and direct them to the nature play activities. The children are free to choose what they want to do and parents or carers are encouraged to follow their lead. There is lots of space for free play as well as planned activities and a bush walk to explore the area. It is very spontaneous and no two sessions will be the same however all children can climb, dig, explore, build, engage their senses, discover and play!
Locations and Times The Bush Bus hours of operation will be on weekdays in the areas surrounding Beveridge, Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford and Seymour. More information will be provided if we are successful in obtaining our grant.
Cost
There is no charge for attending the Bush Bus; however, families are asked to bring a piece of fruit to share at morning tea (one only per family).
Would you like that voting information again?
Please vote for us and share our project with your friends, family, neighbours and networks to encourage them to vote.
Voting will open at 9am, Monday 13 August 2018 and close at 5pm, Monday 17 September.
You will be shown a minimum of 30 projects in your local community (a 50km radius) from which you will be able to vote for three favourites. Please, please make ours one of your choices!
Eight years ago, Tim became a Daddy. I remember for his first Father’s Day, I made him a mug with photos of Alegría on it. He still uses that mug today. In the subsequent years, we have given him an assortment of gifts. Some hits and some misses. This year, is guaranteed to be a hit! (Psst! Spoiler Alert, we are giving one of you a chance to WIN Dad’s present this year … but more on that later!)
One of the world’s largest and most innovative power tool manufacturers, RYOBI specialises in making quality power tools truly affordable and with over 70 tools in the ONE+ range. So, whether Dad is interested in woodworking, automotive, DIY, camping or gardening, RYOBI has a tool for him!
Now, picking a tool for Dad might seem overwhelming but it doesn’t need to be. RYOBI have developed an amazing Gift Guide (you can find it HERE) that makes it so easy to choose the perfect gift! You simply choose who it is for, what they are interested in and your budget and … voila, they give you gift suggestions and tell you where your closest Bunnings is! RYOBI is available exclusive to Bunnings Australia and New Zealand, so you don’t need to wonder where to go to purchase!
What I like about RYOBI, is that they are so confident in their ONE+ tools, they back them with a 6 year replacement warranty.* Not that we have ever had a problem, and we use RYOBI tools at least 2-3 times per week. It’s good to know what you are covered if anything does go wrong with your purchase, just don’t forget to register on their website.
FATHER’S DAY GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate RYOBI’s new gift selector that will help you find the perfect gift for Father’s Day, we are giving away a RYOBI 18V ONE+ 4-piece kit worth $399.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ 4-piece kit combines efficient power tools with handy accessories. Featuring a circular saw, angle grinder, impact driver and drill driver, it has everything your Dad needs to become the ultimate DIYer.
This kit comes complete with:
• 1 x 18V ONE+ drill driver
• 1 x 18V ONE+ impact driver
• 1 x 18V ONE+ circular saw
• 1 x 18V ONE+ angle grinder
• 2 x 2.5Ah lithium ion battery
• 1 x fast charger.
The 18V ONE+ 4-piece kit also comes with a nylon carry bag, so you can keep all the different parts stored in one handy portable location.
* 6 year warranty applies to cordless products registered at www.ryobi.com.au. Batteries and chargers have 3 year warranty only. Corded tools have a 4 year warranty.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF AUSTRALIA ONLY. BY ENTERING THIS COMPETITION, YOU AGREE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA MAILING LIST, IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SUBSCRIBED. YOUR PRIVACY IS PROTECTED AND YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
BY ENTERING THIS COMPETITION, YOU ARE ALSO AGREEING TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
THIS IS A GAME OF SKILL NOT A GAME OF CHANCE. ENTRIES NOT FILLING IN ALL THE REQUIRED FIELDS AND ANSWERING THE QUESTION WILL BE DEEMED INVALID. THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY ORIGINALITY AND CREATIVE MERIT, BY A NON INVOLVED PARTY. THE JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL AND NO CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO.
ENTRIES CLOSE 27 AUGUST 2018 AT 11.59 PM AEST. THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN 28/8/2018 AT 9AM AEST AND ANNOUNCED ON THIS WEBSITE. THE WINNER WILL ALSO BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL.
ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD. PRIZES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE, CHANGEABLE OR REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY OR DAMAGE THAT OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRIZE OR THE WINNER’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION.
It’s just a jump to the left And then a step to the right With your hands on your hips You bring your knees in tight …
Rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, has arrived at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne and is ready to entertain you with its risque fun and catchy songs! If you have never seen The Rocky Horror Show, be warned. The show has rude parts and is not suitable for children.
The show follows squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet who find themselves on an adventure they could never have imagined. It is on the way to visit an old college professor, that Brad and Janet get a flat tyre and seek help at the site of a light down the road. It’s coming from the Frankenstein place, where Dr Frank N’ Furter is in the midst of one of his maniacal experiments and chaos is about to ensue!
Todd McKenney and Shane Jacobson lead the stellar cast as Frank N’ Furter and the Narrator, respectively and special mention must go to Kristian Lavercombe who is perfectly cast as the uncomfortably creepy Riff Raff.
Shane and Todd have made the roles their own and are hilarious when demonstrating their quick wit when things don’t go entirely to plan or an unwanted comment comes from the audience teasing Shane about his career!
I have noticed that breaking the fourth wall has been occurring in many of the musicals I have seen recently and I love it!
Don’t get stuck in a Time Warp, if you want to see The Rocky Horry Show then hurry as it leaves Melbourne very soon!
MORE INFORMATION
The Rocky Horror Show
Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Performance: Wednesday 18 July 2018 – 7.30pm
Season continues to 26 August 2018
Information and Bookings: www.rockyhorror.com.au
As Smash Ambassadors, we love that we get to share with you all of their reusable products! We have spoken about Smash before, but we would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Nude Food Movers range.
The Nude Food Movers range by Smash is designed to make it easier to reduce packing, reduce waste, keep food fresh and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy eating, healthy planet is the core message of Nude Food Movers and we love how dedicated they are to the philosophy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! It not only saves you money but also the planet!
We use Nude Food Movers every day for the kids lunches – our favourites are the snack boxes and stackable snack tubes (they are perfect for dip, carrot sticks and crackers!)
The range also consists of lunch boxes, fruit movers, drink bottles and insulated covers in a wide range of sizes and styles.All products are BPA free making them the perfect choice for families!
You can find Nude Food Movers at major retailers like Target, Big W Office works, KMart and there is 25% Nude Food Movers at Coles this week!
For the past year, we have been using Protect-A- Bed mattress protectors and quilt protectors.
We were disgusted to learn that humans sweat up to 1L of body fluid per night and lose millions of skin flakes each night. After 5 years, half the weight of a mattress can be made up of our own body fluids, skin cells, mould and bacteria that seep into our bedding. Pass me a bucket!
After using the mattress protectors, we then upped our protection with Staynew Smooth Quilt Protectors. We didn’t even know such a thing existed!
Quilt protectors assist in keeping your quilt stain free (think vomit, wee or worse), protected from dust mites, bacteria and allergens and is approved by the National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice Program.
Protect-A-Bed’s® Miracle Layer™ is soft and comfortable yet waterproof and breathable and has a unique Breathe-A-Vent® allowing the quilt to breathe.
The internal SecureClip™ System on the inside ensures the quilt remains in place, although the quilt cover did twist around the quilt protector when we took the the quilt off the bed and used it on the couch.
As we prepare for Term 3, we thought it would be a nice time to update Alegría’s bedroom and add a desk for her to sit and write. She had her choice of a traditional desk or an old school desk and she chose the latter (compete with big flowers in a pot next to it)!
A new desk calls for new stationery and Smash Enterprises have just released 4 new Big W stationery ranges! These are:
Urban Graphic
This cool new range is sure to give you some serious street cred’!
Featuring everything you need to get the job done, these products walk the walk and talk the talk!
Paint and Play
This fun and colourful new range is sure to make a statement and inspire creativity!
Perfect to brighten up your office or style your home this range is sure to turn heads!
Neo Galaxy
*** COMING SOON! Available in-store from 15th July 2018.
This new range is out of this world! ‘Imagine, Explore and Inspire’ your next ‘Master Plan’ (and your ‘Plan B’!) with our new Neo Galaxy Stationery Range.
OtherRealm
Welcome to a world of imagination where dreams come to life!
Create a magical desk full of unicorns, glitter and sparkle to excite, delight and motivate both little and big girls!
Alegría’s selection was Other Realm:
Alegría has been spending hours jotting notes down and making wish lists. It is fantastic to see her embracing her new space.
Unicorns are very popular at the moment and Alegría is no different to every little girl who loves them! She loves the little 3D Unicorn eraser.
Who doesn’t love a slap band, that doubles as a ruler?!
And this little one? Well, this furry little critter is now pride of place on Alegría’s school bag – all ready for Monday morning!
ATTENTION CADETS! Do you have what it takes to be a S.H.I.E.L.D operative? Are you smarter than Iron Man or Hulk? Are you worthy of lifting Thor’s hammer? Are you a massive Avengers fan?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is a must visit attraction in Melbourne!
Located in Federation Square (although not really in the “square” – you will need to walk along the river to get to the “paddock”), Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is an immersive experience and exhibition showcasing the best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
We really enjoyed exploring the extensive range of Avengers operation equipment such as Captain America’s uniform and shield, Iron Man’s MK 45 suit, The Hulkbuster suit and Thor’s mighty hammer and seeing original costumes from the movies.
The interactive games were a huge hit, we tested our strength against the Marvel heroes (we were not quite in the league of Hulk), we fought the bad guys on the touch screen, participated in the Thor-inspired Bifröst Bridge simulation and the kids’ favourite? The virtual reality Iron Man game, which scans the player’s body, dresses them in an Iron Man suit and then sends them into battle against evil robots!
So, what are you waiting for? Your mission: To delve into the history, science, engineering, genetics, technology and profiles of Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man and many more. Good luck Cadet!
Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. closes on July 15, 2018.
Kidding Around Australia 