What a day it has been! I managed to lock myself out of the house this morning thereby making it impossible to get Alegría to kindergarten and Isaac to swimming lessons on time. I had to wait in the cold for 35 minutes for a spare set of house keys to be delivered (got to love family that get you out of a bind), I then get the kids piled in the car only to discover halfway there that Alegría has left her lunch on the front lawn and has decided to pull out her ponytail which I had strategically placed to hide the fact that I hadn’t brushed her hair … so after piling her hair back into a pony/bun that wasn’t fooling anyone, Alegría was safely delivered to kinder and Isaac and I made the last 10 minutes of his lesson for which he screamed the whole time. Little man loves the pool, dislikes lessons! Back home to grab the lunch off the lawn, deliver that and back for Isaac’s nap which he is now resisting…. seriously. one. of. those. days.
But, I digress.
If you haven’t entered our Octonauts competition you have until 5pm AEST to do so by clicking HERE and filling out the form.
To celebrate the launch of NEW regional and suburban tour dates and shows for Octonauts Live! Operation Reef Shield – touring Australia from June 2015, we’re giving away this awesome Octonauts Prize Pack. To read what we thought of the show click here.
This awesome prize pack includes:
1 x Octonauts and the Orcas’ Book worth $9.99
1 x Octonauts to the Rescue’ Sticker Book worth $8.99
1 x Octonauts and the Adelie Penguins Book worth $11.99
1 x Octonauts: The Amazing Octopod’Book worth $25.99
2 x Octonauts Magazine worth $11.90
1 x Octonauts Flappity Flippers! DVD worth $15.00
Total Prize Value $83.86
Enter now, and get your tickets to Octonauts Live! Operation Reef Shield at www.octonautslive.com.au
*If you can’t see the entry from please go to our website. Some mobile devices and email providers don’t support this media.
Terms and Conditions: Open to Australian residents only. By entering this competition, you are signing up for the Lifelike Touring Mailing List to receive information on great live shows in your area. You are also agreeing to sign up to the Kidding Around Australia mailing list, if you are not already signed up. 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.
The winner will be drawn 29/04/15 5.00pm AEST and notified by email and announced on this website on 01/05/15. Winner will have 7 days to respond or we will redraw. We will try our best to contact the winner but cannot be responsible should the winner not receive the notification within the time frame.
The prize is one Octonauts Prize Pack, which includes the items listed above. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash. Prizes will be sent out by Lifelike Touring and neither they or Kidding Around Australia will be held responsible in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST
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We have been up and running for over 7 months now, and we are so happy with the online community that has embraced us and the brands that we have worked with. It really has exceeded all of our expectations!
Although we are really happy with how things are going, I feel the need to fess up! I (Georgina) write most of the content for Kidding Around Australia and, whilst Tim (and the kids) definitely have input into content, it is my word-smithery (yes, I made that word up!) skills that you read and it is me that the brands work with directly.
I have been thinking about the direction of the website a lot lately, and what I want to achieve when I write. Our number one goal when we started was to inspire our readers to get out and enjoy spending time with the children in their life. We also wanted to make it easier for you by giving a first-hand review and providing you with a realistic idea of what to expect (from all of our points of view) and some hints and tips to make your visit or holiday easier.
After reading our reviews, I know many of you have visited attractions that you didn’t know existed or that you hadn’t visited since your childhood. This makes me so happy! I will be revisiting my childhood this week when we visit the Fairy Park in Anakie – I’m very excited to see what it is like all these years later!
That being said, I feel our site is missing some soul. A glimpse into our real lives – not just the fun and awesome stuff that we are very privileged to do. The truth is, often Kidding Around Australia is stressful. Everyone has meltdowns and sometimes we wish we had just stayed home! So from now on I promise to keep it real.
Whilst we will be giving more of ourselves, this is still a public forum so we will continue to keep Alegría and Isaac’s faces hidden in our photos. This may change in the future, but they are still very young and we just want to protect them. On the upside, you can expect to see more photos of Tim and I – aren’t you the lucky ones!!
As a family, we love to give back and to support different causes. I have been sponsoring the same child for 21 years through ChildFund and Ojok is definitely part of our family. He is currently studying to be a Doctor in Uganda and we are so proud of him! A portion of our income from this website will go directly to Ojok to help him with his university fees. If you would like to help too please email us at info@kiddingaroundaustralia.com for more information.
In addition to this, we also want to support you – our online community. We will be working with a variety of brands to bring to you our monthly “Random Acts of Kid-ness”. If you know someone or a family who could do with a day or night out, a pamper session, some new toys (really the possibilities will be endless!) please let us know. We be uploading an online form to fill out if you want to nominate someone, but in the mean time email us at info@kiddingaroundaustralia.com and put Random Act of Kid-ness in the subject title. We are really excited to add this feature to our website!
We are looking forward to growing Kidding Around Australia and adding extra content (like some of pretty fantastic competitions) to our reviews and sponsored posts. I would love to hear what you would like to read and see on our site as well. So, pull up a virtual chair and let’s talk. I’m listening.
We can’t wait to enter the captivating and electrifying world of Le Noir when the show comes to Melbourne from April 9, 2015. Le Noir is a truly unique theatrical experience featuring 22 of the greatest cirque performers on the planet, all of whom are award winning athletes and many former stars of Cirque du Soleil.
With world class acrobats, musicians, specialty acts and comedians this spell-binding theatrical journey promises to be surreal, beautiful, seductive and at times hilariously risqué – just the way we like it!
The Sydney season of Le Noir finishes on Sunday, April 5 and will travel to Melbourne, then Adelaide from April 22 finishing in Canberra from May 6 2015.
We love supporting local events and businesses and when we heard about the McIvor Farm Autumn Festival that was being held in Tooborac, Victoria we were excited to attend!
Quite a crowd gathered throughout the day to experience the best the region has to offer!
The organisers were blessed by Mother Nature as it was a gorgeous day! The sun shining and with temperatures in the mid-20’s, it was the perfect weather to enjoy what this wonderful community had on offer. Tooborac is a small town in the Mitchell Shire, the kind of town where everyone knows everyone and country hospitality is alive and well.
We were welcomed at the front gate by event staff and were given a recycled material armband, program and booked onto the McIvor Farm Tour.
Story time with local author Tai Snaith, was just about to start, so we hurried to the blankets and hay bales underneath a huge pine tree to listen to Tai’s latest stories. Tai was entertaining and interactive and her illustrations are amazing! Tai has published two popular children’s books; The Family Hour in Australia(2012) and Sticks and Stones, animal homes (2014), both with Thames and Hudson.
Tai Snaith reading her books under the shade of the huge pine trees!
Kids were definitely on the minds of the organisers as there was plenty to keep them entertained! Aside from the onsite playground and CFA trucks there was play-doh, pencils and paper, chalk for drawing on the concrete verandah and later in the day the older kids were participating in old-school games such as sack and egg and spoon races on the oval.
Play-doh fun!
A large crowd gathered around fourteen year old Josh, from Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, to hear about how he started his own egg production business at only 9 years old! Alegría and Isaac kept coming back to the three hens that were on display and were lucky enough to be able to have a cuddle with them!
The crowd listening to Josh speak about his egg production business, Josh’s Rainbow EggsGood looking chicks!
At the Fat Spaniel Nursery stand, it was time to get grubby! Alegría loved planting her nasturtium seed with Jo Anne, drawing on the label and watering it whilst Isaac just loved playing in the soil! His rocket seeds have already sprouted and we are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of his labour! This activity cost $2 per person to cover the cost of materials.
Jo Anne taking time to nurture some budding green thumbs!
The atmosphere surrounding the Heathcote & District Community Bank Stage was fantastic as local musicians Pat Ward, Sarah Carniegie, Talisa Jobe, Cass, Jarrod and Sarah played blues/folk/country music whilst everyone tucked into the best food, produce, beer and wine, lunch and grazing plates all grown, brewed, roasted or baked within a stones throw of Tooborac.
Pat Ward entertaining the crowd!
Georgina Says
The food was so fresh and tasty – the average price was about $10, so factor that into your budget. I had the Food Exchange’s “Tooby Taco” and it was delicious! There wasn’t a huge selection for children so make sure you bring lunch and snacks for the kids. There was free drinking water provided which made filling up drink bottles easy!
In the hall and on the verandah, cooking demonstrations, workshops and lectures were popular with visitors keen to get some tips and hints from industry experts. The program was extensive with topics such as sourdough baking, craft beer 101, pork dumplings, sausage making, preparing wild rabbit, free range farming and preserving olives at home.
Nick from Mason’s of Bendigo demonstrating how to make pork dumplings.
Once again the children weren’t forgotten, as the children were all given a chef’s hat and invited to participate in pasta making with Chef Sonia of Mason’s of Bendigo. They say “many hands make light work”, and there was definitely many hands in the pasta dough!! Unfortunately, we had to leave to go on our McIvor Farm tour before the pasta dough was put through the machine so we grabbed a recipe card to make it at a later date!
Chef Sonia and Alegría making pasta dough!Chef Sonia’s home made pasta recipe! You can thank us later!
We boarded a minibus and took a short drive out to the McIvor Farm to see the pigs. The pigs were doing what pigs do (let’s not mention the “piggy-back” that Alegría pointed out!) and we learnt about regenerative agriculture & ethical food production.
Berkshire pigs at McIvor Farm
By the end of the day, we were all exhausted but very happy! Next year, you should grab your friends and family, pack the picnic blanket and enjoy the best of what this region has to offer. Please check the McIvor Farm Autumn Festival website or Facebook page for 2016 festival details.
MORE INFORMATION
Days and Times: Sunday the 22nd of March 2015 – 10am to 4pm
Location: Tooborac Recreation Reserve, Northern Highway, Tooborac, Victoria
Cost:
Adults $12 online / $15 on the day
Concession $10 online / $12 on the day
Children $8 online / $10 on the day (under 3 are FREE)
Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
There’s a bear in there … Alex and Rachael as well… there are Mummy’s with cameras and nappies that smell … It’s PLAY SCHOOL live in concert time!
We are HUGE fans of Play School in this family. Alegría and Isaac love Play School and announce that it is starting at the top of their lungs – every. single. time. Georgina dreams of the day she can be a presenter on the show (hope you are reading ABC!) and Tim loves the peace and quiet he gets when the show comes on!
This year, the show is called “Once Upon A Time” and it didn’t disappoint. The sets are generally basic (like on the television show) and this year there was a massive book in the middle of the stage. Every time a page was turned and we all yelled “Once Upon A Time” a new story was told.
Alex and Rachael and mermaid Jemima
Alegría Says
I loved Jemima as a mermaid. That was my most favourite part.
For the past 4 years we have gone to the Play School concert in March when they tour Victoria. They are held in halls with minimal seating around the walls and a huge space to sit and/or get up and dance in the middle in front of the stage. There is no designated seating but there is always plenty of room for everyone!
Isaac cutting a rug on the dance floor!
A great variety of Play School merchandise is available at the back of the hall. Prices vary, however, you will be able to get a book or toy for under $10 AUD.
A selection of the merchandise available!
Georgina Says
Tickets are cheap which means that every child should be able to experience live theatre (something I am passionate about). Whether they sit, stare and take it in or are up dancing and singing they will love the show. The presenters are familiar, the pace is familiar and the characters are familiar. It’s a great introductory concert for kids!
Depending on where you live it might not be too late for your family! And if it is, then there is always next year! “Once upon a time” will be touring Australia in 2015 and is bought to you by Kids Promotions. The First tour commenced in Victoria in February and will continue around the country – check the website for more details.
Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
When we were approached at the Bloggers Brunch that was run by Kids Business to review the closer to nature® explora range we were excited to see how this range differed from the other baby weaning products that we have used. Alegría has graduated from “little kid” products however Isaac is all about food and feeding himself, so it was great to put these products to the test.
So what items were we lucky enough to review?
closer to nature® explora Pack (for toddlers)
§1 x explora Blender
§1 x explora Magic Mat
§1 x explora Cutlery Set
§1 x explora Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl Pack
§3 x explora Active Cups
Total RRP $106
So how did they measure up to Master Isaac and his Mummy’s standards?
The explora Blender
Isaac didn’t have a go at the blender, but Georgina did! It is smaller than you would anticipate which made it perfect to take camping and on the road! It is powerful and did the job! Perfect for purees (or “soups” as we call them) and for making homemade icy-poles. We made some with hand-picked raspberries and yoghurt – Yummo!
Photo credit: Supplied
The explora Magic Mat
The Magic Mat is fantastic! Isaac put it to the test and even tried to pick it off the table – alas it was to no avail! (Admittedly, it did lift off the first time we used it as I didn’t wet it enough when I stuck it to the highchair, the second time it stuck well!) It is great to keep the Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl in place which means that Isaac’s master plan of throwing his dinner on the floor has now been foiled. (Insert evil Mummy laugh!)
The explora Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl
The Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl works with both the Magic Mat and by itself. It has a unique triangular base which makes it easy to get every last mouthful out. Fantastic! We don’t like to waste food around here! Isaac loves to feed himself and has loved using his special bowls! We love that the bowls are dishwasher, microwave and (if you’re so inclined) sterilizer safe. The pack we got was a 4 pack however they are also available in 2 packs that come with lids and spoons as well.
The explora Magic Mat and Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl
The explora Cutlery Set
Isaac has been using a cutlery set for a while now, and judging by the amount of food that went into his mouth and not down his front, he liked the explora set! Perfect for little hands and mouths!
Photo Credit: Supplied
The explora Active Cup
Isaac was excited to try this one! Georgina was crossing her fingers that her handbag was not filled with water after throwing it in there as we headed out the door! Luckily, the explora Active Cup received two thumbs up! The straw bends over and the cap holds it in place. The cap was stiff to start with so Isaac couldn’t open it – annoying for him and us – but it has since loosened up and he can help himself to a drink whenever he likes – Happy Days!
The explora Active Cup
We were very happy with the range and would recommend trying these as a budget conscious alternative to other brands.
ABOUT CLOSER TO NATURE
Closer to nature® is the number one baby feeding accessories brand in the UK and one of the top brands of infant products and accessories in the global market. Loved by parents and little ones, closer to nature® receives numerous awards and accolades year after year globally. The closer to nature® range is available at stockists nationwide. www.closertonaturebaby.com.au | www.facebook.com/closertonaturebaby
Disclaimer: We were given these products to review. As always our opinions are honest and our own.
Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
What a gem Muddy’s Playground in Cairns, Queensland is! Muddy’s is a splash playground and parkland that is well maintained, safe (there are areas that are completely fenced so kids can run wild and Security Officers and CCTV cameras monitoring the area at all times) and, above all, it’s FUN!
Muddy’s Playground is themed “Life in Trinity Bay” and the playground includes water play areas plus a flying fox, sound chimes, track ride, rope bridge, slides, play houses, story telling areas, see-saw, trick track and puzzle games.
The Rope Bridge
Tim Says
There are so many different areas that when the kids get bored in one area, you just move onto the next, and the next and the next!
Alegría and a new friend race leaves in the stream at the Southern end.Plenty of fun for all ages!
When tummies start to rumble head to the on-site barbeques (the Curlew BBQ is available for private hire), picnic tables, lawn areas or the on-site café that provides refreshments and light meals.
You can definitely spend all day at Muddy’s – don’t forget to bring your bathers, sunscreen, hats and towels. If you want to play in the sand areas there are no buckets or spades so bring your own! Muddy’s playground is open every day of the year although be aware that sections of Muddy’s are closed for maintenance on Tuesday and Thursday mornings until noon. Even when maintenance works are being carried out, the Council aims to have at least half the playground operational.
There is no doubt why locals and visitors alike take their children to Muddy’s Playground to play and enjoy the benefits of the waterfront. It is a fantastic area and we wish there were more spots like this around the country!
After all this playing, if you haven’t had enough water and would like to fully submerge or do some laps, its just a short walk to the Cairns Lagoon for a free swim.
Cairns Lagoon
MORE INFORMATION
Days and Times: Open everyday from 8am – 8pm during October – March and 9am – 7pm during April – September.
Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
Kidding Around Australia 