Travelling with Kids – Adventure isn't just about the plane trips!
The Australian bush is a magical place especially if you’ve just watched Dot and the Kangaroo. As a kid there were countless times I wandered into the bush just near our house hoping that the wildlife I encountered would suddenly converse with me as they had for Dot. When I heard that the theatre production Creature: An …
image supplied As a small girl, I dreamed of growing up and running away with the circus to become a Liberty Horse trainer. You may have held similar imaginings, albeit as an acrobat or lion tamer or even a clown? As adulthood nears, dreams of the circus typically move aside for serious things like study, work and …
During the later part of the winter school holidays we headed off to the Sydney Opera House to watch Jack and the Beanstalk. Both T and I were super excited to introduce the kids to its stage adaptation having both viewed it as children ourselves. Nothing could quite prepare us for what we were to …
This week our little family headed to the Sydney Opera House to see Cautionary Tales for Children, a modern and curious cabaret based on Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc’s verse. Belloc was one of the most prolific English writers during the early twentieth century. He was most famous for his cautionary tales for children, which are quite satirical, …
“Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well…” I always wondered who would fill the great big gapping hole left by Roald Dahl. The mischief and silliness I could get up to within the pages of his books was often the highlight of my …
There is solid evidence to suggest that classical music is great for children and their developing brain. Some parents even play their favourite classical pieces to their children in utero, graduating to Baby Mozart when baby arrives Earthside. But when is the best time to introduce children to live classical music? My curiosity around this has led …
DirtGirl has been on our radar every since we heard about her big mud pie party at Centennial Park last year. We love her show and find her take on things quite refreshing. When I heard that DirtGirl and her friends were coming to the Sydney Opera House I purchased a bunch of family tickets …
Whenever I ask family and friends travelling to Sydney for the first time what they want to see, the Sydney Opera House never fails to be at the very top of the list. It is by far the most recognisable Australian building which also happens to sit right on the most beautiful harbour in the …
The Sydney Opera House has resident sirens that are occasionally glimpsed at the far side of the building. They beckon to me throughout the school term until I can endure their call no more and head to a show or two with the kids, quickly checking if they’re visible for our visit.* As the count down for the …
When I was little I was convinced that if we moved to Albury I could join the Flying Fruit Fly Circus (ignoring my lack of flexibility, two left feet and total lack of coordination). My parents ignored my pleas and I poured my energy into somersaults on my bed instead. I’m all grown up now and still …
Often, when you live in a particular place for a long time, you forget to really appreciate what is right under your nose awaiting discovery and pining for opportunities further afield like Paris, Florence or even a tropical island. Over the last few months we have made a conscious decision to explore a little closer to …
When thinking of classic Australian Children’s Literature, four books come straight to my mind: Blinky Bill, the Magic Pudding, Ginger Megs and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Our little family never do anything by halves, so for the last eight months or so we have been on a little adventure, not only introducing the kids to the books …
Music appreciation is something I like to think starts from the womb and for that reason I played music daily during both my pregnancies. Back in 2009 Hungarian and Norwegian researchers reported that day old babies are able to discriminate rhythmic patterns revealing it is innate to each of us rather than learned (Psychology Today). This reinforces my …