Plenty to keep kids busy
CHRISTMAS IS OVER BUT THERE’S STILL MORE FUN TO BE HAD THESE HOLIDAYS, WRITES LAUREN PRATT
ANOTHER Christmas is done and dusted but the party is not over yet.
As the year 2020 approaches, and with weeks of school holidays still to be enjoyed, there are so many fantastic events, activities and workshops to make the big break a memorable one.
Here is the pick of the bunch.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
The Esplanade will come to life tomorrow for the Crystalbrook Collection New Year’s Eve. The fun kicks off at 5.30pm, with music by Dirty Sanchez, and a range of children’s entertainment including rides, roving performers and an activity tent.
The 7pm NYE Resolution Fun Run, starts and finishes at Fogarty Park and fireworks will be held at 9pm and midnight.
MY DREAM BEDROOM Places will go fast for My Dream Bedroom at Cairns Museum today and tomorrow from 10am-11.30am.
Kids aged 6-12 will view the amazing collection of miniatures and then build their own miniature bedroom. Free with museum entry – $6 kids and $15/$12 adults. Places are limited, so booking is advised. Visit: www.cairnsmuseum. org.au.
PUPPET-MAKING WORKSHOP
Kids aged 6-12 can explore Cairns Museum’s cane cutters hut and bring their own character to life. All materials supplied. Held Thursdays, January 2, 9, 16 and 23, from 10am-11.30am. Cost: $20 per child and includes museum entry for a parent or guardian, $12 for each additional child.
To book, visit: www.cairnsmus eum.org.au.
CRAFT CORNER
School-age children from 5-12 can get crafty at Cairns Museum on Saturdays, January 4, 11, 18, 25, from 10am-1pm. No bookings required.
POKEMON TRAINERS CLUB
The Wicked Goblin, Level 1 Shop 6/90-92 Lake St, Cairns City, hosts a Pokemon event from 11.30am-1.30pm this Saturday.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLAGE WORKSHOP
Use photos from the Cairns Museum image collection to make your own summer-inthe-tropics masterpiece to take home, on Mondays, January 6, 13 and 20. All materials supplied. Cost: $20 per child and includes museum entry for a parent or guardian, $12 for each additional child. To book, visit: www.cairnsmuse um.org.au.
ACRYLIC PAINTING
Cairns Art Gallery hosts a workshop for children aged 8-12 on Tuesday, January 7, from 10am. Kids will use acrylic paints to create a still-life image on canvas board to take home. To book, visit: www.cairnsartgallery.com.au.
ORIGAMI
Kids aged 4-7 will use origami techniques to turn a flat piece of paper into a three-dimensional object. Beginner workshops. Thursday, January 9, 10am and 1pm. To book, visit: www.cairnsartgallery.com.au.
CREATE A CERAMIC
PLANTER
Create a ceramic animal planter pot which will be decorated with underglaze, and fired in a pottery kiln on Wednesday, January 8, from 10am at Cairns Art Gallery. For children aged 8-12. To book, visit: www.cairnsartgallery.com.au.
KIDS COOKING CLASS
Kids aged 6-12 will cook oldenday recipes, tour the Living in the Tropics gallery and enjoy eating their delicious creations on the veranda at Cairns Museum on Tuesdays, January 7, 14 and 21. Cost: $20 per child and includes museum entry for a parent or guardian, $12 for each additional child. To book, visit: www.cairns museum.org.au.
SUPER SONIC CLASH
The Young Company Theatre hosts a workshop series from January 7-10, 9am-3pm at its 169 Bunda St, Cairns headquarters for ages 5-12. A disastrous glitch has suddenly infected all the original video games, which spells trouble for the characters of Gameland. Visit: www.theyoungcompany. com.au/holidays.html.
STEAM LEGO WEDO Stratford Library hosts a robotics and coding workshop on Monday, January 9, 11.30am-1pm and 2-3pm where kids aged 7 and over can build, create and learn about small robots. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bookings essential, visit: cairns.qld.gov.au/library/ news-events/events.
STEAM SCRATCH
JUNIOR CODING
Explore the world of scratch coding on Tuesday, January 10, 10-11.30am in an introductory session at Manunda Library for children aged 6-9. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bookings essential, visit: cairns.qld.gov.au/library/ news-events/events
ROLLED NEWSPAPER Cairns Art Gallery workshop for kids aged 7-9 on Tuesday, January 14, from 10am. Learn weaving techniques to turn old newspapers into decorative coasters. To book, visit: www.cairnsartgallery.com.au.
STEAM EDISON ROBOTS Earlville Library hosts a STEAM Edison Robots workshop on Tuesday, January 14, 10-11am for children aged 5 and over. Bookings essential, visit: cairns.qld.gov.au/library/ news-events/events.
MARVELLOUS MAYHEMS A holiday drama workshop with The Young Company Theatre from January 14-17, 9am-3pm at 169 Bunda St, Cairns headquarters for ages 5-12. A Roald Dahl special. Visit: www.theyoungcompany. com.au/holidays.html.
SIMPLE ANIMATION
A Cairns Art Gallery workshop on Wednesday, January 15, from 1pm for kids aged 11-14. Use iPad technology to create simple animations. To book, visit: www.cairnsartgallery.com.au.
STEAM LEGO WEDO Gordonvale Library hosts a robotics and coding workshop on Sunday, January 15, 10-11am where kids aged 7 and over can build, create and learn about small robots. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bookings essential, visit: cairns.qld.gov.au/library/ news-events/events.
MAMMA MIA!
See the feel-good musical on the CPAC stage from January 17 to February 1. Cairns Choral Society presents a special show jam-packed with the musical hits of Abba. Tickets from www.ticketlink.com.au.