What you’ll be able to do with the kids during September school holidays
Families in regional Victoria may have more freedom to enjoy these September school holidays than those in Melbourne, but there’s still plenty to keep all children entertained online.
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These upcoming school holidays will be different for Melbourne families, with curfew and travel restrictions in place.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time with the kids — here’s some things you can still do during the September school holidays, from Saturday September 19 to Sunday October.
THE RULES:
AS OF 11.59PM SEPTEMBER 13:
Metro Melbourne:
— Curfew in place from 9pm to 5am.
— 2 people or a household can meet outdoors for two hours.
— Stay within 5km of your home.
— Exercise increased to two hours a day.
— Playgrounds reopen.
AS OF 11.59PM SEPTEMBER 28:
Metro Melbourne:
— Curfew in place 9pm to 5am.
— Only leave home for 4 reasons: school or work (if these cannot be done from home), care or caregiving, to purchase essentials, exercise.
— Public gatherings: up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap)
AS OF 11.59PM SEPTEMBER 16:
REGIONAL VICTORIA:
SOCIAL
■ No restrictions on leaving home or travel distance
■ Outdoor public gatherings of up to 10 people
■ Household bubble visits from up to 5 people from one nominated household
EATING OUT
■ Outdoors for up to 50 people, with group limits of 10 people, tables 1.5m apart, 2sq m density rule
■ Indoor service for up to 10 people per space, in a maximum of two spaces, and 4sq m density rule
EDUCATION/CHILDCARE
■ Childcare open
■ All students return to school in term four
ENTERTAINMENT/TRAVEL
■ Travel across regional Victoria now allowed
■ Outdoor entertainment venues, including open-air cinemas, to reopen
THINGS YOU CAN DO:
OUTDOORS
Playgrounds
It’s one of the few simple pleasures Melbourne families can enjoy in stage 4 lockdown.
Picnic in the park
Melburnians can now meet outdoors for a maximum of two hours for recreation with your household or one other person — be it exercise or a leisurely picnic. After September 28, depending on case numbers, they can meet with up to 5 people from a maximum of two households. You must social distance, wear a mask, and stay within 5km of your home (in Melbourne).
In regional Victoria there are no restrictions on how much time you can spend outdoors for socialising or exercise.
Bike rides
You get an extra hour of exercise after September 13, so make the most of the longer days and spend some time riding with the family — within 5km of home.
EDUCATION
See the International Space Station
The kids are most likely over learning from home, but if they are fascinated with space, you can see when the International Space Station will next pass over your house. Key in your location and NASA will provide you a time and coordinates on how to best spot the ISS.
MOVIES
Watch Mulan with the family
Few movies are coming out of Hollywood at the moment, but the highly-anticipated Disney flick Mulan avoided a cinema release and is now streaming on Disney Plus. The film costs $34.99, on top of your $8.99 per month Disney+ subscription. Expensive? Yes. But it’s cheaper than lugging the entire family to the cinema.
CAMPING
Our regional Victorian neighbours may soon be able to do the real thing, but Melburnian families can still enjoy the thrill of camping from home. Western suburbs based GlampCamp Parties hosts indoor, themed slumber parties for your kids. During Melbourne’s stage 3 and 4 lockdown, GlampCamp Parties specialises in DIY Isolation packs, with contactless deliveries. Prices start at $110 for two teepees and accessories, inflatable mattress and bunting.
FILM SCHOOL
Send your kids to (virtual) film camp. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is hosting week-long camp for kids on filmmaking between Monday 28 September and Friday 2 October. The course costs $249 per child, and includes daily, 3-hour virtual classes which teach kids the basics of stop-motion film making. Aimed at kids aged seven to 12.
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW ONLINE
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria will run a virtual event ‘Celebrating the Show Online’ between 19 and 29 of September. There’ll be themed days, farmer profiles, a live-farm cam and competitions. More details of the 11-day program will be released soon.
ANIMALS
Sea Life
You may not be able to visit the Melbourne Aquarium for some time, but you can still watch the critters on Sea Life’s virtual aquarium and live streams. Watch the stingrays get fed at lunch, the penguins or jellyfish via the website or Facebook page.
Watch as penguin colonies returns home each night via the Phillip Island Nature Park’s Live Penguin TV. Watch the stream nightly att sunset, currently 6.10pm.
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary are streaming virtual zoo tours, keeper talks and live animal webcams online.
Falcons
Filmed from the 367 Collins St rooftop, watch as these falcons nest and care for their offspring. This falcon’s eggs haven’t yet hatched, which will make for compulsive viewing.
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