Melbourne Festival's Kids Weekend Set for 19-20 October

Art isn't just for grown ups. That's why, for the middle weekend of this year's Melbourne Festival, we've created a sensational program of events specifically for the budding art-appreciators out there.

With the range of events on offer, including magical journeys of discovery, inspired art adventures, anarchic theatre events, planting workshops, animated antics, and a kids' book market with famous illustrators doing their thing live, there's bound to be a little something for everyone.

The program of events includes:

The Listies
EARWORMS
A madcap comedy podcast for kidults (kids and their adults), recorded before your very ears!

A few years ago Rich and Matt decided to shake up the world of children's entertainment, and The Listies were born: hilarious, messy and decidedly insane. Imagine The Young Oneshosting Play School - if The Young Ones had downloaded two gigabytes of fart noises. Now The Listies are back with the chaotic and ingenious Earworms - an interactive podcast recorded live each day and then posted online so you can listen back later.

Listing details: Federation Square Deakin Edge, Sat 19 & Sun 20 at 11am & 2pm daily
$20, go to melbournefestival.com.au or call 136 100 to book

Polyglot Theatre
TRAILBLAZER
An unexpected adventure awaits parents brave enough to let their children take the lead.

Voyage across a wondrous seascape, travel the secretive Bell Bird trail, weave your way through a mysterious tent city, and walk the ever-shifting stepping stone path. Prepare to be led into an unpredictable world that transforms the places and spaces of Federation Square into an astonishing playground, a place for children's imaginations to run riot.

Polyglot Theatre, Australia's leading creator of interactive theatre for children, returns to Melbourne Festival with Trailblazer, an immersive experience that takes kids and their families on an eye-opening journey.

Listing details: Federation Square (Atrium, Deakin Edge, Main Square, Western Terrace, and Upper Plaza), Sat 19 & Sun 20 from 10am - 4pm, Free

The Little Veggie Patch Co.
Pop-Up Patch

Over both days of the Kids Weekend, the Fed Square car park rooftop transforms into a leafy green pop-up space. At the pop up planting stall we will be showing youngsters how to plant seeds and seedlings and follow the bees as they pollinate the patch.

Listing details: Car Park rooftop at Federation Square, Sat 19 & Sun 20 from 10am - 4pm,Free

Kids' Flicks with Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)
This quirky, animated film based on Roald Dahl's book screens as part of ACMI's Kids' Flicks program.

Listing details: ACMI Cinemas, Sat 19 at 1pm & Sun 20 at 10.30am & 1pm

Kids at ACMI
Shaun Tan's The Lost Thing: From Book to Film
A world premiere exhibition of this beloved picture book and animated film with a drop-in workshop for visitors.
Listing details: ACMI Lightwell and Gallery 2, Sat 19 & Sun 20 from 10am - 5pm, Free

Fed Square Kids Book Market
Browse through new and used children's titles from some of Melbourne's best booksellers during the Festival's massive weekend of family events and activities.
Listing details: Federation Square, The Atrium, Sun 20 Oct from 10am - 5pm

Live Illustration
Come meet famous children's book illustrators like Judith Rossell, Anna Walker, Terry Denton and Ann James, as they demonstrate illustration techniques, talk about their work and sign copies of their books.
Listing details: Federartion Square, The Atrium, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct from 10am - 4pm

National Gallery of Victoria
Kids on Tour: Australian Adventure
Is your kid a budding art enthusiast? NGV Australia will run free 30-minute tours from an artist or gallery curator - get the lowdown on modern Australian art.
Listing details: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia Meet up for tour on level 2, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct at 10.15am and 1pm

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