What you need to know
The summer school holidays are here and we have you covered with some fun and interactive programs that are sure to keep the kids (and kid-ults) entertained!
Check out the programs and activities on offer across Moonee Valley.
Essendon Traffic School Public Session
The traffic school is open for public sessions (excluding public holidays and long weekends);
- Saturday morning 10am - 12pm
- School holidays (Monday - Friday) 10am - 12pm
Monday and Wednesday are considered junior sessions, for children aged strictly between 2 - 6 years inclusive.
Children aged 7 and over will not be permitted to ride during junior public sessions but are welcome at all other sessions.
All other sessions are available for children aged 2-10 years.
Big Summer Read
Statewide library reading challenge is now on and running throughout summer. Register online or at the library.
Native Christmas Tree decorating
Primary school children invited to decorate native Christmas trees at Sam Merrifield, Niddrie or Avondale Heights. Trees will later be planted around Moonee Valley.
Meet & Greet with Santa
Tuesday, 21 December at 6.30pm
Sam Merrifield Library
Santa is coming to Sam Merrifield library! There is an opportunity to meet Santa and get a COVID safe photo, so be sure to bring your camera. There will also be storytelling and singing to join in on too!
NGV: We Are Mermaids Diorama Craft
- Monday, 10 January at 10am | Sam Merrifield Library
- Thursday, 13 January at 10am | Flemington Library
- Tuesday, 18 January at 10am | Niddrie Library
- Tuesday, 25 January at 10am | Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
Hear the fascinating story of Yolu artist Djerrku Yunupiu, whose life as a mermaid before she was born is retold in this making activity.
Children learn the story and then make a diorama set by adding their drawings to the scene.
Free, bookings required.
NGV: Noisy Birds! & Collecting Maypal
- Tuesday, 11 January at 1pm | Niddrie Library
- Wednesday, 29 January at 1pm | Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
- Monday, 24 January at 1pm | Merrifield Library
During this NGV curated program, Yolu author, filmmaker and artist Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs shares her culture and connections to the land, including her homeland, Bawaka, East Arnhem Land.
There will be two fun and interactive activities for kids to take part in.
Free, bookings required.
NGV: Photography and Design for Young Adults
- Wednesday, 12 January at 2pm | Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
- Monday, 17 January at 2pm | Sam Merrifield Library
- Thursday, 20 January at 2pm | Flemington Library
- Tuesday, 25 January at 2pm | Niddrie Library
Learn to compose and transform photographs from day to night and get a start on your art folios by putting together a celebrity look.
These sessions are put together by photographer Tom Blachford and fashion stylist Aurie Indianna for the NGV Kids on Tour series.
Aimed at ages 12-16 years. Participants will need access to a smartphone or iPad.
Free, bookings required.
Ready, Set, Find!
Scavenger hunt at Queens Park. Kids collect a ‘junior ranger kit’ from Sam Merrfield any time during January and complete a self-directed scavenger hunt in Queens Park. Come pack to library to collect prize.
Fireworks Exhibition
10 December 2021 – 16 January 2022
Incinerator Gallery
The Fireworks exhibition and awards showcases the accomplishments of high achieving art and design students in Years 11 and 12 who live, work or study in Moonee Valley.
In 2021 Incinerator Gallery will present the ninth Fireworks and demonstrates Moonee Valley City Council’s ongoing commitment to the support and promotion of young local artists and designers. This exhibition provides a platform for our young creatives to share their works with the greater community and to encourage their ongoing creativity and ingenuity.
Click here for more information.
Bright Sparks Exhibition
10 December 2021 – 16 January 2022
Incinerator Gallery
Inspired by youth led activism amidst concern for the environment and climate change Incinerator Gallery invited Moonee Valley school students to enter their art or design posters into the Bright Sparks 2021 poster exhibition.
This year the theme is environment.
Local students submitted posters that express their thoughts, concerns or love for the world we live in.
Students could respond using any medium they wished.
Fitness Sessions
Every Tuesday in January
10:30am – 11:30am
Join our free online fitness sessions!
These sessions are suitable for any fitness level and you can go at your own pace and do what feels best in your body. You don't need any equipment to participate in these sessions.
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Yoga and Meditation sessions
Every Tuesday in January
10:30am – 11:30am
Want more zen in your life? In this series of 1-hour sessions, our lovely instructor Aisling will guide us through poses to reconnect with our bodies and finish off the session with some grounding meditation.
You don’t need any prior experience and you can go at your own pace and do what feels best in your body.
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Excursion to Courtroom with Moonee Valley Legal Service
Monday, 10 January at 11am
Ever wanted to see what happens in a courtroom? Here’s your chance!
Join us for an excursion to Moonee Valley Legal Service. You’ll take a tour of their legal offices then be transported to a court where you’ll get the chance to watch a case in action! Participants will have the chance to speak to a judge afterwards and participate in an interactive learning experience.
Age: 12 to 25 years
Where: Meet at Moonee Valley Legal Service (13A Wingate Ave, Ascot Vale VIC 3032). We’ll transport you to a courtroom.
Free, bookings required.
Murder on the Express – Murder Mystery
Wednesday, 12th January at 3pm
All aboard the Mystery Express! You’ll be plunged into a virtual reality onboard a train heading towards never before seen ancient ruins. But move cautiously as you are not the only passengers. The people around you may not be who they seem and may be up to no good, and I mean real no good! Can you solve the murder mystery and outsmart the killer onboard in order to survive and escape!
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Bath bomb making workshop
Friday, 14th January at 3pm
Want to bathe in a glorious pool of glitter?! In this online workshop run by delsi, you’ll learn how to make colourful and sparkly bath bombs the ethical way using eco-glitter. Bath bombs are an awesome way to unwind and get some more self-care in your life!
We’ll also send you everything you’ll need!
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Disco Splash Pool Party
Saturday, 15 January from 1pm - 6pm
We’re taking over Queen’s Park Pool for an afternoon! Come along and enjoy free entry to the pool!
There will also be a DJ, water games and some free snacks!
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Trivia Night
Monday, 17 January at 4pm
It’s trivia time! Test your knowledge on topics including pop culture, TV and movies, music and more!
Create a team with your friends or come along by yourself and meet some new ones!
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required:.
Origami Workshop
Let’s get crafty! Origami is the art of paper folding which originated in Japan, China and Europe!
In this fun workshop we’ll show you how to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture!
You don’t need any prior experience, we’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Painting Workshop (online)
Get your creative on! In this fun and relaxed virtual painting class you’ll recreate a famous work of art (or at least attempt to try!) Could you be the next Dali or Rembrandt?
We’ll send you everything you need including acrylic paints, a canvas and brushes! Sign up before 6th January.
Age: 12 to 25 years
Free, bookings required.
Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley is a welcoming, safe social group for young people to hang out, create events, support each other and express who they are.
The group meet on a monthly basis, on the last Friday of the month. Currently these meetings are being held online on Zoom.