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Geelong with Kids

Why I'll always choose this gig

Published 19 days ago • 3 min read

Hi there Reader

I’ve been thinking lately about how lucky I am to do this work, sharing local events, creating content, and helping other parents stop winging it every weekend.

So I figured I’d share a little love note to my job. Here are 5 things I really love about being your local go-to gal for Geelong With Kids:

1. It gives families their weekends back.​
No more endless scrolling or “what should we do today?” convos that go nowhere. I love helping people skip the overwhelm and get straight to the fun.

2. I get to support small businesses and local gems.​
There’s something special about shouting out the café with the best babycinos or the gallery no one talks about. I love shining a light on the things that make this area amazing.

3. I’ve finally stopped winging it.​
I used to wake up on Saturday and try to figure it out on the fly. It rarely worked. Now, I’ve got the whole week’s plan in one spot and I love sharing that power with you too.

4. My kids actually get excited for stuff.​
Since I started doing this, the kids are more involved in choosing what we do and we’ve made some great memories (plus fewer meltdowns, which is a bonus).

5. It builds community.​
Whether you're new in town or just want to find your people, knowing what’s on helps make Geelong feel smaller in the best way.

Hopefully my weekly pop-in to your inbox makes things less about winging it and more about making memories as well.

Until next time,

Joyce xx

Top Picks

  • ​Charity Trivia Night (Saturday 30 Aug) Test your knowledge while supporting Ronald McDonald House and Royal Children's Hospital with trivia, games, prizes and auctions in a fun dress-up atmosphere.
  • ​Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans (Saturday 30 Aug) Catch the Cats in action during AFLW Season 10, with free entry for kids under 17 (valid ticket still required).
  • ​Wonder Weekend: Neptune VR Launch (Saturday 30 Aug - Sunday 31 Aug) Virtual reality meets real-world fun at Barrabool Maze with flight simulators, interactive adventures, plus peacocks, maze walks and café treats for the whole family.
  • ​Cartwheel Clinic (Sunday 31 Aug) Got a budding gymnast at home? This 2-hour session teaches primary school kids the art of cartwheels with expert instructors guiding them through techniques and fun variations.
  • ​Come Together Battle of Bands (Sunday 31 Aug) Local high school bands compete for a coveted spot on the Queenscliff Music Festival lineup in this free, all-ages showcase of emerging talent.
  • ​Who's Who Portrait Exhibition (Daily from Saturday 30 Aug - Sunday 9 Nov) Local student artists showcase their portrait skills in this annual exhibition celebrating Geelong's connection to the famous Archibald Prize founder.
  • ​Archibald Prize 2025 (Daily from Saturday 30 Aug - Sunday 9 Nov) Australia's most prestigious portrait prize comes to Geelong, featuring winning works and finalists that capture the stories of our times through incredible artistry.
  • ​Swan Bay Express Train Rides (Various dates + times from Sunday 31 Aug - Tuesday 30 Jan 2026) All aboard for a scenic eight-kilometre train ride through farmland and along Swan Bay's foreshore to historic Queenscliff.
  • ​What Was That? Immersive Theatre (Various dates + times from Friday 5 Sep - Saturday 22 Nov) Step into Werribee Park Mansion for a theatrical journey through history with the quirky Butler Duncan and maid Maggie as your guides.

New + Noteworthy

​Magic Meets Mayhem​

The beloved Winni Wizard is back again for the third instalment of the Winni Wizard chronicles.

Join Winni and her friend Ditzy for songs, dances and jokes that will genuinely have you laughing harder than your kids. Perfect for ages 4-400 (yes, really), this show tackles friendship and being yourself in the most delightfully chaotic way.
​
📍 The Open House, Geelong Arts Centre
📅 Sunday 2 November

​The Yarra Valley Playbook​

We love a good Yarra Valley day trip – it's only 1.5 hours from Geelong and ticks all our family boxes. Whether you're after weekend adventures or desperately need school holiday plans, our guide has you covered from Healesville to Warburton.

Think wildlife encounters, vineyard picnics (yes, kids welcome!), and enough activities to tire everyone out before the drive home.

PARTNER CONTENT

​This Incredible Country We Call Home​

This one's pretty special – a chance to experience 60,000 years of living culture at Kurtonitj Indigenous Protected Area.

You'll discover ancient eel traps, wander through lava tunnels, and enjoy guided walks through Budj Bim National Park (morning tea and lunch included). It's the kind of day that leaves both you and the kids with stories to tell and a deeper connection to this incredible country we call home.

​Baby's First Symphony​

If you've been wondering how to introduce your little one to classical music without the stress of a full concert, this is it.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra musicians bring Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake to life in just 30 minutes – perfect for tiny attention spans. Designed for babies and toddlers aged 0-5 with their grown-ups, it's interactive, engaging, and honestly quite magical to watch your child's face light up with the music.
​
📍 Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee​
📅 Thursday 2 October

​A Festival of Flight​

Five years in and this free festival just keeps getting better. What I love most is how genuinely welcoming it feels – families of all abilities coming together for kite flying, bubble artists, face painting, and food trucks.

There's something pretty wonderful about watching kites dance in the sky while kids of all ages play together. It's community spirit at its absolute best.

📍 Rippleside Park, Rippleside
📅 Sunday 5 October

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