Christine Knight, Author at Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Free Online Educational Resources For Kids

March 17, 2020 / Educational Resources / 0 comment

Free Online Educational Resources For Kids

Entertain the kids and keep them learning all at the same time with this handy list of free online educational resources.

All-rounder sites

The Victorian Government has excellent maths and English resources online.

education.qld.gov.au

Scholastic has a great free resource center for families with day-to-day projects to keep kids of all ages busy and learning. Each section is broken down by school grade and has daily suggested activities.

classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

KiwiCo, who we have bought science kits from in the past, have a lot of at-home activities for kids of all ages on their website, plus helpful articles on things like teaching kids to wash their hands properly and how to schedule the day for kids if you’re schooling from home.

kiwico.com

Funbrain is a great collection of math and reading games that are so fun kids won’t even realise they’re educational.

funbrain.com

Khan Academy has an entire homeschooling program free online for kids of all ages.

Khan Academy Online

Usbourne has a Play and Learn section on their website filled with free activities grouped by age: babies & toddler, preschool & early learning, 5-7 year olds, 8-11 year olds, and virtual days out. The activities cover a range of subjects including art, literacy and science.

usborne.com/play-and-learn-at-home/

BBC Kids has released a website featuring bite-sized lessons for kids broken up into school grades and subjects.

bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Literacy

Penguin Books has free activities for kids and suggestions on how to encourage reluctant readers.

penguin.com.au

We particularly loved the create your own graphic novel with Super Sidekicks activity.

penguin.com.au/activities/2598-at-home-lesson-how-to-create-a-graphic-novel-with-super-sidekicks

Redgum Book Club has launched a free book reading reading video streaming platform with content from Australian authors and publishers

redgumbookclub/the-launch-of-a-free-book-reading-video-streaming-platform-with-content-from-australian-authors-and-publishers

Author David Williams has released 30 free audio books for kids.

secretldn.com/david-walliams-audio-stories/

NASA has introduced Story Time From Space where astronauts ready bedtime books to kids.

facebook.com/storytimefromspace

Story Online features well-known actors read children’s books.

storylineonline.net

Audible has released hundreds of free audio books.

stories.audible.com

Eric Carle reads The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

https://www.facebook.com/CarleMuseum

Josh Gad (AKA Olaf) reads bedtime stories over video.

Josh Gad Twitter Broadcast 1

Josh Gad Twitter Broadcast 2

Walker Books has lots of activities for kids of all ages that relate to some of their best-selling kids’ books, including Where’s Wally.

Walker Books

Orchard Books, who produce the Rainbow Magic series, have a range of downloadable activities for fans of the series.

orchardseriesbooks.co.uk/rainbow-magic

Hachette Books, who produce books including Giraffes Can’t Dance, have a range of downloadable activity sheets, particularly good for the under 5 set.

hachette.com.au

Penguin books NZ has released Slinky Malinky activity sheets.

penguin.co.nz

Maths

Mathletics has free downloadable activity sheets.

mathletics.com

Science

Fizzics Education has 150 science experiments to try at home.

fizzicseducation.com.au.

Coding and Typing

Typing Club is an easy way for anyone, including kids, to learn to touch type.

typingclub.com

Minecraft Education Edition is game-based learning platform that promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment.

education.minecraft.net

Code Club is a place for kids to learn to code through fun projects and step-by-step guides that will have them creating animations, games, websites and much more.

codeclubau.org

Languages

Duolingo Kids is an app that teaches kids to speak French or Spanish. It’s fun and easy to use.

Download it from the iTunes Store.

Animals

WIRES have released free colouring sheets, fact sheets and activities for school kids to learn about Australian animals.

http://www.wires.org.au/kids-pages

San Diego Zoo has plenty of information and games to learn about animals and conservation.

kids.sandiegozoo.org

Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo have set up cameras so you can watch live streams of the animals from home. Baby snow leopards, penguins, giraffes, lions and more!

zoo.org.au/animal-house

Monterey Bay Aquarium have ten live webcams featuring animals from sea otters to jellyfish.

montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

Atlanta Zoo have a Panda Cam.

zooatlanta.org/panda-cam

The Cincinnati Zoo is streaming animal safaris on their Facebook page, website and YouTube channel.

cincinnatizoo.org

Live stream more animal cams from around the world.

Art & Crafts

Ken Done has a series of educational downloads on his website for years 3 – 11 that help kids enjoy and appreciate art.

kendone.com.au

Mo Willems, author and illustrator of the Elephant and Piggy books is conducting free doodling lessons online.

kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems

ABC Kids has downloadable Bluey craft activities.

abc.net.au/abckids

The official Bluey website has lots of Bluey craft ideas.

bluey.tv

Penguin Books has uploaded Bluey colouring in sheets.

penguin.com.au/activities/2594-bluey-colouring-in-activities-for-the-whole-family

Matt Cosgrove has offered free Macca the Alpaca printouts online.

mattcosgrovebooks.com

The National Gallery of Victoria is offering free virtual tours of their blockbuster exhibitions as well as free activity downloads for kids.

ngv.vic.gov.au/channel/ and ngv.vic.gov.au/kids

Ballet Papier has some lovely free ballet-themed printouts to download.

balletpapier.com

MetKids helps kids learn about 5,000 years of art.

metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/

The Louvre in Paris can be toured virtually.

louvre.fr

Picasso Museum, Barcelona, has a virtual tour.

courtyard.museupicassobcn.org/virtual-tour

The Salvador Dali Museum in Florida has a virtual tour of the whole museum.

thedali.org/virtual-tour/

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre has prepared a range of activity sheets and accompanying videos to entertain kids at home.

casulapowerhouse.com/visit/cpac-digital-program/art-activities

Agriculture

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has plenty of great, free resources to download on topics such as where our food comes from and how farms work.

rasnsw.com.au

History, Geography and Social Sciences

The Australian Museum has created a new section on their website called Inside Out, which includes a homeschool resources section with activities to make, play and watch. Some fun activities to do at home including making a frog habitat in your backyard and creating a rock engraving.

australianmuseum.net.au/inside-out/homeschool-resources/

The Australian National Maritime Museum have loaded lots of activity sheets to their website.

sea.museum/kids-activity-sheets

The Australian National Museum has a fantastic make-at-home tutorial section on their website. The arts and crafts based activities are based on history and culture.

nma.gov.au/learn/diy

Sydney Living Museums has uploaded a range of craft activities and recipes related to Sydney’s historic houses and exhibitions to enjoy at home.

sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/children-and-family

The State Library of NSW have a large selection of history, geography and English activities and programs for primary school and high school-aged kids.

sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/learning-home

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has an incredible virtual tour of all of its exhibits online.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Museums Victoria have gone online. Visit Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum all from home.

museumsvictoria.com.au

The British Museum has an interactive timeline where users can scroll through time and explore artefacts from all over the world.

britishmuseum.withgoogle.com

Google Earth lets you fly around the world in seconds and see famous cities up close.

earth.google.com/web

The American Museum of Natural History has lots of fun science-related activities on the site such as quizzes, games, stories, videos as well as a hands-on section with experiments, colouring books, model-making and more.

amnh.org/explore/ology

Discovery Education runs virtual field trips. Journey to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada for the annual polar bear migration.

discoveryeducation.com/learn/tundra-connections/

The Great Wall of China can also be toured virtually.

thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

National Geographic Kids is filled with games, and articles around the topics of geography, history, art and culture, plus a fun Kids Club section.

natgeokids.com.

Yellowstone National Park has nine webcams to watch nature going about its daily business.

nps.gov

Space

Access Mars with Google lets kids explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover.

accessmars.withgoogle.com

Music

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is now streaming upcoming performances online.

youtube.com

The Metropolitan Opera, NYC, is streaming their performances live every night, with recordings available for 20 hours after each show.

metopera.org

Online Music Lessons offers live music clsses.

onlinemusiclessons.co

Fitness / Health

Yoga is great for health and stress release. Try one of these free videos for kids.

Free online yoga videos for kids

Cosmic Kids Yoga is our fave online yoga resource.

youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Resources That Charge A Fee

ReadingEggs is perfect for literacy activities. They have hundreds of structured lessons, fun online reading games, and over 2500 e-books for children aged 2–13.

readingeggs.com.au.

More ideas for things to do with kids at home

Travel the world with kids without leaving your house.

Free online educational resources for kids.

Live stream animal cams from around the world.

Enjoy the perfect virtual day at Disneyland.

Help little ones stay zen with these free online yoga videos for kids.

Get creative at home with these online art classes for kids.

Enjoy free Disney activities for kids and adults.

Get fit with kids’ exercise videos and online classes.

How to travel the world with kids – without leaving your home

How to travel the world with kids – without leaving your house

Homebound with itchy feet? Yep, us too. The world and its treasures are still there to be discovered, however, all with a few clicks of the mouse. Take kids around the world and beyond all from the comfort of your living room.

Roar into the zoo

The San Diego Zoo has an excellent website for kids to learn all about animals from the comfort of home. There are plenty of videos to watch, animal-related art and craft activities to make at home, colouring sheets to download, games to play and stories to read. There is a dedicated section to animal conservation to give kids tips on how they can do their part to help save animals from going extinct as well.

kids.sandiegozoo.org

Visit an art gallery or museum

Thanks to the internet, kids can still experience the beauty of art collections around the globe. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of our fave galleries in New York, has the excellent online MetKids program so kids jump into a time machine and explore over 5,000 years of art from around the world, discovering fun facts, project ideas and behind-the-scenes videos made by kids along the way.

metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/

Want to see even more art around the world?

This article rounds up the best virtual art gallery tours around the world.

The National Gallery of Victoria is offering free virtual tours of their blockbuster exhibitions as well as free activity downloads for kids.

ngv.vic.gov.au/channel/ and ngv.vic.gov.au/kids

The Salvador Dali Museum in Florida has a virtual tour of the whole museum.

thedali.org/virtual-tour/

The Louvre in Paris can be toured virtually.

louvre.fr

Picasso Museum, Barcelona, has a virtual tour.

courtyard.museupicassobcn.org/virtual-tour

The Guggenheim Museum, NYC, offers a free virtual tour of their contemporary art collection.

artsandculture.google.com

Explore the natural history of the world

Another of our fave museums of all time, the American Museum of Natural History, has a fantastic science website for kids called OLogy. There are lots of fun science-related activities on the site such as quizzes, games, stories, videos as well as a hands-on section with experiments, colouring books, model-making and more.

amnh.org/explore/ology

Want to see more?

Museums Victoria have gone online. Visit Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum all from home.

museumsvictoria.com.au

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has an incredible virtual tour of all of its exhibits online.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The British Museum has an interactive timeline where users can scroll through time and explore artefacts from all over the world.

britishmuseum.withgoogle.com

The Vatican now has virtual tours including the Sistine Chapel.

museivaticani.va

Dance your way to the ballet

Thanks to YouTube, plenty of the major dance companies around the world have their own YouTube channels packed with videos of their incredible works. You might not be able to see them live for the time being, but get an up close look at dancers in training and performance through these insightful and inspiring videos.

youtube.com/user/TheAustralianBallet

The Royal Ballet is uploading their new season to their YouTube channel to watch for free.

youtube.com/royaloperahouse

youtube.com/user/ABTBalletTheatre

youtube.com/user/newyorkcityballet

Fly around the world

Thanks to Google Earth, you can fly to anywhere you like in seconds. The new Voyager section has games and travel ideas. Stem that wanderlust by visiting the far corners of polar bear central in Manitoba or the Eiffel Tour in Paris.

earth.google.com

Visit Disneyland

Take a virtual stroll through Disneyland and Walt Disney World thanks to Google Street View.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

You can also virtually experience Disney’s incredicoaster, Frozen Ever After and the new Rise of the Resistance rides.

Get a full guide to virtually visiting Disneyland.

Get close to nature

If you can’t venture out into nature, let it come to you.

Watch brown bears trying to catch salmon in Alaska.

explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

Yellowstone National Park has nine webcams of the park to see the current conditions and hopefully some wildlife going about their business.

Live stream animal cams from around the world.

nps.gov

Dive into the Great Barrier Reef

Let Sir David Attenborough take you on an adventure into the Great Barrier Reef.

attenboroughsreef.com

Blast off into space

Why stop at the world when you can explore the galaxy? Log onto the NASA Kids’ Club page and enjoy educational space-themed games and activities. Learn about NASA and its missions through STEM games and browse their image gallery featuring some of NASA’s coolest space pics. Take a look at what life is like in space with the Now in Space slideshow, which introduces young explorers to the crew currently orbiting Earth on the International Space Station, and download activity sheets to do offline.

nasa.gov/kidsclub

More things to do at home with kids

Travel the world with kids without leaving your house.

Free online educational resources for kids.

Live stream animal cams from around the world.

Enjoy the perfect virtual day at Disneyland.

Help little ones stay zen with these free online yoga videos for kids.

Get creative at home with these online art classes for kids.

Get fit with kids’ exercise videos and online classes.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW

March 13, 2020 / Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary on the Central Coast of NSW. It is located in Calga, which is about an hour to an hour-and-a-half from Sydney’s CBD.

The park is a sanctuary for animals who are unable to be released back into the wild. Also on the property are several Aboriginal sites with ancient petroglyphs.

Walkabout Park provides refuge for a animals that have recovered from injury but have some residual problem that makes it impossible for them to be returned to a completely wild environment. The park also breeds endangered animals for release back into the wild and provides an experiential learning space for students.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park has plenty of free roaming animals to meet, including some very friendly kangaroos, wallabies and emus.

There are range-led activities from 10am to 4pm daily, included in the entry fee.

Typical Daily Activities

09:30 Meet “Waffles” the Pig

10:00 Emus & Kangaroos

10:30 Dingo Encounter

11:00 “Tonka” the Teenage Wombat

11:30 Boomerang Throwing

12:00 “Kambala” Koala

12:30 Pat a Python

1:00 Echidna Encounter

1:30 Bush Tucker Walkabout

2:00 Cockatoo Encounter

2:30 “Gumnut” Koala

3:00 “Ally” the Wombat

3:30 Devil Encounter

4:00 Kangaroos & Emus

4:30 Flying Fox Feed Time

If you want a personal tour with a ranger, this can be arranged for an additional price.

Animal Loop

The Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a large property that includes the animal walk loop, plus longer walks that go to the Aboriginal sites. The animal loop can be completed in about 10 mins if you walk very fast and don’t stop to look at the animals. It can take all day if you go slowly and participate in the ranger talks.

The animal walk loop starts at the Visitor Centre, which is where the cafe, bathrooms and animal camps are located, along with the majority of the free-ranging animals.

The animal loop is pram and wheelchair-friendly but be warned it is a dirt track with rocks and twigs etc.

Aboriginal Sites

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is on Darkinjung and Guringai land and features sites with ancient petroglyphs. The Aboriginal Sites Walk takes about 45 minutes and is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

This walk takes you past ancient petroglyph sites and to the hand stencil cave dated at more than 4,000 years old. Please be respectful of these sites if you visit them.

The Mt White Lookout Walk

A longer bushwalk, the Mt White Lookout Walk takes about a hour and 15 minutes to complete and is also not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. The walk goes to the highest point on the ridgeline where you will be able to look south and see Mt White and all the way to the Blue Mountains on a clear day.

Visitors Centre

The visitors centre is where you’ll find maps, the shop to buy souvenirs and animal feed, bathrooms and a cafe.

There is a baby change table available in the bathrooms and also a disabled bathroom.

You will also find a few residents in the visitors centre, including the park’s eldest resident, an 18-year-old wallaby named Matilda, who gets a special feed from staff to keep up her health.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park Rules

There are lots of rules for the safety of the animals.

When touching the free-roaming animals, pat them on the back, not the head, neck or chest.

Remember the animals are wild, not domesticated, so approach with caution.

Do not feed the wildlife.

If you wish to feed animals, buy some bags of feed at the front desk (3 bags for $5) and feed the alpacas, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Be respectful of the Aboriginal sites and don’t damage them.

You may bring your own food into the park but please eat it in the enclosed picnic area only.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park: Central Coast NSW
1 Darkinjung Rd, Calga NSW
http://www.walkaboutpark.com.au/

More things to do in Sydney and beyond

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Things to do on the Central Coast.

The Ultimate Disneyland Character Dining Guide

March 12, 2020 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Theme Parks, Travel, USA / 0 comment

The Ultimate Disneyland Character Dining Guide

Dine with your favourite Disney friends at one of five incredible character dining experiences at Disneyland California Resort.

Four of the dining experiences are located at Disneyland hotels and do not require park entry to attend. Only one, Minnie & Friends Breakfast in the Park, is located within a Disneyland park and requires a park ticket to attend.

Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures

Enjoy a 3-course breakfast and enchanting encounters with some of your favourite Disney Princesses at Disneyland Princess Breakfast Adventures, located inside the Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

This character breakfast is a special experience to share with someone special. We booked in to celebrate our joint birthdays together, and enjoyed and unforgettable morning that was well worth the hefty price tag.

The Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures is held at the Napa Rose restaurant inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. More than a simple meal, this is an experience that takes an entire morning, complete with entertainment, a three-course breakfast and take-home gifts.

Read more about our experience at the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures.

Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast at Disney’s Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

Meet favourite Disney Characters at a tasty breakfast and brunch buffet during Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast at Disney’s Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

This beach-themed character dining experience is a fun way to kick off the day with a breakfast or brunch buffet and entertainment from some of Disney’s most beloved characters.

Read more about our experience at Donald Duck’s Seaside breakfast.

Minnie & Friends Breakfast in the Park at the Plaza Inn

The Minnie & Friends breakfast is a favourite Disneyland character dining experience of ours due to the sheer number of characters that are available to meet.

The Plaza In is located inside Disneyland, near the entrance to Tomorrowland. The restaurant opened in 1955 and was reportedly one of Walt Disney’s favourite places to dine inside the park.

Read more about our experience at the Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn.

Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel

Enjoy dining with your fave Disney pals over breakfast or dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen, inside the Disneyland Hotel.

You do not need to be a guest of the hotel or have a park ticket to attend the dining, which is open daily for breakfast from 7am-12pm and dinner 5pm-9pm.

No matter which time you dine, you will enjoy a buffet with a huge variety of food. It was the most impressive array of food we had seen at any of the Disneyland character dining experiences.

This is the only character dining dinner at Disneyland.

Read more about our experience at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel.

Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Buffet at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Buffet is an incredibly fun dining experience at Storyteller’s Cafe inside the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

A character dining experience lasts about 90 minutes and includes a full buffet and interactions with various characters. At Mickey’s Tales of Adventure the characters are Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip and Dale. We only met Dale as Chip was “foraging food from the buffer” according to Dale.

This one one of our favourite Disneyland character dining experiences thanks to the excellent character interactions.

Read more about our experience at Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Buffet.

More Disneyland Resort California Tips

How to have the best Disneyland holiday ever.

A guide to using MAXPASS At Disneyland.

Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland.

Celebrating the holidays at Disneyland.

Hotel review: The Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

Character Dining: Goofy’s Kitchen.

Character Dining: Minnie & Friends Breakfast at the Plaza Inn.

Character Dining: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure.

Our favourite Disney souvenirs.

The best bits of Disneyland with little kids.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland.

How to survive and enjoy Disneyland with a toddler.

Frozen Live at the Hyperion Theater.

Building a droid at the Droid Depot, in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Building Experience.

Enjoy a drink at Oga’s Cantina.

A guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Enjoy Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast.

Meet royalty at the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures.

Disneyland Princess Breakfast Adventures

March 11, 2020 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Disneyland Princess Breakfast Adventures

Enjoy a 3-course breakfast and enchanting encounters with some of your favourite Disney Princesses at Disneyland Princess Breakfast Adventures, located inside the Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

The experience begins with check in at the Napa Rose, and the gift of an autograph book and pen for each child and a glass of sparkling wine for each adult.

Our party of two was then shown to a lounging area to enjoy live guitar music (Disney songs, of course), and a game of Princess tic tac toe, while we waited to meet our first princess of the day, Belle.

Beautiful Belle appeared in a winter dress when we met her in December, and our photographs with her were taken by a Disney PhotoPass photographer and were included in our breakfast package.

After our meeting with Belle we were shown to the dining area and sat at a table where we would receive our meal and meet more princesses.

A starter of a sunrise citrus and vanilla bun with raspberry glaze, and assorted fruit slices and berries arrived first, along with a choice of beverages (unlimited iced tea for me and lemonade for the kid).

Next arrived the 3-tier tower of appetizers, which included chia and granola parfait with mango, kiwi and coconut; cucumber sandwiches, mini scrolls and a lobster salad salad crostini minus the lobster.

While we munched on our appetizers we met more princesses. Rapunzel, Aurora, Jasmine and Tiana. The princesses roamed the room and took a great deal of time with each party, some returning again for a second chat.

They were extremely friendly and took a lot of time and care fo question us on our trip and compliment my daughter’s dress, which was printed with several of the princesses.

Once we had our fill of the appetizers it was time for the main course buffet. We found plenty of food to eat even being vegetarian – I’m sure the kitchen would have been happy to accomodate requests if needed for other types of food.

Main course buffet: Kids can choose from house-made mac ‘n’ cheese, princess waffles, and barbecue beef sliders. Adult options include perfect scrambled eggs, artisan turkey sausages, vegetables and a rotating selection of meats, such as roasted nueske pork belly and braised short ribs.

A huge bowl of amazing potato wedges also arrived at our table. The eggs were the most perfect eggs we have ever tasted in our lives and we would love to go back again just to eat these eggs.

There is an additional drinks menu if you or your child desires options that aren’t included in the standard package. After seeing the light-up “Colors of the Wind” $7 mocktail at another table, we had to have one. It’s a light and fruity drink suitable for kids, with a take-home light up ice cube inside.

Incredibly there was more food still to come.

The third course is Royal Desserts: a selection of treats, such as chocolate princess cake pops, petite raspberry tarts, seashell macarons, sorbet and more.

We struggled with the last course and were given boxes to take home anything we couldn’t fit in.

At the end of the dining we were given a choice of gift (one per child).

The choices were a silver necklace with a crown charm or a toy sword.

The gift comes with a drawstring bag branded with the special breakfast.

The experience wasn’t over yet! We were taken outside to join in a special princess-themed activity. At the time we were there, Pocahontas was telling stories. The princesses rotate throughout the activities.

Once we had our photograph with Pocahontas, we were guided to the last princess experience, which was a photo with Ariel, taken again by the Disney PhotoPass photographer and included in our package.

We had spied Mulan earlier in the day and inquired as to whether she was coming back. Our timing was impeccable as we were informed that we were the last guests that Ariel was seeing and if we did a look through the restaurant we would be able to return to the same spot and find Mulan there instead.

We did as suggested and are so glad that we did. Our meeting with Mulan was a highlight of the Disney Princess Breakfast experience. Mulan was just as you would imagine her to be – witty, self depreciating and really fun to meet. Our photos with Mulan were also taken by the Disney PhotoPass photographer and included in our package.

The Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures comes with a hefty price tag: At time of writing it is $125 USD (plus tax and gratuity) per person ages 3 and up. I thought for the quality and quantity of the food and entertainment, the experience was worth every cent.

Know Before You Go

Reservations
Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made online or with the Disneyland app up to 60 days prior to your visit. Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability.

Hours
Breakfast is served Thursday through Monday from 8am-12pm.

Cancellations
You must cancel at least 1 day prior to your reservation to avoid a per-person cancellation fee. If you fail to cancel by then or are a no-show, the credit card provided at the time of reservation will be charged $25 per person.

Parking
Guests with reservations will receive 5 hours of valet parking included with validation at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
1600 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim
disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/grand-californian-hotel/disney-princess-breakfast-adventures/

More Disneyland Resort California Tips

How to have the best Disneyland holiday ever.

A guide to using MAXPASS At Disneyland.

Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland.

Celebrating the holidays at Disneyland.

Hotel review: The Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

Character Dining: Goofy’s Kitchen.

Character Dining: Minnie & Friends Breakfast at the Plaza Inn.

Character Dining: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure.

Our favourite Disney souvenirs.

The best bits of Disneyland with little kids.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland.

How to survive and enjoy Disneyland with a toddler.

Frozen Live at the Hyperion Theater.

Building a droid at the Droid Depot, in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Building Experience.

Enjoy a drink at Oga’s Cantina.

A guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Enjoy Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast.

Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

March 10, 2020 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Meet favourite Disney Characters at a tasty breakfast and brunch buffet during Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast at Disney’s Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

This beach-themed character dining experience is a fun way to kick off the day with a breakfast or brunch buffet and entertainment from some of Disney’s most beloved characters.

Note: Disney’s PCH Grill is also open for dinner, however characters do not appear during that meal.

Bookings are highly advised for this popular character dining experience. Even with a booking you may have to wait a significant time to be sat at your table (we waited for almost an hour past our booking time).

The breakfast buffet includes: build-your-own-parfait station (with plain and strawberry yogurt, fresh berries, dried fruits, and housemade granola), eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, chilaquiles (with shredded beef, salsa verde, and queso fresco), chicken and waffles, omelettes, assorted breakfast pastries, muffins, breakfast breads, bagels, smoked salmon, sliced seasonal fresh fruits and berries, assorted breakfast flatbreads, egg white frittata, bacon, country pork sausage, chicken apple sausage links.

The kids’ buffet includes: Mickey waffles, Minnie pancakes, a selection of hot and cold cereals, sausage, bacon, seasonal fresh fruit, grilled peanut butter and banana with chocolate-stuffed French toast.

The brunch buffet includes popular breakfast items, like Mickey-shaped waffles, lunch specials including soups, salads, pasta, pizza, rotating seasonal options, mini pastries, beignets with dipping sauce, homemade bread pudding and other dishes.

We had the brunch menu and found there weren’t many vegetarian items to choose from, so the chef very kindly made me a special vegetarian dish he had been working on – an incredible vegan burger and quesadillas.

Donald's Seaside Breakfast, Disneyland California — My special vegetarian meal.

The main character at this dining experience is Donald Duck. He is generally located at the entrance and does not visit the tables. Minnie Mouse, Stitch and Daisy Duck all visited our table at least once during our stay, and spent a lot of time with us.

Minnie Mouse leads kids in a fun, beachy dance number during the brunch.

Reservations
Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be booked online up to 60 days prior to your visit. Reservations can also be made in person on a limited basis, subject to availability.

Parking
Complimentary 3-hour parking—your choice of either valet or self-parking—is included with a Disney’s PCH Grill validation and is available at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
1717 South, Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA
Breakfast: 7am-11:25am
Brunch: 11:30am-1pm
Dinner: 5:30pm-9
disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/paradise-pier-hotel/disneys-pch-grill/

A Guide To Visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland California

March 5, 2020 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Travel, USA / 0 comment

A Guide To Visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland California

Watch your very own Star Wars story come to life at Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland California.

This galaxy is not so far, far away – although it certainly feels like you’re light years away from the real world it when you’re immersed inside Disneyland.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is located inside Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The themed lands encompass 14 acres at each park and are replicas of each other.

What makes Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge special?

What really makes Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge special is the detail. Every single tiny detail has been carefully planned to make guests feel as though they are on a different planet once they are inside.

The cast members have different uniforms here, and a back story that makes them a character in the narrative, and instead of having timed and greets, characters roam the land at will, engaging with guests at a much higher level than the rest of the park.

If you ask a cast member a question, they will answer it completely in character. The more fun you have with the interactions you have, the more fun cast members have, too.

So what can you actually do in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?

Pilot the Millennium Falcon

The first ride to open inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was the thrilling Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Guests can fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission. There are six roles within each flight: two pilots, two gunners and two engineers.

Basically, the engineers don’t really do much (so it’s a great role for someone who is keener to watch then get involved), the gunners get to shoot things, and the pilots get to fly the ship.

The cast members will hand you a card signifying your role, however you can swap your role card with anyone else in your boarding party to change your role.

There is no FastPass available at time of writing, so the best strategy to ride this currently is to head straight to the ride when the park opens. Throughout the day, your best option is the Single Rider’s Line.

Join the Resistance

Galaxy's Edge, Disneyland California — Matt Stroshane, photographer

The second ride to open within the land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, is a thrilling multi-stage ride where guests join the Resistance in a battle against the first order.

This ride is incredibly difficult to get on. Your choices are to rope drop the ride when Star Wars Land opens (it is NOT open for early morning entry) or book an Individual Lightening Lane pass to ride it without waiting.

You can get further details about how to ride Rise of the Resistance online.

Explore Black Spire Outpost on the Planet Batuu

The Disney Imagineers did a fantastic job creating a brand new world inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the “long-forgotten planet named Batuu”. On the Planet Batuu is the village settlement known as Black Spire Outpost, which is filled with shops, food outlets and a smattering of scoundrels, rogues and smugglers.

There are many, many shops here, filled with all kinds of fun souvenirs from clothes to “pets” that are really odd, interactive toy creatures that have been completely made up and so creative and fun.

You can even buy a version of the “chess” game which is played in the movies!

Eat intergalactic grub

There are several food and beverage outlets inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that are completely unique in their offerings to the rest of the park.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Grab a rustic plate of “local” cuisine (they’ve done a fab job of turning California produce into exotic offerings). Planet-based (vegan) offerings are available.

Ronto Roasters

This meat stall offers grilled sausage from the “ronto” (plant-based vegan is also available) wrapped in pita bread. A ronto is a massive beast native to the planet Tatooine.

Milk Stand

Try a cup of legendary blue or green milk, which is actually a planet-based concoction made from a blend of coconut and rice milk.

Kat Saka’s Kettle

Drop by this food stall for some Outpot Mix, a sweet and savoury popcorn (vegan available).

Coke stands

We loved these spherical coke bottles (also available in Diet Coke) that are made especially for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We had no problems bringing our empty bottles back home with us on the plane.

Build a droid

One of the most fun things we did at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was building our own droids at the Droid Depot inside the Black Spire Outpost. We had intended to build just the one but it was so much fun that we ended up building two.

Read more about our experience building droids at the Droid Depot.

Make a custom lightsaber

Build your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop – Handmade Lightsaber Building Experience.

The Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Building Experience, located in the Black Spire Outpost, is as much of an immersive experience about joining the Force as it is about taking home a fancy souvenir.

Read more about our experience at Savi’s Workshop – Handmade Lightsaber Building Experience.

Grab a drink at the cantina

One of the galaxy’s most infamous watering holes comes to life at Oga’s Cantina. The cantina specialises in fantastical drinks that will delight even the youngest crew members (that’s right, this is a family-friendly bar inside Disneyland!). Oga’s Cantina serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Read more about our experience visiting Oga’s Cantina.

Things to know before you visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will not be available during Extra Magic Hour or Magic Morning at Disneyland Park.

Disney FASTPASS service and Disney MaxPass are unavailable for attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge looks amazing at night, so I highly suggest returning then to see Batuu lit up.

There are two ways to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – through Frontierland behind Big Thunder Mountain and via Critter Country past the Hungry Bear Restaurant. There are no signs to show the way, so refer to the park map for entrance to the land a well as finding the attraction within.

Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA
disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/star-wars-galaxys-edge/

More Disneyland Resort California Tips

How to have the best Disneyland holiday ever.

A guide to using MAXPASS At Disneyland.

Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland.

Celebrating the holidays at Disneyland.

Hotel review: The Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

Character Dining: Goofy’s Kitchen.

Character Dining: Minnie & Friends Breakfast at the Plaza Inn.

Character Dining: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure.

Our favourite Disney souvenirs.

The best bits of Disneyland with little kids.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland.

How to survive and enjoy Disneyland with a toddler.

Frozen Live at the Hyperion Theater.

Building a droid at the Droid Depot, in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Building Experience.

Enjoy a drink at Oga’s Cantina.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

March 4, 2020 / Indoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

Enjoy endless water play at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, home of Sydney’s best indoor water park.

Splasher’s Water Playground is an interactive water playground. It consists of a giant bucket, slides, whirl pool and various other water-based activities. There are also lanes for swimming in if you want to do laps.

The water is heated to a comfortable temperature year-round.

The playground is suitable for toddlers with extremely shallow areas.

Entry to Splasher’s Water Playground is included with admission to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Center.

There are lockers to place valuables for a fee of $6 for three hours.

Family change rooms are also available and there are a series of showers to rinse off next to the change rooms.

Bring your own food or dine at the cafe overlooking the pools.

4 hour free parking is available in P2, adjacent to the Aquatic Centre upon validation of parking ticket.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park
https://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/

Also in the area:

Check out nearby Brickpit Ring Walk, Wentworth Common, nearby Bicentennial Park, Blaxland Riverside Playground and the Olympic Cauldron in Cathy Freeman Park. Scoot or bike around the Newington Armory.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Strathfield Park and Playgrounds

March 3, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney / 0 comment

Strathfield Park, the oldest public park in Strathfield, is home to a huge playground with three play spaces, spanning 1.5 acres.

The park was renovated in 2017, with the resulting play spaces uniquely designed to compliment each other, taking into account the various ages and abilities of children who might enjoy the play equipment.

The main playground area features the premiere Skytower, an eye-catching structure, with four slides attached, a Konnecta rope play structure and triple Skyrider flying fox.

Nearby is the all abilities play area, which includes a carousel, mounds, slides, swings, maze and fortress area.

Next to this play area is the 4.5m Mammoth Swing (Australia’s biggest).

Linking the two play areas is a forest garden area with a Bushwood Teepee Tower, a giant wooden Lizard and the Flecto spinner.

A flat bike path leads across the park to the last playground area on the Chalmers Road side, which includes a smaller climbing structure and an excellent educational kids bike track with road signs.

The rest of the park includes barbecue equipment, sporting fields and a very old toilet amenities block in the middle of the park.

There is no cafe in the park, so be sure to bring your own picnic lunch.

Strathfield Park
Chalmers &, Homebush Rd, Strathfield
Get directions
Read more about Strathfield Park

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Inside Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland Resort California

February 26, 2020 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland Resort California

A drink at Oga’s Cantina is one of the hottest tickets at Disneyland. There is no point lining up for this experience at this time – reservations are essential and can be made 60 days in advance online or on the app. Walk-ins will be accommodated when possible.

Oga’s Cantina serves drinks and very basic snacks. There is a menu with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available – plus “secret” items that aren’t listed on the menu (ask the bar staff for current items not listed on the menu).

Kids are welcome at Oga’s Cantina, but I wouldn’t say it’s very kid-friendly. Oga’s is a small, tight space with very little room to move around and no room for kids to play. Oga’s is definitely aimed at adults and tolerant towards kids.

What to expect inside Oga’s Cantina

Due to its extreme popularity there are lots of rules regulating this themed bar.

If you have a reservation, check in no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your booking. We lined up for around 15-20 minutes and were eventually admitted inside.

In order to manage the crowd inside the cantina, guests are shown to a spot where they can either stand or sit. You will be placed right next to strangers even if you are sat at a table, so be prepared to get squishy and make some new friends.

There is very limited seating – Oga’s Cantina mostly consists of standing room. Large parties may be separated.

You will need to show your ID to order alcoholic drinks. There is a two-drink maximum per person.

Be prepared for how expensive the drinks will be! They are pricey but they are also good. We ordered the .

Drinks arrive fast and you pay your server directly.

There is a 45 minute time limit to time spent inside the Cantina. After that time you must leave or you will be gently reminded to do so.

If you want to take a look around the Cantina (and you absolutely should!) do so after you’ve finished your drinks and are ready to leave – as soon as you vacate your designated spot, new people will be shown in.

There are some fantastic details around the bar that deserve a closer look. It is a bit tricky to navigate with the sheer number of people.

The coasters are very cool and yes you may take them home as a souvenier. Ask your server for a few brand new ones to take.

Oga’s Cantina Rules

At least one person in the party must be 14 years of age or older.

Reservations are non-transferrable and may not be sold or bartered.

Each person in your party must be present upon check-in. Please be prepared to present your reservation confirmation email, photo ID and the credit card provided at the time of booking.

Alcoholic Beverages: Guests must be 21 years of age or over to consume alcohol; valid photo ID is required. There is a maximum of 2 drinks per Guest.

Cancellations: You must cancel at least one day prior to your reservation to avoid a per person cancellation fee. If you fail to timely cancel and are a no-show, the credit card provided at the time of reservation will be charged $10 per person.