National Playgroup Week

World's Biggest Playgroup

Playgroup Victoria's major  National Playgroup Week event was the World's Biggest Playgroup at Melbourne Museum on Wednesday March 24 and those who came heard four different stories, experienced Indigenous animal  dancing and music by Sing & Grow. 

Children drew on chalk boards, played outside, had fun dressing up in child-sized MFB uniforms, explored the Forest Gallery with toy binoculars, saw live animal exhibits, made animals masks, played magnet fishing, had their pictures taken at the World's Biggest Playgroup V/Line railways station. They played with toy insects, lizards and dinosaurs mixed with natural materials and took the Dinosaur Walk.  Babies were drawn to the tinkling of spinning bells and played with baby toys in an area set up just for them. 

Read what two people thought of the World's Biggest Playgroup here.

How other playgroups celebrated National Playgroup Week

City of Ballarat playgroups: the City of Ballarat held Ballarat's Biggest Playgroup in the morning of March 6, so Ballarat playgroups would have the chance to go to the World's Biggest Playgroup the following week. Playgroup Victoria joined in the day and offered  baby play and giveaways.

Shire of Campaspe playgroups:  Fun bubble science with the Scientwists, painting, collage, building blocks, playdough, puzzles, storytime with the library, Paddle Wheel Pete at Apex Park, High St, Echuca, Tuesday March 23, 10-11.30am.

Shire of Mornington Peninsula playgroups: Bollywood dancing fun for parents and children. Creative play activities.  New activity ideas. Morning tea provided. 

Shire of Melton playgroups: Free activities, showbags, morning tea and Sparkles the Rainbow Fairy.

Nangiloc and District Playgroup: Open day to show how much fun children and parents can have at playgroup. Free for all visitors. Shared fruit platter for morning tea provided.  

City of Darebin playgroups: City of Darebin playgroups planning to read a book, sing a song and blow some bubbles in National Playgroup Week registered with the council to be part of a Playgroup Connection and received a large, wipeable picture book of Twinkle Twinkle, a homemade book of popular songs, homemade bubble mixture and pipecleaner bubble blower instructions (and a made up bubble blower sample) and 10 pipecleaners. 

Mill Park Playgroup: Open days. 

Yallourn North Playgroup: Article in local newspaper during National Playgroup Week with photos of their official opening of a new shade structure achieved with a community grant from Latrobe City Council. At the opening hosted councillors to a morning tea during a playgroup session to says thanks for their contributions and support.

Little Fish Community Playgroup: Healthy Choices Breakfast in Mildura SDA church hall sponsored by Sanitarium Health Foods. Dress up day. Families encouraged to bring their friends to come and try playgroup.