What playgroups are doing in National Playgroup Week

26 March: Ladies from the church whose hall Kyneton Playgroup uses  brought morning tea for playgroupers and had a play with the children.

26 March: Ardeer Primary School Playgroup open day for local families. Story time session by Brimbank Library. Play dough making workshop. Other craft activities. Morning tea. Free book for every child attending. Suspension St, Ardeer. Contact Nathalie email nathalie.molina@isispc.com.au ph 9313 5018. 

26 March 10am-noon: Coronet Bay Playgroup come and try all kinds of painting. Hand and finger painting, blow painting with straws, string painting, sand painter, glitter painting and sponge painting. Make your mark on Coronet Bay Market Day banners. Wear old clothes (smocks provided) and piece of fruit for morning tea. $2 per family. Contact Madeline Hungerford 0409 550 981 smadeline@hotmail.com.

26 March: Riddell Road Playgroup  teddy bears' picnic in the park. Children's activities and a yet to be confirmed visit from the CFA.

26 March 10am-2pm: City of Geelong celebrates National Playgroup Week. Promotion of local playgroups. Carousel rides, face painting, water and sand play, active play, animal farm, children's entertainers, drumming, craft. Steampacket Gardens and Carousel, Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong. Free. See www.geelongaustralia.com.au.

26 March: Tempy/Patchewollock playgroups combine with Tempy Primary School to hold the World's Greatest Shave & Colour Day at Tempy Playgroup Centre. Devonshire tea, raffles, stalls, balloons, showbags, spray hair colour and a volunteer dad will have his head shaved. Contact Viviane Yetman on 5084 1230 email vivianey@activ8.net.au

26 March 9.15-10.30am: Croydon Central Playgroup open day. Early Learnin Centre, Croydon Primary School cnr Croydon Rd & Kent Ave, Croydon.

26 March, 9.30-11am: Footscray Baptist Intergenerational Playgroup launch at Westhaven Aged Care Facility with free play, storytime, songs and craft. Meet at Footscray Baptist Church, 60 Paisley St, Footscray. Contact Cathie Staunton thestauntons@hotmail.com phone 0400 112 113. 

27 March: Camberwell Structured Playgroup, cnr Aird St & Riversdale Rd.  Teddy bears picnic party. Children asked to bring a teddy bear friend to accompany them to a morning of craft, stories and activities. Theme: play and friendships. Email contact@csp.org.au phone 9539 2926

27 March: Shire of Campaspe's Biggest Playgroup. Supported playgroups with community playgroups provide play experiences for all families to explore. Free healthy morning tea of yoghurt and fruit/vegetable platters,  Rhyme Time Session by local library. Apex Park, High St, Echuca. Contact Kylie McMahon on 0427 247 892 email k.mcmahon@campaspe.vic.gov.au.

27 March: Avoca Playgroup open day to showcase Avoca Playgroup to new families to encourage new membership. Teddy bear's picnic with special free theatre performance from Huggles The Bear, traditional playgroup activities, guest speakers from local maternal and child health services unit. Contact Donna Wardlaw on 5465 3404 email donna@bloomcd.com

27 & 28 March: Natured Kids Outdoor Playgroup Frankston walk through natural bush to discover nests built by birds. Easter games, chocolate Easter egg hunt through eucalypt forest, make Easter bunny food to take home to leave out at Easter. George Pentland Botanic Gardens, Frankston. Contact Narelle Debenham on 0431 79 13 79 email oaks@bigpond.net.au.

28 March: Camberwell Structured Playgroup, cnr Aird St & Riversdale Rd.  Teddy bears picnic party. Children asked to bring a teddy bear friend to accompany them to a morning of craft, stories and activities. Theme: play and friendships. Email contact@csp.org.au phone 9539 2926

28 March: World's Biggest Playgroup. Fun and activity filled event for families with preschool-aged children to enjoy a free day. Jumping castle, sausage sizzle, art, craft, badge making. Broadmeadows Leisure Centre cnr Dimboola Rd  & Pearcedale Pde, Broadmeadows. Contact Jeannette Hourani or email JHourani@vicsetnewfutures.org.au.

28 March: Murtoa and District Playgroup teddy bears' picnic. Stories, songs, games, crafts. Multipurpose Room at Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa. Contact Kellie Gardy on 3538 52417 or email gardy.kelly.kjg@edumail.vic.gov.au.

28 March, 10am: Warracknabeal Playgroup messy play day. Everyone is wearing their OLDEST clothes to take part in all things slimey, gooey and oozey! Slime, goop, finger paint, shaving cream, spaghetti, mud, splat painting and more... Under the grandstand at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal. Contact Sarah-Jayne Holland sholland@netspace.net.au phone 0438 341 577 or Krsten Zwar akzwar@people.net.au phone 41855 2307.

28 March: Timboon Playgroup Easter break up.  Make and decorate easter baskets from egg cartons. Outdoor oval activities with jumping castle, hula hoops, bean bags, balls and bikes. Follow the easter bunny giant prints and woolly bits from his tail to discover some chocolate eggs to go with children's water and fruit. Parents encouraged to dress up. Group photo for National Playgroup Week. Easter raffle draw. Timboon Recreation Reserve, Timboon. Contact Belinda Doolan email bear_0909@hotmail.com phone 5595 0267.

28 March: Maryborough Playgroup open day and sausage sizzle at the Apex Hall, Newton St, Maryborough.

29 March 10am-noon: Save the Children, Mooroopna Primary School, Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre combined playgroups combine. All local community welcomed. Children's activities, show bags, applie slinkies. Ferrari Park, cnr Midland Hwy and Echuca Rd, Mooroopna.

30 March: Rainbow Playgroup (in Rainbow) makes Easter baskets and celebrated National Playgroup Week with dancing and singing. Contact Tracey Tregenza on 4299 51123 email dttregenza@activ8.net.au

30 March 9.30-11.30am: Special day for all families with preschool-aged children from Shelford and surrounding towns. $3 per family. Aims to bring people together to make new friends, share experiences and have fun. Easter themed art and craft, active play and story time. Special guest from Glastonbury Services. Shelford Hall, Main Rd, Shelford.

30 March, 10am-noon: Community Hub Playgroup hosts a session focussed on body awareness with music and fun. Alambi Ave, Rosebud West. Free.

30 March, 11am-1pm: My Time Cafe sponsors all playgroups from Macedon Ranges for finger painting, sponge painting, straw painting, sausage sizzle and face painter (11.30am-12.30pm). Contact Rebecca Jones email info@mytimecafe.com.au phone 5420 7721.

1 April 10am-2pm: Blairgowrie House Playgroup open day. Free sausage sizzle,  farm art and craft activities and possible visit from some farmyard friends. Blairgowrie House Playgroup, 168 Manchester Rd, Mooroolbark.Contact Blarigowrie House Playgroup on 0458 317 667 email bgh.playgroup@hotmail.com or see http://blairgowriehouse.webs.com/