Storyfest – Festival of stories, adventures and fun

Bebop Circus. (Pictures: Supplied)

Central Geelong’s popular children’s festival, Storyfest is back for the autumn school holidays and it’s bigger than ever.

Keep the kids entertained between April 2-18 with this exciting 17-day festival featuring stories, adventures, live performances, hands-on and virtual workshops and competitions.

Check out the program highlights below and head to www.centralgeelong.com.au/storyfest to download the free Storyfest program containing more details on dates, session times, links and how to book.

Dinomania Live Show – The ROARSOME ‘Dinomania – Interactive Dinosaur Stage Show’ is a fun family show spectacular, featuring life-size dinosaur puppets. Imaginations will run wild as the audience embarks on an awe-inspiring and gripping journey back through time. Dinomania is free to attend, bookings essential.

Immersive Storytime at MoPA – The team at the Museum of Play & Art (MoPA) has purpose-built an amazing Storytime Cinema to provide a fully immersive experience to enjoy the scenery, sounds and wonder of all your favourite children’s books. Bookings essential.

Augmented Reality Adventure – Easter Bunny, a hedgehog, a chicken, a panda and a dog are hiding around Central Geelong. Can you find them? All you need is your smartphone or device to discover these loveable animal friends’ throughout Central Geelong. Download the free ‘Creativitek’ App then look for the ‘Kids AR Fun in Central Geelong’ footpath stickers throughout the city. Simply point your smartphone or device at the image on the stickers to see the magic happen.

Storyfest Writing Competition – Greater Geelong residents aged 8-25 years are invited to get creative and enter the Storyfest Writing Competition. This year there is no set theme, however, there will be some prompts to follow. Entries are welcome in any form of written expression including written or spoken-word poetry, comics, short stories, creative nonfiction and essays. Free to enter with great prizes up for grabs. Entries close on April 18.

Teddy Bears Picnic & Puppet Circus – Peek into a new and exciting world in Little Malop Street Central as a shop window is transformed into a space of enchantment. Rumour has it the teddy bears will be going on a picnic all week-long, playing games and enjoying their favourite food in one window, whilst the puppet circus will be in full swing in the other window. Catch the live puppet show on April 6 and 15 at 11am.

Craft at The Carousel – On Wednesday, April 7, the cherry blossom tree-making workshop is on. Wednesday, April 14 it’s fairy/bird house-making and on Friday, April 16 kids can enjoy an under the sea photo frame workshop. All workshops are free. Bookings essential.

What’s Cooking? – If you have a little master chef at home, book them into Rook Café’s ‘Kids Cook Up’ on Monday, April 12 where they will make delicious Sri Lankan food. On Tuesdays during the school holidays, Viet Rolls has a rice paper roll-making activity for kids 5-17 years. Both classes are free but bookings are essential.

WIN with Storyfest – To celebrate the launch of Storyfest, there are two competitions where you can win great prizes. To enter to win one of 10 family passes (value $50) to the Museum of Play & Art (MoPA), visit centralgeelong.com.au/competitions/210 between March 18 and 30.

You can also win one of three family passes to Love Central Geelong’s Family Magic Show – The Mik Maks – Let’s Party! – visit centralgeelong.com.au/competitions/211 until April 14 to enter.

Easter Fun Guide – Have some Easter fun with Storyfest’s ‘Easter Fun Guide’. Kids can meet Easter Bunny at The Carousel, Market Square or Westfield Geelong, enjoy Easter crafts at Market Square and partake in an Easter-themed art class. View the full Easter Fun Guide in the Storyfest program and online at www.centralgeelong.com.au/easter

If you are interested in Storyfest and other School Holiday programs, make sure you subscribe to Love Central Geelong’s mail list to be the first to receive these programs. Visit www.centralgeelong.com.au to find out more.