FUN FOR KIDS ON THE COAST

FUN FOR KIDS

ON THE COAST WORDS KATIE STOKES

Messy fun

Love creative play but dislike the clean up? A new space has opened up on the Central Coast that encourages little ones to create, paint, splash and play. Messy Little Munchkins opened its brand-new headquarters at Niagara Park in December, and is inviting tots aged four months to five years to experience tons of sensory fun. Kids are encouraged to move between stations of craft, play dough, paint and messy play. They can sit in a tub of paint, ‘bake’ cakes, splash in the water zone and enjoy playing with sensory stations featuring corn, dried peas, broccoli florets and vermicelli!

Messy Little Munchkins run term-long classes for under-fives, school-holiday workshops for primary-school children, and host kids’ parties, too.

Messy Little Munchkins Messy HQ, Shop 25, 16 Washington Ave, Niagara Park; messylittlemunchkins.com.au Mini Munchkins casual passes $14. Bookings: 0432 800 070 or email info@messylittlemunchkins.com.au.

A-MAZE-ing

Shh, we’ll let you in on a local secret! There’s a fabulous and lesser-known animal attraction In Wyong Creek that offers oldschool family fun to kids of all ages! Amazement Farm & Fun Park has been on the Central Coast for 13 years and with new owners taking over in 2020, it’s now bigger and better than ever. In addition to its three hedge mazes, large outdoor games arenas, and playground, you’ll now find a new Ferris wheel and bright blue train that chugs excitable children around the property.

Amazement Farm also introduced a heap of new critters these past 12 months, so it now has more than 50 species on display. Meet Revenge, the saltwater crocodile; Cadbury, the miniature donkey; Spike, the central bearded dragon; Rex, the cassowary; and a red deer fawn named Dasher. Families are invited to pet many of the animals and to help bottle-feed the newly arrived babies.

Run away with the circus

Have a few tricks up your sleeve? Whether it’s juggling, tumbling, drumming or flipping, you’re encouraged to show off and finesse your skill set this year at the Central Coast’s new free outdoor SPIRAL days. Run by Roundabout Circus, and sponsored by the Central Coast Council, SPIRAL Coast is a new initiative that stands for Spin, Play, Inclusion, Rhythm, Art and Life. Special guest teachers will be available at these fortnightly events to help you develop your skills in art, music or movement. No experience is needed and a variety of props – think unicycles, juggling balls, hula hoops and more – will be provided for you to explore circus arts and movement. And if you do have a skillset you’d like to further develop or share with the community, you’re welcome to bring your own props, instruments or creative projects along, too.

SPIRAL Coast is held from 3 pm to 6 pm at Picnic Point, The Entrance, on the first Sunday of the month and Kibble Park, Gosford, on the third Sunday of the month. facebook.com/events/1002445190248613/

Tidal splash

The Central Coast Leagues Club Field has seen an enormous transformation these past 12 months and, as we go to print, it’s on track to open as summer turns to autumn. The pièce de résistance of this new regional play space is its innovative tidal pool, which is dotted with Aboriginal art poles and sandstone animal islands, which will be revealed and hidden with the falling and rising tides.

As well as barbecues, picnic tables, a shared pathway, exercise equipment and amenities, the area includes a unique, natureinspired children’s play area. There’s a large fishing net that children can crawl through and two tall pods that resemble rockets. A long slippery dip at the top of the highest pod will shoot children through an underground tunnel before launching them into the sunshine again!

Central Coast Leagues Club Field, 1 Dane Drive, Gosford.

TOGETHER WE GROW

Green Point Christian College is a K-12 school with an excellent reputation for supporting families. In doing so, we know together we can help form students who are equipped for life.

Online enrolments open now. Visit us online to book a tour or calculate tuition fees.

gpcc.nsw.edu.au

Get your skates on

Whether you view it as retro, ‘old skool’ or very cool, roller skating has made a comeback in recent times, and Rollerfit junior classes are now open to kids at Niagara Park. Designed for children aged three to 14 years, the classes use games, activities and drills to teach skate skills and increase fitness in an environment that’s focused on fun rather than competition. You can do a one-off drop-in class or purchase a multi-class pass at a discounted rate. Skates are available for hire or you can BYO.

Niagara Park Stadium, 18 Washington Ave, Niagara Park. Bookings: rollerfit.com.au/niagara-park/