Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast - Issue 68. May/June 2017

ISSUE 68 May/June 2017 GOLD COAST

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FREE TO TAKE HOME

The

ECO issue

The BUTTERFLY effect: little things that make a BIG difference

Schools putting SUSTAINABILITY at the top of the curriculum

Meet the local family living OFF-GRID

KIDS ON THE COAST / KIDS IN THE CITY

CALLING ALL SCHOOLS! We’d love you to be a part of our EDUCATION NEWS section!

Share with us your achievements, exciting news, or an event that

truly captures your school’s spirit, please share your story.

SEND TO: editor@mothergoosemedia.com.au

Read online June 6!

Sunshine Coast - Brisbane - Gold Coast

Winter SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE

Fill up your holiday calendar @ www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or www.kidsinthecity.com.au 2

MAY/JUNE 2017

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WHAT’S

ON Events News Competitions Parenting Education Family Health Recipes Travel Visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or www.kidsinthecity.com.au

How often do you stop and take a breath?

I must admit, I’m the worst culprit for getting caught up in the day-to-day bustle of lunchboxes, toddler tantrums and grazed knees. But those rare moments I do stop for air I’m always blown away by how amazing this little corner of the world really is.

Being born and raised in the industrial streets of northern England, where the buildings are grimy and the sun was just a myth, I’m acutely aware of how truly lucky my children are to be permanently surrounded by such an incredible natural environment. Whether it’s a morning swim at the beach, or a weekend bike ride through the national park, that intrinsic connection with the natural world is a special, and essential, one.

It was on having kids that I also suddenly felt a lot more responsible for the preservation and protection of this amazing environment – to ensure that this special place was here for my children, and for their children to come. I want us to do the hard work so when they are grown the corner is already turned and their generation is established as one of sustainability and of positive impact.

So, welcome to our Eco issue! Where we celebrate everything our little corner of the world is and we look at all the things we can do, as a community, to make our world a greener place.

Our cover feature looks at the many initiatives to take part in; those simple dayto-day changes that can make a huge positive impact the environment. Whilst our education feature tours the local schools who are putting sustainability at the top of their curriculum. We meet the local family who has gone off-grid to build a sustainable life for themselves in the Noosa hinterland, and we bare all in our essential guide to cloth nappies.

If you are looking for a family break, we save the air miles by taking a local minibreak to the Gold Coast. And when you are finished, you can put this magazine to good use, with an ingenious upcycling craft!

And with all the usual news, events and reviews, AND all at the new convenient size to pop in your bag to take with you, there is something for every budding environmentalist!

If you have any feedback, comments or stories to share, you can always reach me at editor@mothergoosemedia.com.au. I’d love to hear from you!

With love,

TO SIGN UP Angela Sutherland, Editor kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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[CONTENTS]

3 FROM THE EDITOR 6 WHAT’S ON: The best local events for May and June 8 SOCIAL: What's trending on our social pages Spinner & shirt designs: Michelle Craik

10 WHAT’S NEWS: The latest news in your area 12 NOTICEBOARD: All the news and achievements from our local schools

Lars, 2 years

Senna, 4 years

14 FEATURE: The Butterfly Effect, the little changes that make a big difference 20 CHECK THIS OUT: The latest eco-friendly products for the whole family 22 EDUCATION: The local schools putting sustainability at the top of the curriculum 30 FAMILY: Bee Eco – the local family living off-grid 34 PARENTING: Raising happy kids 36 BABIES: Cloth nappies, the bare facts 40 THINGS TO DO: Upcycle your magazine 42 TRAVEL: Take a mini-break on the Gold Coast 46 LOCAL LIFE: Have a Nice Day 48 WEB WRAP UP: The latest from online 50 REVIEWS: Movies, music, books and apps COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Verve Portraits

WE ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

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!

E V I L

A Rainforest

Adventure

JUNE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS LIVE STAGE THEATRE SHOW FULL COSTUMED CHARACTERS BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

Tuesday June 27 AND Wednesday June 28 TICKETS ON SALE NOW THROUGH TICKETEK kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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WHAT'S ON

Visit ou r website to see more events!

I ma g e

co u

rtes y: T ou ris

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MAY 5 TO 7 / JUNE 24 TO 30 LIFELINE BOOKFEST

ts en Ev

The Gold Coast and Brisbane will come alive with Weet-Bix Kids! TRYathletes will swim in the Olympic-sized pool, whilst parents watch on from the big grandstand, before riding through the surrounding streets and running around the iconic Showgrounds! www.tryathlon.com.au

TOP 5

MAY 14 MOTHER’S DAY CLASSIC Celebrate mums and support breast cancer research by participating in the Mother’s Day Classic in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. The event has walk and run options, plus live entertainment, a variety of food options and lots of extra activities for kids and adults! www.mothersdayclassic.com.au

JUNE 3 SEAFIRE AT SURFERS PARADISE The free, family-friendly event will open with a special tribute show to the Australian Navy, before featuring a stunning, multicultural celebration of fireworks and then jet-ski freestyle stunt teams will wow crowds during intermission. www.surfersparadise.com

JUNE 27 & 28 DINOSAUR TRAIN RIDE LIVE – A RAINFOREST ADVENTURE Dinosaur Train promises to be a colourful, thrilling and exciting adventure for the whole family, larger than life and live on stage with all the famous Dinosaur Train characters in a first class production. www.zaccariaconcerts.com.au

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MAY 7 & 21 WEET-BIX KIDS TRYATHLON

BUSH WALKS

Mount Coot-tha Summit Circuit Burleigh Heads Ridge Park Walk Greenes Falls Circuit Mount Glorious Brisbane Forest Park Walk The Gap Boombana Mount Nebo

JUNE 6 WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE Fill up your holiday calendar www.kidsonthecoast.com.au /things-to-do/holiday-eguides

MAY 27 TO 30 JUNE MARVEL: CREATING THE CINEMATIC UNIVERSE Original artwork, film props, costumes and more, the exhibition will bring to life the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe with characters including Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Black Panther, just to name a few. www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

Winter SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE

JUNE 29 & 30 DISNEY ON ICE: FROZEN The heartwarming tale you love is now live and skating into your town! Join royal sisters Anna and Elsa, the hilarious snowman Olaf, Kristoff and Sven as they discover true love is the most magical power of all. www.brisent.com.au

JUNE 30 PLAY SCHOOL PRINCE OF BEARS Get ready to see your favourite television show brought to life. All of your Play School friends appear live on stage in Play School’s brand new show Prince of Bears! www.kidspromotions.com.au

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

* We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.

d e n s la n Que

The event is returning to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, giving book lovers a chance to grab millions of books, magazines, records, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, board games and much more for prices as low as a dollar. www.uccommunity.org.au

W

OK

NO

© The Australian Brodcasting Corporation 2017

BO

TOURING BRISBANE 17 June - 2 July. For full tour details and bookings visit www.kidspromotions.com.au or Ph: 1300 788 028 / 03 9739 6300

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MAY/JUNE 2017

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SOCIAL

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Join us ... for daily conversation, insp iration and information BE ECO INSPIRED WITH THESE INSTAGRAMS

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@byebyeplasticbags

@reversegarbageqld

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@treeplanters

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@upcyclethat

@dirtgirlworldofficial

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ‌ See behind the scenes,

events & more! @kidsinthecitymagazine @kidsonthecoastmagazine

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KIDS’ WINTER LAUNCH B E D D I N G 2 017

Lofty SINGLE BED WITH STORAGE

Also Available: ‘Lofty’ King Single Bed with Storage.

Bed Linen: ‘Nexus’ Double Quilt Cover Set^ in Black/White | ‘Stitch’ Coverlet in Black/White | ‘Kittycat’ Single Sheet Set † in White Homewares: ‘Dollface’ Cushion in Pink | ‘Cleo’ Cushion in Silver | ‘Elliot’ Floor Lamp in Black

(Free underground parking) Domayne ® stores are operated by independent franchisees. Ends 21/05/17. Accessories shown are not included. ^Single and king single quilt cover sets each consist of 1x quilt cover and 1x standard pillowcase. Double, queen, king and super king quilt cover sets each consist of 1x quilt cover and • kidsinthecity.com.au MAY/JUNE 2017 9 2xkidsonthecoast.com.au standard pillowcases. †Single and king single sheet sets each consist of 1x fitted sheet, 1x flat sheet and 1x standard pillowcase. Double, queen, king and super king sheet sets each consist of 1x fitted sheet, 1x flat sheet and 2x standard pillowcases.

352811_FTV

FORTITUDE VALLEY, BRISBANE Level 1, Homemaker The Valley, 1058 Ann St. 3620 6600

Whats news Stay up to date with your local community news. If you have any unique news that you’d like to share, please contact our editor at editor@mothergoosemedia.com.au.

DID

encouraging Queenslanders to get involved by ordering their limited edition polka dot merchandise early. “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is not too far away – now is the time to stock up on our merchandise in all-new designs,” Ms McMillan said. “The sale of every apron, mug, tea towel and set of tongs helps us join the dots to assist all Queenslanders affected by all cancers.”

YOU KNOW

GIANT WATER LILIES IN THE AMAZON CAN GROW OVER 1.8M IN DIAMETER

Sea otters hold hands when they sleep so that they do not drift apart QANTAS ONCE POWERED AN INTERSTATE FLIGHT WITH COOKING OIL WOMBAT POO IS CUBE SHAPED! THIS HELPS IT MARK ITS TERRITORY

IN ITS LIFETIME, ONE REUSABLE BAG CAN PREVENT THE USE OF

600BAGS

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Photo credit: Cybele Malinowski

SING OUT ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS AT BRISBANE’S SOUTH BANK Queensland Music Festival (QMF) Artistic Director Katie Noonan is calling for Australians to unite and sing for positive change about domestic and family violence in a musical event You’re The Voice. The choral concert will take place during Queensland Music Festival on Saturday 29 July 2017, when more than 2,000 people, including Katie Noonan, will sing their hearts out at Brisbane’s South Bank Piazza in a mass rendition of John Farnham’s powerful anthem. Joining them via a livestream through the QMF website and social media channels, will be a cast of thousands – men, women, boys and girls from every corner of Australia. “Everyone has a voice and I’m calling on them to use it for good,” Ms Noonan said. “Australia’s domestic and family violence crisis is not an easy subject of course but a pertinent one that cannot be ignored, and as a woman in the music industry I think it’s time we united our voices.”

To register visit qmf.org.au.

HELP JOIN THE DOTS FOR QUEENSLANDERS WITH CANCER More than 5,500 hosts are expected to take part in the 24th Australia's Biggest Morning Tea on May 25th. Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan is

The official Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea date is Thursday, May 25, but locals can hold an event and raise funds anytime throughout May or June. “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is an opportunity to gather your friends and loved ones together for a cup of tea and bite to eat – for a worthy cause,” Ms McMillan said. For more information visit biggestmorningtea.com.au.

LEGO® GROUP JOINS FORCES WITH BATMAN FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE LEGO® Group has launched a digital campaign along with LEGO® Batman to engage children in important environmental and social issues through the power of play. The new digital platform Planet Crew (LEGO.com/PlanetCrew) provides children with a place to swap ideas, find out about environmental activities, learn about child safety, and share their views.

Tim Brooks, Vice President of Environmental Responsibility, said “We know that children care about social and environmental issues, and this campaign is designed to engage with kids directly in a fun and creative dialogue.”

He continued, “We look forward to hearing from children about what responsibility means to them, so we can ensure to continue making the most positive impact on the planet for children and society.”

LEGO® Group has an active environmental policy , investing DKK 6 billion (or approximately AUD $1.1 billion) in renewable energy, as well as making steps to use only sustainable materials in its products by 2030, produced from sustainably sourced plastic derived from wheat.

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES & entertainment at every home game!

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NOTICE BOARD All the news and achievements from ou r local schools

STATE-OF-THE-ART CHILDCARE CENTRE TO OPEN ITS DOORS IN BRISBANE CITY Floor-to-ceiling glass, a roof-top playground and heritage-listed façade are all features of the largest early learning centre by Goodstart Early Learning in Adelaide St, Brisbane.

The 207-place centre will be the largest of Goodstart’s 645 centres and will open in June this year. Designed as a tropical oasis in the heart of Brisbane city, the state-of-theart design includes mechanically-controlled sky lights to support the vegetable patches in the playground and rooftop garden.

It has catering for all ages, from babies to kindergarten, and 14 separate classrooms that all open to the playground which incorporates nature and areas for exploration and learning.

Specialised staff have been recruited for the baby and toddler programs as well as Bachelor-degree qualified teachers for the Queensland Government-approved Kindergarten program.

Goodstart Early Learning Queensland state manager Dr Lesley Jones said the right environments for children to stimulate their thinking and social interactions were essential to inspire a love a learning. She said the quality of the early experiences children had in the first five years of life helped them reach their full potential.

“A quality early learning centre and nurturing home environment is the perfect combination for your child to develop their full potential,” Dr Jones said. “Given their rapid development, children need to be immersed and activities and stimuli that feed their hunger for knowledge, and that’s what we can offer them at Goodstart.”

At the Adelaide St centre, children can experience the seven senses as they explore the atrium where they can touch the bark of the trees, walk barefoot over the stepping stones and admire the view on raised platforms.

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“The playground offers lots to explore with bike circuits, rope bridges, water play and sandpits as well as quiet reading zones and seating pods,” Dr Jones said.

WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL CALLS FOR ART AND SCIENCE COLLABORATION Panelists at the recent World Science Festival have called for a greater collaboration between art and science, the ABC recently reported. Neurophysiologist Marcello Costa believes art and science need to co-exist, saying, “Art will help you to explain yourself to the world, then science has the extra step of checking that what you imagine is real.”

Judith McLean, Chair in arts education at the Queensland University of Technology agreed, concerned that the current education system placed too much priority on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. “We test children in NAPLAN on just writing and reading. We don’t look at any other skills that are going to make a truly whole human being.”

This concept of science and art collaborating is already well known in large STEM corporations. “It’s not just enough to be an engineer. You have to be able to find new, creative ways in which to find a solution to problems,” Ms Mclean said. “It’s about letting children find their own way; letting curiosity drive curriculum.”

CHISHOLM STUDENTS TO COLLABORATE ON SPACE MISSION WITH NASA A group of Year 10 students from Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia, has signed up to take part in the Cuberider Space Program.

The program gives high school students the opportunity to learn valuable skills by designing and coding experiments that are tested on the International Space Station.

The class has booked a 30-minute time slot in November on the International Space station for their experiments to be tested.

The data will then be transported back to the students to evaluate the final result. The rocket launch, with the students’ experiment on board, will also be live streamed into the classroom.

College Head of Information Technology Courtney Branson said the program was specifically designed to teach students creative and critical thinking. “They become the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem solvers,” she said.

Student Cameron West said being involved with the Cuberider project was a great opportunity. “We have to come up with our own design and build a prototype, making sure it works down here (on earth),” he said.

“Then we’ll package it up and send it off to NASA who will send it up to the space station for testing in outer space.”

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Quality kindergarten in the heart of the CBD. Children learn best through play-based learning. Through the right mix of fun, structured learning and physical activity, the Goodstart Kindergarten Program will help your child get ready for school.

Opening soon - Enrol now!

Brisbane Adelaide Street Level 2 & Rooftop Playground 119-133 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD

1800 222 543 goodstart.org.au/brisbane kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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[FEATURE]

Butterfly EFFECT

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kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

[FEATURE]

by ANGELA SUTHERLAND

“IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT SOMETHING AS SMALL AS THE FLUTTER OF A BUTTERFLY'S WING CAN ULTIMATELY CAUSE A TYPHOON HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD.” - CHAOS THEORY At the end of a busy day – caring for little ones, running a household, as well as work, friends, and maybe a tiny slice of ‘me’ time – it’s no surprise that living green can sometimes feel like a task too far. We might all have the best environmental intentions, but the responsibility of saving the planet is another weight on the overflowing To-Do list!

However, even the smallest of actions can have huge impact. Not using a plastic bag can be felt across the globe thousands of miles away when that one piece of plastic doesn’t end up in the waterways. Teaching our children to save energy is establishing a future generation with a lifetime of conscious choices. These small positive steps, no matter how insignificant they seem, are all making a difference.

revolution, and it starts with us. Those bite-sized changes – to reduce household energy, to buy quality not quantity – if done by a million women, can create huge change. Founder Natalie Issacs said, “I believe a million women will tell a million more and lead a million communities.” You can join the movement, connect with other women about climate change, and be counted at 1millionwomen.com.au. They also have a free app that gives you the tools to cut carbon pollution in the key areas of your life, making it easy to track your actions and see how much carbon pollution you have saved that day.

There are some amazing initiatives out there today for everyone to take part in, mostly founded by everyday people who just wanted to spark change. By uniting communities and combining the tiny actions of many, this butterfly effect might just change the world.

FOOD MILE CHALLENGE

ONE MILLION WOMEN A movement of 600,000+ women, and growing every day, One Million Women is active in both gender and climate change in Australia. Conscious that women make 85 per cent of the consumer decisions that affect a household’s carbon footprint, the organisation is on a quest for a lifestyle kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Today's global food market allows everyone to access food from all over the world, in every season. However, the long distances the food travels are detrimental to the environment. Transport over long distances releases more greenhouse gas emissions than buying locally grown foods that have been stored, plus they will be nutritionally inferior too. Get to know seasonal foods and buy locally from farmers’ markets and community gardens. By quickly assessing food miles – the distance that the food has travelled from paddock to plate – and keeping that to a minimum, you can do your bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support local growers in the process.

Find out more at ecofriendlyfood.org.au.

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[FEATURE]

QECSN (QUEENSLAND EARLY CHILDHOOD SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK)

TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA A great initiative for kids to get involved in, the premise is simple – every time you leave the beach, waterway, or, any natural landmark, take three pieces of rubbish with you when you leave. As the movement states, “We believe lots of small individual actions can have a big impact on the planet. The more people who join our tribe and take action, the more we can do for the world’s oceans!” A simple movement that everyone can take part in, find out more at www.take3.org.

QESCN is a network that supports services and educators to participate in everyday practices relating to sustainability and to engage families and communities in this work.

Believing that early childhood is a critical phase of life for encouraging sustainable approaches, QESCN sees children as active citizens who are responsible for the present and future sustainability of the world. The network works towards empowering positive change and practical learning about sustainability by providing workshops and professional development opportunities throughout the state for the many individuals, groups and organisations working with young children. Find out more at www.qecsn.org.au.

REVERSE GARBAGE QLD

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA An incredible initiative, Clean Up Australia is a simple idea that exploded to become a national event. Founded by an avid sailor who organised a community event to clean up Sydney Harbour in 1989, this first event generated a huge public response of 40,000 people. The next year Clean Up Australia was born, mobilising almost 300,000 volunteers.

Over the past 26 years, Australians have devoted more than 31 million hours towards the environment through Clean Up Australia Day and collected more than 331 thousand tonnes of rubbish. Such a simple idea that only takes a few hours every year, the initiative has had massive environmental impact. You can find out more about the next event at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.

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Reverse Garbage Queensland is a not-for-profit worker-run co-operative that promotes environmental sustainability and resource reuse. They collect high quality industrial discards, diverting them away from landfill and sell them at a low cost to the general public. If you run a business, before you throw the next offcuts away, head to the reverse garbage website and see if it can be reused. And if you are looking for bits and bobs for a craft project, see if there is anything you can use.

They also offer workshops and sell upcycled jewellery and homewares, all made from salvaged material… the perfect eco gift! Find out more at www.reversegarbageqld.com.au.

“I wait three days before making purchases now. If I still want it, then I will buy it, but that delay really makes you consider things properly and avoid impulse buying… great for the environment and the wallet!”

—Michelle, Sunshine Coast

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

DISCOVER A NEW WAY TO SHOP AT WESTFIELD HELENSVALE Kids Camp operated by Gaven Early Learning Centre provides convenient childcare while you shop. $5 per hour per child* Monday to Friday 9:30am to 1:30pm Phone: 0499 819 063 Available for children aged 3 to 8 years. Entry terms and conditions apply.

HELENSVALE kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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[FEATURE]

Make your own This sounds harder than it is. But there are several homemade items that will benefit the environment and your wallet.

BABY WIPES* This recipe replaces the need for chemical-laden baby wipes that don’t break down in landfill.

1. Cut a roll of heavy-duty paper towels in half.

2. Place the roll into a plastic container (Tellfresh food storers with a lid work a treat).

3. In a bowl, mix some coconut oil, natural body wash and boiling water.

4. Pour mixture over the wipes and allow to soak in.

5. Take out the cardboard tube and pull the wipes from the middle.

6. Put the lid on to keep them fresh. *Recipe from Joy Ratima, Melbourne, via YouTube.

ECO-FRIENDLY MULTIPURPOSE SPRAY 'N WIPE As well as saving money on your grocery bill, this basic cleaner is free from chemicals, and comes with all the cleaning prowess you need without washing any toxic ingredients down the drain. Keep a spray bottle in the kitchen and use on benchtops, surfaces and for general day-to-day cleaning.

Half-fill a spray bottle with boiled then cooled water, add ½ cup of white vinegar. Add a few drops of essential oil, whichever scent you prefer. And add 1 tsp of natural liquid soap or eco-friendly dishwashing liquid. Give it a slight shake and spray away!

SERIOUS CLEANER This cleaner is perfect for removing those bathtub rings and stubborn stains.

Combine ¼ cup bicarb powder, 1 tbsp of eco-friendly dishwashing liquid, a splash of white vinegar, and add warm water until you have a paste. Use to scrub sinks, toilets and baths.

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Other things you can do REDUCE PLASTIC

Remembering those reuseable shopping bags and saying no to bottled water, are both essential steps towards a more sustainable future. A simple change that everyone can make in their day-to-day lives, we can vastly reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in landfill, blocking drains and ending up in creeks and oceans.

“I was so proud last week when we went grocery shopping and my 4-year-old daughter reminded me to take our reuseable shopping bags. She won’t let me shop without them now, as she knows that plastic bags are bad for the sea creatures.” —Lyndsay, Brisbane

DITCH DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS Coffee is an Australian staple. But as the love for coffee soars, so does the number of disposable coffee cups ending up in landfill. Though they look like they are made of paper, coffee cups are coated with a petroleum-based plastic resin that means they don’t break down easily.

Today, coffee cups are estimated to be the second-largest contributor to litter waster after plastic bottles. In fact, it is estimated that Australians use 1 billion disposable coffee cups each year (source, www.abc.net.au). Though recyclable cups are being made, many café owners aren’t always using them as they come at a higher cost.

The production and shipment of coffee cups also plays a part in the pollution story, and a great deal of energy is used – the trees harvested, transported to factories, paper rolls made into cups, that cup transported to wholesalers, then that cup transported to retailers.

“I could never stop drinking coffee, but my family got me a reusable coffee cup for Father’s Day and I love it! The coffee definitely tastes better when served in a gift from the kids, and the coffee costs less. Win win!”

—Alastair, Sunshine Coast

The solution? Don’t take away. Drink the coffee at the café, or take your own reusable cup. If you don’t need a lid, don’t take one. If you do need a disposable cup, try to purchase coffee from somewhere that uses managed plantation paper board cups lined with a plant-based material. And separate the lid from the cup when disposing of the rubbish.

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Looking for a fun and productive holiday activity for creative girls and boys?

Build your own computer game, animation and digital artwork at our Holiday Code Camps in Brisbane, Strathpine, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast these Winter school holidays. Code Camps for 7-14 year olds. Learn to code with Scratch or Python.

Limited spaceS

Enrol online at www.codingkids.com.au Email: hello@codingkids.com.au or 0449 162 677

Brilliant Futures Seeking an assured pathway into Queensland Academies?

If you have a highly capable child in Year 5 or 6, you could be eligible to apply for our selective entry Brilliant Futures Program.

To find out more, visit qa.eq.edu.au/brilliant-futures

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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[CHECK THIS OUT]

PATHFINDERS YOUTOPIA MOVING DIORAMA

$29.95 coolthings.com.au This fun moving diorama allows you to create your very own personalised cascading scene. With a blank front and back panel for you to assemble, the diorama has a crank in the middle that operates the two suspended platforms both at ground level, and through the air for you to create your moving scene, perhaps to suit your next school project! The kit also contains several blank sheets of stock paper for you to cut, create and decorate your diorama as you see fit.

It's super-fun, open-ended indoor play!

ANGLE BEAR LONG ROMPER

$49.95 huxbaby.com This super-soft long sleeve romper with hux bear print, is perfect for those chilly winter months. Made from GOTS certified organic cotton blends that is gentle to baby’s skin, this cute unisex design will keep even your littlest family member bang on trend.

seriously cool products to

encourage kids

to create, imagine, draw and play!

TINY TEETHERS BEECHWOOD TEETHER RING

$27.95 biome.com.au Tiny Teethers multi-sensory teethers are made from BPAfree silicone and natural, untreaded wooden beads.

Non-toxic, lightweight and easy for little hands to grip and hold onto, these soft beads are gentle on baby’s gums and emerging teeth. Australian made, this gorgeous teether comes in a range of colours and designs.

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[CHECK THIS OUT]

365 SLEEP BAG 2.0

$149.95 sleepycompany.com
 The 365 Sleep Bag is a configurable baby sleeping bag that adjusts to all four seasons and temperature changes, eliminating the need for blankets and multiple tog sleeping bags. Made from certified luxurious organic cotton, this environmentally friendly and practical sleeping bag comes in a selection of unisex contemporary designs and prints.

The 365 Sleep Bag also comes with the X-Tend system to extend sleeves to the next size up, as well as handy features such removable sleeves, foldable hand mittens and a travel vent.

WIN!!

A 365 Sleep Bag in gorgeous unisex Turtle Tale print.

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KARI KOALA BAMBOO PLATE

$40 emondokids.com.au Constructed of 100% bamboo, these divine bamboo plates are designed with one main eating area and separate compartments, to allow your creativity to flourish when preparing meals for your child. Make even the simplest of meals extra special by using them as a template to show of your creative style, and in turn bring a little flair and fun to meal times. Lightweight, durable and with the amazing antibacterial properties of bamboo they are great for your child, you and the planet!

SOYOUNG INSULATED LUNCHBOX

$36.95 biome.com.au With a refreshingly different look and high quality finish, SoYoung lunch boxes are made of uncoated raw linen fabric featuring retroinspired designs and insulated silver living. PVC-free, phthalate-free, and lead safe inside and out, the lunchbox features an easy clean removable insert and extra back pocket for cutlery or napkins, and comes with adjustable strap to wear backpack or messenger style.

Can be immersed in water or machine washed.

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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[EDUCATION]

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS SUSTAINABILITY IS FAST BECOMING TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR MANY LOCAL SCHOOLS. ACROSS THE REGION, EVERYDAY SCHOOLS ARE DOING SOME PRETTY AMAZING THINGS TO EXPOSE OUR KIDS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING AND MOVE TOWARDS A MORE RENEWABLE LEARNING SPACE.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN COLLEGE, MAROOCHYDORE With 20 acres of land, as well as rainforest on the doorstep, Immanuel Lutheran College is working hard to establish a culture of sustainability throughout the student population.

By establishing a methodology of sustainability across the college, principal Colin Minke aims for environmental choices to become a natural way of life for all students, “We have lots of young people we can influence in a positive way, and they can then take this with them into the future.”

In collaboration with Sunshine Coast University and Sunshine Coast Council, the college is building a $1 million environmental education centre that will provide a centralised hub for sustainability. The research and information gathered from the centre will translate real 22

MAY/JUNE 2017

world environmental issues back into the classroom.

Students already participate in activities such as geo-tech tracking of vegetation and indigenous foods, gaining an understanding of the flora and fauna and becoming educated in the stewardship of protecting this land for future generations.

Conscious of the carbon footprint of the college, Immanuel Lutheran College has also introduced a comprehensive recycling scheme to make sure as little waste as possible ends up in landfill. This recycling scheme is the result of a yearly $5,000 Environmental Project Award, sponsored by old scholar Tristan Kurz (Class of ‘98) and Coastline BMW. The award is offered to students who come up with a project that will reduce the College’s environmental footprint. This award is a massive step in environmental awareness, providing funding to put students’ incredible environmental initiatives into practice. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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MAY/JUNE 2017

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[EDUCATION]

UNITY COLLEGE, CALOUNDRA

ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE, SUNSHINE COAST

To face the very worrying problem of Australian bee decline, last year Unity College, Caloundra, acquired its very own bee hives and now have an active apiary. The Vocational Education and Training students united in a project that focused on saving the bees and spreading this message to a wider community. A converted shipping container was the next addition and the students are now benefiting from the sale of the sweet harvest from their hard-working bees.

Not only do they bottle and sell the honey, they make surf wax and will be adding to their product lines with a range of gifts. The shop is also set up for the barista students to make and serve coffee.

Sustainability classes at St Andrew’s regularly enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their labour when they are treated to a healthy ‘thank you’ lunch by the school canteen, the SnAAC Shack.

The puns related to bees, honey and hives are in constant use at Unity College… Bee-autiful!

Sustainability Teacher Mr Peter Dick said the subject ran for one semester and got green thumbs up.

Students have provided the tuckshop with fresh lettuce, spring onions, herbs, eggs, radishes, carrots, beetroots, cucumber and silverbeet grown in the Sustainability Garden since last year.

The practical experience and learning revolves around the food garden and the students gain experience in how to grow food without the use of petroleum-based products and begin to understand the cycles that exist in natural systems.

“The students are able to provide the tuckshop with fresh produce weekly, and the herbs that go in the juices (like mint) are always available,” he said.

Unity College students also participated in a wetlands program recently, planting a new habitat for the frogs to thrive and be protected in the new Frog Highway at Aura.

The SnAAC SHACK said they receive an enormous amount of produce from the garden.

“We want to reward the students for the fantastic job they do and the amazing ingredients the tuckshop gets to work with as a result,” Food Services Manager Anne-Maree Williams said.

Sustainability is just one elective offered by the Humanities department and allows students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to more sustainable patterns of living.

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Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. Aristotle

A Catholic education ensures your child is engaged, challenged and provided with clear expectations.

All our teachers seek opportunities for every student’s progress and Brisbane Catholic Education sets ambitious targets for improving classroom performance.

Find out more about a Brisbane Catholic Education for your child.

Brisbane Catholic Education teaching • challenging • transforming

25 Find a school near you at brisbanecatholicschools.com.au

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MAY/JUNE 2017

[EDUCATION]

Image courtesy: Jane Little

“The garden teaches students to care for nature and the kitchen helps us make healthy and yummy meals.”

– Holley Shiralee Laskey, Year 4, North Arm State School, Yandina.

NAMBOUR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, NAMBOUR Surrounded by a 5-acre working farm with cattle, miniature horses, chickens, honey bees, and vegetable gardens, children at Nambour Christian College enjoy a hands-on approach to nutrition, through a range of child-focused gardening and farming projects. The early learners love to spend time with the animals, feeding and patting the miniature horses and learning about how to care for the animals, whilst Farmer Barry assists the children to collect eggs and show them how to harvest honey.

NORTH ARM STATE SCHOOL, YANDINA Set amongst the quiet rolling farmlands near Yandina, this small rural school started a kitchen program back in 2000. As the school has grown and changed, the garden has flourished to become an integral part of the school community. Very much the children’s garden, students are involved in every aspect of the paddock-to-plate process, and anything and everything edible that thrives in this climate is grown here. “When we produce the fruit and vegetables we take it over to our kitchen and cook it into a delicious and healthy meal,” explains Lucy Kate Russel, Year 5.

Working together to make the garden thrive, students learn a vast array of skills: moving soil, building new beds and paths, gathering rich worm-filled soil, trimming vines, inspecting worm farms, tumbling compost bins, harvesting produce and taking to the kitchen for preparation and a shared meal.

As the children are encouraged to enjoy spending time outdoors and looking after the natural environment, they have learnt plant names, successfully harvested edible plants, and plan and decorate the vegetable garden area, including finding ingenious ways to keep bugs and birds from eating the vegies!

Gardens can be used to integrate science, mathematics, language, arts, history, environmental studies, nutrition and health into fun learning activities for children, as well as doubling as playgrounds with edible treats to promote healthy eating habits. For younger children, an experience with growing and eating their own food can lead to a lifetime of better nutrition, and more interest in eating fresh produce.

The garden is used in many aspects of everyday learning – some children observe and paint what they see, others write in the garden diary, some weigh and predict what will happen with veggies. Bridie Paynter (Year 5) said, “I've learnt a lot here, like different types of plants and insects.

We produce lots of fruits and veggies and we even have a bug hotel that we made with leftover wood.” And Makenzee Speak (Year 4) loves to spend time in the garden: “We learn which season to plant in, we learn where to plant these seeds, some need more sunlight, rain, mulch and shade.

We have SO much fun.”

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MAY/JUNE 2017

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noahsark@kingscollege.qld.edu.au MAY/JUNE 2017

27

[EDUCATION]

PEACHESTER STATE SCHOOL The Enviro Club at Peachester State School has been incredibly busy over the last five years, planting over 600 native trees and 185 Richmond Birdwing vines along a bush trail, which now spans 385 metres and leads to a beautiful outdoor classroom.

This year the Enviro Club is expanding its knowledge of butterfly host plants and developing a butterfly house.

Three students recently attended a Planting for Wildlife workshop run by Mooloolah River Water Watch and Landcare Inc. Here they heard butterfly specialist and author, Helen Schwencke talk about observing mini beasts in the garden and identifying caterpillars and their markings on specific host plants. Children left with caterpillars and cocoons of the Varied Egg Fly butterfly to raise.

With a lot of hard work, care and plenty of sweet potato leaves (which the students discovered the caterpillars loved), three butterflies hatched. It was a great way to spark wonder and enthusiasm and learning in children’s minds about butterflies; discovering a hatched butterfly is a breath-taking experience.

Motivated by all this new knowledge, Enviro Club students launched a special Butterfly Plant-out Day. Record numbers of students participated in lunchtime Enviro Club to plant cuttings of butterfly host plants recently donated to the school by Beerwah butterfly gardener Mrs June Wimberley.

These plants were tagged by the students with images of the host butterflies and host plant identification and are now growing outside the Prep/1 room and butterfly house.

NOOSA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, NOOSA From a very young age, children at the newly opened Noosa Christian College Kindergarten are educated on ‘all things green’ and caring for the environment.

These littlest members of the college have already had a visit from a staff member at Noosa Council who spoke to them about recycling. The children sort their rubbish and food scraps into different bins every time they eat. They share their food scraps with chickens kept on campus and with the Kindy’s worm farm, and then the waste from the worm farm is put onto edible plants growing in the garden, which is mulched to help retain water. And the Kindergarten is currently fundraising for a rotating composting bin.

The children at Noosa Christian College love caring for their environment and the Kindergarten feels it is important to teach them early so they adopt good habits for the rest of their life. .

Giving children the gift of experiencing joy through observing nature is one that Peachester State School’s staff and parents nurture. The students wear a Richmond Birdwing Butterfly on the sleeve of their uniform which is something they are all proud of.

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Opportunity

starts with a single step Come and take a walk with me to learn how Ormiston College can give your child every opportunity, setting them on a pathway to future success.

Headmaster’s Tour

Tuesday 23 May 2017 | 4.30pm to 6pm Bookings essential Register online at www.ormistoncollege.com.au/headmastertour

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INDEPENDENT • CO-EDUCATIONAL • NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN • PREP TO YEAR 12 • EARLY LEARNING CENTRE kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

Private and public transport services connecting Brisbane and Redland City suburbs to the College

29

[FAMILY]

BEE ECO

Living an off-grid life is something that many of us aspire towards. One local family made this a reality when they shunned the consumerist life and built themselves a self-sufficient sanctuary, nestled in the heart of the Noosa hinterland.

LIVING OFF-GRID

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kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

[FAMILY]

We caught up with Matt and Geraldine Devine who, along with their five children Archi (12), Arjuna (10), Mirrah (6), Soma (3) and Freyja (3 months), now enjoy the simplicity of a self-sufficient life.

What prompted you to transition to an off-grid life?

Our children were the catalyst. Parenthood asked us to challenge ourselves and to create a strong and environmentally aware family. From the starting blocks of our simplified, handmade life our family’s eco mission gained momentum. A form of enlightenment always comes when hand scrubbing a 100-year-old wooden floor! Everything feels good with a stock pot simmering on the stove, fresh bread baking, cooking around a fire or with hands turning over the earth. And this off-grid life gifted us with an overwhelming awareness that if humankind keeps pushing against the laws of nature, the repercussions will be huge.

Tell us about the environment in which you raise your children?

Our family lives deep within our own enchanted forest! Our revived 1920s teahouse turned treehouse, rattles, shakes and is filled with love and soul-warming character. Renewed by ourselves and our favourite local craftspeople, using recycled timbers and materials, our self-sustainable haven is 'off the grid' with solar power, tank water and no council services.

A stand-alone solar power system and rainwater tank has taught us all to be very savvy, aware and minimalist!

It reminds us to always be grateful for the simple gifts of sunshine or rain. There’s nothing like the first drops of rain on the tin roof with a near empty water tank to send the children running nude through the paddocks! These were the joys we were after.

Our little farmhouse is bursting at the seams with the children's liveliness and personality! Busy little souls, imbued with a sense of freedom and vivid imaginations.

Bustling with tasks and projects that honour and are inspired by a total immersion in nature’s rhythms. Watching poppies unfold, chicks hatch or under the tree most bursting with fruit in the orchard.

We built a cob oven, spiral herb garden and veggie patch.

An abundance of sub-tropical fruit trees, gardens, chickens, sheep, beehives and access to fresh dairy milk provide a wonderful bounty. Our tribe of little earth activists romp around in daily delight with free range animals, tree forts, a schoolhouse, swings and fairy gardens galore.

How did you set about reducing your waste?

Reducing our waste was the result of a big shift in attitude and awareness. Our farm is bordered by National Park, so we do not receive a garbage disposal service and are responsible for all our rubbish. This pushed us to be acutely mindful of every piece of waste, and really exposed to us the wastefulness of single-use plastic, and power-hungry gadgets and appliances. In its place, an appreciation for the beauty of kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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[FAMILY]

a sturdy fermenting jar, a pair of shoes that feel like they will last a lifetime, a hand-knitted woollen jumper. We have taken responsibility back – for our children's education, our lifestyle choices and for our own waste! We wish that our children grow up with the knowledge that we are part of one big ecosystem – not just taking from it.

What else do you do to work towards a sustainable life?

One of the greatest impacts we had on paving a sustainable path is held in our commitment to growing, producing and preparing our own food. Passing this knowledge, skills and traditions onto our children. Instead of trips to the shopping centre, we spend our time rising sourdough, brewing kefir, in the garden beds, collecting eggs. We ferment, slow cook, bake, grow, trade and store food with great excitement and respect for the importance of nourishment. Our humble paradise holds our hearts, fills our days and nourishes our soul in ways that make the sacrifice of our old ways of convenience so very worthwhile.

We also trade locally and share in co-ops. These enriching and community-building ways of life not only reduce waste, but allow us to feel valued, acknowledged and are brimming with opportunity. It has lead us to a sense of empowerment toward caring for the planet. As a community, we motivate each other!

You also produce handmade eco wraps!

How do they work?

family’s mission to 'be the change'. Our eco and sustainable life ethos is imprinted into our business practice. Every wrap has a little bit of the Devine family farm magic!!

What is the most important thing you wish to teach your children?

That love, health and life on this precious world are gifts to cherish! A level of resilience is gained amongst this lifestyle, equipping the children with a strength of character, an important tool as they come to journey out into the world. We feel this way of life allows us to raise children with the adaptability and broad scope to flourish in this challenging global environment. Raising children immersed in the wonders of the natural world, free from technology in these precious young years, instead saturating their souls with the raw beauty in the world surrounding them.

We love that our children emanate joy and goodness. We are guiding them to be congruent, passionate and grounded. We simplify their world, in honour of love, family, nature, health and let their imaginations run free!

What do your children love the most about leading a self-sufficient life?

The freedom! The farm, this lifestyle and the Sunshine Coast is an endlessly magical oasis for the children and it fills them up immeasurably to be raised this way. They love their rhythm of farm duties, crafting, cooking, tree climbing, animal loving, reading, market life, co-op days, local community gatherings and lots of surfing.

Bee Eco Wraps are a beautiful and sustainable method of wrapping and storing your food. A reusable option to Do you believe that more people are starting to live reduce your use of plastic and enhance the freshness and a green life? longevity of your food, naturally. A tactile, everyday reminder of the changes we can make toward It is no longer in dispute that globally sustainable lifestyles. We blend our we are at a pivotal point and that special mixture of beeswax, tree NOW is the time for green changes to resin and jojoba together and infuse be put into action on so many levels. the brew with the GOTS Certified • Get excited, this is a life-changing lifestyle shift!

We are in an age of consequence. A Organic Cotton or hand-printed hemp Create momentum for yourself and those around you. movement is growing, a shift toward fabric, air dry and cure in a process • Write a list. One by one, challenge the disposable parts paving a better future for our children. of your life. Equip yourself with the tools to reduce, the that can take several days before We see that people are gathering mindset to reuse and the discipline to recycle. being hand-folded and lovingly the eco tools, skills and knowledge • Make that commitment to be aware of and use less packaged. Malleable and adhesive, to be empowered in the face of the of the Earth's finite resources, use energy from the wraps using the warmth and renewable sources and learn to live with less and adversity and global struggles that will more efficiently. It is this generation’s responsibility! pressure of your hands – you can continue to affect our lives. Although • Support local makers and growers. We have amazing wrap half an avocado or cover a bowl the responsibility toward radical climate markets in the region to shop at, and you can support of leftovers, then simply wash and change is in the hands of big business local farmers by only eating at venues that buy locally. reuse! With naturally antibacterial and politics, the greatest defence for • Set goals to reduce single use plastics. properties, wrapping your food in a us everyday folk is to start changing • Spend more time in nature. If we understand and Bee Eco Wraps slow down the rate are more connected to our environment, we are less our own ways. The momentum is of decomposition to maximise the life inclined to abuse it. Make it your family tradition to building! The buzz, the conversations clean up your beach and local waterways. and flavour of your food. But mostly, of hot topic, are all about making • Let’s all be willing to change, grow and care for this Bee Eco Wraps are a product of our changes and living that green life! planet and one another. The changes are beautiful

Devine family tips for leading a greener life

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and they come from within you! Small steps every day do, in turn, bring a broader attitude change that will envelope our collective habits!

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You may not know what to do, but we will · Separation and divorce · Children and parenting arrangements · Pre-nuptials · Financial Agreements · Marriages, De-facto and same sex relationships · Property Division · Domestic Violence · Mediation and Court Appearances

Phone 07 5574 0971 for a free initial consultation www.caldwellfamilylaw.com.au kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

33

Raising happy kids

by BRENDON WATT, FROM TOTALLY DIFFERENT DAD

LET KIDS CHOOSE My son, Nash, is 10. Life for me is about including Nash in my choices as well as supporting and empowering him to do what he desires, even if that means he will make a mistake. I usually know when something’s not going to work out but I still allow Nash to choose what he wants. When he makes choices that don’t work out I often ask him, “Did you get any awareness from that?” He is learning that his choice created something. If he didn’t like that particular outcome he knows he can always make a different choice.

As parents we think our job is to protect our kids, but can we protect them all the time? No. The only way you can truly protect your kids is to teach them about themselves. Teach them to ask questions, teach them if something doesn’t feel right in the moment to run away or call for help, teach them to be aware so they’ll know what to do in any situation.

Letting kids choose for themselves doesn’t mean they are allowed to run circles around you. We’ve all been around kids who run wild and make everyone’s life miserable. You need to give your kids a few rules. For instance, if you’re at the shops and your child is acting up, instead of yelling at them: “Don’t touch this! Don’t do that!” let them know that there will be consequences. They can still choose to run around and pull things off the shelves but they will have to deal with the consequences.

GIVE UP YOUR EXPECTATIONS One of the traps parents can get into is projecting their fears upon their kids. For instance, when I first started school I hated it. I cried every day and thought it was horrible. When Nash went to school what did he do? He cried every day and hated it. I realised that I’d projected that school was horrible on him. Once I removed those projections, Nash changed his attitude very quickly.

Growing up I was completely different to Nash. I surfed, I fished, and I did every sport under the sun. Nash has no desire to do any of that. Rather than forcing him to do sport I ask him what he likes to do. If he wants to play on his iPad,

I allow him to do that. I don’t expect him to surf just because I surfed. No matter that surfing taught me a lot about myself and I would love to share that with him!

As a parent you can spend 18 years of your life trying to get everything right and then your child will do something completely different to what you expect. What if you allowed them to be them from the start, would they be happier?

5 TOOLS FOR RAISING HAPPY KIDS 1. Allow your kids to make their own choices. Allow them to fail, allow them to succeed. Your kids will grow up knowing that everything – including happiness – is a choice.

2. Teach your kids to create their future with every choice they make. When they’re about to choose something you can ask them, “How do you see that working out? What will it create?” If they made a choice and it doesn’t work out for them you could ask, “Did you get any awareness from that?”

3. Is this yours? Ask this question when your kids are acting up, and not being themselves. Realising that 99 per cent of all the angst and unhappiness in life is caused by other people’s points of view, expectations, projections and judgements that are taken on as their own will give parents a lot of freedom.

4. Teach your kids to ask questions. From a young age, kids are taught to find the right answers. Asking questions is also a valuable part of their lives and can open up more possibilities and opportunities.

5. This is an awesome tool for parents: don’t judge yourself. Most of us have the idea that if we judge ourselves we’d become better parents. Judgement doesn’t ever work because as soon as something occurs that doesn’t match it, you’re bad and wrong as a parent. Give yourself a judgement free week. If you catch yourself thinking, “I should be a better mum or dad, I should be doing X or Y with my kids,” then ask yourself a question. For instance, “If I wasn’t judging here what would I choose? If I was creating my own reality what would I choose?”

There’s no handbook for being a parent because all kids are different. It’s up to you to find out who your kids really are, what they’re good at, what kind of life they’d like to have and to encourage them to pursue that.

But don’t have any expectations. The less you expect from your children, the happier they will be.

If you would like more information on raising happy kids, come along to the Raising Happy Kids Conference. Day 1 is devoted to connected parenting topics. For more information go to www.raisinghappykidsconf.com.au.

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MAY/JUNE 2017 Get back to nature with NATURE PLAY

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[BABIES]

Cloth nappies THE BARE FACTS

ONE OF THE MANY DECISIONS THAT PARENTS MAKE WHEN PLANNING FOR A BABY IS WHETHER TO USE CLOTH OR DISPOSABLE NAPPIES. WHILST DISPOSABLES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THOUGHT OF AS AN EASY SOLUTION, CLOTH NAPPIES STILL SEEM TO BE SHROUDED BY A CERTAIN ELEMENT OF THE UNKNOWN. BUT AS VASHTI WADWELL FROM NEST NAPPIES EXPLAINS, CLOTH NAPPIES HAVE MANY BENEFITS … FOR BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR WALLET! Each year, 800 million disposable nappies are dumped into landfill in Australia, making up five per cent of the total landfill content. “It has been guesstimated that one-use nappies will take around 500 plus years before they are 90 per cent broken down,” Vashti explains. “This means that every plastic nappy ever used is still sitting in landfill. Considering that Australia alone can fill the MCG seven times over with the number of one use nappies used, that’s a lot of rubbish!”

Despite this, only 10 per cent of new parents in Australia choose to use cloth nappies over disposables. Vashti believes that the biggest put off for most new parents is the belief that it’s too hard. “There is still a perception that cloth nappies mean that you have to soak and scrub and fold and pin. Most people think of the cloth nappies that our mothers and grandmothers used. Today’s cloth nappies are much easier to use and super-cute to boot!”

MODERN CLOTH NAPPIES (MCNS) Today’s cloth nappies are a world away from the days of terry squares and giant pins. MCNs are fitted, reusable 36

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nappies made from absorbent modern fabrics, such as hemp and bamboo, fastened with press studs or Velcro.

They come in several formats – some with removable inserts, some with nappy covers – so there is a cloth nappy for every budget and requirement.

THE COST Most families will spend around $3,000–$5,000 per child on disposable nappies (this amount varies depending on brand and the age a child toilet trains). Comparatively, using cloth nappies can cost as little as around $600 for traditional terry squares, or $1,500 for MCNs, with single nappies costing from $10 to $30 each. “$1,500 will get a newborn stash and ‘One Size Fits Most’ nappies, plus accessories,” says Vashti. “The best part is that you can keep these for any subsequent children you have and save more money, or pass them on to friends or family and save them money too!” This cost can be brought down even further if families opt for reusable cloth wipes, rather than single-use wet wipes, which can cost a family $600 per year. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

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[BABIES]

GETTING STARTED The big expense for cloth nappies is the upfront cost, so MCN starter kits can make a great baby shower gift.

What you need to get started: Š 15–30 nappies, if full time using MCNs, dependent on how often you wash. Š Disposable nappy liners, so you can just tip the whole liner into the toilet. Š Wet bag, a reusable bag to store a used nappy in when you are out and about. Š Nappy bucket, with a secure lid so inquisitive toddlers can’t open!

“Using cloth nappies takes no more than 5 minutes a day and can reduce your rubbish by up to 60 per cent a week.” ~ Vashti Wadwell, Nest Nappies.

HOW TO USE MCNS MCNs are designed to be as simple to use as possible.

Simply scrape any solids into the toilet (you have to do this with disposable nappies anyway, and the biodegradable flushable liners make it super-easy), then store dirty nappies in a dry bucket or large wet bag. Once you are ready to do a load of washing, empty your bucket or bag into the washing machine and let it do all the work for you.

“We generally recommend washing every second day, but if you are only cloth napping part-time or your little one is nearing toilet training so not using as many, pop your nappies through for a rinse and then add your towels or other laundry to bulk out the load,” says Vashti.

Because of the simplicity of MCNs, it is estimated that using this style of cloth nappies adds just five minutes to your day. “Using cloth nappies full-time really is only one load of washing every two days. Washing machines today make it easy and all you really need to do is pop them in there, press a couple of buttons while adding your detergent and then walk away. If you choose to use traditional nappies (flats, pre-folds or fitted) then you can even pop them in the clothes dryer. The inserts from an ‘all-in-two’ or pocket nappy can also go through the dryer.”

“If you want to cloth nappy full time, having enough to get you through three days is a good number. This means that you can wash every second day and still have enough to get through the third day while you wash and dry.”

If you aren’t sure about whether cloth nappies are for you, consider trialing them with just one a day. “Cloth nappies don’t have to be an all or nothing thing. One cloth nappy a day can save you around $400 per child.”

Many retailers, such as Nest Nappies, offer workshops or private consults to help new families find their way through the cloth nappy world, so if you live close enough to a retailer, head along to one of their workshops to get the low down. If you aren’t close enough, give them a call or email them and ask them questions. “I am yet to come across someone in the cloth nappy industry who doesn’t love a good chat and cloth nappies are close to their heart so they love sharing the cloth nappy love.”

CHANGE IS HAPPENING Vashti believes that the key to increasing the usage of cloth nappies in Australia is down to education: “We need to dispel some of the myths surrounding cloth nappies and let new parents know that using cloth nappies takes no more than five minutes a day and can reduce your rubbish by up to 60 per cent a week. While most new parents today are more aware of the environmental impact that one-use nappies have, they are still in the dark about what they can do to combat it.”

Exclusive to KIDS ON THE COAST & KIDS IN THE CITY READERS

FREE SHIPPING AT NEST NAPPIES UNTIL 30 JUN 2017. JUST QUOTE: FREESHIPKIDS

Nest Nappies is a cloth nappy retailer based in Paddington, Brisbane. Passionate about cloth nappies and providing the right advice, great products and support, their mission is to make using cloth nappies not only easy, but enjoyable. Nest Nappies is an accredited Industry Member of the ANA (Australian Nappy Association) and Vashti Wadwell is currently a sitting board member.

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FREE EXTRACURRICULAR

ACTIVITIES for all children at our

GOLD COAST

LOCATIONS

We ignite a passion for learning, inspiring children to be curious, self-motivated, and enthusiastic participants in their education and within a global community.

Smarter Kids Kindergartens and Preschools offer: • Free makeup days when your child misses a day • Free healthy meals prepared by a qualified chef • Extracurricular activities for all children • Long day care hours • Caring for children from 6 weeks to 6 years • Degree qualified educators at each centre

Best Educators. Best Curriculum.

Best Start in Life.

Call 1300 3 KINDY to book a tour at your local centre www.smarterkids.com.au

5 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS on the GOLD COAST: COOMERA, MAUDSLAND, MERRIMAC, NERANG, ROBINA CENTRAL LOCATION in BRISBANE: LEVEL 2, 400 GEORGE STREET, BRISBANE

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

39

[THINGS TO DO]

Upcycle your magazine WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE UPCYCLING PROJECTS! THIS SIMPLE CRAFT IDEA FROM XOX KITS WILL TURN YOUR MAGAZINE INTO A PRACTICAL, HANDMADE BOWL. 1. Tear the pages from the magazine and cut each page lengthwise into strips 50mm wide. You can use a pair of scissors (quite slow), or you can use a ruler and Stanley knife on a cutting board (much faster).

2. Fold each strip in half lengthways then open out again.

3. Fold each side lengthwise into the middle fold, then fold each side again.

You should now have strips that are eight layers thick and about 5mm wide. Smooth each strip with your thumb to make sure it is well-folded.

4. Repeat this for every strip. To make a bowl, you will need at least 80 strips, depending on the size of the bowl (or your patience).

5. Join two strips end to end using a small piece of sticky tape. Continue adding strips to make a long length of folded paper.

6. Starting at one end of the joined strips, roll the strip tightly to form a flat snail. You will need to turn the snail around and around on a flat surface as you hold the long length of folded paper. Every few turns, pull the length of folded paper to ensure that the snail is tightly wound. Don’t let go or else it will unroll on you.

7. Keep attaching folded strips as required. Try to keep the roll as tight as possible.

8. When the snail appears to be big enough, secure the end of the folded strip with a little sticky tape.

9. This is the tricky part. You will now need to slowly pull the snail into the shape of a bowl. Make sure you leave a flat base for the bowl to stand on, and very very carefully pull the sides of the bowl into the

shape required. If you pull on one side too much, you may unravel the whole thing.

10. When the bowl is in the required shape, you will need to make sure it stays that way. Dilute your PVA (1 part water to 3 parts PVA) or use Modge Podge to lightly coat the bowl inside and out, making sure you get into every crevice.

11. To finish off your bowl you can add a rim of a slightly wider paper strip.

Cut a piece of paper long enough to go around the rim of the bowl and 100mm wide. Fold as in Steps 2 and 3. Glue carefully around the top of the bowl.

12. Leave the bowl to dry for 2 hours and repeat Step 10 several times until you have the required strength in your bowl.

Created by a dynamic mother and daughter team, Donna and Sarah Sculley, XOXkit is an Australian-based subscription box full of supplies and instructions to complete two on-trend creative projects each month.

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EXPLORE John Paul College Open Day

SATURDAY 20 MAY 8.30AM – 11.30AM REGISTER NOW Visit www.johnpaulcollege.com.au or email registrar@jpc.qld.edu.au

CRICOS 00500B

All I can be

(PYP/DP)

What....or who...is on stage next month at Brisbane's favourite children's theatre?

Find out now. www.artstheatre.com.au Ph.(07) 33692344

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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[TRAVEL]

TAKE A MINI BREAK ON THE

Gold Coast THE GOLD COAST IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS ENDLESS BEACHES AND HEART-STOPPING THEME PARKS. BUT IT IS ALSO A FABULOUS FAMILY HOLIDAY DESTINATION, WITH PLENTY OF ACTION FOR ALL AGES.

Combining stunning natural scenery with a broad range of attractions, you’ll never be stuck for something to see and do during your stay, whether it’s just relaxing on the beautiful beaches, wandering an artisan market or spending time at one of the many fun attractions.

Surfers Paradise is an ideal spot to base yourself, it’s close to the action with a myriad of fun activities only a stroll away. Once known as a booming hot spot for nightlife, Surfers Paradise has now evolved into a fabulous family-friendly resort, perfect to visit any time of the year.

HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS FOR A GOLD COAST MINI BREAK WITH A FOCUS ON FUN AND RELAXATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

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ND SIGHTSTA NS O I ATTRAC IFLY INDOOR SKYDIVING

3084 Surfers Paradise Blvd Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast www.downunder.iflyworld.com/ goldcoast For adventure lovers, iFLY is a must-do!

Whether you’re three or 103, iFLY Indoor Skydiving is not just a thrill ride, but is the latest thing in action sports. Indoor skydiving is where you simply lean forward inside a giant glass tunnel into a column of air and float effortlessly into flight guided by qualified instructors.

Master the flying skills of expert skydivers within a state-of-the-art, fully-controlled, ultra-safe environment.

And the all-round viewing platform lets you share the magic with family and friends. Flying starts from $69.

INFINITY

Chevron Renaissance Centre, Corner Surfers Paradise Blvd and Elkhorn Ave, Gold Coast www.infinitygc.com.au For mind-bending indoor maze fun, you can’t beat Infinity. A visit to Infinity takes you on a journey into spectacular, futuristic worlds of wonder. There is an extraordinary series of 20 different maze-like environments filled with unique special effects, emotive atmospheric sound fields, pumping music and spectacular illusions that appear to go all the way to infinity. Infinity is a walkthrough experience that you enjoy at your own pace while you find your way from one intriguing environment to the next – a fun experience suitable for visitors aged eight and above. Tickets start at just $16.10.

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

[TRAVEL]

CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT

28 Tomewin St, Currumbin

www.ripleys.com/surfersparadise

www.cws.org.au

Ripley's Believe It or Not is the place to go to have an unbelievable experience at the Gold Coast’s most unusual attraction. Take a self-guided adventure and come face to face with more than 400 remarkable relics and rare treasures from around the world.

Ripley’s has been recently updated with even more fun around every corner, thanks to a range of new mindboggling interactive exhibits. The popular Laserace lets you pretend you’re in the movies as you test your agility and race against the clock to manoeuvre untouched through the web of green lasers. Entry is $25.90 for adults, $15.90 for children (5-12) and under 5 years are free.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is celebrating its 70th birthday this year and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the Gold Coast’s most popular and enduring tourist destinations.

Located across 27 hectares of lush eucalyptus and rainforest, visitors can get up-close and friendly with a range of wildlife in exciting shows and handson encounters. Explore the exhibits with the kids, cuddle a koala, meet Blinky Bill and pose for a kangaroo selfie in the Roo Paddock. The Treetop Challenge allows you to take your visit to new heights and get your adrenaline pumping as you fly through the pristine bushland, high up in the Currumbin treetops along a range of ziplines. If you pay close attention you may even catch a glimpse of a Tasmanian devil or be thrilled by the eerie howl of an alpine dingo as you pass high above their enclosure. Open year-round from 8am to 5pm daily (excluding Anzac Day and Christmas).

Combining stunning natural scenery with a broad range of attractions, you’ll never be stuck for something to see and do. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Soul Centre, Cavill Mall

DRAX4KIDS

1 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach www.draculas.com.au/gold-coast If you are looking for something a little different, why not take your little vampires to Drax4Kids at Draculas, the Gold Coast’s theatre of crazy!, Featuring pumping live rock music, special effects, comedy, puppetry, dancing, interactive games, and amazing aerial circus tricks, it’s an unforgettable day out. The doors creak open for Drax4Kids Saturdays at midday. Bookings are essential. Prices start from $32 per person.

Surfers Paradise is an ideal spot to base yourself, it’s close to the action with a myriad of fun activities only a stroll away.

MARKET

S

BEACHFRONT MARKETS

The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Night, 5pm–10pm One of the largest markets on the Gold Coast, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets feature a variety of premium products, including fashion, jewellery, accessories, artworks, photographs, beauty products and homewares.

Wander along the coastal stretch of more than 120 market stalls, to the sound of live entertainers.

MIAMI MARKETTA

23 Millcrest Parade, Miami Every Friday and Saturday Night. Friday 5pm–10pm and Saturday 4pm–10pm.

Marketta street food market with authentic, traditional, global foods. Don’t miss the dessert hall, boutique beer plus wine and cocktail bar. You can also find fashion, arts, design and homewares.

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[TRAVEL]

Once known as a booming hot spot for nightlife, Surfers Paradise has now evolved into a booming family-friendly resort, perfect to visit any time of the year.

O EAT WHERE T PANCAKES ON THE ROCKS

4 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise www.pancakesontherocks.com.au For a bite to eat at any time of day, Pancakes on the Rocks is sure to please the whole family. As the name suggests, you can expect pancakes in every way possible – but that’s not where the menu ends! Pancakes on the Rocks in open for breakfast through to dinner, serving a range of delicious favourites including pizzas, savoury crepes and ribs and steak from the grill. The kids’ menu is extensive and colouring packs are available to keep the kids happy while you enjoy your meal!

DUNE CAFÉ

Palm Beach Parklands, 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach www.dunecafe.com.au If you’re headed to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, this is a fantastic kid-friendly café close by. The food is delicious and the best part is it overlooks the Tarrabora Reserve and the beautiful Currumbin Lagoon. The large grassed parkland includes a pirate ship playground that is sure to keep the kids entertained while you enjoy a relaxing coffee.

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O STAY WHERE T You are spoilt for choice when it comes to family-friendly accommodation on the Gold Coast, with options ranging from holiday parks to five-star resorts. Here are two family-friendly picks located close to the heart of Surfers Paradise.

THE DORCHESTER ON THE BEACH LUXURY APARTMENTS

3 Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise www.thedorchester.com.au Dorchester on the Beach is located right on Surfers Paradise beachfront and is easy walking distance to either Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach. The Oceanfront three-bedroom luxury apartments are the perfect size for families and offer direct beach access from the resort. When you want some

time to relax away from the action, the heated pool and outdoor BBQ area awaits. A great deal for families is the Dorchester and Pancakes on the Rocks Special Package.

WYNDHAM HOTEL SURFERS PARADISE

3018 Surfers Paradise Blvd Surfers Paradise www.wyndhamap.com Wyndham Surfers Paradise is another self-contained option, located in the heart of the tourist hub while enjoying breathtaking ocean views. The rooms combine contemporary décor with practical holiday living that makes for a stress-free break with a family. The hotel’s range of facilities include a spa, pool and gym and a restaurant, wine bar and café precinct. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Family Interaction Program The Family Interaction Program provides FREE evidence-based parenting programs for parents of children aged 1 to 6 years.

The Circle of Security Parenting (DVD) Program Learn how to: 

Develop a positive and satisfying relationship



Strengthen skills in connecting with your child



Balance a child’s strive for exploration with their need for emotional support

Parent Child Interaction Therapy Learn how to: 

Increase positive interactions with your child



Establish effective discipline



Decrease behaviour problems

Contact the Family Interaction Program (FIP) for more information:

PH: (07) 5678 9105 FX:(07) 5678 0404 E: fip@griffith.edu.au

kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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[LOCAL LIFE]

Have A Nice Day WITH AN INGENIOUS IDEA FOR LOW-TECH, ECO-FRIENDLY TOYS, GOLD COAST FATHER OF TWO, JAKE DIAZ, TOOK THE LEAP AND LAUNCHED HIS OWN RANGE OF HOMEMADE PLYWOOD TOYS. NOW GAINING HUGE POPULARITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE TALK TO THIS LOCAL DAD TO FIND OUT MORE. What were you doing before you started Have A Nice Day toys?

I am an Industrial Designer and I was working as a designer for manufacturing companies in Sydney. We moved to the Gold Coast mid last year to concentrate on growing Have A Nice Day and spending more time with our kids.

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What prompted you to start the business?

I designed and made a few toys for my son at work in my spare time. I cut a few more for my nephews and nieces for Christmas, then a few more for family friends. I loved seeing other families benefit from what I had created so we started taking it a little more seriously and started Have A Nice Day. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

[LOCAL LIFE]

From cutting the initial few toys for my son, it’s now a fulltime commitment for both my wife Dominique and I. We sell online and we’re in over 15 retail stores around Australia.

Tell us about the toys you make…

I like to get kids thinking and interacting with their toys.

They all clip together differently so the child has to use logic and trial and error to put it together. Seeing that mental stimulation and the excited look on their faces once they finish putting it together is very rewarding. The older the child the more they can understand, which is why I include certain features and details. The rational conclusion they draw from observing and building the toys sparks their curiosity to look at other objects they interact with in new ways. The same way I try to understand how and why something has been designed a particular way.

We love the individual names for each design!

What inspired you to do one for each day of the week, and how did you decide on the designs?

When we committed to launching Have A Nice Day we had seven toys in our range. I wanted to keep it fun and original, and it goes with our business name too. Have you ever met a plane called Monday?

Ideas for new products are sketched out, modelled and cut out pretty quickly because I like to get them into the hands of those who can give the best feedback: our children. I watch which toys or features they play with the most and develop the ideas from there. No two toys click together the same way to keep it interesting and challenging. Designing and making these details work is an enjoyable challenge.

What makes your toys special?

We are responsible for the whole process and our attention to detail is incredibly high. There is a lot of thought and planning not only in the toys and the manufacturing processes, but also how they’re represented on our website and social media. There is a lot of research and development that goes into each toy. And by R&D I mean making and playing.

What is your favourite part of making toys for a living?

I get to involve my three-year-old apprentice in the process which is pretty special. When I’m in the workshop prototyping an idea, my son is always keen to be by my side watching and helping where he can. He knows where all the tools are but his attention span when sanding could be improved! The anticipation on his face as the first finished piece comes off the machine is magical. He is so excited to tell Mummy what he made that day at ‘work’. kidsonthecoast.com.au • kidsinthecity.com.au

Do your kids love to play with them?

And which design is their favourite?

It used to be Thursday the Space Shuttle and Friday the Rocket, but lately, it's been all about the new range we are releasing on the 1st May – in which we have a broader range of toys including Sooty the Fire Station, Sarge the Police Station and January the High Chair.

As the business operates from home, are you able to spend more time with your kids? And how has this improved your life at home?

We still keep regular-ish hours ‘at work’. I’ll say my goodbyes in the morning then walk out the front door but then back in through the garage and into our office. Our kids are none the wiser that I’m in there working. Being at home means that we can make plans on the spur of the moment. If we decide we’d like to spend the afternoon out, I magically appear a few seconds later and we can have the time we want together as a family. We love having this flexibility while our kids are young and feel as though our family life benefits so much from it. They’re growing up so fast!

We particularly love that the toys are eco-friendly. Can you tell us about the environmental ethos of the toys?

The plywood that Have A Nice Day uses is certified as being sustainably grown and harvested. Not only are the trees replaced, but they are harvested so that there is minimal damage to the ecosystem. Consideration and planning is given to the surrounding plants and animals so that the forests will keep flourishing.

Have A Nice Day’s products are plastic free and we ship them all over the country using a carbon neutral delivery service. We want to minimise the footprint we’re leaving on the planet whilst helping families nurture creative, adaptable and amazing kids.

Why do you think it’s important for children today to go back to low-tech, simpler toys?

Low-tech, open-ended toys stimulate all of the senses and get a child’s brain thinking creatively again. Children interacting with the toys and each other during play time is great for their social skills, mental development and physical dexterity. We don’t get told the same creative stories from our kids after they watch the TV as we do after play time surrounded by toys. With toys that engage their imagination it’s amazing to see what adventures it takes them on.

Find out more at www.haveaniceday.com.au

MAY/JUNE 2017

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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to read these articles!

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MEDIA

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or www.kidsinthecity.com.au

HOLIDAY GUIDE FILL UP YOUR WINTER HOLIDAY CALENDAR

PARENTING HOW TO MAKE BIRTHDAY PARTIES STRESS-FREE

PUBLISHED BY Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au www.mothergoosemedia.com.au Uniquely connected to our local market and with a devotion to our community we exist to bring an abundance of high quality content – news, events, features and lifestyle – to parents across South East Queensland. Fresh, modern and always evolving, this is THE place for local parents to be united, be understood and be inspired.

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ADVERTISING Phone 1300 430 320 or email SUNSHINE COAST: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au GOLD COAST: gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au BRISBANE: advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au JULY/AUGUST BOOKING DEADLINES Ad booking: June 14 Art deadline: June 19

DISTRIBUTION Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across South East Queensland. Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast.

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TRAVEL HOW TO PREPARE FOR A FAMILY HOLIDAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS 48

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PLAY HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

m

- on the coast

- in the city

All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications are published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback/comments/ suggestions? Send to: editor@mothergoosemedia.com.au. We aim to reply to all correspondence.

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C O N TA C T U S T O D A Y

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TO DISCUSS YOUR UNIQUE F A M I LY E X P E R I E N C E

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Richmond | South Melbourne | Surrey Hills | Willoughby | Rushcutters Bay | Fortitude Valley | Claremont CALL 1300 0 VERVE (83783) | VERVEPORTRAITS.COM.AU

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49

Movies

Join Cine Buzz to save on great Family Films these June/July school holidays at Event Cinemas. Join now at eventcinemas.com.au.

MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS

At select BCC and Event Cinemas for a limited time from 18th May. Rating CTC Mickey and the Roadster Racers is an action-packed adventure show for kids aged 2–6 starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy and Donald. Each have their own personalised vehicles which transform into racing cars. They speed through crazy races worldwide and in their hometown of Hot Dog Hills. With humour, music, action and racing – it’s a show that kids and adults will love!

DESPICABLE ME 3 In cinemas Thursday 15th June. Rating CTC The adventures of Gru, Lucy and their adorable daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and the Minions continue in Despicable Me 3. Villain Balthazaar Bratt, a former child star who’s grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ‘80s, proves to be Gru’s most formidable nemesis to date.

DAIRY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL

DISNEY×PIXAR’S CARS 3

In cinemas Thursday 22nd June. Rating CTC In Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, based on the record-breaking book series, a family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course – thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to (finally!) become famous. Starring Jason Ian Drucker, Charlie Wright, Tom Everett Scott, Alicia Silverston.

SEE A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS ON SUNDAY 14TH MAY AT 11AM WITH PRE-FILM FUN ACTIVITIES IN THE FOYER AT SELECT BCC AND EVENT CINEMAS. TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT EVENTCINEMAS.COM.AU.

Books

In cinemas Thursday 22nd June. Rating CTC Blindsided by a new generation of blazing fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get him back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving the #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Starring the voice cast of Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo.

apps TOCA NATURE

CINNAMON

By Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Divya Srinivasan. RRP $24.99 In a hot, hot country, ringed with mountains and jungle, lives a princess called Cinnamon. Her eyes are made of pearls, which means that she is blind.

And, for reasons her parents the Rajah and Rani cannot fathom, she will not talk.

So they offer a reward to anyone who can teach Cinnamon to speak. People travel from far and wide to attempt it, but nothing works. Until a mighty tiger, huge and fierce, prowls into their palace. For ages 3+ and Neil Gaiman fans of all ages.

DO NOT LICK THIS BOOK

By Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Julian Frost. RRP $19.99 Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact, so small that you'd need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book and take Min on an adventure to amazing places she's never seen before, like the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle that is your shirt. A brilliantly simple, funny, interactive picture book that introduces children to the strange, unseen world of microbes all around them. For ages 4–8.

Idan Ben-Barak is the award-winning author of Small Wonders. Julian Frost received worldwide acclaim for his animation Dumb Ways to Die.

BEAR GRYLLS ADVENTURES 1: BLIZZARD CHALLENGE

By Bear Grylls. RRP $9.99 This new fiction series from British adventurer Bear Gryllis is perfect for young independent readers, with lots of fun and fascinating facts about survival in different terrains. Each book follows a different child at an outdoor activity camp. Once they are given the magical compass, they meet the inspirational adventurer in an amazing place and learn new skills and facts that they can take back with them to their real life. For ages 5–8.

$4.99 Create and interact in this tranquil open-ended landscape. Shape nature and watch it develop, plant trees and grow a forest, or raise a mountain and enjoy the view.

Collect berries, mushrooms or nuts, and feed the different animals, learn who eats what and discover how much it takes to winkle a bear out. Walk through different landscapes and become friends with a fox. Capture the moment of woodpeckers zigzagging between trees and watch the day turn into night. Perfect for little ones who want to explore nature on their own terms.

READ MORE reviews www.kidsonthecoast.com.au & www.kidsinthecity.com.au 50

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