Busy time in break

STUCK for ideas these school holidays?
There is plenty on in the Yarra Valley and nearby to keep kids occupied over the next few weeks.
Holiday programs offer some great activities, films, games or just chilling out at a favourite park, can all help make these school holidays lots of fun for kids and parents.
Here are 10 ideas to get you started!
1. Check out the local library. Yarra Junction has board games for all ages on Friday 16 January (phone 5967 1588) and at Healesville, kids from four to 13 can get into the high pressure environment of making a scuba diver in a bottle (phone 5962 4423). Lilydale Library is hosting a Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Lillydale Lake on Friday 23 January. Phone 9294 3120.
2. Take a bus trip across the valley on the new Healesville to Yarra Junction bus service. Buses connect from Yarra Glen and on to Warburton. Some of the attractions on offer are Trolley rides at Healesville, the Yarra Junction Aquatic Centre, skate boarding at Healesville, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction, or just exploring the river and cafes at Warburton.
3. Hop out of the sun and get creative at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton from 6 to 23 January. The shire is running family films and creative art workshops aimed at children from five to 12. Phone 5966 5040 for a full calendar of events.
4. Wardrobe splitting at the seams? Mum and dad grumbling about the clothes all over the room? Yarra Ranges Youth Services is having a “clothes swap” at Lilydale Library on Thursday 22 January. Phone 9294 6716 or visit www.yrys.com.
5. Yarra Valley Tourist Railway is a fantastic and affordable outing for the whole family. Take a trolley to the haunted tunnel and spend some time at the Railway Playground.
6. Lillydale Lake can provide a full day of activities and fun with barbecue facilities, a beach, fishing, bird-watching, walks and an award-winning playground.
7. Yarra Junction Aquatic Centre is a great place to chill out on a hot day with an undercover toddlers’ pool and intermediate pool with water features and the “big” pool for older kids. The Warburton Trail runs right by and there is a fenced playground a minute away.
8.Celebrate Australia Day at Marysville. A parade through the town, entertainment in the rotunda and a free barbecue is a great way to celebrate the day with family and friends. Make time for a visit to Bruno’s sculpture garden …. amazing!
9. Make a film. The Show Us Your Shorts student Film Festival, part of the Warburton Film Festival, is an opportunity for young film-makers to put their ideas on the big screen. The 2009 theme is “My Place. My Family. My Environment,” so get creative, get shooting, get editing and get your summer holiday film in to Show Us Your Shorts ‘09. Phone 5966 5040 for details.
10. Hedgend Maze in Healesville is another full day adventure. Mazes, mini-golf, barbecue and picnic facilities and tea rooms as well as a giant checkers board, frisbees and spectacular views are just a few of the attractions. Phone 5962 3636.