Parks Victoria encouraging kids to ‘make and do’ after Junior Ranger postponements

THE cancellation of this term’s Junior Ranger Holiday Program by Parks Victoria has prompted the government agency to encourage kids and their families to engage with their area’s local nature whether it be in their backyard or at a park through a series of activities that can be accessed from home.

The Junior Ranger program encourages kids to explore Victoria’s amazing parks with a real park ranger but after it was announced that the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast regions would be heading into a snap seven-day lockdown, events like rock pool rambles, historic tours and spotlight night walks have been postponed to the term four holidays.

As an alternative, Parks Victoria is promoting their ‘Make and Do’ section of the Junior Ranger website, which is full of different activities that kids can access while stuck at home during the current lockdown.

These activities allow kids to get out and about anytime they like with a range of Junior Ranger activities that they can download from the Junior Ranger website and complete with their family and friends anytime they like.

Activities include various fact files that contain information about the animals and plants that can be found in the state, ‘explore on your own’ activities that allow kids to go out and search for local nature, as well as several puzzles and games kids can do sitting down.

“With dozens of online activities available, Junior Rangers can still uncover the wonders of Victoria’s special places,” Parks Victoria education and interpretation officer Emma Hickey said.

“The activities are designed to help Junior Rangers and their families to immerse within the natural environment and uncover the wonders of Victoria’s parks.”

Ms Hickey also encouraged every Victorian child and their family to sign up to the Junior Ranger Mailing List which can be found at juniorrangers.com.au.