Top things for families to do during Geelong Design Week

FINDING an activity that captures the imagination of each and every family member can be quite the challenge and it certainly pops up for me with three boys aged 6, 8 and 11 who have different interests and obsessions!

Thankfully there is a lot to do in Greater Geelong (I call the Bellarine home) with our beautiful natural environment, and the ever-inspiring arts and culture scene.

Geelong Design Week has kicked off and is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to design thinking, which encourages innovation, problem solving skills and a growth mindset.

The event also puts the spotlight on Geelong’s significant achievement as a UNESCO City of Design.

As both a design buff and mum, I can confidently say there is something to engage families of all ages and interests, including many free events:

Check out the two daily local design showcases happening at Wurriki Nyal and Customs House for some décor inspiration. My business, Kip&Co is featuring our new collection at the Wurriki Nyal showcase. It is our collab range with the Ernabella Arts Centre, hung on a Toyne’s rotary clothesline (invented right here in Geelong!).

 

The daily Geelong Inventions Exhibition will be sure to surprise the whole family. Our region is home to many inventions, including the fridge and the Ford Ute!

Your Geelong: Past, Present & Future Family Workshop presented by Open House is a chance for the kids to get busy with recycled materials and envision what Geelong could become, learn about the role of good design and explore building solutions.

Help create the ‘House of Fast Fashun’ Installation, a colourful house made entirely of clothing and textile waste. There’s also the opportunity to make your own creation and showcase it on the catwalk.

Create mesmerising and shifting patterns with the Chromatica installation that turns a kaleidoscope into a large-scale interactive artwork.

Enjoy a coffee, bioplastic demonstration and walk around the Grounded Installationpavilion, made from waste ground coffee by Sacred Heart College students.

 

Perfect for ages 8-15, the Advanced Code Club teaches junior coders HTML, CSS, Python or Sonic Pi. My eldest Zig will love this.

Discover breathtaking paintings and woven installations from the Kungka Kuṉpu (Strong Women) exhibition by First Nations female artists.

And my final tip is the Nice Nights Regional Design Perspective where you can hear local artists talk about how they have managed to carve themselves a creative career in our regional area. I have heard Nicko Phillips speak on this topic before and he has many insights and stories to share. A fabulous one for your budding designers, or those trying to establish themselves in this space.

Head to geelongcityofdesign.com.au/geelong-design-week/events, select Itineraries and Families with young kids to delve into the many family-friendly activities in the jam packed program.

 

Have fun,

KATE HEPPELL