Multiplay - Scienceworks Excursion   Have you explored Scienceworks yet with your multiples?  They have an awesome play space with activities to engage kids from 0-5yrs and bonus points - it's an enclosed play area with a dedicated parents room/baby change space.  There are multiple playground options outside and a big lawn to play on.  My girls also love a good crack at racing Cathy Freeman on repeat.   For parents with little bubs this is a great opportunity to practice getting out of the house in a supported environment with a group of people who get it and have plenty of spare wipes to lend you when you inevitably forget something trying to get out the door!   Entry is $15 for adults and free for kids.  Museum members are free - please click attending and comment if you are a museum member so I know not to include you in the cost.  Depending on numbers we we will cover all or part of the entry cost for 1x adult.  Stay tuned for further details on this part.   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North (But note that for this excursion we will meet at the entrance of Scienceworks) What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points:  WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records.  Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!   This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.  

Multiplay - Baby Sensory and Cars Galore   Exciting news for our 0-13month old crew - Baby Sensory is back!  A fun sensory experience for our littlest members and a great chance to connect with other parents experiencing the first year of parenting multiples.  The session will be facilitated by Baby Sensory Inner West Melbourne - you can check them out here for more info: https://www.babysensory.com.au/innerwestmelbourne/.   For the older kids we will be having car themed fun outside fun!  Drive your cars through the mud, then make them sparkling clean at the car wash.  Send some cars down the slide to see what kind of tracks they can make with colourful paint!   If you have both bubs and an older kiddo just a reminder that we have our fabulous volunteer Anne and myself are both happy to be an extra set of eyes for your little one while you are doing baby sensory.   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points:  WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records.  Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!   This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.

Multiplay - Ice Cream Extravaganza   The hottest activity of the term as voted by my 3 year olds!  An ice cream themed sensory play extravaganza for all ages.  Squishy ice cream sensory bags for the bubs to explore.  Serve up some colourful ice-creams at the ice cream bar for plenty of messy sensory fun.  Explore the texture of 'ice cream' oobleck - a classic early science experiment for the kids to explore a non-newtonian fluid (exhibits properties of both solids and liquids).   The older kids will get messy no doubt so wear old clothes and bring a change in case.  I will have some cloths/towels and soapy water at hand for clean up purposes and am buying us a new collection of smocks as well.   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points: WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records. Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!   This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.

Multiplay - Baby Sensory and Sticky Collages   Exciting news for our 0-13month old crew - Baby Sensory is back!  A fun sensory experience for our littlest members and a great chance to connect with other parents experiencing the first year of parenting multiples.  The session will be facilitated by Baby Sensory Inner West Melbourne - you can check them out here for more info: https://www.babysensory.com.au/innerwestmelbourne/.   For the older kids we will be having outside fun making sticky collages and having lots of outside play fun!  Choose from a selection of colourful crafty things and natural materials to make a masterpiece or just have fun sticking things on the big sticky wall!   If you have both bubs and toddlers just a reminder that we have our fabulous volunteer Anne and myself are both happy to be an extra set of eyes for your little ones while you are doing baby sensory.   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points: WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records. Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!   This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.    

Multiplay - Playdough Party   Come and join us for a playdough party to get us started for the term.  Explore the colours and textures of playdough, let the kiddos unleash their creativity to roll, build, shape, and squish!   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points: WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records. Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!   This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.

Our neighbouring club, Geelong Area Multiple Birth Association, are sharing access to a two-part parenting webinar delivered by Adrienne Harper-Pike from Alongside Parenting Geelong:   This second session will cover:   Session 2 (July 24th): Emotional Literacy for You & Your Child Learn simple, powerful ways to support emotional expression and resilience in both yourself and your child. This session will also explore the emotional load of raising twins or triplets, and how to meet each child’s emotional needs while honouring your own.   A bit about Adrienne:   Adrienne Harper-Pike is the founder of Alongside Parenting. She’s an Aware Parenting instructor, social worker, and parent to six-year-old twins. She support families through connection, play, and emotional healing—without punishments, rewards, or shame. Her work is trauma informed, inclusive and affirming of all families ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood at every age and stage.   To register, please follow this link: http://thq.fyi/se/M8xGrdw

It's cold outside, so let's go see a movie these school holidays!   Calling all school-aged kids (both multiples and siblings) to come see "Elio" at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville.    Friday 18th July - Meet at the entrance at 10am.   WMBA are kindly subsidising entry to allow members a special treat 🙌 Price: $5 EACH (usually $15/ticket - adults at kid's prices)   Younger brothers and sisters are welcome to tag along.   RSVP essential!   To RSVP - Purchase a "Paid Ticket", per person attending, by 5pm, Wednesday 16/7

Come on down to the Anglers Tavern for a casual lunch and catch up at a different venue to lunches in the past. Kids can enjoy their recently renovated kids play spaces, which includes play equipment and a reading room. Parents can enjoy great company, laughs and chats about the shared experience of raising multiples.   Please RSVP by 27/6 and comment the number of people attending so we can make a reservation. Looking forward to catching up!

Something different for Multiplay this week - an excursion!   Come and join us at Play Gymnastics at RecWest Braybrook. It's a free play set up with soft play and gymnastics equipment and aimed at children 9months to 5yrs. We tested it out and the kids had an awesome time.   Book in via the website and WMBA will reimburse club members for the fee. There are only 15 places available so I suggest booking in early!   How to book: 1. Go to: https://recwestbraybrook.ymca.org.au/gymn.../play-gymnastics 2. Create an account for yourself 3. Go to friends and family tab and add each child  4. Go to 'book' and select Friday 27/7. Book in Play gymnastics at Braybrook for each child  5. Send us a screenshot of your booking and your bank details to playgroups@westgate.amba.org.au    

This is an informal information session run by the Westgate Multiple Birth Association for new and expectant families of multiples.  Come along and meet other new (or expecting) families of multiples and pick up some handy tips and tricks to help you on the journey.  Bring all your questions and learn about how things REALLY work when there's more than one baby at a time.  Nothing is off limits! We welcome WMBA members and non-members to this event.  This is kid-friendly, so you're welcome to bring your babies and siblings (multiples or non-multiples).  Please feel free to spread the word to any expectant multiple parents you know or meet.  This event will be held in Newport, with the full address of the venue to be emailed to you after registration. (Please register for a ticket for everyone 12yrs+ so we can track capacity

Multiplay - Recycled Fun   Let's pull out the best bits of the recycling and have some fun! There will be a big painting wall with all sorts of recycled bits and shapes to paint. Fun DIY toys for littlies including a ball drop and tugging box with ribbons to pull. A sensory bin with rainbow rice and lots of recycled bits and pieces to pour and fill.   A few Multiplay details for this week and ongoing: When is it? 10am - 12pm on a Friday, see dates above or the events section for upcoming sessions. Where is it? Eastona Kindergarten: 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North What is it? Multiplay is a playgroup for multiples and their siblings, from birth to school age. It’s held on the site of an old kindergarten, with fully enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas and a wide range of toys and play equipment. Multiplay is free of charge for WMBA families, as part of your annual membership. A couple of points: WMBA prioritises the health of our members and follows all venue, government guidelines and Victorian Education guidelines when it comes to any vaccination requirements. We also note down your attendance at playgroup for our records. Please note, I often take photos at Multiplay, if I know it’s for marketing a little wider than this page, I will ask your permission to take the photo / share it publicly, but do appreciate someone having a quick word to me if you would prefer to not have your little ones photographed. If you have any questions or feedback about Multiplay, please reach out!  

Our neighbouring club, Geelong Area Multiple Birth Association, are sharing access to a two-part parenting webinar delivered by Adrienne Harper-Pike from Alongside Parenting Geelong: This first session will cover: Session 1: Secure Attachment with Aware Parenting. Explore how Aware Parenting builds strong, connected relationships through empathy and emotional support, not control. We’ll also look at the unique attachment dynamics that come with parenting twins or triplets, including how to foster individual bonds while managing the needs of multiples. A bit about Adrienne: Adrienne Harper-Pike is the founder of Alongside Parenting. She’s an Aware Parenting instructor, social worker, and parent to six-year-old twins. She support families through connection, play, and emotional healing—without punishments, rewards, or shame. Her work is trauma informed, inclusive and affirming of all families ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood at every age and stage. To register, please follow this link: http://thq.fyi/se/r9XLKTo