Last Saturday, the husband, Apatosaurus, ditched us to go to the Races.
His loss.
This left me rolling on a skeleton staff of one parent/two kids, so we stomped on down to the St Kilda Triangle to visit the incredible prehistoric world of Jurassic Creatures. This was a gifted entry for myself and the kids in order to review the exhibition, but loads have asked me how the day actually rolled out, so here is my spin.
If you have tinies who adore everything DINOSAUR, then this is an event that you cannot miss these holidays. It is terrific for the younger kids especially (perhaps under 8’s), so if your small kids just walk around with random plastic dinosaurs spilling from their pockets, this show will be dinomite for them.
WHERE?
Given its location in the St Kilda Triangle (right beside Luna Park) there is ample parking if you’re happy to pay (we were there super early, plum parking spot and it cost $12.50 for the day). Be prepared for a daunting queue on entry. The gates did not open until 10am on the dot (our starting time as you ‘buy’ a session of 3 hours). This was quite a wait in the freezing cold, but the kids were majorly excited, so it was fine. The line moved quickly once open. Perhaps even arrive a little late (which pains this early freak to even say), but 3 hours is ample time to do everything.
WHAT TO DO?
Again, the gates opened and there was a bit of a toddler stampede. We all herded to the left, believing we had to follow a particular route so it felt a little overwhelming. But my tip? Go wherever the people are not. Get your bearings.
Immediately to the left are the REXcellent, incredibly life like dinosaurs. Not especially frightening (I was worried about my littlest having a freak out, but she was perfectly happy roaring back at them). It was better seeing these when the crowd thinned out, but clearly these are the main draw cards and the kids are just drawn to them. There was also a section that had ride on motorised dinosaurs; think actual little Dinos (a la Flintstones) where you sit on their backs and drive them around. It was a little crazy (but ‘great’ crazy for kids my age) and you can sit on one with your small child if it’s too scary. Mine screamed and laughed the whole time as they zipped around wildly.
In the tents straight ahead are the bouncy, dinosaur themed ‘castles’. There are 3 which cover littles to bigs. A surprising treat in this tent was the egg fossil scraping. I am a sucker for the kids in tiny lab coats and eye protectors (*CUTE) and the kids (surprisingly) LOVED this activity the most; serious concentration and determination.
In the middle is the food caravans and of course, no show is complete without the wonderful balls in clowns/dinosaur hoops. These cost extra, but my kids actually won a very cool prize each. Food is the usual carnival gear; chips, fairy floss, hot dogs, pop corn etc… Be prepared; it all smells FABULOUS.
On the other side is another tent which has some drawing/art activities. Though my skin normally crawls at craft, I am learning to face my fears and this was pretty good; so much so, that the sand pictures are still on our kitchen bench and I am yet to be able to ‘move’ them to that ‘special place’ where craft goes to rest in our house.
HOW LONG?
In terms of timing, we had done what we wanted to do in a couple of hours, and that included toilets (Kenny’s portables) and a rest with a snack.
COST & DATES?
The cost is $99.44 for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids, and most days have sessions running from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm until Sunday October 14th. Check out tickets at Jurassic Creatures
Truthfully, I felt almost prehistoric myself after this event with the kids. I left my sunnies in the car as I thought it was all inside. Definitely needed to rest the old bones that afternoon. A fossilnating adventure and it truly was (tricera)tops. Too much? OK; enough from me.
Oh…and just for the record, Apatasuarus did NOT have a successful day out at the races…Hear me RRRROOOOAAARRRR!!!!!!!
*Take a look at www.jurassiccreatures.com
