Kippax Kids

05/09/2026

26/08/2026

Very sad news, but what a wonderful legacy she leaves behind ❤️📚

Today, we join communities around the world in remembering Dolly Parton, a remarkable storyteller, humanitarian and champion for children.

Dolly believed that every child should have the opportunity to dream, and that books could help plant the seeds of those dreams. Inspired by her father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read or write, she founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995.

What began in her hometown in Tennessee grew into a worldwide movement. More than 300 million books have since found their way into the hands and homes of young children.

That legacy also reached Belconnen.

In October 2023, Imagination Library Kippax became one of the first Imagination Library programs in the ACT. Since then, children across our local community have experienced the delight of finding a new book addressed especially to them in their letterbox each month. Within every envelope is more than a book. There is an invitation for a family to pause, read, talk, imagine and spend precious time together.

Dolly showed the world that one generous idea, nurtured with care and shared by many, can travel far beyond where it began. From the hills of Tennessee to homes here in Kippax and across Belconnen, her vision continues to open stories, strengthen families and inspire children to dream.

Although the world has lost an extraordinary woman, her story is far from over. It lives on each time a child opens a book. Each time a parent and child read together. Each time a new dream begins.

Thank you, Dolly, for believing in children and for reminding us that every child’s dreams matter.

Your legacy will continue to arrive in letterboxes, one book at a time.

Learn more about Imagination Library Kippax: https://belconnenvillage.org.au/imagination-library/

25/08/2026

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Join Kippax Uniting Church for games, music and delicious food, as we raise money for UnitingCare Kippax's food relief programs.

25/08/2026

🥦🍎🎈 Foodie Fun Play at Kippax! 🎈🍇🥕

A big thank you to Dr Chloe Lim from Twistyfic, Nutrition Australia, the University of Canberra, and everyone involved in bringing Foodie Fun Play to UnitingCare Kippax. We were so pleased to have the opportunity to be involved and to welcome so many families into our space.

The show was lots of fun, interactive and engaging, with plenty of laughs along the way. Even the grown-ups learnt a few things! 😊

Foodie Fun Play brought together science, play and healthy eating in such a creative way, encouraging children to explore fruit and vegetables through storytelling, balloon art, tasting and plenty of curiosity. We also had lots of fun feeding Bob the balloon caterpillar and discovering some of the different foods he enjoyed. 🐛🍎🥕🍇🥦🫑💧🔬🎈

It was also wonderful to see all the amazing food creations, and the very cute mini fruit and vegetable balloon friends the children created. There was certainly plenty of creativity and imagination on display! 🍓🫛🥕🍇🥝🫐🥒🍉🍊🫑😊

Most of all, it was lovely to see so many children, parents and carers laughing, joining in, creating and having fun together.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the event possible, and to all the families who came along and made the day such a lovely one.

We hope you had as much fun as we did! 😁

23/08/2026

📚 Looking for more Book Week fun around Canberra?

There is plenty happening across the ACT to help families celebrate Children’s Book Week 2026 and this year’s theme, Symphony of Stories! 🎶📖

🏛️ ACT Government City Services - Libraries is celebrating Children’s Book Week with activities and opportunities to discover, share and enjoy stories together. Find out what is happening at your local library here:
👉 https://www.library.act.gov.au/whats-new/news-and-events/august-2026/libraries-act-celebrates-childrens-book-week-2026-with-a-symphony-of-stories

📚 You can also keep an eye on the Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch for local Book Week news, activities and events celebrating Australian stories, authors and illustrators:
👉 https://act.cbca.org.au/

Why not make a visit to your local library part of your Book Week celebrations? Let the kids browse the shelves, choose something that catches their eye and discover a new favourite story together. Grown-ups might even find something for themselves! ❤️

Because every time we read with a child, tell a story, sing a rhyme or make up a fun tale together, we are helping to nurture a lifelong relationship with words, stories, reading and imagination. 📖✨

21/08/2026

✨📖 SYMPHONY OF STORIES 📖✨

Just like a symphony brings lots of different sounds together, the stories we share bring together different characters, ideas, places, voices and imaginations. And there is something rather special about seeing a child discover a story they want to hear again... and again... and again! 😊

Reading together is about much more than learning words.

Stories help children build language and communication skills, spark imagination and curiosity, explore emotions and ideas, and create lovely moments of connection, conversation and shared discovery with grown-ups and other children. Reading and sharing stories together can bring people closer, encourage children to listen and respond to one another, and give everyone something to wonder about, laugh about and enjoy together.

And you are never too young, or too old, for a good story! 📚

🌟 Playgroups, why not celebrate Book Week during your sessions?

📖 Create a cosy reading corner with cushions, blankets and favourite books.
🎭 Act out a favourite story using puppets, toys, dress-ups or very enthusiastic grown-ups!
🎨 Read a picture book together, then create some artwork inspired by the characters or story.
🎶 Embrace this year’s Symphony of Stories theme by adding music and movement. Can you make sounds for different parts of the story using instruments, pots and pans, clapping or your voices?
🐛 Take story time outside. Find a shady spot, spread out a picnic rug and enjoy books together in the fresh air.
🧸 Invite everyone to bring along a favourite book from home for a special playgroup story time.
✏️ Make your own group story. Let each child or family add an idea, a character or a silly twist. You never quite know where the story will end up!
👑🦸🐻 And, of course we invite you to... dress up!

We would love to see children and their grown-ups come to playgroup dressed as their favourite book character during Book Week.
Yes, grown-ups, that includes you! 😄

Whether you arrive as a hungry caterpillar, a bear on a hunt, a wizard, a superhero, a very mischievous cat or something completely unexpected, have some fun with it. Costumes do not need to be fancy either. Homemade creations and a little imagination are very much encouraged!

19/08/2026

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17/08/2026

Join the science fun! 🤩

🔬🧪 Science Week is coming to Franklin Paint & Play! 🧪🔬

Join us for a special pop-up Science Week event filled with colourful experiments, hands-on discoveries, creative play, and plenty of fun for little scientists!

Come along to explore, wonder, create, and learn through play in a welcoming environment for children and families. No science experience required, just curiosity and a sense of adventure! 🌈✨

📍 Franklin Paint & Play 20th August
🎨 Free to attend
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Everyone is welcome

We can't wait to discover, experiment, and play with you!

17/08/2026

🧪🔬 It is National Science Week! 🌈✨

Science is everywhere, especially in the wonderful way children play, explore, experiment and ask questions.
Every splash, squish, bubble, tower, racing car and “What happens if I do this?” is an opportunity for discovery. 🌱💡

This National Science Week, we would love to encourage our Kippax Kids playgroups to bring a little science into their sessions. It does not need to be complicated. In fact, some of the best science starts with the things children are already playing with!

🧪 Here are some simple ideas to try:

🏎️ Ready, set, roll! Build a ramp and race toy cars down it. Try making the ramp higher or lower, or give the cars a gentle or stronger push. Which car travels the fastest or furthest? Children can explore speed, force, movement and cause and effect while they race.
🏖️ Sandpit scientists: Explore building with wet and dry sand. Which is easier to build with? Can you make a tower with dry sand? What happens when you add water? Experiment with digging, pouring, moulding and building to discover how water changes the way sand behaves. Or, turn the sandpit into an archaeological dig, bury some treasures and see what your little explorers can discover! 🔎🏺
🌈 Colour mixing: Add a few drops of food colouring to cups of water and let little scientists discover what happens when colours are mixed.
🫧 Bubble science: Make bubbles and experiment with different bubble wands. Can you make a giant bubble? What happens when you blow gently or blow harder?
🧊 Ice rescue: Freeze small toys in a container of water, then experiment with warm water, droppers or spoons to set them free. What makes the ice melt faster?
🍃 Nature detectives: Head outside with a magnifying glass and investigate leaves, bark, rocks, flowers and insects. What can you discover?
🚤 Sink or float: Fill a tub with water, gather a few safe objects and make predictions. Will it sink or float? Then test your ideas!

💡 The best part? Children are already natural scientists.

When they build, knock down, mix, pour, push, roll, dig, investigate and try again, they are testing ideas and learning about how the world works.
So this National Science Week, embrace the questions, make a little mess, experiment together and see where those curious minds take you! 🔬

14/08/2026

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❤️ Thanks ACT Playgroups Association for all that you do helping and supporting local families discover the many benefits of playgroups.

Why Playgroup Matters 💛

Playgroup is so much more than just a place to play. It's a space where children can learn, grow and thrive through the power of playfulness.

Through play, children build confidence, creativity, communication skills and social connections. They learn to solve problems, explore new ideas and develop important skills that support their learning and wellbeing.

For families, playgroups offer a welcoming community to share experiences, make friendships and connect with local support networks. A playful environment helps reduce stress, strengthens family bonds and creates joyful moments that children remember long after playtime is over.

At playgroup, every song, story, messy activity and shared laugh is helping build strong foundations for a lifetime of learning.

✨ Play more. Laugh more. Connect more. That's the magic of playgroup.