From exploding volcanoes, juggling and Pilates to decorating Easter bonnets and baskets and a plethora of chocolate, Koala Kids Zoom workshops had it all over the past couple of months!

Bonnie from FizzKidz showed kids how to construct their own volcanoes before using science to explode them. Then the kids popped on their juggling hats and the Carnival for Kids team showed them how to not only make their own juggling balls but become a juggling master at the same time!

Parents and carers didn’t miss out on the fun either as Alannah Miller, Koala Kids volunteer and director of pilates at 2Good Physiotherapy hosted a Zoom pilates class one Saturday morning.  We are looking forward to Alannah and other Pilates instructors providing regular Pilates sessions in future.  

Leading up to Easter kids created beautiful Easter bonnets and baskets at the Koala Kids craft workshop and at our Easter cooking workshop made and devoured delicious chocolate treats!

Koala Kids commenced Zoom workshops in mid-2020 as a response to the pandemic and our volunteers being unable to attend hospitals for in-hospital activities. The research that was conducted by independent  IMO analytics late last year with around 100 families revealed  families really enjoy our Zoom workshops and hoped they would continue after COVID. The virtual workshops are proving particularly beneficial for children and families in regional areas who don’t always come to Melbourne for treatment.  Without our activities these families miss the fun Koala Kids activities and the opportunity to connect with other families. As we slowly gravitate towards returning to hospital volunteering, we are also planning to continue Zoom workshops and run the two programs simultaneously.