Santa to make a stopover at this month’s Messy Play in the Park

Littlies and their loved ones are invited to “get messy” to help usher in the festive season, with Townsville’s Citylibraries next week hosting the final Messy Play session of the year at Freemason’s Pallarenda Park.

This free Christmas-themed event, supported by Townsville City Council, will run from 9-11am on Monday, and will include a special stopover by Santa who promises to pose for photos and join in on all the festive fun.

As usual, parents seeking to keep their children busy won’t be disappointed – Citylibraries organisers have promised to deliver the full array of sensory, craft and play activities for which the sessions are famous.

Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney encouraged parents and little ones to head along to the session to socialise and have some festive fun.

Cr Greaney said the child-focused activities provided at Messy Play were all carefully designed to increase children’s confidence and develop their fine and gross motor skills.

“Research says messy play is an important tool for little ones to help them increase their confidence and develop their motor skills,” she said.

“Messy play encourages finger dexterity, hand and shoulder strength and builds on skills necessary for handwriting, and it also helps with body balance and spatial awareness.

“The Citylibraries team that runs these very popular monthly events works hard to ensure they are varied and engaging, and hosting them outdoors and open to all families with kids aged five and under is a great way to bring people together to interact and build connections.

“This month’s session, being Christmas-themed and with a very special visitor booked in, is all about having some festive fun and winding down after a big year.”

The Christmas-themed Messy Play in the Park is on from 9-11am on Monday 24 November.

A coffee van selling barista-made coffee will on site.

For more information, view the event listing on What’s On Townsville.