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We're an American family living in Australia, where everything seems a little bit turned-upside-down.


Friday, September 20, 2013

Top Ten Things to do at The Perth Royal Show on a Budget



perth royal show



Visiting the Perth Royal Show on a budget?  First thing to do is find discount tickets at IGA until supplies last, or purchase "Early Bird" discount tickets online up until 28 September. Remember, kids 12 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult thanks to the State Government!

Once you enter the Perth Royal Show, consider these:

Top Ten Things to do at the Perth Royal Show on a Budget:


1. Pack a picnic -
Although some treats like Fairy Floss and Ice Cream are a must at the Royal Show, consider packing a picnic if you are on a budget.  There are plenty of grassy, shady spots to enjoy your lunch.  Take in the sights and sounds... all for free!



2. Have some 2 for 1 Sideshow Fun-
Purchase two"kiddie ride" tickets for the price of one ($6)  from 3-4 pm each day,  good until 7pm.  Find these tickets at Carnival Amusements outside the Brownes Dairy Pavilion.
perth royal show

3. Purchase an IGA Yellow Brick Road Experience-
This bag leads you on a 2 hour trek around the Perth Royal Show.  It includes a passport and map that will lead you to fun activities, samples, and discounts for only those who purchase the Yellow Brick Road bag. Buy your bag online early for just $10. Receive price breaks online when you buy more than one bag (i.e. 4 bags for $30).


The Yellow Brick Road Experience Includes:
  • Make your own WA shaped cookie
  • Collect and IGA Cookbook
  • Have your picture taken
  • Collect a Sony Pictures Activity Book
  • Make your own Mr. Sprout Head
  • Learn about sheep, make a mask, collect wool samples, and play farming games.
4. Buy A Cheap Showbag-
This year there are 53 Showbags $5 and under!  The cheapest was the Blinky Bill showbag for just $1. There's an Aftershocks showbag for those who love shockingly sour candy for only $4, and a Bertie Beetle Blue showbag for $2.  These prices are much less than suggested retail, so indulge!
perth royal show

5. Catch a Free Show-
There's free entertainment all day long for the little ones!  This year the entertainment includes none other than Peppa Pig (11am, 1pm, & 3pm) and Sesame Street Presents Elmo and Friends (12;m, 2pm, 4pm)!
Peppa Pig
Sesame Street Presents Elmo and Friends

In addition, acclaimed children's entertainer, Ricky Possum will be performing in Kiddie Land, and the Amazing Drumming Monkeys puppet theatre is a must see!


Kiddie Land

6. Cuddle and Pat the Animals-
Don't miss the free Animal Farm in Kiddie Land open from 10am-4pm daily.  Animal Lovers will also delight in City Farmers Animal Nursery 9am-8pm, and head on over to Creatures Great and Small Pavilion to pat a pig, snuggle a bunny, cuddle a chick, watch judging, and a pig washing 9am-7pm.  All free!

My guess is you'll have a hard time pulling your little one away from cuddling the baby animals!
Perth Royal Show

7. Watch one of the many free demonstrations-
Check out the Family Fun section online for all the Family Friendly demonstrations throughout the day including: sheep shearing and Brownes Milking Station.
WA v NZ Shearing Team Challenge


8.  Join a Free Sand Sculpture Workshop-
Watch the Sandman turn five tons of sand into a castle, a dragon, sharks, cartoon characters, and more!  Then in the afternoon, join a workshop and create your own art out of sand!
Sandman



9. Look out for Rocketman-
Oz Rocketman is one of this year's Perth Royal Show Heroes!  Watch him fly into the air daily at 1:15 and 7:15 pm.


10. Catch the Spectacular Fireworks Show-
This speaks for itself.  If you can keep the kiddies up a little later, the fireworks go off nightly at 8pm.
Fireworks

Still having trouble deciding what to do and how to plan your day?  Click here to use a free "Plan My Day" at the Perth Royal Show tool which includes a printable customized map, and downloads with activity pages for the kids.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Top 10 Perth Royal Showbags for the Whole Family



Last year was our family’s first Perth Royal Show experience, or any "Royal Show" for that matter. We had no idea what a "Showbag" was, but we figured it out quickly that they were very popular, and judging from the crowds around the stalls, a Showbag was something we needed to have! This year I’m planning ahead and have picked out my favorites for everyone in the family…

My Top Ten Picks for Perth Royal Showbags for the Whole Family:

1. My Overall Favorite- I pick the Coca Cola Premiums showbag as my overall favorite due to it’s amazing value ($15), and the fact that it is appealing to just about everyone in the family, no matter what age or gender. There are even a couple of items in there our new family puppy will enjoy!
2. My Favorite Confectionery Showbag- The Nestle Big Family Deal ($20) is just that; BIG! There’s enough candy in this bag to satisfy every taste, and there is definitely enough to go around. There’s $50 worth of chocolates and lollies including five mini showbags from Nestle, Wonka, and Bertie Beetle. Plus you get your choice of a novelty item such as a mini basketball or Coca-Cola branded can cooler bag. Now, that’s a Big Deal!
3. My favorite Pre-School Girl Showbag- Peppa Pig! I love the little backpack, and all the practical but fun items in this Showbag. There’s a gardening set, hairclips, a light up toothbrush, a plate, bowl, and tumbler to name a few. It’s also a great value at just $25 for over $70 worth of items.
4. My Favorite Pre-School Boy Showbag- It’s gotta be Jake and The Neverland Pirates! This showbag has it all Me Hearties! A pirate flag, headband, tattoos, and a telescope… but I’m sure the inflatable sword will be his favorite!
5. My favorite Kid Girl Bag- The Hello Kitty bag will be sure to please. It’s full of lovely pink things that she’ll adore like a Hello Kitty duffle bag, slippers, a diary, wallet, and sunglasses.
6. My favorite Kid Boy Bag- The Hot Wheels bag looks great! It has toys my son will actually play with after he gets them home, and contains useable items such as a backpack, sunglasses, a lunchbox, and a wallet.
7. My favorite Teen Girl Showbag- NY Style Accessories is my pick. It comes with a tote bag and a clutch to carry all the glamour items that come in the showbag. Your teen girl will impress with the newest trends in eye shadow, hair mascara, nail polish, earrings, and sunglasses! It’s a great value at just $25 for over $90 in products.
8. My Top Pick for Teen Boys- The Glow Bag! Just $20 for more glowing things than you can shake a stick at! Glowing bracelets, wigs, glowing flying objects, eyewear, a glowing sword thingy, and even a flashing Coca Cola cup. This showbag is enormous, and big enough to share. Your teen will be a hit with all his friends after dark! (Girl teens will love this showbag too!)
9. For Mom- It was a toss-up between the Fremantle Chocolate Sampler Bag ($25) and the Women’s Health Magazine Showbag for the same price. My healthy conscience and my constant hunt for the best value beat out chocolate this time. The Women’s Health Magazine Show bag includes over $280 worth of items including four issues of the magazine, two different gym bags, cosmetics, candy, McCormick recipe starters, tea, discount vouchers, and more!
10. For Dad- He’s easy to please with anything sport related, so I’m going with the AFL Showbag. Pick your favorite AFL team and get a backpack, cap, football, stickers, drink bottle, and earbuds all for just $25!

On a Budget?  I counted 53 Showbags $5 and under!  The cheapest was the Blinky Bill showbag for just $1.  There's an Aftershocks showbag for those who love shockingly sour candy for only $4, and a Bertie Beetle Blue showbag for $2.  These prices are much less than suggested retail, so indulge!



With a total of 322 Showbags to choose from this year, there were so many more Favorites I could have picked! I had such a hard time narrowing my list down to just ten. Now, if only the Perth Royal Show would hurry up and get here so we can get our Showbags! It’s nearly Showtime (28 Sept- 5 Oct). Check out all the Perth Royal Showbags here.