Discover Ipswich Magazine 2023

ADVENTURE

Gentle experiences for kids 1

For those with sensory sensitivities try these gentler experiences next time you’re in town… 1. The Workshops Rail Museum is a Best of Queensland recognised tourism experience that offers sensory days during the holidays. During these sessions less tickets are sold, and lights and sounds are lowered allowing access to events like Day Out with Thomas to those that need a gentler experience. Noise cancelling headphones and sensory kits are available for every visit though. 2. Take a walk through the Ipswich Nature Centre , in the morning during the week to enjoy the nature refuge in the middle of Queens Park.

Whether you're a trainspotter or a steampunk enthusiast, a rail romantic or a curious young explorer, The Workshops Rail Museum will take you on an eye- opening journey through the state’s history as seen from the birthplace of rail in Queensland, the heritage-listed Ipswich Railway Workshops. The landmark Workshops Rail Museum with its prominent saw-toothed roofline, houses 15 larger-than-life exhibition zones that showcase the social, technical and cultural impacts rail transport and travel have had on our lives. Location-Dot North Street, North Ipswich QLD 4305 phone (07) 3432 5100 ARROW-POINTER Theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au After you can head to the children’s playground which includes a liberty swing. 3. Enjoy a day surrounded in nature at Robelle Domain . Take a walk through the parklands, past waterfalls and a small stream. Play at the all-abilities playground and use the interactive play equipment. 4. Visit the Environmental Education Centre located in Queens Park. There are interactive displays and sensory boxes designed for children to learn about the natural environment. 5. Head to the Ipswich Children’s Library where you can feed life-sized dinosaurs colourful scarves through an interactive pipe experience. Design your own colourful fish and watch them swim around the digital display. There are also visual activities such as an augmented reality butterfly experience and quiet areas to calm and soothe. 6. Tales and Trails is an outdoor self-guided reading experience in parks and locations of interest around the city. It is a gentle experience featuring 12 books created for First 5 Forever printed on large metal signs spread along a nature walking trail with braille for increased accessibility. The books are being rotated throughout different locations during the year but include Hotel for Bees , Koalas Like

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To... , Once, I Munched a Mango and more. See Ipswichlibraries.com.au/first-5-forever- tales-and-trails for more information. 7. At Bob Gamble Park there is a water play area above the shooting spouts which is great for sensory play. You can pump water through the channels and feel it running between your fingers. The boardwalk nearby is also a nice wheelchair accessible experience. 8. Little Day Out , Ipswich’s signature children’s contemporary music and arts festival has been designed to be inclusive for all children and features a quiet zone with sensory activities. It also features a silent disco, seedling planting, loose parts play, dancing and more.

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The Workshops Rail Museum

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