We recently had the opportunity to chat with Joyce Watts, CEO of Melbourne’s iconic Tot Hot or Not, the go-to online destination for local families looking for new events, experiences, and activities to enjoy together.
For more than a decade, the website, newsletter and social media channels have become a trusted source for Melbourne and Victorian families, offering inspiration and ideas for how to make the most of weekends, holidays, and everyday adventures.
Joyce is a busy working mum of two. During her maternity leave in 2011 for her firstborn, Joyce left her career as a corporate lawyer specialising in intellectual property, IT, and media to explore a new path that aligned with her changing life priorities.
What began as a passion project during early motherhood has since evolved into a thriving online business and popular brand that influences how families across Melbourne and Victoria spend their time.
In addition to Tot Hot or Not, Joyce has started other ventures, including an e-commerce store selling bike accessories and a digital marketing consultancy. Like many parents who start their own business, she initially thought she would have more flexibility and time for herself.
But with the success and scale of Tot Hot or Not, that’s now debatable! Still, Joyce says the rewards of building something meaningful for her family and community have far outweighed the challenges.
Tot Hot or Not isn’t just another list of playgrounds or kid-friendly cafés. It’s about empowering parents to confidently enjoy Melbourne’s cultural, culinary, and creative life with kids in tow. Joyce and her team don’t just review activities designed exclusively for kids, they explore how families can enjoy mainstream events and spaces together, even when those weren’t specifically created with children in mind.
For example, Joyce has shared guides on attending large-scale exhibitions like the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibitions in Melbourne, offering tips for parents who might not have childcare or don’t want to miss out on an experience because of it. The site also features detailed reviews of local events, suggestions for things to do with kids of all ages, lists of family-friendly restaurants, and even travel guides that make planning easier for parents on the go.
As Joyce acknowledges, parents can be some of the most time-poor people in the community. Between managing work, family life, and countless daily tasks, it’s easy for self-care to fall to the bottom of the list. Over the years, she’s personally made a conscious effort to carve out time for activities that restore her energy, such as reading, exercising, and prioritising sleep.
So she’s excited about a new concept helping parents and carers to take a breather: Fig & Bloom’s Flower Club, a unique self-care flower subscription designed to bring creativity and calm into busy households.
In a national first, premium florist Fig & Bloom’s Flower Club is a self-care flower subscription service that blends mindfulness with creativity. Each week, subscribers receive a curated selection of seasonal blooms delivered straight to their door, along with guided video tutorials, moment-making prompts, and even a surprise self-care gift.
The concept invites parents and carers to slow down and focus on something beautiful and tactile, even for just a few minutes. They can arrange flowers while their baby naps or between loads of laundry, transforming an ordinary moment into one of peace and creativity.
Joyce says ideas like Flower Club align perfectly with what modern parents need most: a way to pause, recharge, and reconnect with themselves amid the chaos of everyday life.
As Tot Hot or Not continues to grow in popularity, Joyce remains passionate about helping parents and carers not only find things to do with their children but also find balance within themselves. Because, as she notes, “When parents and carers thrive, the whole family thrives too.”
For more inspiration on family-friendly activities in Melbourne, visit tothotornot.com
