From Saturday 21 March to Tuesday 26 January 2027, Scienceworks will host Colour: See the World in a New Light — a large-scale, ticketed exhibition developed by Questacon. And if you’ve ever visited Scienceworks with kids (we have, countless times), you’ll know this is exactly the kind of immersive, interactive experience they do brilliantly.
We’ve partnered with Museums Victoria for years, and we know this space well. My own kids light up the minute we walk through the doors. So when we say this exhibition is set to be a standout for families, we mean it.
Why This Exhibition Is Perfect for Kids
While “the science of colour” might not sound thrilling at first glance, here’s what it actually means for your child:
- Playing with coloured bubbles
- Testing optical illusions
- Exploring glowing fluorescent minerals
- Designing insects with projected light
- Discovering why the sky is blue and sunsets are pink
There are 21 hands-on experiences, each designed to spark curiosity through play. That’s the sweet spot for kids — learning without even realising they’re learning.
Scienceworks consistently delivers exhibitions where children can touch, experiment and move. Colour is built around that same philosophy.
Note: Check out the Scienceworks’ must-do permanent exhibitions including Ground Up and Beyond Perception.
What Families Can Expect Inside
Colour: See the World in a New Light unfolds across four themed zones. Each has multiple entry points, meaning younger children, primary schoolers and even teens will all find something to engage with.
1. Seeing Colour
How do humans, animals and even machines see the world differently?
Kids will compare perception across species and explore how our eyes and brains interpret colour. It’s a brilliant way to introduce big ideas about biology in a very accessible way.
2. Coloured Light
This is where physics becomes fun.
Children will experiment with light sources, wavelength and colour mixing. Expect refraction, diffraction and scattering — but explained in a way that feels like play, not a classroom lesson.
3. Changing Colour
What makes colours appear, disappear or transform?
From fluorescence to absorption and reflection, this zone explores how materials interact with light. If your child loves mixing paints or experimenting with torches at home, they’ll be fascinated.
4. Making Sense of Colour
This is where science meets psychology.
How does colour influence behaviour? Why do certain colours make us feel calm or energised? It’s a surprisingly powerful way to show kids that science shapes everyday life.
The Standout: Colour in Action
Exclusive to Scienceworks, Colour in Action bridges creativity and science.
Using projected light and acrylic insect components, kids can design their own creatures while experimenting with live colour mixing. It’s hands-on, visual and highly interactive.
They’ll explore camouflage, attraction and how colour functions in nature — all while building something themselves.
This is exactly the kind of exhibit my kids gravitate towards: part art, part science, fully fun.
Why We Love Scienceworks for Families
We’ve visited Scienceworks more times than I can count. It’s one of those places that grows with your child.
Toddlers love the sensory elements.
Primary-aged kids dive into the experiments.
Older kids start asking bigger questions.
Exhibitions here aren’t static. They invite participation. And that matters.
Because when children can manipulate light, test illusions and physically explore concepts like wavelength and polarisation, the learning sticks.
STEM Learning Without the Pressure
This Colour exhibition also marks the beginning of a three-year learning partnership between Museums Victoria and Swinburne University of Technology.
That means strong educational foundations underpinning the fun.
Spanning physics, chemistry, biology and psychology, Colour reveals that colour isn’t just something we see — it’s:
- A property of light
- A property of materials
- A deeply personal experience
For parents wanting to nurture curiosity and confidence in STEM subjects, this is an easy yes. It’s exposure without pressure. Exploration without worksheets.
Practical Tips for Visiting With Kids
Because we know Scienceworks well, here’s how we’d approach this visit:
Book ahead. It’s a ticketed exhibition and will likely be popular, especially in school holidays.
Allow at least 90 minutes. There are 21 interactive exhibits — kids won’t rush.
Pair it with the rest of Scienceworks. Plan a half-day. The permanent galleries and Lightning Room are always a hit.
Let kids lead. The exhibition supports open-ended exploration. There’s no “right” way to move through it.
Talk about it afterwards. Ask what surprised them. Which illusion fooled them? What colours did they mix?
Those conversations are where the magic really happens.
Scienceworks Permanent Exhibits
While you visit, make sure you stop by these awesome exhibits at Scienceworks
- Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Daily Exhibition) – A fun exhibition that’s focused on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning for children under 5 years.
- Beyond Perception: Seeing the Unseen (Daily Exhibition) – Explore the invisible fields and forces that surround us, such as gravitational waves, invisible light, sound and aerodynamics.
- Sportsworks (Daily Exhibition) – A place to leap, run, throw and row.
- Think Ahead (Daily Exhibition) – With more than 200 objects from the past, the present and the speculative future, this exhibition blends technology with hands-on experiences.
FAQs: Visiting Colour: See the World in a New Light at Scienceworks
Is the Colour exhibition suitable for toddlers?
Yes. While children of all ages will enjoy it, many of the hands-on experiences are accessible for younger visitors. Scienceworks does a brilliant job designing spaces that allow open-ended exploration.
If you’re visiting with babies or preschoolers, plan to move at their pace. Even an hour can be a full sensory experience.
How long should we allow to explore the exhibition?
Give yourself plenty of time.
There are 21 interactive exhibits, and children won’t want to rush through them. We recommend allowing at least 90 minutes for the exhibition alone — longer if your kids love experimenting and repeating activities.
If you’re planning to explore the rest of Scienceworks as well, make it a half-day visit.
Is the exhibition pram-friendly?
Yes, very.
You have two options:
- Free pram parking is available at the cloakroom, along with storage for large bags.
- You can take your pram into the exhibition space. Most parents park prams along the walls or tuck them under structures, keeping pathways clear.
The layout is spacious and easy to navigate.
Are there toilets and baby change facilities nearby?
Yes.
There are spacious accessible toilets and change facilities within the Scienceworks precinct, making it easy if you’re visiting with babies or toddlers.
Is there food available at Scienceworks?
There is a small café offering drinks and light snacks, with seating inside and outside.
The kids’ lunchboxes (around $10) are always popular. They typically include:
- A sandwich
- A fruit drink (which can be swapped for bottled water)
- A piece of fruit
- A cookie
If you’re a Museums Victoria member, you’ll receive a 10% discount at the café — a handy bonus for regular visitors.
You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks or lunch.
Do we need to book tickets in advance?
Yes.Colour: See the World in a New Light is a ticketed exhibition running from 21 March to 26 January 2027. We recommend booking ahead, especially during weekends and school holidays.
This article has been published in partnership with Museums Victoria.
