Happy National Playgroup Week 🎉

Fast 5

Your top weekday events guide + the best posts for under 5s

Weekday Event Picks

💫 Featured Event

Scienceworks Autumn School Holiday Program (Saturday 4 – Sunday 19 Apr) Hands-on experiments, live shows, rockets and more for curious little minds these autumn school holidays. 📍 Spotswood

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ See More

Bedtime Storytime (Tuesday 17 Mar) Pop on the pyjamas, grab a teddy and join a cosy monthly storytime at narrm ngarrgu Library for ages 2–7. 📍 Melbourne CBD

Jams for Juniors (Various dates until Saturday 5 Dec) MSO musicians lead fun, interactive music workshops specially designed for children up to five years and their carers. 📍 Southbank

Free Toddler Tuesday Play (Tuesday 17 Mar) Hey Dee Ho educators run a free 45-minute session of dance and music for kids 0–8, plus a free coffee for you! 📍 Melbourne CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ See More

Bush Friends Picnic (Tuesday 17 Mar) National Playgroup Week Event: A relaxed drop-in outdoor morning of nature play and connection for families with children aged 0–5. 📍 Brunswick East

Arty Tales (Friday 20 Mar) Gallery exploration, stories, songs and a hands-on craft activity for little creatives aged 2–4. Dress for mess! 📍 Aberfeldie

CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks (Tuesdays – Sundays) An epic hands-on LEGO® exhibition exploring engineering, maths and science at Discovery Science & Technology Centre. 📍 Bendigo

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ See More

Very Young Voices (Mondays during term) Joyful Kodály-inspired music sessions for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, building language and confidence through song and movement. 📍 Prahran

Rhyme Time (Tuesdays during term) Stories, songs and rhymes for children aged 1–5 to build early language and literacy skills. No bookings needed. 📍 Werribee

Happy Kids Sport (Mondays + Fridays during term) Preschoolers learn basic skills across three sports each term in a fun environment that builds balance and motor skills. 📍 Chelsea Heights

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ See More

Pop-Up Playgroup (Monday 16 Mar) National Playgroup Week Event: A free, welcoming drop-in for children aged 0–5 and their carers to play and connect with local families. 📍 Glengarry

Tyers Pop-Up Playgroup (Tuesday 17 Mar) National Playgroup Week Event: A free, welcoming drop-in for children aged 0–5 and their carers to play and connect with local families. 📍 Traralgon

Play & Development Sessions (Tuesdays during term) Playtime for little ones plus practical tips from visiting OTs, speech therapists and literacy experts. 📍 Mt Evelyn

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ See More

Multicultural Playgroup (Mondays during term) A warm weekly playgroup for migrant and refugee families in Wyndham, supporting kids’ learning and community connection. 📍 Truganina

Family Movie Night (Wednesday 18 Mar) Free G and PG rated family movies with popcorn at Braybrook Library. Book your spot online or at the library. 📍 Braybrook

National Playgroup Week Celebration (Thursday 19 Mar) National Playgroup Week Event: A free community event celebrating playgroup week with hands-on activities to spark curiosity and connection through play. 📍 Fraser Rise

New + Noteworthy

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SCIENCEWORKS

See the World in a New Light

OPENS 21 MARCH: Optical illusions, light play and colour mixing await at this brand new interactive exhibition.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MELBOURNE MUSEUM

Lock into Holiday Mode

History, laughs and hands-on adventures collide at Melbourne Museum these autumn school holidays, for kids of all ages.

A North Star

See all the reasons why this northside gem is anything but your average play centre.

Out + About

Pack the snacks and the kids into the car, because these autumn day trips are worth every kilometre.

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Gains for Everyone

We found the Melbourne gyms where you get your workout in while the kids are well looked after.

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All-Season Splash

Indoor, outdoor, warm and welcoming, this bath house has a pool for every age and every season.

Enter to Win

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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