Get excited — a brand new play centre is opening on Monday 8 December 2025 at Chadstone Shopping Centre, and we think it’s one of Melbourne’s most impressive indoor play spaces to date!
Imaginationation (yes, double nation — you’ll remember it!) offers a thoughtfully designed space for babies, toddlers and young children aged 0–7 years.
It’s a design-led indoor play centre created by the same team behind Melbourne Museum’s Children’s Gallery, so you can expect a strong focus on creativity, learning and sensory play.
If you’ve spent years hopping between play centres that feel chaotic or cramped, this one is a breath of fresh air!
What is Imaginationation?
Imaginationation is a 1,200sqm indoor play, learning and café space, founded by Melbourne dad and entrepreneur Ari Ritz.
After many years working in sales, FMCG and hospitality, he wanted to reimagine what a modern playcentre could be — not just a place for kids to burn energy, but a place that feels genuinely enjoyable for adults too.
The project has been more than four years in the making and is a family business, with his brothers and sister-in-law all involved in some aspect.
Inside Imaginationation you can expect:
- Architecturally designed play zones
- Immersive learning experiences
- Sensory spaces created for both little ones and carers. The star-studded dome is the perfect place for a bit of quiet time for adults!
- A full service café.
What to Expect: Thoughtfully Designed Play Spaces
Ari and Pete Wilson from P’Co Design collaborated on the design of all of the interactive, imaginative and sensory play experiences.
Ari’s favourite space is the CONNETIX Builder Room — where sound and colour work together with the lightboxes to create a full sensory experience. It’s also a huge drawcard for kids who love magnetic tiles.
Unlike many play centres where the soft play area is a tucked into a tiny corner, at Imaginationation there are large expanses of soft play to suit babies and toddlers. Younger school-aged kids will enjoy the climbing nets and slides.
Everything has been curated with design and learning in mind. In future there will be play classes tailored for different age groups, beyond the free-play time.
A Café Parents Will Actually Want to Sit In
There’s nothing worse than a playcentre café that feels like an afterthought. Imaginationation promises the opposite! Ari believes that the menu is on par with what you’d get inside the elevated food offerings at Chadstone.
So the onsite cafe serves quality coffee from St Ali, smoothies and acai bowls, and better-for-you food options such as the baby and toddler food from Le Puree.
The Roman style pizza is a standout, and Ari hopes to launch Family Dinners to coincide with when Chadstone opens for late night shopping.
Families can enjoy proper food rather than the usual deep-fried options — a huge win for mid-morning or post-nap outings.
A Fresh, Colourful Look
Imaginationation has partnered with Australian brand Halcyon Nights to design their staff uniforms and create an exclusive merchandise range. If you love colourful and playful prints, you’ll likely want to bring some home.
There are also super-cute Imaginationation socks, which are required for play and included in several membership tiers.
Imaginationation Birthday Parties, Memberships + Bookings
Bookings
Bookings open from Tuesday 2 December 2025, giving families time to secure a session ahead of the school holidays.
While the centre’s full capacity is close to 300 adults and children, most of the time only 200 people maximum will be able to visit in a session. It’s sure to be popular so best to book ahead to avoid disappointment!
Annual Memberships
To kick off its launch, Imaginationation is offering a Foundation Membership, which gives families early access to the booking system and a year’s worth of perks.
Foundation Membership – $295
Foundation Membership over $1000 value for just $295 and includes:
- 52 entries (one visit per week) for your nominated child
- Any grown-up can accompany them — parents, grandparents, carers, aunties or uncles
- 2 guest passes
- 10% off at the café
- 20% off Halcyon Nights x Imaginationation merch
- 3 pairs of Imaginationation socks (including a launch design)
For local families who regularly visit indoor play spaces, the value stacks up quickly.
Birthday Parties
The four party rooms are bright and colourful and party packages will be available (details still to come). They should be popular given Chadstone’s easy access and free parking.
Opening Hours & Ages
Imaginationation will operate 365 days a year, ideal for rainy days, heatwaves or long afternoons when everyone needs to get out of the house.
- Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm
- Ages: 6 months to 7+ years
Its location inside Chadstone Shopping Centre makes it perfect for combining playtime with errands, meals or Christmas shopping.
Address:
EX002/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148
(Inside Chadstone Shopping Centre)
The easiest carpark is Carpark C or E off Warrigal Road.
Why Families Will Love Imaginationation
Imaginationation ticks key boxes for us:
- Beautiful, calm design instead of a noisy, overstimulating environment
- Coffee and healthier snacks that genuinely appeal to adults
- Flexible memberships that recognise families rely on different carers each week
- Purposeful play and learning, rather than just slides and ball pits
- An accessible location with excellent parking and pram access
For families with young kids, it has the potential to become a go-to weekly activity.
FAQs for Imaginationation
When does Imaginationation open?
Monday 8 December 2025.
When do bookings open?
Tuesday 2 December 2025. Book online here.
Where is Imaginationation located?
Inside Chadstone Shopping Centre, EX002/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148. Easiest carpark is Carpark C or E.
What ages can visit?
Designed predominantly for children 6 months to 7+ years.
What are the opening hours?
9:00am – 5:30pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Does Imaginationation have a café?
Yes, with coffee, smoothies, healthier snacks and Le Puree baby/toddler meals.
Is it a permanent playcentre?
Yes, Imaginationation is a permanent venue at Chadstone.
Are memberships available?
Yes — Foundation Memberships include weekly visits, exclusive perks and early booking access.
Will they offer birthday parties?
Yes, birthday party packages will be available (more details to come).
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