If your little one loves Play School (and honestly, whose kids don’t?), then mark your 2026 calendar. ACMI is opening a brand new, FREE exhibition called Play School: Come and Play!, celebrating 60 years of the iconic show — and it’s designed especially for preschoolers.
Opening 4 March to 12 July 2026, this hands-on exhibition invites curious kids to step right inside the world of Play School. And yes — Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima, Humpty and Kiya will all be there waiting.
As a parent who has spent plenty of mornings singing along at home, I can already picture the excitement.
Step Inside an Episode of Play School at ACMI
This isn’t a nostalgic display for grown-ups (though parents will absolutely feel all the feels). Instead, ACMI has built a kid-sized Play School world where children can explore exactly how an episode is made today.
Little visitors can:
- Pretend to be a presenter, talking to camera
- Try out being a director or camera operator
- Peek through the famous Play School windows
- Hear stories beneath the rocket clock
- Sing along to favourite songs
- Meet their favourite toys in person
It’s interactive, hands-on and designed with children aged two to five in mind.
Why Your Kids Will Love It
Play School has always been built around play, imagination and curiosity. This exhibition channels all of that energy into a space where kids can:
- Build confidence through pretend play
- Explore storytelling and creativity
- Touch, move, tap and engage with everything around them
- Feel like they’re part of the Play School team
It’s the sort of outing where you can let them wander, explore and follow their own sense of wonder.
Why You Will Love It
Not only is the exhibition free, but it’s also designed with genuine learning outcomes in mind. ACMI and the ABC have created a space that encourages kids to think about how stories are made through play.
Plus, it’s right in Fed Square, so you can easily pair it with a playground stop, lunch, a pram-friendly wander or even another ACMI favourite.
ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan calls the exhibition “magical and memorable”, and parents are likely to enjoy it just as much as the little ones.
Extras for Families: Talks, Activities and a New Shop Range
It’s not just the exhibition. ACMI and ABC are rolling out more Play School celebrations.
Little Ted Talks
A three-part speaker series for grown-ups exploring early learning through screens, the power of play and screen literacy for young children.
ACMI Preschoolers
ACMI’s free monthly play-based sessions continue, helping little ones explore the museum with their parents, carers or grandparents.
Family Education Kit
A downloadable resource full of ideas for extending the fun at home.
Play School Collectibles
The ACMI Shop is releasing a new 60th anniversary range of T-shirts, tote bags, stickers and enamel pins.
Good to Know (Parent Essentials)
Location
ACMI, Fed Square, Melbourne
Cost
Free
Bookings
Required. Tickets available February 2026.
Exhibition Dates
4 March – 12 July 2026
Ages
Designed for children aged 2–5, though older siblings will enjoy it too.
Why This Exhibition Matters
Play School is Australia’s longest-running children’s TV show. For 60 years it has entertained families with songs, stories and imaginative play. This exhibition is a rare chance for kids to see behind the scenes of something they already love, while parents get to share a slice of their own childhood.
And best of all, it’s completely free. A genuinely accessible outing for families.
