Playbound is back with a city-wide Melbourne festival of play for kids these winter school holidays! In 2025, the fun-filled and educational program runs from Saturday 5 July to Sunday 20 July.
The 16-day children’s festival is dedicated to play, nature, science, and imagination, and takes over the City of Melbourne with free and affordable programs for families to enjoy. From dinosaurs to drawing, coding to community care, Playbound is designed for children aged 0–12 years to spark learning through play.
What’s On at Playbound 2025
Playbound is produced by Museums Victoria in collaboration with:
- ACCA
- The City of Melbourne
- Creative Victoria
- Global Play Lab
- Gowrie Victoria
- Orchestra Victoria
- Road to Zero
- State Library Victoria
- The Wheeler Centre
In 2024, over 65,000 people attended Playbound programs across the city. 2025 promises to be even bigger, bolder and more inspiring, with 21 free and affordable programs that combine art, science, creativity, storytelling, music, and sensory exploration.
Here are some highlights from the 2025 Playbound Festival.
NAIDOC Week Family Day, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
- Date: Sunday 6 July
- Time: 10am-3pm
- Cost: Included with museum entry
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Melbourne Museum Family Day with a Welcome to Country on the Museum Plaza, market stalls, performance, artist talk and family activities.
This year’s theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’ invites everyone to celebrate the Elders who have come before us and amplifying our Next Generation of deadly leaders.
Dino Days, Melbourne Museum
- Dates: Every Wednesday
- Time: 10am–2pm
- Cost: Included with museum entry
Dino Days invites our youngest dinosaur enthusiasts to explore all things dinosaur. From dino discos and dress-ups to story times and sensory soft play, it’s a dinosaur day out at Melbourne Museum.
Road to Zero Helmet Heroes, Melbourne Museum
- Dates: 5 July-19 July, excluding Sundays
- Time: 10am-3pm
- Cost: Free
Learn how to correctly choose and fit a helmet at Road to Zero. Suitable for families with children three years and over, once everyone in the family is safely kitted out with helmets and gear, it’s time to grab some props, choose a digital background and take some fun holiday pictures!
Story House Workshop With Anna Walker, State Library Victoria
- Dates Thursday 10 & 17 July
- Times: 11:30am to 12:30pm & 3 to 4pm
- Cost: $10 per participant, supervising adults attend for free.
Join award-winning illustrator and author, Anna Walker, in an interactive Story House Workshop, where imagination finds a home.
Crafty Kids’ Lab With Yuval Zommer, The Wheeler Centre
- Date: Tuesday 15 July
- Time: 11am to 12 noon
- Cost:$10 per participant
Learn, create and connect in this interactive and enriching workshop hosted by bestselling children’s author Yuval Zommer at The Wheeler Centre.
You will have the opportunity to work creatively with Zommer as he shares stories from his beautifully illustrated and fun-fact-filled The Big Book series and his latest title, Our Islands. Then, follow along with a step-by-step crafting activity to make your very own piece of nature-inspired art to take home and keep.
Family Art Day, ACCA
- Date: Thursday 17 July
- Time: 10am to 1pm
- Cost: Free (booking is required)
All participants will create their own artworks and contribute to a large-scale collaborative artwork inspired by the themes of parental and familial love explored in this exhibition.
Lightscape Explorers, Gowrie Docklands
- Date: Wednesday 16 July
- Time:10am to 12 noon
- Cost: Free (booking is required)
Children will explore a luminous landscape, manipulating loose parts using science equipment including blacklights and lenses to discover STEM concepts.
Teddy Bears Picnic, City of Melbourne Libraries
- North Melbourne Library Monday 7 July, 10.30 to 11.30am
- Kathleen Syme Library Monday 7 July, 10.30 to 11.30am
- City Library Tuesday 8 July, 10.30am to 11.30 (Bookings essential)
- East Melbourne Library Wednesday 9 July, 10.30 to 11.30am
- narrm ngarrgu Library Wednesday 9 July, 10.30 to 11.30am
- Library at The Dock Wednesday 16 July, 10.30 to 11.30am (Bookings essential)
- Southbank Library Thursday 17 July, 10.30 to 11.30am
- Cost: Free (Booking is required at some venues, see above)
Bring your Teddy or favourite soft toy along for an hour of bearish fun. Enjoy some bear themed craft, books (biscuits) and songs!
Where is Playbound Festival Held?
Playbound takes place across a range of iconic cultural venues in the City of Melbourne, including Melbourne Museum, The Wheeler Centre, State Library of Victoria and ACCA (Australian Centre for Contemporary Art).
The 2025 program expands beyond museums to bring playful experiences into the streets, libraries, and public spaces of the City of Melbourne.
Who is Playbound For?
Playbound‘s program contains events for children aged 0-12 and their grown-ups. Many of the activities are specifically designed for:
- Babies and toddlers;
- Preschoolers; or
- Primary-aged children.
It’s a perfect program for parents, grandparents and carers looking for screen-free fun during the Melbourne winter school holidays.
Cost and Booking
Many Playbound events are free with museum entry, and others are low-cost.
Bookings may be required for some timed sessions and workshops, so it’s a good idea to check the full program and secure your spot early.
Playbound 2025 – Plan Your Visit
For the full Playbound program, visit Playbound – Museums Victoria.
Keep an eye on your favourite venues’ websites and social channels too, as they may release additional information closer to the date.
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