[Melbourne] Bound into the city for Playbound Festival 2025

The ultimate family playdate is back! Head into the city these winter school holidays and experience Playbound Festival from 5-20 July 2025.   

The 16-day children’s festival dedicated to play, nature, science and imagination returns to take over the City of Melbourne with 21 free and affordable programs for families to enjoy.  

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From bug habitats, live music, dinosaurs and magical story times, Playbound Festival celebrates the power of play to spark a lifetime of learning for children aged 0-12 years old. The program weaves art, creativity, music, storytelling, culture, community and sensory exploration into experiences the whole family can enjoy. 

Bringing together some of Melbourne’s much-loved and iconic arts and culture venues including Melbourne Museum, State Library of Victoria, ACCA, The Wheeler Centre and more, Playbound Festival’s city-wide program of workshops, performances and hands-on activities encourages children to explore big ideas through hands-on, interactive and screen-free play. 

The family friendly activities across the city include collaborating on artworks, experimenting with light and shadow with child-friendly STEM tools, and learning how insects shape our ecosystem. Beloved authors and illustrators including Yuval Zommer and Anna Walker will share stories from their books, while musical performances bring talks of empathy and community to life. Whether it’s a cozy Teddy Bears Picnic at your local library or crafting, Playbound Festival celebrates the power of play to spark lifelong learning. 

Playbound Festival is brought to you by Museums Victoria with Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), City of Melbourne Libraries, Global Play Lab, Gowrie Victoria, Orchestra Victoria, Road to Zero, State Library of Victoria, The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas and Creative Victoria. 

In 2024, Playbound Festival welcomed over 65,000 people who engaged in programs and venues in the City of Melbourne.  

For further information and to view the full Playbound Festival program, visit Museums Victoria’s website: Playbound! 2025 - Museums Victoria 

Quotes attributable to CEO and Director of Museums Victoria, Lynley Crosswell: 

'Museums Victoria is one of Victoria’s leading education providers. Our museums are a place where learning comes to life with world-class experiences that encourage children to develop their curiosity and problem-solving skills through play. By bringing together some of Melbourne’s best cultural institutions and champions of children’s creativity, Playbound Festival highlights the power of play for young minds and celebrates its vital role in sparking wonder and lifelong learning.'

Playbound Festival 2025 
Open: Saturday 5-20 July 
Full program and tickets: Available at Playbound! 2025 - Museums Victoria