In case your toddler loves Play Faculty (and truthfully, whose children don’t?), then mark your 2026 calendar. ACMI is opening a model new, FREE exhibition referred to as Play Faculty: Come and Play!, celebrating 60 years of the long-lasting present — and it’s designed particularly for preschoolers.
Opening 4 March to 12 July 2026, this hands-on exhibition invitations curious children to step proper contained in the world of Play Faculty. And sure — Large Ted, Little Ted, Jemima, Humpty and Kiya will all be there ready.
As a mother or father who has spent loads of mornings singing alongside at dwelling, I can already image the joy.
Step Inside an Episode of Play Faculty at ACMI
This isn’t a nostalgic show for grown-ups (although dad and mom will completely really feel all of the feels). As an alternative, ACMI has constructed a kid-sized Play Faculty world the place youngsters can discover precisely how an episode is made at present.
Little guests can:
- Faux to be a presenter, speaking to digital camera
- Check out being a director or digital camera operator
- Peek via the well-known Play Faculty home windows
- Hear tales beneath the rocket clock
- Sing alongside to favorite songs
- Meet their favorite toys in particular person
It’s interactive, hands-on and designed with youngsters aged two to 5 in thoughts.
Why Your Youngsters Will Love It
Play Faculty has all the time been constructed round play, creativeness and curiosity. This exhibition channels all of that vitality into an area the place children can:
- Construct confidence via faux play
- Discover storytelling and creativity
- Contact, transfer, faucet and interact with all the pieces round them
- Really feel like they’re a part of the Play Faculty group
It’s the type of outing the place you possibly can allow them to wander, discover and comply with their very own sense of marvel.
Why You Will Love It
Not solely is the exhibition free, nevertheless it’s additionally designed with real studying outcomes in thoughts. ACMI and the ABC have created an area that encourages children to consider how tales are made via play.
Plus, it’s proper in Fed Sq., so you possibly can simply pair it with a playground cease, lunch, a pram-friendly wander and even one other ACMI favorite.
ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan calls the exhibition “magical and memorable”, and fogeys are more likely to take pleasure in it simply as a lot because the little ones.
Extras for Households: Talks, Actions and a New Store Vary
It’s not simply the exhibition. ACMI and ABC are rolling out extra Play Faculty celebrations.
Little Ted Talks
A 3-part speaker collection for grown-ups exploring early studying via screens, the facility of play and display literacy for younger youngsters.
ACMI Preschoolers
ACMI’s free month-to-month play-based classes proceed, serving to little ones discover the museum with their dad and mom, carers or grandparents.
Household Schooling Package
A downloadable useful resource stuffed with concepts for extending the enjoyable at dwelling.
Play Faculty Collectibles
The ACMI Store is releasing a brand new sixtieth anniversary vary of T-shirts, tote luggage, stickers and enamel pins.
Good to Know (Mother or father Necessities)
Location
ACMI, Fed Sq., Melbourne
Value
Free
Bookings
Required. Tickets obtainable February 2026.
Exhibition Dates
4 March – 12 July 2026
Ages
Designed for youngsters aged 2–5, although older siblings will take pleasure in it too.
Why This Exhibition Issues
Play Faculty is Australia’s longest-running youngsters’s TV present. For 60 years it has entertained households with songs, tales and imaginative play. This exhibition is a uncommon probability for youths to see behind the scenes of one thing they already love, whereas dad and mom get to share a slice of their very own childhood.
And better of all, it’s fully free. A genuinely accessible outing for households.
