Something new is landing in Chadstone Shopping Centre next week that goes beyond the usual shopping centre offering.
Imaginationation opens at Chadstone Shopping Centre next Monday 8 December, bringing design-led play to kids aged zero to seven.
Founder Ari Ritz, a Melbourne-based entrepreneur and father of two, has created something that goes beyond the standard playcentre model. Imaginationation spans 1,200 square metres of architecturally designed space where interactive play zones meet immersive learning adventures and sensory experiences. Every element aims to spark curiosity and creativity while giving carers somewhere they’ll actually want to spend time.
Bookings open Tuesday 2 December for the permanent venue at Chadstone Shopping Centre, which combines premium play areas with a café serving proper coffee, smoothies and better-for-you snacks. Baby and toddler food comes from Le Puree, while staff uniforms and exclusive merchandise have been designed in collaboration with colourful clothing brand Halcyon Nights.
Imaginationation at Chadstone Shopping Centre
- Where: Chadstone Shopping Centre, EX002/1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
- When: Opens Monday 8 December
- Hours: 9am-5.30pm, seven days a week
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Ritz describes Imaginationation as an environment designed to inspire joy and imagination at every turn, built not just for children but for their grown-ups too. It’s a philosophy that shows up in the details.
Play classes and a dedicated CONNETIX Builder Room add structured activities to the mix, while annual memberships and birthday party packages cater to families who want regular access. Every corner of the space has been planned to encourage exploration and connection, moving away from the chaotic, purely functional approach of traditional playcentres.
Interactive zones invite kids to create and discover at their own pace, while sensory spaces acknowledge that not every child plays the same way. Learning experiences weave through the venue without feeling like work, keeping things engaging for curious minds that need more than just climbing equipment.
Chadstone Shopping Centre gains a playcentre that treats design as seriously as function, giving Melbourne families a new option that prioritises both aesthetics and developmental play.
For more information, head here.
