State Library Victoria's forecourt is turning into a kids paradise for three days this month with Library on the Lawn: Kids Festival.
Families can rock up anytime between 10am and 1pm from 13–15 January for State Library Victoria storytime sessions, craft showbags, parachute play and oversized puzzles. Library on the Lawn: Kids Festival is basically a playground for tiny book nerds, complete with bubble dance parties and newspaper catwalk sessions where kids can fashion their own wearable creations.
Teddies are specifically invited to storytime, which is excellent news for anyone whose kid refuses to leave home without their favourite stuffed companion. If the heat gets too much, families can duck inside for a scavenger hunt through the library’s iconic reading rooms.
State Library Victoria – Library on the Lawn
- Tuesday 13 January, 10am–1pm, State Library Victoria forecourt, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
- Wednesday 14 January, 10am–1pm, State Library Victoria forecourt, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
- Thursday 15 January, 10am–1pm, State Library Victoria forecourt, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
- Free, no bookings required
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Library on the Lawn: Kids Festival is teaming up with Public Libraries Victoria’s BIG Summer Read program, which is all about getting kids to actually read during the holidays instead of just staring at screens. More than 4,000 books will be available for kids aged up to 12, so there’s plenty of material to keep young readers busy.
Activities are staggered throughout each three-hour session. Bubble dance parties kick off at 10.15am and noon, while storytime happens at 10.30am and 11.30am. Parachute play starts at 11am, then newspaper catwalk creation time begins at 12.15pm before the actual catwalk strut at 12.30pm.
Everything is drop-in, so families don’t need to stress about bookings or arriving at a specific time. Kids can bounce between activities as they please, whether that’s diving into jumbo puzzles, getting crafty with newspaper fashion or joining the chaos of parachute play.
It’s rare to find free school holiday activities that don’t involve booking weeks in advance or spending a fortune, so Library on the Lawn: Kids Festival is a solid option for parents looking to keep little ones entertained without breaking the bank.
Plus, anything that encourages reading while also involving bubble machines is a win.
For more information, head here.
