Little Kids Day In: Play On

Tycho, our favourite cheeky dog with a knack for getting into trouble, is finally blasting off to discover the red planet, Mars!

Join Tycho on an adventure to learn all about the major features of Mars, including the ancient volcano Olympus Mons and the canyons of the Valles Marineris.

Tycho is in search of water to fly his steam-powered space kennel back home. But how will he find water on Mars, when it looks so cold, dusty and dry?

• Learn more about Tyco Goes to Mars

These seemingly simple spheres are anything but. / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

Join us in the Amphitheatre for ‘The Birthday Show’, a 20-minute free show that’s all about the science of celebrations! We believe the best learning is through play, so come along to the party – we’ve got bubbles, balloons and more! 

Take a seat in our Lightning Theatre and be mesmerised by this visually stunning 30-minute live science show.

See early learner mini weather experiments including clouds, rain, rainbows and even mini lightning, finishing with giant lightning from our Tesla coil.

Meet Tycho, a dog who doesn’t just howl at the Moon, but wants to go there.

Blast off on an amazing ride into space with Tycho and his young friends, Ruby and Michael.

Learn about night and day, space travel, the phases of the Moon and features of the lunar surface. Take a close-up look at the Sun, watch the effects of gravity, see the Earth from space and watch meteors shoot across the night sky.

• Learn more about Tycho to the Moon

Take a seat in our Lightning Theatre and be mesmerised by this visually stunning 30-minute live science show.

• Learn more about The Glow Show

Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Jon Augier

Play, build and create! Be inspired to test ideas and get your design skills into gear in this pop-up space for young engineers. Can you construct a car or cubby using a modular couch? Manipulate colour with a light table? Or even propel a scarf through our wind tunnel?    

Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

The Energy Lab transforms into our Tot Spot zone. Here, little learners will explore programming and coding! Program a Code-a-Pillar, Blue Bot or Bee Bot and create your own robot adventure. Can you program your robot to zig-zag? Or to crawl through your legs? Or even to reach a strawberry, slice of watermelon or a piece of cherry pie? You code, you decide!    

Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

In the Kinder Clubhouse the best learning happens when you play. Imagination, sensory, craft, movement, and open play is all learning in the Kinder Clubhouse.

Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

Looking for a break from all the high energy? The Book Nook is an enchanting and unique space dedicated to reading with soft cushions, displays of colour, and a relaxed atmosphere.  

Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

For the littlest of little kids, explore the Bub Hub and enjoy some sensory play with soft play items.