Tinkertown

Welcome to Tinkertown, a world of marvellous invention, daring builds and mindful tinkering. There is fun stuff to do and serious stuff to learn!

Explore the engineering design process by building cubby houses and other imaginative structures. Solve challenges, send secret messages and invent wacky contraptions.

This immersive space invites kids and families to explore, experiment and engineer in a playful environment built just for them.

If you're looking for the best things to do in Melbourne with your kids or indoor spaces that spark creativity, Tinkertown is a must-visit.

What you’ll find inside Tinkertown

This colourful, tactile space is packed with activities for families in Melbourne that encourage imaginative play, collaboration, and discovery:

• Build a soft cubby house using coloured cushions
• Invent a moving contraption or sculptures using loose parts
• Code a message on a giant fidget popper wall
• Create an elaborate roller coaster on magnetic ball runs
• Solve or design your own tangram puzzles
• Send a secret message through whisper tubes

Play based learning in action

Tinkertown is inspired by the engineering design process: try, test, learn, and try again. Through play based learning, children naturally explore STEM concepts like force, motion, stability, and design. It’s a place where sensory play and science meet — and where mistakes are part of the fun.

Real-world inventions and curious objects from the State Collection are on display, connecting imaginative play to actual innovation and engineering history.

Why families love Tinkertown

Tinkertown is one of many fun things to do with the family in Melbourne, especially for those seeking indoor fun that’s educational, engaging, and screen-free. The exhibition focuses on imaginative play for kids through building games, sensory play and problem solving. All this in an engaging science and engineering indoor playground in Melbourne.

It’s also fully accessible and designed to be inclusive for all families. A social story is available to help visitors prepare for the experience, especially those who may benefit from a sensory-friendly guide.