Philosophy

We’re Serious about play.

MoPA is founded on the belief that more play and creativity in our children’s lives will paint a brighter, happier future. Our Exhibits and PABLOs (Play & Art Based Learning Outcomes) are crafted to provide rich opportunities for play-based learning and creative exploration.

The very minute a child is born, they begin learning patterns of behaviour that shape how they’ll eventually manage life’s biggest challenges and opportunities. For decades some of the world’s brightest minds (Einstein, Picasso, Montessori, Malaguzzi, just to name a few) promoted the importance of play and creativity in early learning, but only recently have their philosophies been adopted into modern teaching. 

The team at MoPA are passionate about making a difference in the world, and we’re super proud to be recognised as global leaders and innovators in the fields we play. 

Our Children’s Museums are carefully designed to put big smiles on little faces and provide families with the ultimate day out, but there’s also a serious side to the work we do. If you’d like to learn more about the methods MoPA employs to deliver meaningful learning outcomes, we encourage you to explore our resource library:

learning resources

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FREE Sunnies!! Whoa… Do. NOT. Miss. This!

Every lil’ munchkin that visits MoPA this summer is invited to sticker-up and take-home their very own pair of personalised sunnies. One of our most popular ever activations - so so so so cute!! 😎❤️

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FREE Sunnies!! Whoa… Do. NOT. Miss. This! Every lil’ munchkin that visits MoPA this summer is invited to sticker-up and take-home their very own pair of personalised sunnies. One of our most popular ever activations - so so so so cute!! 😎❤️

Grandparents are FREE… Right NOW!!!

QUICK. Call Mum & Dad. Right NOW!!!

Each year we celebrate our wisest, most patient, and most awesomely unconditionally loving family members of all - our dear grandparents!! And we call this special celebration FOREVER YOUNG. (And Yes, our own folks help us name the celebration 🤣)

To celebrate these special humans, we welcome them to the Museum any time and any day, for FREE. No special codes or passwords are required — you’ll see in the checkout that adding grandparents tickets to your booking shows a $0 price. Simple as that.

At this time of year in particular, during these extended holiday breaks and the grown ups ‘return to work’ period into February, we know how many grandparents are chipping in to help juggle family life; but one great example of the integral role our grandparents can play in the family unit. And we hope all our wisest family members take full advantage of this special time of year.

Ok. So this is happening. All grandparents tickets FREE - right NOW… And right up until February 27th. Yeehah!!

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Grandparents are FREE… Right NOW!!! QUICK. Call Mum & Dad. Right NOW!!! Each year we celebrate our wisest, most patient, and most awesomely unconditionally loving family members of all - our dear grandparents!! And we call this special celebration FOREVER YOUNG. (And Yes, our own folks help us name the celebration 🤣) To celebrate these special humans, we welcome them to the Museum any time and any day, for FREE. No special codes or passwords are required — you’ll see in the checkout that adding grandparents tickets to your booking shows a $0 price. Simple as that. At this time of year in particular, during these extended holiday breaks and the grown ups ‘return to work’ period into February, we know how many grandparents are chipping in to help juggle family life; but one great example of the integral role our grandparents can play in the family unit. And we hope all our wisest family members take full advantage of this special time of year. Ok. So this is happening. All grandparents tickets FREE - right NOW… And right up until February 27th. Yeehah!!

We are soOoOoO proud of our partnership with MacKillop Family Services (MFS). The beautiful families from the MFS Foster Care Community all enjoy free access to our Museum’s all year around and our team have formed some really special friendships with the children and carers that frequent our network of Museums. Some of the most precious memories our team have made in 2025 have been these special interactions.

This year, some our educators also volunteered their time to support the annual gift appeal, and throughout the uber busy school holiday period we have been collecting donations to help support the huge array of foster care services provided by the MFS community.

Meeting the families from this community and hearing their stories is one of the most humbling experiences you will ever have. Just so much ❤️ packed into one small organisation.

If you’re in a position to help, in any capacity, you won’t regret reaching out to learn more.

Dear @mackillopfamilyservices , from our team to yours, we wish you a safe and happy year ahead full of immeasurable impact on one part of our community here in Australia that needs it the most. You are truly incredible people, and an inspiration to us all.

xx MoPA 😍

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We are soOoOoO proud of our partnership with MacKillop Family Services (MFS). The beautiful families from the MFS Foster Care Community all enjoy free access to our Museum’s all year around and our team have formed some really special friendships with the children and carers that frequent our network of Museums. Some of the most precious memories our team have made in 2025 have been these special interactions. This year, some our educators also volunteered their time to support the annual gift appeal, and throughout the uber busy school holiday period we have been collecting donations to help support the huge array of foster care services provided by the MFS community. Meeting the families from this community and hearing their stories is one of the most humbling experiences you will ever have. Just so much ❤️ packed into one small organisation. If you’re in a position to help, in any capacity, you won’t regret reaching out to learn more. Dear @mackillopfamilyservices , from our team to yours, we wish you a safe and happy year ahead full of immeasurable impact on one part of our community here in Australia that needs it the most. You are truly incredible people, and an inspiration to us all. xx MoPA 😍

130 million babies came into the world this year (just 300,000 of whom started their lives in Australia). And whilst the world that these bubba’s entered seems less certain than ever, there are some beautiful reassuring certainties that give us reason for incredible optimism for their futures.

- The love and kindness they have for one another, and the world(s?) they live in, has the potential to make life better for them than it ever has been for us. May we teach them to love and care like no one has before ❤️

- Technology can be scary and challenging, but it also gives us the tools to build an understanding of our existence that our ancestors could only have dreamed, and to do more good with that comprehension in future, than any of us can imagine today 🤖

- Life is a journey of discovery, adventure and learning. And these bubba’s stand on the shoulders of all of us who came before, to discover, adventure and learn things that will make our hearts soft with pride well beyond our lifetime watching on.

From the MoPA family to yours, wishing you the most incredible year ahead! May it be full of play, creativity and learning, to pave the way to a bright future.

x MoPA

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130 million babies came into the world this year (just 300,000 of whom started their lives in Australia). And whilst the world that these bubba’s entered seems less certain than ever, there are some beautiful reassuring certainties that give us reason for incredible optimism for their futures. - The love and kindness they have for one another, and the world(s?) they live in, has the potential to make life better for them than it ever has been for us. May we teach them to love and care like no one has before ❤️ - Technology can be scary and challenging, but it also gives us the tools to build an understanding of our existence that our ancestors could only have dreamed, and to do more good with that comprehension in future, than any of us can imagine today 🤖 - Life is a journey of discovery, adventure and learning. And these bubba’s stand on the shoulders of all of us who came before, to discover, adventure and learn things that will make our hearts soft with pride well beyond our lifetime watching on. From the MoPA family to yours, wishing you the most incredible year ahead! May it be full of play, creativity and learning, to pave the way to a bright future. x MoPA

❤️ 🕶️ FREE SUNNIES 🕶️ ❤️ (starts TODAY!)

YES... This is happening. It’s a thing! Say hello to “Sticker Sunnies”; Our brand new activation where every little artist that visits MoPA in JAN will choose a pair of sunnies to decorate and take home!* 

Free sunnies for all the kids? Yep.

Stickers, shapes, textures and colour? Yep.

A whole lot of open-ended creativity? You bet ya!

All of MoPA’s activities are designed to inspire learning and creative-exploration through play, and this adorable acitivity is no exception. The kids are gonna LOVE it!

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❤️ 🕶️ FREE SUNNIES 🕶️ ❤️ (starts TODAY!) YES... This is happening. It’s a thing! Say hello to “Sticker Sunnies”; Our brand new activation where every little artist that visits MoPA in JAN will choose a pair of sunnies to decorate and take home!*  Free sunnies for all the kids? Yep. Stickers, shapes, textures and colour? Yep. A whole lot of open-ended creativity? You bet ya! All of MoPA’s activities are designed to inspire learning and creative-exploration through play, and this adorable acitivity is no exception. The kids are gonna LOVE it!

Yes!!! All of our Museum’s 🕍 are open ALL DAY, every single day of the school holidays, including Boxing Day (26/12) New Years Eve (31/12), New Years Day (1/1), and Australia Day (26/1). ❤️

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Yes!!! All of our Museum’s 🕍 are open ALL DAY, every single day of the school holidays, including Boxing Day (26/12) New Years Eve (31/12), New Years Day (1/1), and Australia Day (26/1). ❤️

Just…. Adorable. That’s all. ❤️

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Just…. Adorable. That’s all. ❤️

And YOU get a snow globe, and YOU get a snow globe… WE ALL GET SNOW GLOBES!!

From now until Christmas eve, every child that visits MoPA is invited to join in and create the most gorgeous DIY take-home snow dome — to display at home, gift to a special someone, or show off at kindy!!

⛄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ⛄️

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And YOU get a snow globe, and YOU get a snow globe… WE ALL GET SNOW GLOBES!! From now until Christmas eve, every child that visits MoPA is invited to join in and create the most gorgeous DIY take-home snow dome — to display at home, gift to a special someone, or show off at kindy!! ⛄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ⛄️

LAUNCHING TODAY: Holiday Goodie Bags!!!

When you visit MoPA between NOW and JAN 25, you can swoop up one of these gorgeous Goodie Bags. Details can be found on our interwebs and purchases can be made from NOW (you’ll see the Goodie Bags in the checkout when you’re booking your next visit).

MOPA GOODIE BAG:
On sale for just $24
JAM PACKED with $74 of value!!!

SENSORY GOODIE BAG:
On sale for just $36
SQUISHED with $89.30 of value!!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Open post by museum_of_play_and_art with ID 18088313023965298
LAUNCHING TODAY: Holiday Goodie Bags!!! When you visit MoPA between NOW and JAN 25, you can swoop up one of these gorgeous Goodie Bags. Details can be found on our interwebs and purchases can be made from NOW (you’ll see the Goodie Bags in the checkout when you’re booking your next visit). MOPA GOODIE BAG: On sale for just $24 JAM PACKED with $74 of value!!! SENSORY GOODIE BAG: On sale for just $36 SQUISHED with $89.30 of value!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

FOREVER YOUNG 💛

Grandparents are FREE!!!

Quick, call Mum & Dad! This summer we’re celebrating our wisest (and most patient!) family members, with FREE entry for all grandparents – any day, any time, until Feb 28.

OK, thank you!