Celebrating imagination
This month our theme is IMAGINATION. We’ll dance like banana stuffed scarecrows, read books about eating fluffy clouds, and make wacky mobile monster mates during crafter-noon. As always, all these activities will run all day, every day, and are all included with Free Play tickets.
But why is imagination so important to nurture? MoPA Team Member, Kim, explains.
“Picture a world where anything is possible—a world where dragons roam, castles float among the clouds, and ordinary objects transform into magical treasures. This is the realm of imagination, a boundless playground where children explore, create, and dream without limits.
Imagination isn’t just child’s play; it’s a vital skill that lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, innovation, and empathy. When children engage their imaginations, they’re not just escaping reality; they’re actively constructing new worlds, solving problems, and flexing their creative muscles.
In the realm of imagination, children become architects of their own destinies, navigating imaginary landscapes, and experimenting with endless possibilities. Whether they’re inventing fantastical stories, building elaborate forts, or crafting imaginary friends, imagination opens doors to exploration and self-discovery.
But imagination is more than just make-believe; it’s a powerful tool for developing essential life skills. Through imaginative play, children learn to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. They learn to see the world from different perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding for others.
Moreover, imagination is the birthplace of innovation and creativity—the driving forces behind progress and change. When children dare to dream, they become inventors, artists, and visionaries, shaping the world around them with their ideas and aspirations.
Nurturing imagination isn’t just about encouraging flights of fancy; it’s about fostering a sense of wonder and possibility in every aspect of life. Whether it’s through storytelling, art, or open-ended play, parents can cultivate a rich imaginative landscape where their children can explore, create, and thrive.
In a world that’s constantly evolving, imagination is the compass that guides us forward, inspiring us to dream big, reach for the stars, and imagine the impossible. So let’s celebrate the power of imagination and encourage our children to embrace the magic of their own imaginations, for it’s through their dreams that the future is born.”
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ATTN: CASUAL & PART-TIME JOB SEEKERS!
Melbourne’s brand new Children’s Museum, MoPA Thomastown, will open soon - and we’re excited to start the recruitment process!! Over the coming 6 weeks we will assemble a high performance team brimming with Engaged Early Learning Educators, Excellent Experience Team Members, Joyful Party Hosts, A+ Baristas, Astute Chefs and a big cup full of Tasty Cooks!
Jump over to our JOBS page for information on all the roles available!! x MoPA
Building a Children’s Museum is a BIG but enormously rewarding journey!
A team of more than 100 incredible designers, architects, engineers, agents, consultants, technicians, carpenters, tilers, plumbers, glaziers, electricians, metalworkers, surveyors, woodworkers, prop makers, artists, craftspeople and painters have all worked in loosely organised chaos for over a year to bring this amazing new Museum to life.
Whilst we’ve still got a LOT of work to do, we expect the new Museum will be ready for a grand opening in November. And the very thought of all your smiling faces running through the door on day one is keeping us massively energised!
If you’re keen to be among the very first birthday parties, excursions, members or casual guests through the doors at MoPA Thomastown, be sure to pop your name on the “GET MOPA THOMASTOWN UPDATES” mailing list (you’ll find the sign up form at the bottom of the Thomastown page on our website).
...Annnnnd if you might be interested in joining the amazing team here at MoPA Thomastown, we’ve now up for opened applications for all the casual and part-time roles. Head over the the “JOBS” section of the website to learn more.
See you soon!! x
Today we’re launching our new theme “Happy Hearts, Happy Places” (Showing Sep 2 until Oct 12) and this gorgeous new ART HOUSE activity is a part of this theme.
But why “Happy Hearts, Happy Places”? Because developing an understanding of COMMUNITY is one of THE most important early learnings. It helps children feel connected and valued. It helps them form a sense of identity and appreciate others’ perspectives. And, in effect, it empowers children to grow into compassionate, engaged adults who care for one another and the world around us.
The ART HOUSE activity featured in this post is a key part of this new exhibition. Children can make a home, school, coffee shop, library, or any other building or feature of their community that feels important to them.
Seeing this paper bag community come to life is going to be very special…
🥰 WIN 1 of 3 TONIEBOX PRIZE PACKS 🥰
We’re still riding high after the amazing @tonies_anz launch featuring @emmamemmamemma at MoPA last week 🎉
To keep the celebrations going, the tonies team is giving away 3 x Toniebox prize packs, each with one Emma Memma Creative-Tonie Unicorn, featuring her latest tunes plus Emma Memma’s new song – Coconut Tree 🥥🌴🎶 – exclusive to the Toniebox!
How to enter:
♥️ Follow @tonies_anz
♥️ Like this post
♥️ Tag 3 friends below
Entries close Friday 6th SEP 2024. GOOD LUCK 🤞🏼
Terms & Conditions:
3 winners chosen at random. Each winner receives 1 Red Toniebox and 1 x Emma Memma Creative-Tonie Unicorn. Aus residents only. Winner announced on Monday 9th SEP 2024. One entry per person. Winners will only ever be contacted directly via DMs from THIS account (@museum_of_play_and_art ).
“Hi Hungry. I’m Dad.”
The MoPA Teams’ Dad’s have come up with some brilliant ‘Dad jokes’ here... But we’d love to hear yours?
PS. If you happen to swing past MoPA this week, you’ll be encouraged to join us for a craft session where we’ll be making these cute flags for Dad or a significant other.
We can’t WAIT to hear your best Dad jokes...?
x MoPA
Book Week: When the gorgeous team (a team that love dressing up anyway, all day, err day) have a great excuse to REALLY dress up - for a full week!”
If YOU are planning a visit to MoPA this week, we’d LOVE to see you visit in costume!! 🕺💃 ❤️
It’s Officially (almost) Book Week (well… it starts tomorrow) @ MoPA 📖 💕☀️
From SAT 17th AUG, for ONE week only, we’re celebrating Book Week with a gorgeous activation our Educators are calling “TINY PAGES”. Children (and their carers!) are invited to write and illustrate a book of tiny pages, full of self-affirmations, things that inspire us, and the cutest reflections of self.
This activity is curated to support self-identity, positive interdependence and mental wellbeing - important skills for our lil’ ones to develop in their early years.
x MoPA
WIN TICKETS to see Emma Memma @ MoPA!! 🧡🎟️🧡
To celebrate the official launch of @tonies_anz in Australia the one-and-only @emmamemmamemma will be joining us for an exclusive performance, on August 15, at MoPA Sandringham - WOOHOO!!
For your chance to win tickets simply tag the lucky friend that you’d bring with you if you win!
Enter as many times as you’d like by tagging friends in seperate comments. We have 10 double-passes to give away to the launch event (1 child + 1 adult). Entries will close at 5pm this Friday 9th August. 5 entries will be drawn at random, and those 5 lucky winners will win a double-ticket for themselves AND a double-ticket for the friend they tagged. Make sure you’re following us on Insta and Facebook so that we can contact all the winners via DMs. Good luck!🤞❤️
We currently have a number of casual roles available at MoPA: Geelong - and we’re also now recruiting for a Manager at MoPA: Thomastown ❤️👨🎨🎨 Pretty please head over to the “Jobs” part of our interwebs page 😆 if you’re keen to learn more!! x
