The Power of Play
Below you’ll find an award-winning poem by the talented young poet, Jemima Mahon. Jemima is the niece of MoPA’s Founders, Tom and Billie, and is currently undertaking her early high-school education in the UK. As part of her studies, Jemima submitted the poem you’ll find below; a poem all about… You guessed it – The Power of Play.
With her work, Jemima won the award pictured – and in doing so, became the official Poem Laureate of the Blue School.
Jemima’s family and friends couldn’t be more proud; her work provides true insight into the role of play throughout our lives… And we know you’ll enjoy it as much as we do!
The Power of Play
I don’t need gold or fancy toys,
Just an open space and lots noise A ball and a stick, a world to create, A castle as tall, and dragon’s lake.
I run and play, I play and fall,
To be the hero and save them all.
A cardboard box into a teddie house
a paper crown to rule the town!
I’ll rule the stars, I take them down
I play with friends, I play all day long, In every game, my world expands. A stage, a scene, a line to say
I’m a new part in every play.
But play’s not just for fun and laughter, I still have to rush to tea after.
A race, a joke, a secret plan,
I learn to lose, I learn I can.
So when they say, “you will grow up someday,” I’ll smile and laugh, then run away.
For in my heart, I’ll always stay,
A kid at soul, who loves to play.
GET OUR NEWSLETTER
Socials
NOT EVEN JOKING!! 100 off MoPA Parties & Full Museum Takeovers
FINAL CALL - DO NOT MISS OUT!! x ❤️🥳🪩😍
Don’t miss out on $100 off the BEST Birthday Parties in Melbourne!
A massive happy birthday to Axel, and congrats on another incredible year raising your lil’ rascal @melbournewithsiri — Looks like it’s going to take a while to wipe that smile off that young man’s face!! ❤️🕺🪩
Best video of the year…. LOVE this so much. And LOVE seeing soooooo many grandparents at MoPA. 3 weeks left of FREE GRANDPARENTS — Don’t miss out!! x ❤️
All grandparents are FREE at MoPA until the end of February… Even Gran-ma (with no “D”!!). Cutest vid ever. More of this papa gold to come… STAY TUNED!
❤️ SOUND ON 😭 (Ready for happy tears?):
“Until I became a grandparent I didn’t understand the love, and just the emotion…”
Grandparents are free at MoPA this summer (3 weeks to go!!) and it has hands-down been the most beautiful environment in the Museums all summer long. The most special part of this time is that what we’re seeing most is 3-generations — all creating beautiful memories together. Grandparents are just visiting with the kiddlybites — it’s a full family affair.
Just. Gorgeous. ❤️
$100 off MoPA Parties! WOOHOO!! 🥳
MoPA turned 6 years old this week and we decided that instead of throwing a party for ourselves to celebrate, it feels muuuuch nicer to help YOU have a party at MoPA instead!
Here’s how it works:
❤️ You can book the party for any date this year, so long as the booking is placed this week
❤️ $100 discount will be applied at the checkout when you use the discount code LOVE2PARTY
❤️ If you need to move the party date 6-8 weeks prior to when it’s booked for, just give us a call - we’ll shuffle it around for you, no problems at all!
IT’S TIME TO PAR-TAY!!!! 🕺🍾🔥
THIS JUST IN: MoPA UNLIMITED!! As of TODAY our Memberships provide unlimited access to EVERY Museum, ALL year ‘round!! WHOA!!
Think play dates, think meet ups, think weekly routines, think rainy days… All year around, at all our Museums. Huge value. 2026 SORTED!!
MoPA Geelong: YEP!
MoPA Sandy: YOU BET!
MoPA Thommo: ERR’ DAY!
MoPA Nunawading: YEEHAH!
MoPA Adelaide: LET’S FIFO BABY!
x MoPA
“We learn through free play, through imaginary play”
