Visiting the Museum

Time to Play workshops

Time to Play workshops are run several times throughout the year. A small charge applies to these workshops.

• What are 'Time to Play' workshops?
• What workshops are on now?
• See a Time to Play workshop in action
• What age groups are the workshops suitable for?
• Can I bring my baby into the workshops?
• When are the workshops held?
• How many children are in each workshop?
• Do I need to book?
• How much does it cost?
• Can we stay at the museum after the workshop?

What are 'Time to Play' workshops?

The workshops are a fun and educational experience for children 5 years and under. They provide a stimulating introduction to the Museum. They offer a new and exciting experience for newcomers to the Museum as well as adding an extra dimension for regular visitors.

They are designed with the young learner in mind, so cater for their particular interests.

A workshop will include activities such as:

• touching real objects
• storytelling
• art experiences
• dressing up
• music
• plus many other stimulating experiences

See a Time to Play workshop in action

This is an example of a workshop that has been held in the past.

The 'Dinosaur Days' workshop starts with a discussion of a big book Dinosaur Dinners Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Followed by a challenge. "What part of the dinosaur does this fossilised bone come from?" (Answer, it's a hadrosaur dinosaur's toe bone!) Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Then the group breaks up to do activities around the room.

Reading a good book with Grandma. Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Hunting for fossils in the fossil dig. Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Using the feltboard to make up a story. Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

"Look out the Tyrannosaurs rex will get you!" Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Here comes pteranodon running along the dinosaur trackway..... Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

Closely followed by Stegosaurus. Photo: P. Ovenden, Australian Museum

What age groups are the workshops suitable for?

• The workshops are designed in two sessions to cater for children's different learning styles and abilities.
• One session is for children aged from 18 months to just under 3 years old, the other for children aged 3 - 5 years old.
• We understand that you may have two children of varying ages that you would like to have attend the one workshop. We can usually cater for this.

Can I bring my baby into the workshops?

Certainly!
However if your baby becomes a little disruptive during the workshop we do ask that you take her/him out of the room to the adjacent foyer. We provide toys there to cheer up bored, tired and cranky babies.

When are the workshops held?

These workshops are held on Tuesdays to Saturdays, for two weeks during February and the first week after each school holidays. The content is repeated each day so you only need to attend one workshop.

Times are:

• 10am - 11am for children under 3 years old.
• 11.30am - 12.30pm for children aged 3 - 5 years old.

For program details go to the What's on Calendar

How many children are in each workshop?

There are usually 12 children booked into the under 3s session and 15 booked into the session for 3 to 5 year olds.

Do I need to book?

Yes, carers and playgroups should call the Time to Play booking line on (+612) 9320 6383 from 9am - 1pm. See the What's on Calendar for dates.

How much does it cost?

Check the What's on Calendar for the prices of each workshop.

Can we stay at the Museum after the workshop?

Please do!
You are most welcome to spend as long as you would like exploring the Museum. Your workshop ticket covers entry for the day for your child and one accompanying adult.
Please note your ticket does not include temporary exhibitions that have an extra admission charge. If you want to visit any of these exhibitions just pay a top up fee at the Admissions Desk before entering. Children under 5 are admitted free to these exhibitions. Children 5 years and over are charged the children's admission fee.

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003