MoPA: Museum of Play and Art
A hands-on children's museum with four locations across Victoria, and the one closest to the city is set inside a 2,500-square-metre building in Sandringham.
Overview
MoPA, short for the Museum of Play and Art, is a modern kids' activity space that has built a loyal following of tiny clients since it opened. MoPA runs on the simple premise that open-ended, creative play does more for young kids than screens or structured activities ever will. The exhibits are built by a team of educators with more than 220 years of combined early-learning experience, spread across four locations — Sandringham and Thomastown in Melbourne's south and north, Nunawading in the east, and the original site in Geelong. All four are designed for ages one to seven, and they're open every day of the year.
Sandringham is the one to know if you're coming from the CBD. The whole space is built around an immersive colour wheel, running through craft rooms, an immersive cinema, one of the largest soft play areas of its kind, a six-metre-high miniature city and a main stage that turns into a dance party on a regular basis.
It's a single-level building throughout, with ramped access, accessible bathrooms and change rooms, and plenty of seating for parents happy to sit one out. Parking includes more than 200 shared on-site spots, with unrestricted street parking nearby if those fill up on a busy day, making it one less thing for parents to worry about.
Membership is where the value lies — annual plans start at $28 and cover entry to all four museums, which explains why MoPA now counts more than 25,000 members, most of whom visit 10 or more times a year. Food from outside the museum is not allowed, making it an allergy-friendly space, but don't fret; the on-site café has you covered.
Images: Supplied.
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