NGV Kids programs

NGV Kids

The NGV is a place for everyone and warmly welcomes children and families.

Committed to providing creative experiences, especially for children, teenagers and families and through participatory exhibitions, events and sensory experiences, the NGV connects children with art and culture from all over the world, enabling them to experience the diverse and creative ways artists approach their work and allowing children access to new worlds and ideas.

Explore the latest exhibition for kids, discover the NGV Collection with self-guided activity sheets and join events for the whole family. Continue the fun at home with free online activity sheets and games.

Share your creations and experiences by using hashtag #ngvkids and tag @ngvmelbourne to be featured.

NGV Kids Summer Festival

NGV Kids Summer Festival returns with a week of free hands-on activities, interactive exhibitions, stories and performances, just for kids and their families these summer holidays. Held at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square and NGV International.

From 11–17 January, bring everyone and make it a big day out!

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NGV KIDS ON TOUR 2025

Children and families can enjoy free art activities and workshops at community venues across Melbourne and Victoria these school holidays.

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Under 5s Series

Free | Online

Spark the imagination, generate new ideas, and share thoughts in these lively online sessions about art for children aged 3 – 5 years.

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What's on for Kids

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NGV International
Relaxed Sessions: Kusama for Kids

8.30–10am, 14 Jan, free entry

(3 more dates)
NGV International
NGV Teens: Art Party YAYOI KUSAMA

6–9pm, 1 Mar, ticketed

Activity Sheets and Games

See all activity sheets and games

Activity sheets and games available for free download. Print to use, screenshot on your device and mark-up digitally, or simply take the idea and use paper and pen.

Animals of the Nile Eels! Traps and Tales My memory chest Possum-Skin Cloaks with Maree Clarke Gumnut Bling

On Demand Videos

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POSSUM-SKIN CLOAKS WITH MAREE CLARKE Gumnut Bling with Paul McCann Family Meditation with Little Warriors Yoga Digital Dance Party with Body Electric Under 5s: Tiwi Art Critical Creatures with Troy Emery

More to Explore

Exhibition activity sheets

Free Kids exhibition activity sheets are available to collect from the Information Desk on Ground level at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

 NGV Learn

The NGV offers a range of creative learning opportunities inspired by the NGV Collection and exhibitions.

 Art-Making Resource to Support Autistic Children

NGV Kids and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University have collaborated to create a free art-making resource to support autistic children.

 Information for Visitors with Autism or Sensory Sensitivities

Information on how we can support visitors with autism including relaxed sessions, social scripts, tips for a low sensory visit and sensory maps.

 Publications

NGV Kids and Teens publications are designed to challenge young artistic minds and inspire young visitors long after they return home from the Gallery.
Teens

NGV Teens offers specially tailored programming that connects young people with art and artists at the Gallery.

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Tips for experiencing art and the Gallery with young children
  • Early childhood specialists recommend keeping visits short. When planning your visit, select a time in the day that best suits the child and their energy levels.
  • You could treat the visit to the Gallery like a walk in the park. Explore the different spaces and discover different art works along the way. Let your child take the lead!
  • Give your child the camera and ask them to take photos of what interests them. After your visit you can review the images together.
  • Look for aspects of the artworks that relate to the child’s everyday lives and talk about them together. For example, comparing a domestic scene to their home.
  • Look for the children’s art work labels and read them together.
  • Ask open-ended questions about the art, such as “What is happening in this picture?”.
  • Ask questions about your visit afterwards.
  • Provide pencils or crayons at home so that your child can draw their experiences.

FACILITIES FOR FAMILIES

Prams

NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia are fully pram accessible and you are welcome to take your pram into Gallery spaces. Any large bags that are not stored underneath prams will need to be cloaked.

 Relax

The Great Hall and NGV Garden are great places for children to roam, relax, stretch their legs or lie back and gaze at the stained glass ceiling.

 Food

Family-friendly food options are available at Gallery Kitchen and Tea Room. You are also welcome to bring food from home to eat in the NGV Garden. Bring a picnic lunch! Please remember food and drink cannot be consumed in NGV Kids exhibitions or in other Gallery spaces, for protection of works of art on display.

 Change Facilities

Baby change facilities are available on ground level at both venues. At NGV International, a dedicated parents’ room provides a quiet space for families plus private feeding space and a microwave.

 Parking

Parking is available in the Arts Centre Melbourne car park located beneath NGV International. Enter from Sturt Street, Southbank, accessed from St Kilda Road/Southbank Boulevard and Alexandra Avenue/City Road.

 Early Years and School Group Visits

The NGV offers a stimulating and wonder-filled environment for young learners. For groups of early years’ students, the Gallery offers interactive education programs that are developed and presented by experienced educators and align with outcomes in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

• Cloaking facilities for groups are available at both NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
• Bookings are essential for all group visits, including self-guided visits.
• Please note that there may be limited access to the NGV Kids exhibitions for groups during periods of peak visitation.

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Ticketed Shows

• Children under 5 years are free and do not require a ticket.
• Children and young people aged 5 to 15 years are eligible for a Child ticket, see exhibition page for prices.
• Students aged 15 years and over are eligible for a Concession ticket. Remember to bring a valid school ID card.
Visit the National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is a place for everyone and warmly welcomes all children, teenagers and families. We offer lots of free activities for you to enjoy at the NGV, including children’s exhibitions, holiday workshops, activity sheets and games!

For more information about visiting the NGV, choose your language below:


Arabic | Burmese | Dari | Dinka | Hindi | Punjabi | Simplified Chinese | Vietnamese
Family Membership

Family Membership covers two adults and up to three children under the age of 18 and includes all of the benefits of an Individual Membership for your family, plus a complimentary NGV Kids book and access to exclusive children’s events.

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