Activities For Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers at the MCA (0-5yrs)

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney’s Circular Quay is Australia’s only museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art from across Australia and around the world.

With a continually changing program of exhibitions, there’s always something new, exciting and inspiring to see at the MCA for all ages!

For Babies

The museum is great to explore with very young babies as the colour and movement provide constant stimulation. The MCA runs their iconic Art Baby program, which has recently changed to a group format. These private Art Baby groups are perfect for mothers or social groups with babies under 12 months old. We’ve divided the program into two sections: a 45-minute gallery tour led by an artist educator and a 30-minute tummy time play session. 

For Pre-Schoolers

There are plenty of wacky displays to keep toddlers amused at the MCA and the ultra-engaging Art Safari program for children aged 3-5 introduces contemporary art to pre-schoolers aged 3 to 5 years old through music, storytelling, drama and art-making in the gallery.

Join a small safari of eight little ones and an artist-educator, and discover contemporary art through the lens of a different theme every month. Children aged 3 – 5 years and their grown-ups take a journey through current exhibitions with an Artist Educator playing games, sharing stories and exchanging ideas along the way!

For Babies, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers

MCA favourite ARTplay has officially gone online! Wednesday mornings will be your new favourite playdate, where you can join the artist-educators from the MCA online from your loungeroom, garden or bedroom for a 4-week creative adventure.

Perfect for ages 0-5, you and your mini art lover will be led by MCA artist-educators through a range of exhibition-inspired artmaking, storytelling and sing-a-longs. You will even learn a weekly word in Australian sign language. Using simple items found in your home, each week will bring new opportunities to play together online during these interactive sessions to introduce new artworks and concepts looking at shapes, colours, patterns and more.

The Finer Details

MCA is open Monday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm. Open until 9 pm on Thursdays.

MCA is located at 140 George Street, The Rocks. For more information call 02 9245 2400 or visit the website.

Getting there: MCA is close to all forms of public transport: bus, train and ferry. For further information on public transport phone 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au. Car parking stations are within walking distance to the MCA, located at Harrington St, The Rocks and Macquarie St (Sydney Opera House Car Park).

Facilities: MCA Café is lovely or you could pack a lunch and have a picnic on the front lawn of the museum, overlooking the magnificent Sydney harbour. Baby Change Facilities are available and there is full stroller accessibility.

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