NGV Kids programs

NGV Kids

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

Committed to providing creative experiences for children, teenagers, and families, the NGV connects young audiences with art and culture from around the world through participatory exhibitions, events, and sensory experiences. These opportunities allow children to explore the diverse and imaginative ways artists approach their work, opening doors to new worlds and ideas.

Discover the latest exhibition for kids, explore the NGV Collection with self-guided activity sheets, and join school holiday activities and events designed for the whole family. Keep the creativity going at home with free online activity sheets and games.

Share your creations and experiences by using the hashtag #ngvkids and tagging @ngvmelbourne for a chance to be featured.

Plans For The Planet
Olaf Breuning For Kids

Artist Olaf Breuning presents an adventure playground for kids to explore, be creative and share their point of view on their world.

View exhibition
School Holidays at NGV

10am–5pm, 5–20 July
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square and NGV International
Free entry

Find out more
NAIDOC Week Celebration 2025

Saturday 12 July, 10am–5pm
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
Free entry

Find out more

Events

See all events
NGV Australia
Cats & Dogs Ticket Offer! Kids go free with any adult ticket purchase

10am–5pm, today, ticketed

(10 more dates)
NGV Australia
Furry Friend Headband NAIDOC Week Program

10am–4pm, 12 Jul, free
NGV Australia
NGV Conservation Talk for Kids: Bark Salon NAIDOC Week Program

1.30–2pm, 12 Jul, free
NGV International
Telstra Into Art Series: Drop by Drawing

2–4pm, 13 Jul, free

(2 more dates)
NGV Australia
Draw a Pet Portrait and Make Fluffy Ears School Holiday Activities

10am–1pm, 14 Jul, free

(4 more dates)
NGV International
Restoring Corridors Collage Workshop with Gracia And Louise

12–3pm, 15 Jul, free

(1 more date)
Online
Under 5s | Animal Tracks & Tales

10.30am, 23 Jul, free, booking required
Online
Under 5s | Look Outside

10.30–11am, 7 Aug, free, booking required

(2 more dates)

Exhibitions

See all exhibitions
NGV International

Plans For The Planet

Olaf Breuning For Kids Until 5 Oct, free entry
NGV Australia

Cats & Dogs

From the NGV Collection Until 20 Jul, ticketed
NGV Australia

Top Arts 2025

Showcasing emerging artists from across Victoria Until 20 Jul, free entry
NGV International

2024 NGV Architecture Commission

Home Truth by Breathe Until 20 Jul, free entry

Activity Sheets and Games

See all activity sheets and games
Expressive Emotions Let's Have a Picnic Let's Drive Possum-Skin Cloaks with Maree Clarke Gumnut Bling

On Demand Videos

See all videos
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 Teens

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

 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.

Plan your visit

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more