10 January 2026: Get ready to party these summer school holidays when NGV Kids on Tour returns in January with free, hands-on art-making activities for children and families across Victoria. With drawing workshops, art-making activities and fun party games, this year’s program is bigger than ever, reaching a record number of more than 160 community venues across metropolitan and regional Victoria – representing 78 of Victoria’s local government areas.
From Geelong to Gippsland, Bendigo to Benalla, NGV Kids on Tour 2026 offers free workshops and activities developed by the NGV in collaboration with artists and designers from around the world. Kids on Tour brings creativity directly into local communities, making art accessible where children live. By visiting neighbourhoods across Victoria, Kids on Tour invites children and families to explore imagination, self-expression, and connection in a fun, welcoming, and familiar environment.
Inspired by the NGV’s summer children’s exhibition Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids Designed by Danielle Brustman, the 2026 tour program features a suite of activities inspired by parties and celebrations. Children can decorate a festive party hat using colourful stickers, exploring how headwear can express individuality, tradition and celebration. The Cake Celebration activity invites kids to design their own imaginative cakes inspired by joyful moments shared with family and friends.
Children can join in party games that bring people together through creativity and play, or try the intergenerational drawing activity What’s New?, which encourages kids to chat with adults about how life has changed over the years, from steam trains to smartphones, and draw what they discover.
In Nature and Us with Olaf Breuning, younger children are invited to explore the wonders of the natural world through a series of guided drawing activities. Developed as part of the Swiss contemporary artist’s collaboration with the NGV for the 2025 exhibition Plans for the Planet: Olaf Bruening for Kids, these activities encourage kids to discover the creatures that call the forest home, from birds and insects to woodland animals. Little ones can also enjoy the NGV publication My Nature Book with Olaf Breuning in a storytime session that brings the forest to life through song, movement and imagination.
Teens are invited to take part in Perfume in the 1700s, where they can design their own perfume bottle inspired by nature, fantasy or pop culture, while learning about the history of this fashionable art form.
Colin Brooks MP, Minister for Creative Industries, said: ‘The NGV is Australia’s most popular art gallery and we are proud to back the NGV Kids on Tour program which is set to be the biggest ever this summer, bringing free, fun, creative activities to children and families.’
Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, said: ‘Each year, NGV Kids on Tour grows in reach and we are proud to partner with over 160 community venues across Victoria to ensure that children and families everywhere can experience the joy of making art together.’
NGV Kids on Tour takes place throughout January 2026 at venues across metropolitan and regional Victoria, including galleries, libraries, hospitals, community centres and more. For individual program dates, visit the websites of participating venues.