Stories in the Sunshine: Library on the Lawn Brings Books, Play and Creativity to Melbourne Kids This Summer

Free stories, play and creativity on the State Library lawn to keep young minds buzzing over the summer break

State Library Victoria is turning summer holidays into story time with the return of its much-loved Library on the Lawn Kids Festival, a free program designed to keep young minds curious, creative and reading right through January.

Having already delighted families in its opening week, the festival returns for its final three-day run from 13 to 15 January, taking over the Library’s Swanston Street forecourt each morning from 10am to 1pm. The iconic space becomes a playful hub of books, imagination and movement, all designed to stop the dreaded summer slide and make literacy feel like fun, not homework.

Library on the Lawn Kids Festival

When: 13 – 15 January

Where: State Library Victoria

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

 

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Each day is packed with activities that invite kids to dive headfirst into stories. Expect free reading time with thousands of books on hand, lively bubble dance parties at 10.15am and 12pm, Storytime sessions at 10.30am and 11.30am, and classic parachute play at 11am. There are bean bags for lounging, sensory boxes, soft toys, jumbo puzzles, games and creative stations where kids can put together their own take-home craft showbag.

Families are also encouraged to explore inside, with a scavenger hunt leading children through the Library’s grand spaces and hidden corners. From 13 to 15 January, young visitors will also encounter the Under the Love Umbrella installation in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter, featuring illustrations from the beloved book by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys. Kids are invited to reflect and respond to the gentle question, “Who is under your Love Umbrella?”

The program is grounded in a simple idea backed by research: children who disengage from reading over the six to eight-week summer break can lose literacy skills, while reading even a handful of books can help keep them on track. The festival aligns with Public Libraries Victoria’s BIG Summer Read, an annual challenge encouraging readers up to 18 to stay connected with books and their local libraries over summer.

With more than 4,000 books available for children aged up to 12, plus a purpose-built children’s space and plenty of free activities, State Library Victoria offers families a cool, welcoming place to spend a summer morning. Whether it is your child’s first storytime or their next favourite book, Library on the Lawn proves there is no better place to share a story than Australia’s oldest public library.

To find out more about the Library on the Lawn Festival, and all State Library Victoria holiday activities, head here.