National Playgroup Week 2025
A Week of Fun, Connection, Learning and Play
Next year National Playgroup Week will run from 17th – 23rd March 2025.
We encourage playgroups to think about having an open day or running a special event. We will have further updates in the New Year about what we have planned.
Thank you for Celebrating 50 years of Playgroup Victoria with us in 2024!
National Playgroup Week 2024 provided us with an opportunity to come together, share stories, have fun, revel in the wonder of childhood and commemorate our 50-year milestone. Playgroup weaves together fragments of early years learning, development, history, culture and identity. We welcomed recollections of playgroup across generations, right up to present day participants and practitioners.
“By being together and engaged with our children and other families, Playgroup gives us space to be in the moment. I encourage everyone during this year’s National Playgroup Week to enjoy these moments that can be filed in our ‘remember when’ catalogue of stories to tell.”- Playgroup Victoria CEO, Danny Schwarz
Throughout National Playgroup Week 2024, we promoted local events, we offered playgroups 20% off Playgroup Victoria registration and we ran several giveaways with our partners. We opened nominations for 2024 Playgroup Champions and were inundated with heartwarming submissions from playgroup attendees across the state.
A highlight of the week was our Teddy Bears Picnic event. This was a joyful end to National Playgroup Week 2024 and featured live music, activities and two large pop-up playgroups. We invited the playgroup community to celebrate 50 years of Playgroup Victoria in the best way we know how – through play! Everyone was welcome. The event was held in the park beside the building that had been Playgroup Victoria headquarters for 30 years. It was the end of an era, and would be the last major event before our office relocation to Essendon.
We enjoyed live music from The Mik Maks who were supported by Auslan Stage Left. There was face painting, music from Bop Til You Drop DJ’s, storytime, lots of playground fun, a coffee van, a sausage sizzle and opportunities to meet other families (and teddies). We thank each and every one of you who came along to celebrate 50 years of Playgroup Victoria! We had the best time watching all the kids (and big kids) come together to honour what playgroup is about: supporting families to thrive during the early years.
Advertise Your National Playgroup Week Event!
National Playgroup Week Inspiration for Playgroups
- Run a Teddy Bears Picnic: Invite your group to bring their teddies and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors
- Show-and-Tell Special: Bring along something important to you and share a story with the group
- Cooking and Culture: Cook something as a group such as scones or cookies or invite members of your group to share a special dish
- Crafty cards: Make cards together or make crafty messages and artworks to share with friends, family and those in your local community
- Nature walk day: Explore your local green spaces and enjoy discovering different plants and animals as a group. What new things can you see and find?
- Excursion: Did you know that playgroups take place in all sorts of different places and venues? Enjoy a special day out and visit new spaces such as your local botanic gardens, museum, library or playground
- Bring a book to playgroup day: Encourage families to bring their favourite books to share with the group. Enjoy story-time as a group. Afterwards you could make your own storybook using paper and your imagination.
Find a Playgroup Near You
There are many playgroups in Victoria looking for new members. Browse through our Find a Playgroup directory to access information about your local playgroups.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
Find the Right Playgroup for You and Your Family
All playgroups are unique. We have bush playgroups, intergenerational playgroups, grandparent playgroups, baby playgroups, cultural specific playgroups, playgroups for children with different needs, playgroups for children with disabilities. Some playgroups run with a set routine and planned activities. Others are more laid back and full of free play. Some people simply like to pop in for a cuppa and a chat. Some run playgroup sessions four times a week. Some come every once in a while. You can pick and choose what suits you best. Playgroup creates opportunities for you to play with your child, relax, connect with others, share information and unwind. Explore our Playgroup Starters Guide here
FREE Family Membership
It is our hope that all families have access to playgroup, and all families have opportunities to participate in playgroup. With that in mind, Family Membership is now FREE!
Let’s Play!
Celebrate National Playgroup week with lots of inspiring play! Here is a range of play sheets to explore.
