Engaging All The Senses At MCA Art Play

Every Wednesday morning at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), you can bring the kids along for MCA Art Play. In this warm and welcoming space, you and your under 5s can explore a range of exhibition-related games, toys and sensory activities, plus join in for a sing-a-long. We took Mr 4 and Miss-Almost-1 along on a rainy February morning for some indoor fun. 

Engaging All The Senses At MCA Art Play

On this day it happened to be 'International Mother Language Day', so everyone was encouraged to write Hello in their mother tongue on the big whiteboard. The museum also organised a group of women from India to talk to the kids about their home country and they sang some Indian folk songs. The babies were entranced! Then the kids were invited to create some Peacock craft to symbolise India’s national bird. To finish, they all sang Hokey Pokey to say goodbye and the staff said a big thank you to everyone for coming.

Free Play For All

Mr 4 loved playing with the blocks, building houses and towers, and I love that he was inspired to make up a tunnel game with the different coloured blocks. The blue blocks were a tunnel to Exit Land, the green blocks were a tunnel to Slime Land, while the red blocks were a tunnel to Lava Land and the yellow blocks were a tunnel to Scary Robot land.

Another thing Mr 4 loved was simply being able to use his own scissors to cut paper during craft time. I've always been hesitant to introduce scissors at home or let him use them when we do craft, but it was great to see him doing it so confidently - this is something I will try to let him do at home during our impromptu craft sessions!

Singing Their Praises

Little Miss-Almost-1 loved the Indian folk singing the best! But what I loved, as a parent, was that everything was engaging for her –the blocks, egg shakers, ribbons, books, interactive watercolour mats - it was all very tactile and colourful. 

 

When travelling with Mr 4, no trip is complete anywhere without a visit to the gift shop, and the MCA Store does not disappoint. There's something for everyone there - inspiration for both young and old - with an emphasis (of course) on creativity, from books and woven baskets to puzzles and paints. Jax picked some glow-in-the-dark stickers and a light-up ball for Miss-Almost-1, and was a very happy customer! 

After a wonderful morning, we headed up to the rooftop Canvas Restaurant to take in the stunning harbour views and relax with a meal. Mr 4 was very happy with his nuggets and chips and it was so nice to be able to enjoy a meal and a coffee with million-dollar views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah located on the ground floor boasts harbour views across the grass.

 
For just a $5 donation we will be back for some more MCA Art Play! 

When:    Every Wednesday between 10 am - 12 pm, except during school holidays.
Where:   Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George St, The Rock
Cost:     $5 donation per family to help cover costs.

For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

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