Revheads and reading come together for State Library Victoria’s winter school holiday program

Cardboard cars, storybook adventures and winter magic roll into State Library Victoria.

These school holidays, State Library Victoria is transforming into a playground of imagination, where cardboard cars become tickets to adventure and beloved stories leap from the page. From the Library’s first-ever kids’ drive-in cinema screening The Gruffalo to hands-on craft sessions and creative writing workshops, families can dive into a packed program of free and low-cost activities designed to inspire young readers, makers and storytellers in the heart of Melbourne.

State Library Victoria

Where: State Library Victoria | 328 Swanston Street | Melbourne VIC 3000

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

 

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For the first time ever, the Library is hosting a drive-in cinema just for kids. After hours, young adventurers can decorate their very own cardboard car and take it for a spin through the iconic halls before parking for a screening of The Gruffalo. It’s a playful twist on movie magic, combining imagination, movement, and a beloved story all under one roof.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Little crafters can drop into workshops inspired by Josh Pyke’s These Long-Loved Things, creating keepsakes that celebrate memories both big and small. Budding writers aged 5 to 12 are invited to a winter writing workshop, reimagining classic fairytales and producing their very own zine—a literary adventure of their own making.

Every activity is carefully designed to cultivate a love of books and reading, all within the warm, welcoming space of Melbourne’s cultural heart. Many of the events are free or low-cost, making them accessible for every family. Meanwhile, the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter remains open daily, offering cosy reading nooks, toys, and a treasure trove of 4,000 books, from picture books and graphic novels to community language titles and non-fiction.

State Library Victoria Winter School Holiday Program

Drive-In Storytime
Rev up your imagination: create and decorate a cardboard box car, then buckle in for a Library screening of The Gruffalo.

• Ages: 3–8 years
• Date/Time: Wednesday 8 July 2026, 5–7.30pm
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Cost: $15 per child (plus $15 dinner boxes available for pre-purchase)
• Bookings: Essential

Writing Workshop: Stories to Discover, Stories to Tell
Transform classic fairytales into your very own story zine in this workshop supported by the Department of Education Victoria for the 2026 Premiers’ Reading Challenge.

• Ages: 5–12 years
• Dates/Times: 30 June, 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 July 2026, 10.30am–12pm
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Cost: $12 per child

Make a Memory
Craft a personal photo frame and dream up a memory—through drawings, words, or other imaginative creations—then keep it or contribute it to the installation at the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter.

• Ages: 5–12 years
• Date/Time: Daily during school holidays, 27 June – 5 July, 1–4pm
• Duration: Drop-in
• Cost: Free | No bookings required

Note: A parent or carer must attend the activities for the full duration with their child.

There are so many ways to allow kids imaginations to run wild this winter, and it all starts at State Library Victoria.

To discover the full program and book tickets to individual program items, head here.