Melbourne’s most iconic reading room is about to become a mini drive-in cinema, as the State Library Victoria rolls out a winter school holiday program designed to get kids building, imagining and storytelling inside its historic walls.
From cardboard cars and fairytale zines to hands-on craft inspired by children’s literature, the program leans into play-based learning in a way that feels more like an adventure than an education outing. And for one night only, the Library will quite literally transform after dark.
A drive-in cinema inside a library
For one evening in July, the Library will be transformed into a temporary indoor drive-in space for the tots.
Kids are invited to build and decorate their own cardboard box cars before taking them for a spin through the Library after closing time, then park up drive-in style to watch a screening of The Gruffalo.
The 2.5-hour session runs on Wednesday, 8th July 2026, with tickets priced at $15 per child and optional dinner boxes available for families looking to make a night of it.
Designed for children aged 3 to 8, the experience transforms the Library into a playful after-hours setting where storytelling, movement and film come together in one space.
Fairytales reimagined in winter writing workshops
For older kids who prefer pen to cardboard wheels, the Library is also running a series of winter writing workshops titled Stories to discover. Stories to tell.
Across multiple sessions during the school holidays, children aged 5 to 12 rework classic fairytales and familiar stories into their own original zines. The Department of Education Victoria supports the workshops as part of the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge, positioning storytelling as both creative play and literacy development.
Sessions run from 10:30am to 12:00pm on:
- 30th June 2026
- 1st July 2026
- 2nd July 2026
- 7th July 2026
Instead of simply retelling familiar narratives, kids reshape them by building new characters, changing endings and experimenting with format to create something entirely their own.
Crafting memories inspired by children’s books
In a quieter but equally imaginative offering, the Library runs a free, hands-on drop-in activity titled Make a Memory from 27th June 2026 to 5th July 2026, 1:00pm–4:00pm daily, and on weekends from 11th July to 13th September 2026.
Moreover, inspired by Josh Pyke’s illustrated children’s book These Long-Loved Things, children create their own photo frames and design a “memory” to fill them—anything from drawings and written reflections to more abstract interpretations. Finished pieces can be taken home or added to an evolving installation inside the Library’s dedicated children’s space.
The concept taps into nostalgia and storytelling, encouraging kids to think about how objects, images and ideas can hold meaning.
Inside the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter
At the heart of the school holiday program is the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter at State Library Victoria, which remains open daily throughout the break.
Designed as a dedicated space for young readers and families, it offers reading nooks, toys and an extensive collection of more than 4,000 books for children. The range spans picture books, community language titles, non-fiction and graphic novels—positioning it as one of the most diverse free reading spaces in Melbourne’s CBD.
Affordable winter school holiday activities in the city
The program also requires a parent or carer to attend for the duration of each activity, keeping the experience shared rather than drop-off based.
State Library Victoria marks its 170th anniversary this year. As Australia’s oldest public library, and one of the first free public libraries in the world, it continues to lean into its founding belief in the power of knowledge to change lives.
In a season when Melbourne’s winter school holidays can feel long and weather-dependent, the Library positions itself as a warm, central hub for families looking for something more than screen time—without needing to leave the city.
And with cardboard cars, reimagined fairytales and a library-turned-cinema, it shows how even the most traditional spaces can shift shape when imagination is in the driver’s seat.
