Play Matters Australia

Play Matters Australia Founded in 1973, Play Matters Australia supports children and families to build relationships, skills, and confidence through play.

06/09/2026

Happy Father's/ Father Figures / Loved Ones Day

Today we celebrate the incredible role that fathers, father figures, and loved ones play in the lives of children.

We also acknowledge that Father's Day can bring a mix of emotions. For some, today may be a source of grief or sadness, and we remember those who may no longer be here with us to celebrate.

Every family is unique and that families come in all shapes and sizes, what is universal to families is love, care, connection and community.

However, you choose to celebrate today, playgroups can be a valuable source of connection, support, and belonging for all family members. They provide opportunities to share the joys and challenges of parenting and build your village.

For dads and father figures looking to connect with others, Play Matters Australia offers welcoming spaces to share experiences, learn from one another, and enjoy quality time with your children.

Some other handy support resources for Dads:

SMS4Dads:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lpyY0
Dads Group: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lpfR0
MensLine Australia: 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lpxh0

Free Webinar: Protecting Children is Everybody's BusinessJoin us for our Queensland Protection Week Lunch & Learn, Prote...
05/09/2026

Free Webinar: Protecting Children is Everybody's Business

Join us for our Queensland Protection Week Lunch & Learn, Protecting Children is Everybody's Business featuring Sarah Lim from BBSafe. This session will cover:

- The importance of talking about child safety for preschool aged children
- Particular things to look for in the 0-5 age group
- How to talk to your young child about body safety in age-appropriate language
- What to look for - behavioural and physical red flags

Sarah Lim is a safeguarding specialist with over twenty-five years' experience, she has worked with organisations all over Australia and specialises in institutional safeguarding, child protection, trauma-informed practice.

In this short, one hour webinar (or even another day if you are busy at this time), it's completely free and will be packed with practical tips to make us all child safe champions in our communities.

Join us:
Wednesday 9 September
12 noon to 1:00pm (AEST)
Free, but registrations essential (recording will be sent post-webinar).
Register here:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lpC40

We hope you can join us!

Join in the fun, Play Matters Upcoming EventsFamilies in Cairns, Townsville and the Greater Brisbane region are invited ...
03/09/2026

Join in the fun, Play Matters Upcoming Events

Families in Cairns, Townsville and the Greater Brisbane region are invited to come along and enjoy a morning of play, connection and discovery.

These free community events are a wonderful opportunity to:

✨ Connect with local early years services and supports
✨ Explore hands-on play experiences for children
✨ Meet other families in your community
✨ Learn about resources that help children and families thrive
✨ Enjoy fun, engaging activities together

Come and celebrate the importance of safe, connected communities where children can grow, learn and play.

These events are FREE, thank you to support from Queensland Child Protection Week and Queensland Family and Child Commission.

These sessions are capped. RSVP here: Upcoming events (https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lp7N0)

Queensland Family and Child Commission
Queensland Child Protection Week

02/09/2026

Harmony Hands 🙌🏽🙌🏻🙌🏿
This piece of visual artwork can be used to stimulate discussions on inclusivity, diversity, as well as encouraging creative and independent thinking.

How to:
1. Lay your paper out in a spacious environment
2. Set up a few containers with different coloured paints
3. Ask the children to cover their palm with paint, using the colour of their choice
4. Have the children then place their hand on the paper to leave their handprint
5. Once all the children have made their handprint, let it dry and display it for all to enjoy

Adaptations:
👉 Talk about differences in sizes of hands, ages, shapes and what drew children to certain colours
👉🏿Read books that highlight inclusivity and cultural diversity in addition to the painting activity
👉🏽Paint rainbow hands to introduce discussions about LGBTIAQ+ families, or flag colours to introduce different countries and cultures

This piece of visual artwork can be used to stimulate discussions on inclusivity, as well as encouraging creative and independent thinking.

Sign up for your FREE Play Matters Membership today and unlock access to our portal full of amazing resources! 🔗 Membership | Play Matters (https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01l0yP0)

🎉 Help Make Play Count! | 7-13 September 2026 🎉 Every week, thousands of families come together to connect, explore and ...
02/09/2026

🎉 Help Make Play Count! | 7-13 September 2026 🎉

Every week, thousands of families come together to connect, explore and play — and Playgroup Census Week is our chance to celebrate it! 🙌

From 7-13 September, pop into your local Play Matters playgroup session and help us capture a quick snapshot of who is joining the fun. No personal details — just simple attendance numbers that help show how powerful community play really is. 💛

Whether you’re a parent, carer, volunteer or facilitator, your play truly counts.

Your attendance helps us provide valuable data to Playgroup Australia on why early play matters and who is joining in playgroup every week! ✨

September is all about Around the World Play!In the newsletter this month are plenty of easy ways to engage and explore ...
01/09/2026

September is all about Around the World Play!

In the newsletter this month are plenty of easy ways to engage and explore around the world play!

Around the World Play Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity that makes our communities so special.

At playgroups, children and families connect through exploring different cultures, traditions, foods, music and identities. Whether it's sharing a favourite family recipe, dancing to music from around the world, learning new words, or celebrating cultural traditions, every experience helps children build understanding, belonging and respect for others.

🗺️There are more hints, tips, and resources in the newsletter, but if you missed it or haven't nabbed your free membership yet sign up here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01l5x70

Free Group Music Therapy Opportunities Open for Term 4Our free, PlayConnect+ Sing&Grow music therapy sessions are for fa...
31/08/2026

Free Group Music Therapy Opportunities Open for Term 4

Our free, PlayConnect+ Sing&Grow music therapy sessions are for families with children aged 0-8 years who have a developmental concern or disability. No diagnosis is needed to participate.

Led by a Registered Music Therapist and supported by a Play Helper, these small group sessions use familiar and fun music to support children's development while helping families build confidence and skills in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Sessions run for 8 weeks, and we are taking registrations for Term 4 now!

Queensland locations currently include:
📍 Leichhardt (Ipswich)
📍 Stafford Heights
📍 Cairns (Gordonvale)
📍 Gympie Region (Kandanga)

Places are limited, so register your interest today!

🔗 Learn more and find a session near you here: PlayConnect+ (https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01kcZH0)

🎉 WIN Family Passes to Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom! 🐑Looking for some school holiday fun? We've got 10 fa...
28/08/2026

🎉 WIN Family Passes to Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom! 🐑

Looking for some school holiday fun? We've got 10 family passes up for grabs to Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

A huge thank you to STUDIOCANAL for making this fantastic giveaway possible.

To enter, simply complete the entry form, it's free and tell us who you are taking with you and why you love Shaun the Sheep!

👉 Enter here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01kcV60

Don't miss your chance to join Shaun and the flock on their latest adventure these school holidays!

Free Group Parenting SupportPlay Matters are proud to deliver MyTime - a free parenting support program that brings pare...
27/08/2026

Free Group Parenting Support

Play Matters are proud to deliver MyTime - a free parenting support program that brings parents and carers together to connect with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising a child with additional needs.

MyTime is a welcoming, judgement‑free space to share experiences, build support networks and for parents to take time to connect with others.

To ensure every family, everywhere can access support, Play Matters also facilitates a weekly online MyTime session, making it possible to connect no matter where you live in Australia.

🔗 Learn more about MyTime and see if there are sessions near you go to https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01kcWX0

Address

86 Orchid Street
Brisbane, QLD
4051

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Play Matters Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share