Play Matters Australia

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

06/06/2026

Ocean Drums | Let’s Make Music

This activity supports Musical Play by introducing children to:
- Rhythm and sound exploration
- Cause-and-effect (how movement changes sound)
- Creative expression through music and art

It also supports emotional regulation, as children can:
- Use gentle shaking for calm, soothing sounds
- Release energy with faster movements in a controlled way
- Learn to match their movements to different moods in the music (calm vs. energetic)

What you need:
- Two sturdy paper plates (per child)
- Stapler or strong tape
- A small handful of rice, dried beans, or lentils
- Blue/green textas, crayons, or paint
- (Optional) Ocean-themed decorations (stickers, shells, cellophane, glitter)

What you need to do:
1. Invite children to decorate the back sides of their plates with ocean colours and designs (waves, fish, sea creatures).
2. Place a small handful of rice or beans onto one plate.
3. Carefully place the second plate on top (decorated sides facing outward).
4. Secure the edges tightly using a stapler or tape (adult assistance required).
5. Once sealed, show children how to gently tilt and shake their drum to create ocean sounds.
6. Explore different movements—slow tilting for calm waves, fast shaking for stormy seas.
7. Play along with ocean-themed music and encourage children to move their bodies with the rhythms.

QPAC Ticket Giveaway - 4 Tickets Up for Grabs!We are giving you the chance to win 4 free tickets to a family-friendly, s...
05/06/2026

QPAC Ticket Giveaway - 4 Tickets Up for Grabs!

We are giving you the chance to win 4 free tickets to a family-friendly, school holiday adventure at QPAC, in Southbank, Brisbane.

Choose from 360 All Stars or A Bee Story.

✔️Free to enter
✔️4 tickets to the show of your choice
✔️Drawn 24 June

It's free to enter, all you have to do is tell us what show you want to go to and who you would bring with you!

Enter here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0XQ4c0

Thank you to the Community Support Program at QPAC

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month with Rainbow Families Playgroups June is Pride Month, and we are celebrating our affiliated ne...
05/06/2026

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month with Rainbow Families Playgroups

June is Pride Month, and we are celebrating our affiliated network of Rainbow Families playgroups which have been growing throughout Southeast Queensland over the past year.

These playgroups are safe, welcoming spaces where LGBTQIA+ families can connect, children can play and families can find community and support.

As the network continues to grow, Rainbow Families Queensalnd are looking for volunteers in Rockhampton, Townsville, Logan, Moreton Bay, and the Sunshine Coast to continue to grow the playgroups across the state with Play Matters support and guidance.

If you’re interested in starting a Rainbow Families playgroup in your area, your first step is to connect with Petria, Rainbow Families Queensland coordinator or fill out our Volunteer EOI online https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0XNdQ0

04/06/2026

🎶 Songs to transition to calm and quiet with Sing&Grow

Quiet songs aren’t just for bedtime, they are tools we can use anytime to help little ones (and ourselves) slow down, reset, and feel calm. Here is the Sea is a wonderful song to play and use simple hand movements to transition to a calmer state.

Transitions between big emotions can be tricky, especially for children who need to move their bodies to regulate. Singing with gentle movement, like swaying, rocking, or bouncing, can support children to transition from one emotion to another and find calm.

Try adding simple soothing movements as Emily has demonstrated as you sing along. Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with us Emily!

You can find Here is the Sea by the PlaySchool team as a backing track here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0XJ8z0

Mabo Day (3 June) is celebrated annually to commemorate Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful advocacy to o...
03/06/2026

Mabo Day (3 June) is celebrated annually to commemorate Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful advocacy to overturn the idea of terra nullius or 'land belonging to no one' and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' enduring connection to land.

It's an important day to remember and an important story to share with our youngest learners.

For children, this is an opportunity to learn about fairness, identity, and respect for Country. Mabo Day helps us understand that one person’s determination can create lasting change, opening the door for Native Title rights and recognition for future generations.

On this day of national significance, the invitation to learn about Mabo Day which closes out National Reconciliation Week, nurtures children's natural curiosity and fosters respect and, helps our future generations learn about our shared histories.

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation has a list of educational resources, including lots of music and songs - which are a small snapshot of the incredibly diverse and beautiful Torres Strait Islander Cultures, https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0XJs00

Meet the Team | Rockhampton Edition!Play Matters delivers playgroups in more than 400 postcodes, and our Rockhampton Hub...
02/06/2026

Meet the Team | Rockhampton Edition!

Play Matters delivers playgroups in more than 400 postcodes, and our Rockhampton Hub provides play experiences weekly for families in the region, as well as coordinating and running the Connect and Grow and Step into Prep school readiness programs in partnership with The Smith Family as a facilitating partner.

Many members of the team are trained in the 3a Abecedarian approach and use this in program delivery, this evidence-based framework provides learning strategies designed for early childhood educators, and families to support children from birth to five years old using intentional, responsive and language-rich strategies.

At the Hub families can explore Play Stars (babies from birth to 12 months), Play Connect+ (for children with developmental delay or disability, no diagnosis necessary) and Play and Learn groups.

The team are:
Nadia - Regional Manager
Lilly - Community Development Officer and Hub Helper
Simone - Coordinator Supported Programs
Kim - Facilitator
Amy - Facilitator
Barb - Facilitator
Chloe - Play Helper

You can find out more about what the Rockhampton team are up to on the Play Matters Rockhampton page: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0XB7H0

June is Music Month! 🎶Our member email has landed with lots of practical, fun and engaging music play inspiration. Check...
01/06/2026

June is Music Month! 🎶

Our member email has landed with lots of practical, fun and engaging music play inspiration.

Check your inbox for inspiration on how to bring music into everyday play - using what’s already around you.

Whether it’s listening to the patterns in nature, using found objects to create sound, or singing in response to what we see and hear, engaging with music outside can be a playful and immersive experience.

What are some of your favourite ways to explore music play in your family? Comment below.

30/05/2026

Let’s Play with Mud | Taste-Safe Sensory Fun

This taste-safe messy play activity stimulates children’s sense of smell and touch, creating a rich sensory experience. A great connection to the book 'Let’s Play' by Karen Tyrrell and is suited for outdoor play.
Through this play experience children can explore texture, consistency and cause and effect. Mixing and creating “mud” also introduces early problem-solving and encourages children to follow processes in a fun and engaging way.

What you need:
A large tub/bucket/tray
Measuring jug and cups
Large spoon for mixing “mud”
1 cup icing sugar
3 TBSP cocoa powder
¼ cup water
4–12 TBSP flour (adjust for desired consistency)
Optional: corn flour for a different texture/consistency
Optional: small toys and scooping tools to extend imaginative play

What you need to do:
Set this station up outside, on the grass if possible.
Mix the icing sugar and cocoa powder, then gradually add water while mixing (it will be runny at first).
Add flour to achieve your desired consistency:
• 4 TBSP = gooey mud
• 8 TBSP = thick mud
• 12 TBSP = moldable mud

Include children in the process of making the mud and discuss how the mixture changes as ingredients are added.

Encourage sensory exploration by asking prompts such as ‘what does it feel like?’ and ‘what does it smell like?’
Provide mats and tools as desired and allow children the freedom to explore and get messy!

This National Reconciliation Week, we’re recognising the importance of relationships, respect and community.Community-le...
29/05/2026

This National Reconciliation Week, we’re recognising the importance of relationships, respect and community.

Community-led playgroups are creating meaningful spaces for connection, cultural sharing and belonging, driven by the strengths of local communities.

We have worked in collaboration with Woorabinda State School and the Department of Education for over 10 years to make sure the Woorabinda playgroup is led by community and owned by and for everyone.

Learn more about the playgroup and how it is making a difference

https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0WL6T0

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

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