The domain of children’s exhibits in museums and galleries have certainly changed since I was growing up. Now, exhibits are curated with the child in mind, and the essence is on learning with hands-on activities and play.

Designed by children, for children, the PLAY UP space at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD) at Old Parliament House has got the right balance of education and fun. PLAY UP is colourful and vibrant with lots of interactive activities for different ages and is a great way to introduce children of all ages to a discussion on democracy and what it means to be an engaged citizen.

Pull up a bean bag and a book.

What does ‘home’ mean to you?

For example  – what does ‘home’ mean to you? And what if you asked a child, what they thought ‘home’ meant – how would they reply?  With the current exhibit at PLAY UP—The Right to Shelter, the focus is on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1995) and explores how children around the world live.

With a cubby house, building challenges, reading nook, activity space, and the virtual reality film ‘Clouds Over Sidra’ taking the viewer through the experience of life in a refugee camp. The exhibit will open discussion and discovery on why everyone needs a place to call home.

The basics of home life.

As our original Parliament House, the discussions that took place inside this building influenced our history and culture. As the Museum of Australian Democracy, it provides the perfect place to introduce our past, and an opportunity to explore our future.

See the Museum of Australian Democracy for full details of PLAY UP, current exhibits and special events. <link>

Images So Frank

What you need to know:

• MOAD is located at 18 King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.
• PLAY UP—The Right to Shelter will be on display until August 2016
• open daily 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day)
• there is a small admission price and paid parking.