Craft activities for under-5s
From making your own natural inks and 'cloud' playdough to decorating rocks and mess-free finger painting (yes it is possible!) – explore a host of simple craft activities easily created at home.
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Age: 2 to 5 years
Picture books for under-5s
Explore a range of picture books made by children and families with writers, musicians and visual artists. From lullabies in three languages to thinking about what makes us strong and brave, and looking at the spaces around us – find your favourite story with your child.
You can also find these books in hard copy at your local City of Melbourne Library.
A world of lullabies
Explore lullabies in English, Mandarin, Arabic and Amharic languages. And use these songs to gently sing your child to sleep.
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Are you brave?
It’s brave to say 'yes!' and it’s brave to say 'no!'
Explore this book to reflect with your child on being brave and staying safe.
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Are you strong?
Does your child use their strong brain to ask lots of questions and make up lots of games?
Explore this book to reflect on just how strong your child is, in so many ways!
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Places we go
Where do you like to go?
Use this book as inspiration to explore your neighbourhood and your city.
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Spaces we go
We are travellers, here we go!
Use this book to drive your imagination and see how far you can travel together!
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Things we like to do – outside
Do you like playing in the garden, going to the city or exploring the park? Use this book to reflect on what you like to do outside.
Listen to our song online and sing along with the lyrics at the back of the book.
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Things we like to do – night time
Star light, moon light…
Listen to our song online and sing along with the lyrics at the back of the book.
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Things we like to do – at home
![Book cover for 'Things we like to do - At Home' with child's painting of house](/SiteCollectionImages/artplay-things-home-650.jpg)
What do you like to do at home? Waking up to the sound of magpies or making purple playdough piggies?
Listen to our song online and sing along with the lyrics at the back of the book.
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Curious creatures – all about us
What do you like to do at playgroup? Use this book to talk with your child about your favourite activities at playgroup.
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Excited explorers – all about us
Which creatures are busy in your garden or at the park? Use this book to talk with your child about the small everyday creatures around us.
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Water wonderers – all about us
Join our curious Water Wonderers as they use all their senses to follow the water from drips of rain to the salty drops of the deep sea.
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Happy
![Cover of picture book called 'Happy', showing child and parent playing together](/SiteCollectionImages/artplay-happy-650.jpg)
If you’re happy and you know it… join in your favourite rhymes in this fun book.
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I wonder
What can you do? What do you like? Painting, singing or dancing – let’s explore!
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M is for Melbourne
Explore the alphabet in this book that includes English and languages from across India including Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada and Gujarati.
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