Play meets learning at The Corner: a welcoming space for families in Brisbane
By State Library of Queensland | 2 April 2026
The Corner, State Library of Queensland's space for children and families, has a new home with lots of unique spaces to explore. Photo by Joe Ruckli.
Looking for free, fun things to do with kids in Brisbane?
State Library of Queensland has a new place for play. The Corner has moved to an exciting new location – and it’s larger, livelier, and more inviting than ever.
Families can drop in any time between 9:30 am and 4 pm daily to create, connect and explore.
With songs and stories every day, beautiful spaces in which to gather and connect, a dedicated art studio, giant building blocks, discovery nooks and a garden courtyard, The Corner is purpose-built for learning and play.
Located at South Bank in the heart of Queensland Cultural Centre, it's the perfect all-weather family destination – choose your own adventure on a rainy day or retreat from the summer heat.
Reading in a nook at The Corner, State Library of Queensland. Photo by Joe Ruckli.
Planning your visit to The Corner
When is The Corner open?
9:30 am – 4 pm every day
(Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday)
How much does it cost?
It's free!
Is The Corner suitable for kids of different ages?
Yes. The Corner is designed for children aged 0–8 and their families. Our spaces support multiple styles of play at different stages of development, from babies to toddlers, preschoolers and early primary‑school‑aged children.
What’s on for families at State Library?
Our friendly staff are ready to welcome you any time between 9:30 am and 4 pm.
Join our clever and creative team every day at 10 am for a guided session filled with stories, songs and games.
Check our website for for full program details including hands-on workshops, weekly playgroups and holiday fun for all ages.
Sign up to our families newsletter to be the first to find out about upcoming events.
How do I get there?
The Corner is at ground level, with an entry facing Stanley Place. It is also accessible via the parents room entry next to the State Library welcome desk.
Public transport: Catch the bus to Cultural Centre Busway Station, the train to South Brisbane Station or the CityCat to South Bank.
By car: Paid parking is available at the Cultural Centre carparks. Drop-off points are located on Stanley Place outside State Library.
More info on Getting here
Take a tour
Playing on the building blocks in The Corner, which is designed to promote playful social interactions, which are key for children's early development and learning. Photo by Joe Ruckli.
Inside The Corner: spaces for play, creativity and learning
The Corner is architecturally designed for play-based learning, taking design cues from State Library’s award-winning building.
Inside, kids can climb and stack the giant soft play building blocks – a fun, active way to spark creativity, coordination and confidence.
Explore the nooks. Climb up to the windows, peek through the doors, read a book, create your own cubby.
Grab a cape and hat from our dress-up zone and take centre stage in the performance space designed for puppet shows and story times.
The baby cave has soft shapes, forms and textures for safe movement and exploration. With a window looking out to the Library Shop and Café, it’s a tranquil space offering sensory relief.
Splash, squish and create together in our messy play art studio. Experiment with a range of quality creative materials through guided sessions and freestyle art making.
The lights and music are turned down for low-sensory hour every day from 2 pm to 3 pm.
Relax in the garden courtyard, a beautiful shady spot filled with native plants that attract birds and butterflies. It’s an excellent place for a picnic. Spot the wildlife nesting boxes or perhaps even one of the water dragons that roam South Bank. Connect with our team during outdoor sensory sessions.
The Corner connects to a comfortable, well‑equipped parents room with accessible toilet, seating area, baby change facilities and microwave.
The Brisbane Indonesian Playgroup invites families to play, sing and rhyme in Indonesian at The Corner each week. Photo by Joe Ruckli.
Celebrating culture: language playgroups at The Corner
State Library partners with Play Matters Australia to host weekly community language playgroups at The Corner. Story times in Chinese Mandarin, German, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese help multilingual families connect while developing children’s language skills. Led by a small group of committed volunteers, each playgroup features songs, stories and cultural activities in a chosen language.
At play in the courtyard outside The Corner. Photo by Joe Ruckli.
Designed with childhood development in mind
The Corner is a welcoming hub where families can come together, make new friends and connect with our friendly staff. The space is designed to help children reach their full potential through creative play and hands-on learning.
The design is based on the best knowledge from neuroscience studies and early childhood developmental research. Every element – from textures and colours to acoustics, lighting and play materials – was selected to support early brain development.
The Corner has been a national leader in delivering educational, play-based learning programs for young children and their families since 2006. It anchors First 5 Forever, the play-based program State Library delivers in partnership with public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres right across Queensland.
First 5 Forever supports children’s development in the critical period when their brains are growing the fastest. Talking, reading, singing and playing together in the early years lays the foundations for a child’s future.
The $3.6 million transformation of The Corner, funded by donors and the Queensland Government, enables us to develop, test and refine scalable programs that will support families throughout the state.
What's on at The Corner
First 5 Forever resources
Read Stories for Little Queenslanders
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