Hello families
Welcome to The Corner - a creative space especially for children under 8 and their families! Here you will find a range of creative activities for family play and learning from home as well as details of our onsite programs.
Visiting The Corner
The health and safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority. For COVID-19 updates including temporary closures and conditions of entry please visit our alerts page.
The Corner offers a daily program of activities, full of stories, songs and awesome resources to inspire play so come and join the fun! Check out the full program below and be sure to book to secure your spot. You can also drop into The Parlour anytime between 9.30am and 3pm every day to explore our browsing collection of books perfect for families – no bookings required.
To best ensure families can enjoy our programs we will hold Play Time bookings for 30 minutes and all other sessions for 15mins. If you are running late and would like us to hold your space for you please call (07) 3842 9090. As bookings are limited, if you are unable to make your session time please cancel to free your booking for another group.
Bookings are able to be made up to 14 days in advance – these are released daily for the following 14 day period.
Play Time in The Corner
Every day · 11am–12:15pm
Open-ended play sessions for children of all ages.
From dress-ups and puppets, cool construction kits and sensory toys, each of our play kits has been specially selected to inspire children (and babies!) of all ages to explore their senses, come up with games and get creative. Step away from your regular routine and the distractions of home into a space just for you and your family or invite your friends for a special play date!
Play Time takes place daily at 11am - 12:15pm. Until the 18th April 2022 you can also discover a wonderous new world with The Great and Grand Rumpus - an exciting exhibition the whole family can enjoy! Check the program for details.
Bookings for Play Time released two weeks at a time, please check back to book for future dates.
Important COVID-19 information
In line with the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 restrictions, unvaccinated people aged 16 years and over will be unable to enter Queensland Government-owned libraries, galleries and museums. This includes State Library of Queensland.
We will continue following Queensland Government advice. Given the public health directions are subject to change, please check our alerts page before your visit for the latest information.
Rhyme Time in the Corner
Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun · 10–10:45am
Songs and rhymes for babes in arms to children ready to dance.
This First 5 Forever session is a special time for you and your little one where you can share rhymes, songs and stories in a creative and relaxed environment.
Rhyme Time takes place every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Until the 18th April 2022 you can also discover a wonderous new world with The Great and Grand Rumpus - an exciting exhibition the whole family can enjoy! Check the program for details.
Bookings for Rhyme Time released two weeks at a time, please check back to book for future dates.
First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government and State Library of Queensland. It is delivered in The Corner and at public libraries across Queensland.
Important COVID-19 information
In line with the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 restrictions, unvaccinated people aged 16 years and over will be unable to enter Queensland Government-owned libraries, galleries and museums. This includes State Library of Queensland.
We will continue following Queensland Government advice. Given the public health directions are subject to change, please check our alerts page before your visit for the latest information.
Baby Play in The Corner
Mon, Wed & Fri · 10–10:45am
A special First 5 Forever session for babies 0-12months.
These sessions focus on baby-paced play, rhyme and shared story in a way that supports you as your baby’s most important educator – with plenty of opportunity to learn and grow together.
Baby Play takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. Until the 18th April 2022 you can also discover a wonderous new world with The Great and Grand Rumpus - an exciting exhibition the whole family can enjoy! Check the program for details.
Bookings for Baby Play released two weeks at a time, please check back to book for future dates.
First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government and State Library of Queensland. It is delivered in The Corner and at public libraries across Queensland.
Important COVID-19 information
In line with the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 restrictions, unvaccinated people aged 16 years and over will be unable to enter Queensland Government-owned libraries, galleries and museums. This includes State Library of Queensland.
We will continue following Queensland Government advice. Given the public health directions are subject to change, please check our alerts page before your visit for the latest information.
Rumpus Holiday Fun
Let your child's creativity run wild this summer with Rumpus Holiday Fun! Come on an imaginative adventure at State Library and discover a wonderous new world with exciting activities the whole family can enjoy.
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Rumpus Rhyme Time
Does your family love singing and dancing, rocking and rolling AND roaring and clawing? Then these rumpus rhyme times are just for you! Join us in the slq Gallery for a monstrous morning of music and movement.
Unable to join us at State Library?
You can join in the fun from home with a special morning of monstrous rhymes online at 10am, Thursday 13 January via the State Library Facebook page.
Important COVID-19 information
In line with the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 restrictions, from 17 December 2021 unvaccinated people aged 16 years and over will be unable to enter Queensland Government-owned libraries, galleries and museums. This includes State Library of Queensland.
We will continue following Queensland Government advice. Given the public health directions are subject to change, please check our alerts page before your visit for the latest information.
The Corner at Home
You can still find us online! We encourage you to be inspired by a range of creative activities for family play and learning with The Corner at Home Activities - scroll down for details.
Don’t forget to visit First 5 Forever for tips, resources and online sessions to support early literacy and opportunities for children and their families to talk, read, sing and play together every day.
The Corner at Home Activities
Join your favourite State Library, The Corner staff for an exciting new addition to our digital programming. Be inspired by The Corner at Home Activities, encouraging creative open-ended adventures for family play and exploration at home.
The Corner at Home: Shapes
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Tim on a discovery shape challenge around the State Library!
The Corner at Home: Hats
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Vanessa and start experimenting with different materials to construct your own hat!
The Corner at Home: Weaving
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Frankie and explore the magic of weaving with items found in and around the house.
The Corner at Home: Boxes
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Walter and experiment with different construction and play activities, it’s amazing the things you can do with a simple box!
The Corner at Home: Soft Sounds
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Tiffany as we listen to, and explore soft sounds using everyday items. Experiment with your little people by using rhyming words and describing what you can hear in this open-ended play activity.
The Corner at Home: Musical Instruments
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by musical instruments! Join Tim as we search for ways to make musical instruments from household items and experiment using different sounds with the little people in your home.
The Corner at Home: Outer Space
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by outer space! Join Tom as we explore the world around us and decorate your very own telescope. Telescopes are used to make things really far-away look really close and easy to see.
The Corner at Home: What's on the line?
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by an everyday chore - the washing! Join Frankie and Iris in a simple backyard activity. Listen for clues in a fun game that will have your little ones hopping to help bring in the washing!
The Corner at Home: Backyard Science Expedition
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by National Science Week. Are you feeling curious? Join Walter on a backyard science expedition at The State Library of Queensland and discover who or what we can find!
The Corner at Home: Action adventure challenge
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by action. Join Tim on an action-packed adventure challenge, to encourage movement and creative play for the little people in your home.
The Corner at Home: Mapping my world
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by map-making. Join Deanna and follow the steps so that you can become a confident cartographer, that’s the really fancy way to describe someone who draws maps.
The Corner at Home: In the kitchen
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by what you can find in the kitchen. Join Tiffany on a kitchen discovery to see what a little imagination and a collection of food containers can create!
The Corner at Home: Photo Scavenger Hunt
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today, join Mari in a game of scavenger hunt using photographs taken around the library. She was inspired by the exhibition, Twenty: Two decades of Queensland photography, online now at The State Library of Queensland.
The Corner at Home: Paperclip Train
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today’s activity is inspired by a very popular mode of public transport that people use to travel every day - trains! Join Tom as he creates a paperclip train as impressive as it is long.
The Corner at Home: Exploring Photography
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Inspired by the exhibition Twenty, join Alarna to explore photography with your little ones by learning to capture a still picture or moment in time together.
The Corner at Home: Ephemeral Art
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today Mari is encouraging you to play outside finding objects that you could use to make art. She was inspired by the exhibition, Big Voices: Children’s Art Matters in celebration of Under Eights Week here at the State Library of Queensland.
The Corner at Home: Shadow Art
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today Nat is encouraging you to find shadows that you could use to make art. She was inspired by the exhibition, Big Voices: Children’s Art Matters in celebration of Under Eights Week here at the State Library of Queensland.
The Corner at Home: Colour Exploration
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Today, join Alarna on a colourful exploration in her backyard and at home, to learn about all the colours of the rainbow.
The Corner at Home: Travel
Enjoy the magic of The Corner at Home Activities. Join Tom as he creates a magical train ticket using collage and paint materials. Use your imagination to work out where your ticket is going to take you.
Resources
Parents and caregivers play a vital role as your child’s first and most important educator. We encourage you to talk, share stories, sing and play at home every day and give young children the best chance to build strong early literacy skills.
Children and Families blog
Keep up to date with articles and news for children and families of the State Library of Queensland.
First 5 Forever
Visit First 5 Forever for simple ways to include early literacy in your everyday.
National Geographic Kids
Get ready for amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space.
Free with State Library membership
Frequently asked questions
We can’t wait to provide safe and engaging experiences for children and families at State Library.
Do I need to book?
Yes, you need to book for sessions. However you can also drop into The Parlour anytime between 9.30am and 3pm daily to explore our browsing collection of books perfect for families.
Numbers are limited in our spaces and sessions according to Queensland Government guidelines.
When booking for sessions, please book for each person in your group (including infants and children). If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking online. Contact us at (07) 3840 7927 or ypf@slq.qld.gov.au if you need assistance.
What happens when I arrive at State Library?
Enter through the Infozone doors from the Knowledge Walk. Staff will help you check in.
What play material will be available?
For Play Time, families will be provided with curated resource packs filled with open ended resources that encourage fun and creativity. Play resources will be quarantined after use, and our spaces will be sanitised in accordance with Queensland Government guidelines.
If you’re coming for Baby Play, Rhyme Time or Story Time sessions, we'll provide cushions and any specific resources required however you might also like to bring your own floor blanket. And don’t forget your most important tools — your voice to talk and sing, and your hands for actions!
I have specific needs for myself or my children — what should I do?
If you or your child or children have any specific needs in order to participate in the session, contact the event supervisor prior to the session on (07) 3840 7927 or email ypf@slq.qld.gov.au to discuss your requirements.
How can I stay up to date?
Follow us on First 5 Forever and slq Play for updates and fun family activities.
First 5 Forever
Talk, read, sing and play together every day to build a strong foundation for your child’s future development.