Need to keep your little mates entertained? Check out these awesome free events and fun adventures for an epic day of fun. Some age limits may apply, check with venues before visiting.

When are the school holidays?

The school holidays in Victoria are from Monday 22 December 2025 to Wednesday 28 January 2026.

Driving in?

With more than 70,000 car spaces in the city, you’re never far from Melbourne’s best events. Book ahead at key parking providers to get the best deal.

Deals, discounts and pop-ups

Three people playing a water gun game in a neon-lit arcade.

Archie Brothers

Under 18s can enjoy one game of bowling, a $25 game card, and one game of laser tag for $36.

Special offer

Free family-friendly events

Distraction
Until

Distraction

An exhibition that plugs into the torrent of content and places we go when craving distraction.

The Sunday Market at Southgate
Until

The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

Making Memoir of a Snail
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

Free kids activities

Preschool Storytime
Until

Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your children at North Melbourne Library.

Songbirds
Until

Songbirds

Come along to East Melbourne Library on Thursdays for Songbirds: songs, rhymes and stories.

Stompers
Until

Stompers

Join in the Stompers fun with your toddler at narrm ngarrgu Library every Friday.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

Free Kids Explorer Bus
Until

Free Kids Explorer Bus

Children ride free on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

For teens and older kids

The Story of the Moving Image
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners
Until

Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

Kokedama Workshop
Until

Kokedama Workshop

Enjoy a beginner's workshop and learn how to make a little moss ball plant.

Polymer Clay Workshop
Until

Polymer Clay Workshop

Create beautiful pairs of earrings and necklaces using polymer clay in this fun workshop.

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop
Until

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

The Music Gym

The Music Gym

Drop in to The Music Gym, Melbourne's most playable pit stop!

Riverslide Skate Park

Riverslide Skate Park

The city's biggest skate park, overlooking the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr.

Signal

Signal

Signal is the City of Melbourne's creative studio for young people 14 to 25 years.

O'Brien Icehouse

O'Brien Icehouse

Ice arena for public skating and ice sports events, located in Docklands.

Kono Coin Karaoke

Kono Coin Karaoke

Enjoy a karaoke experience at a singing booth.

Hardrock Climbing

Hardrock Climbing

The ultimate indoor rock-climbing experience in Melbourne is at Hardrock Climbing.

Flinders Street Photobooth

Flinders Street Photobooth

Have your photo taken at a vintage black and white photobooth.

Life4Cuts Chinatown

Life4Cuts Chinatown

A Korean-inspired self-photo booth studio in Chinatown.

Hama Film Self Photo Studio

Hama Film Self Photo Studio

A self-photo studio where you can take amazing photos in special concept rooms.

Viri VR

Viri VR

Engage your senses with an 80-minute virtual reality immersion.

Hijinx Hotel

Hijinx Hotel

No beds here. Just ball pits, bold colours, brain-teasing challenges and a lot of laughter.

Archie Brothers

Archie Brothers

Archie Brothers delivers circus themed arcade charm, whimsical cocktails, and big-kid energy.

Strike Bowling

Strike Bowling

Tenpin bowling plus laser tag and escape rooms - great fun for everyone.

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Until

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition

Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.

Chocolate Family Adventure Day
Until

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
Until

Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.

House Down Under

House Down Under

Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.

Bear With Us

Bear With Us

Unleash your inner artist in this therapeutic and fun experience.

School holiday workshops

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop
Until

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

At Melbourne Paint Lab you can splash, splatter and drip paint to unleash your inner artist.

DIY Craft Workshops
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

Family-friendly attractions

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

This is a wondrous place for young children to explore, play and learn.

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo

Journey through a world of wildlife in the heart of Melbourne.

Australian Music Vault

Australian Music Vault

A celebration of Australian contemporary music – past, present and future.

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum

Explore history, culture, science, and nature at this popular Melbourne attraction.

ArtVo

ArtVo

An interactive 3D art gallery with optical illusions that visitors can touch and explore.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four enchanting worlds at this top Melbourne attraction.

NGV International

NGV International

NGV International houses a whole world of international art.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market

This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

ACMI

ACMI

Museum dedicated to the moving image through events, film screenings and exhibitions.

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

ArtPlay

ArtPlay

A creative arts centre for children to share unique experiences with professional artists.

Last updated on Mon 6 Oct 2025

Only In The City

Melbourne's essential night-time events

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

Only in the City

Only in the City

This city hums with energy - with hidden laneway cafes, rooftop bars, art and culture at every turn.

Things you can only see in the city

Things you can only see in the city

Uncover secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

Discover more

Whirlwind

Whirlwind

A theatrical play space where the ridiculous is welcomed and creativity can float and fly.

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Step into a vibrant world of colour, creativity and celebration.

Game Worlds
Until

Game Worlds

ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.