The best free and cheap family activities
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.
Free family-friendly events
Distraction
An exhibition that plugs into the torrent of content and places we go when craving distraction.
Making Memoir of a Snail
Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.
See You in the Soup
Join performer Emma Chandler for an enchanting concert about love, joy and being very, very silly.
NGV Kids Summer Festival
Enjoy a week of free activities and events just for children and families these school holidays.
Free Fitness in the Park: Family Fitness
Stay active with free community fitness classes in parks and gardens across your neighbourhoods.
Play School: Come and Play
A hands-on, playful exhibition where families can discover how the beloved TV show comes to life.
Melbourne CBD Holi Festival of Colours
Be covered in vibrant colours and dance to music at the Treasury Garden's Holi.
Free kids activities
Songbirds
Come along to East Melbourne Library on Thursdays for Songbirds: songs, rhymes and stories.
Family Art Day: Summer Picnic and Tourmaline
Make collaborative sculptures, puppets and costumes at this family art day and picnic.
Events under $20
Pirate Day at Polly Woodside
Come along and experience the pirate life aboard Melbourne's tall ship.
Fitzroy Gardens Nature Navigator
Join a fun and educational kids activity exploring the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.
School Holiday Explorer Bus
Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.
Mural of Me: Collage Workshops with Nicky Tsekouras
A hands-on workshop to express yourself through colour, texture and playful paper collage.
Special occasion activities - $20 and over
Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker
An interactive ballet experience for children, from The Australian Ballet.
Game Worlds
ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.
BBL: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers
The Melbourne Stars take on the Adelaide Strikers at the 'G for the First Nations match.
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
Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.
Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.
House Down Under
Australia’s favourite inverted house photo experience brings topsy-turvy fun to Melbourne.
Ten Thousand Hours
Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget.
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
Alice in Wonderland
Join Alice on her amazing journey through Wonderland and experience an adventure like no other.
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank is brought to life.
Australian Open
The summer stage for epic tennis, music, entertainment and unforgettable fan moments.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Concert
Experience this spellbinding story backed by the full might of the MSO.
Tiny Tours: Ant to Apple
See how ants, bees and other insects help grow our food and keep ecosystems healthy.
NBL: Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers
NBL basketball is back - catch this exciting show of Australian sport live at John Cain Arena.
For teens and older kids
The Story of the Moving Image
A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners
Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.
Polymer Clay Workshop
Create beautiful pairs of earrings and necklaces using polymer clay in this fun workshop.
Riverslide Skate Park
The city's biggest skate park, overlooking the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr.
Hardrock Climbing
The ultimate indoor rock-climbing experience in Melbourne is at Hardrock Climbing.
Hama Film Self Photo Studio
A self-photo studio where you can take amazing photos in special concept rooms.
Hijinx Hotel
No beds here. Just ball pits, bold colours, brain-teasing challenges and a lot of laughter.
Archie Brothers
Archie Brothers delivers circus themed arcade charm, whimsical cocktails, and big-kid energy.
Holey Moley Golf Club
Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.
Loopy Lab
See how plastic waste is a resource by making your own pen or carabiner from plastic bottle tops.
School holiday workshops
School Holiday Workshop: Enter Stage Left
Imagine, write, design, rehearse and perform a play all in a day.
L2R Dance: AfroDance
A school holiday workshop exploring the foundations, history and culture of African dance styles.
L2R Dance: Hip Hop
A school holiday workshop exploring essential grooves and moves to create a fun choreography.
School Holiday Street Art Workshops
Learn spray-painting techniques from a renowned street artist this school holidays.
The Magic Workshop
A school holiday workshop taking you into a world of secrets and mind-boggling twists and turns.
Trees of Remembrance: School Holiday Program
Explore the Shrine reserve on this guided children's tour where every tree tells a story.
Family-friendly attractions
Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum
This is a wondrous place for young children to explore, play and learn.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four enchanting worlds at this top Melbourne attraction.
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.
Queen Victoria Market
This beloved Melbourne landmark is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.
Last updated on Tue 6 Jan 2026
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Free things to do with kids in Melbourne
Get the kids out and explore these free events and adventures for an awesome day of fun.
Book Fair Australia
Book Fair Australia is a literary festival that celebrates stories of all genres.
What's open between Christmas and New Year's Eve in Melbourne
If you’re in Melbourne after Christmas Day, there’s heaps of fun to be had.
Stronger Families, Stronger Communities
Elevating the voices of nine First Nations men exploring themes of strength and cultural pride.