Need to keep your little mates entertained? 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 September school holidays in Victoria are from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024.

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

Rain
Until

Rain

An intimate and interactive installation for you to experience together with your family.

Big Toy Swap

Big Toy Swap

Head to Fed Square and find new toys for your kids while helping to reduce waste.

Table Tennis at Boyd Community Hub
Until

Table Tennis at Boyd Community Hub

Visit the Boyd Community Hub for table tennis with a local world medallist.

Exhibition: 30 Years of Nature Book Illustration

Exhibition: 30 Years of Nature Book Illustration

An exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

The Rockstar and the Krill

The Rockstar and the Krill

Join for an all-singing, all-dancing free show for families.

Sci-Fi: Mythologies Transformed
Until

Sci-Fi: Mythologies Transformed

This exhibition highlights science fiction’s connection to ancient philosophy and mythologies.

Free kids activities

Ancient Egypt for Kids
Until

Ancient Egypt for Kids

A free exhibition for kids with objects, hands-on activities, and cinematic screenings.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytime

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytime

Head to East Melbourne Library for a very hungry caterpillar morning of songs and stories.

The Bad Guys Escape Room

The Bad Guys Escape Room

Join this escape room experience at Southbank Library these school holidays.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole for an afternoon of crafting at North Melbourne Library.

Pig the Pug Storytime

Pig the Pug Storytime

Drop by Library at The Dock for a special Pig the Pug storytime.

Andy Griffiths Activity Afternoon

Andy Griffiths Activity Afternoon

Celebrate Andy Griffiths at this fun activity afternoon at East Melbourne Library.

Bad Bunny Storytime

Bad Bunny Storytime

A morning of stories and craft inspired by 'Bad Bunny' at Kathleen Syme Library.

Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh

Join a fun Winnie-the-Pooh afternoon at North Melbourne Library.

Preschool Storytime
Until

Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your children at Library at The Dock.

Silly Storytime

Silly Storytime

Let’s get silly at this fun storytime at narrm ngarrgu Library these school holidays.

Make like Millie Mak the Maker

Make like Millie Mak the Maker

Get your 'make' on at this Millie Mak the Maker inspired session at the Kathleen Syme Library.

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

A free self-guided program for visitors of all ages.

Earth Protectors: Reducing Waste to Protect Nature

Earth Protectors: Reducing Waste to Protect Nature

Kids can explore how to preserve biodiversity while considering the impact of waste and pollution.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Gardening 4 Kids

Gardening 4 Kids

Join a fun-filled gardening experience with Gardening 4 Kids during the spring school holidays.

Classics and Archaeology Collections Tour for Students

Classics and Archaeology Collections Tour for Students

A free guided tour of the Ancient Lives exhibition and university collection stores for ages 8–18.

Seek and Find
Until

Seek and Find

Follow clues around Fed Square and learn interesting facts about our bodies and the planet.

For teens and older kids

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

One-stop entertainment venue with arcade games, bowling lanes, dodgem cars and cocktail bar.

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Fun things to do for teens in Melbourne

Free exhibitions, festivals, arts and crafts and ice skating.

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.

Events under $20

Beings by Universal Everything
Until

Beings by Universal Everything

Move, dance and play in this interactive exhibition that will surprise and delight all ages.

Victoria the T. Rex
Until

Victoria the T. Rex

An interactive exhibition starring the fossil skeleton of Victoria, a 66-million-year-old T. rex.

House Down Under

House Down Under

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

Skyline Melbourne

Skyline Melbourne

See Melbourne's unbeatable city view from the Skyline Melbourne Ferris wheel.

Sea of Light

Sea of Light

Embark on a journey of light and imagination with your family and paint your own voyage.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Melbourne

Apsis VR: Virtual Reality Melbourne

Experience all the fun, laughter, screams and excitement with Virtual Reality.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Until

Leonardo Da Vinci

Explore the life and legacy of the visionary artist, inventor, scientist and philosopher.

Melbourne Magic Show
Until

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Monopoly Dreams

Monopoly Dreams

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

Swiftie Singalong Cruise

Swiftie Singalong Cruise

Dress up in your favourite Taylor Swift-inspired outfit and cruise along the Yarra River in style.

Rainbow Buddies
Until

Rainbow Buddies

An immersive Play In Real Life game for kids aged four to nine, at District Docklands.

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

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

Brat Kids Carnival

Brat Kids Carnival

A wildly fun afternoon for mischief makers aged 5+ by international sensation Briefs Factory.

Three Happy Tricks with Martin Heppell

Three Happy Tricks with Martin Heppell

The Resilience Project is tackling children’s mental health with a high-energy kids show.

Josephine Wants to Dance

Josephine Wants to Dance

A hilarious musical about the importance of believing in yourself and realising your dreams.

Monster Jam Stadium Tour

Monster Jam Stadium Tour

Get ready for the ultimate motorsports spectacle as Monster Jam to Melbourne.

T.Rex 3D
Until

T.Rex 3D

Experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world's biggest best screen in this 3D documentary.

Rainbow Art Class
Until

Rainbow Art Class

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator.

School holiday workshops

DIY Craft Workshops
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

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

Pigment Squad

Pigment Squad

Add your artistic touch to your favourite cartoon character figurine to create a unique masterpiece.

Turkish Lamp Workshop
Until

Turkish Lamp Workshop

Create your own beautiful Turkish lamp.

Rainbow Art Class
Until

Rainbow Art Class

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator.

Secrets of the Sundial: Holiday Program

Secrets of the Sundial: Holiday Program

An immersive and inspiring school holiday program for young creative writers and storytellers.

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.

Glow Golf

Glow Golf

Good old-fashioned mini golf transformed into an amazing glow-in-the-dark-experience.

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.

Saboteurs
Until

Saboteurs

An immersive, interactive space-themed game with a Moon base-themed play space.

Bear With Us

Bear With Us

Unleash your inner artist in this therapeutic and fun experience.

Last updated on Tue 10 Sep 2024

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