The best free and cheap family activities

Need to keep your little mates entertained these holidays? Check out these awesome free events and fun adventures for an epic day of fun.

Girl looking out at mini village display in the garden.

When are the school holidays?

The school holidays in Victoria are from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026.

When is public transport half price during the school holidays?

Public transport is half price in Victoria until the end of the year. This includes Melbourne trains, trams and buses as well as regional trains, coaches and buses. Check the full details.

Deals, discounts and pop-ups

A mother and two young children on the deck of a ferry looking out across the water.

Port Phillip Ferries

Kids (4-16 years) travel free on these weekly 2.5hour cruises, Tuesdays 9.30am-12.15pm, T&Cs apply.

Special offer
Cartoon style illustration of children with painted faces, against a blue background.

The Wharf Hotel

Enjoy free family activities every Sunday, incl. face painting, magicians & balloon twisters, 1-4pm.

Special offer
People taking a selfie with an animation character.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Animal Crossing exhibition, where characters meet real-life marine life: 16 Sep-8 Nov

Special offer

School Holidays: Knit 101

Use code PAYDAY for $20 off the session - was $85, now $65.

Special offer
A family enjoying the 88th floor panoramic views of Melbourne from Melbourne Skydeck.

Melbourne Skydeck

Enjoy great value with family tickets from $64; for travel between 16 Sept to 16 Oct. T&Cs apply.

Special offer

The General Assembly

Enjoy one free kid’s meal with every main meal purchased during the school holidays, 19 Sep–4 Oct.

Special offer
An adult and child riding in an open bus, the child pointing at something.
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School Holiday Explorer Bus

Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

TGI Fridays

Order a full priced food item, min $24.90 per item, to get a free kid's meal (under 12s) Mon–Thu.

Special offer
Hotel room with twin beds and city views.

Crown Towers Melbourne

Includes $100 credit for dining or Crown Spa, plus Cinemas Gold Class family pass & valet parking.

Special offer
Hotel room with twin beds, grey furnishings and city view.

Crown Promenade Melbourne

Includes $30 Espresso Bar credit, $50 Kingpin gift card, valet parking & bottle of sparkling.

Special offer
Children making gnocchi in a workshop.

il Mercato Centrale Melbourne

From movies to mini-masterclasses, it’s a full day of fun for the whole family. Every Sunday 8am-6pm

Special offer

Free family-friendly events

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

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

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
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Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

Two street performers singing into microphones, with two guitarists playing music behind them.
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Pop-up Busking: Winter Sounds Series

Enjoy curated musical busking performances across the city this winter.

A smiling child holding a large pink soft toy.

The Big Toy Swap

Give your child’s toy box a sustainable refresh at The Big Toy Swap. 

Sports man signing yellow footballs for children behind a railing.
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Footy Fest

Meet your footy heroes, join a free footy clinic and enjoy live entertainment for the whole family.

Parade walkway lined with fans, city buildings in the background with yellow smoke.

Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade

Cheer on the Grand Finalists one last time before the big game.

A Chinese Lion Dance with three performers and a crowd looking on.

Chinatown Lion and Dragon Moon Festival

Chinatown’s twilight Lion and Dragon Dance Mid Autumn Moon Festival returns.

A picture of a dolphin on the Big Screen at Fed Square, people gathered at the foot of the screen to watch, city buildings in the background.
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Outdoor Cinema: Feathers, Fins and Friendship

Catch beloved family-friendly adventure films about human and animal friendships, on the Big Screen.

Author Angie Cui, with long dark hair, shelves of children's books in the background.

The Festival of Ice and Snow with Angie Cui

Bundle up for a wintry adventure and celebrate family, cultural traditions and storytelling.

An urban wildflower garden with city buildings in the background.

Test Garden Open Day: Birds in the Big City

Urban Ecologist Dr Jacinta Humphrey leads a family-friendly workshop exploring design for birds.

A performer sits at the top of a tall ladder, playing an electric guitar while below them, another performer stands facing away from the camera, holding the ladder steady with uplifted arms.
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Ocker

Ocker is roving circus tearing through the streets on a portable railway track built in real time.

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Join Jane Godwin and Anna Walker for a special Storytime.

Two park rangers in front of a display table with their ute behind and more displays.
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Junior Rangers - Wings and Wattles

Find urban bushland in Royal Park and connect with nature close to home.

Aerial view of an outdoor market on Southbank promenade, showing the Yarra River with boats on the right, market umbrellas and stalls on the concourse and city buildings in the background.
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Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
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Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Group of children seated on the floor while adults look on.
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Auslan Storytime

Bringing stories to life through visual language and movement, 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.

Collingwood AFL football player Patrick Lipinski, wearing a cap and casual jacket.
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Meet Collingwood Magpies Player Patrick Lipinski

Join a handball competition with the Magpies' #1 player.

A watercolour picture of a child sitting on top of a giant pile of books in a garden with flowers and oversize bumble bees against green grass and blue sky.
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Once Upon a Time...en Español

Bring your little ones along for an engaging storytelling session in Spanish.

People gathered seated in front of the big screen in Fed Square with sunny blue sky.

AFL Grand Final on the Big Screen

Catch the AFL Grand Final on the Big Screen at Fed Square.

A scene from the Lego Batman movie showing Batman leaning a group of mini figures across a yellow Lego baseplate.
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Outdoor Cinema: Celebrating World Batman Day

These school holidays, catch fan-favourite Batman films on Fed Square's Big Screen.

A pair of giant roving elderly character puppets on the streets of Carlton, performing as part of the Festival of Puppetry.
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Melbourne Festival of Puppetry

Performances, workshops, free events and more, presented around the city.

A still from a videogame depicting a Chinese soldier fighting two warriors in front of an ancient Chinese temple.
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Feng Mengbo: Long March Restart

An free exhibition that playfully reimagines modern Chinese history as a videogame.

Free kids activities

Young children and their parents listening to a story book being read aloud in a colourful environment with large dinosaur cutouts.
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Dino Days

Young dinosaur enthusiasts, aged 3-5 years, are invited to explore all things dinosaur.

A preschool aged child with curly hair wearing a red dress, holding open a book and looking at it.
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Preschool Storytime

Sing songs and read stories with your young child at North Melbourne Library.

A woman holding a picture book titled 'Ruffles' and also holding a dog toy in a library reading area.
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Songbirds

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

A smiling adult holding a ukulele seated at a low table, with two picture books resting on the table, in a library setting.
Until

Preschool Storytime

Share the wonder of books with your children at narrm ngarrgu Library.

A smiling woman with a ukulele seated at a desk with two picture books on display.
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Stompers

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

Illustrations of two children with clipboards in (real) garden setting.
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Side view of a child typing on a laptop.
Until

STEM Holiday Workshop for Young People: Auslan and English

Young people are invited to experience a free hands-on STEM workshop at Science Gallery Melbourne.

A girl drawing with a green pencil in a crafting room with tens of coloured picture frames on the yellow wall behind her.
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The Activity Hub

Drop into The Activity Hub at State Library Victoria for hands-on family activities.

Two children stand at a table looking at a craft project in a room that features a colourful display of framed artwork or pictures hung in a grid pattern on the wall behind the table.
Until

Pocket House

Young children can build a tiny house full of big memories with Pocket House.

Children using wool to create triangular woven crafts with balls of wool.
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A Patchwork of Hope: Shrine Free School Holiday Program

Discover stories of hope and strength, then get creative with weaving and embroidery.

Two park rangers in front of a display table with their ute behind and more displays.
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Junior Rangers - Wings and Wattles

Find urban bushland in Royal Park and connect with nature close to home.

Young children walking through tall reeds in a a garden.

Nature Play Melbourne

Delight your child’s senses with free nature play experiences on Oak Lawn.

Families working with paper craftworks hanging from ropes in an indoor space.
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Paper Planet at Fed Square

Theatre and play merge in this magical place, as stories and adventures spring to life.

Small hands over a glittery surface.

Family Art Day at ACCA

A free art-making program designed for families with young children at ACCA.

An urban wildflower garden with city buildings in the background.

Test Garden Open Day: Birds in the Big City

Urban Ecologist Dr Jacinta Humphrey leads a family-friendly workshop exploring design for birds.

Adult and child looking at a pamphlet in a garden.
Until

Nature Trail

During the school holidays, follow clues to spot some of the critters that share the city with us.

Events under $20

A digitally composited graphic featuring a friendly, cartoonish red dragon character holding a treasure map standing on a paved park pathway.
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Wonder and Whimsy

Join a fun and educational kids activity exploring the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.

A still from a Japanese Anime movie for kids showing a young girl in a red dress standing on top of a grassy hill, wth a cat in a top hat and tails standing behind her.
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Kids' Flicks with Feelings

Flex your emotional muscles with two thoughtful films for kids.

Hands holding a black pen over two pages of writing on pieces of paper with figure cutouts.
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Snow on a Summer's Day

A puppet show for ages seven and older.

Drawing of Hellenic figures standing on an open book.
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Dryad Drop-In

Explore the natural world through the eyes of the ancient Greeks, with storytelling and activities.

A crafted robot figurine with red legs and arms and big eyes with long eyelashes.
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Puppet-Making Workshops for Kids

Super entertaining school holiday puppet-making workshops for kids aged 4-10 years.

A young girl holds an old ship steering wheel.

Polly Woodside Open Day

Climb aboard and roam the decks of one of Australia’s last surviving 19th-century tall ships.

Flash mob tour group gathered on a rooftop with Melbourne buildings and storm clouds in the background.

School Holiday Kids and Family Silent Disco Walking Tour

Head out with the kids on a special school holiday silent disco walking tour of the city.

A handmade miniature creature crafted from natural materials like pinecones, twigs, and seed pods, standing on a brick surface.

Fantastic Friends: Kids' Spring Workshop

Kids can make a fantastic friend in this spring holiday workshop.

An adult and child riding in an open bus, the child pointing at something.
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School Holiday Explorer Bus

Children ride for half-price on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.

Paper Japanese animal masks on a desk.

Okinawa Japan Festival

The festival will showcase Okinawan culture through kids-friendly activities and performances.

A standing and seated row of children in a large bright room, all holding up artworks they've created.
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Art Classes for Kids

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator, held at The Hub at Docklands.

Special occasion activities - $20 and over

Two people standing on the 'ceiling' of an inverted living room.

House Down Under

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

Two people standing in an immersive room at Dreamskape surrounded by a virtual reality projection of interior of a spaceship.

Dreamskape

Explore the District Dockland's multi-media sensory entertainment complex.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
Until

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

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

Picnic spread of dishes, boxed food and drinks on a blue gingham tablecloth.
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Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

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

A hooded figure positioned centrally in a circular emblem holding a talisman with a stylized letter 'H' in the centre surrounded by flying bats against a vintage image of city buildings.
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Shadows in the Dark

Go on a guided paranormal tour to reveal the hidden secrets of the Queen Vic Market.

Man wearing a tuxedo performing sleight of hands tricks with a glass in front of a seated audience.
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Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

An illustration of Ned Kelly in his armour at night with the Melbourne skyline in the background and a crescent moon.
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Ned Kelly's Treasure Escape Room

Crack the code and solve this escape room puzzle.

A dancer wears a vibrant green, light-up ballerina-style tutu dress with a matching crown, and large, glowing translucent fairy wings spread out behind her, standing against a dark background.
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Ballet of Lights: Peter Pan in a Sparkling Show

Peter Pan lights up Neverland in a dazzling dance spectacle.

A blacklit underwater scene showing a colourful lion fish and a leafy sea dragon behind a large set of teeth.
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Dreamer in the Deep

Embark on a spectacular deep sea adventure with this enjoyable children's puppet show.

A drawing of five colorful sheep (purple, blue, yellow, orange, and red) walking on a green grassy hill with small flowers.
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Where is the Green Sheep?

A wild and woolly adventure to find that elusive green sheep.

A children's performer in pale blue overalls and a wattle-patterned headband with a cute kangaroo puppet.
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The Wobbly Wallaby Show

Enjoy an enchanting musical adventure for children aged 3 to 8 years this September school holidays.

A puppeteer on stage with a green puppet made from recycled and found materials.
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Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones

This imaginative show blends shadow puppetry, clown and physical theatre into a hilarious spectacle.

A teacher bobs down next to a seated students writing at a table in a studio workshop and listens intently.

Secrets of the Aurora: Holiday Program

A full-day writing workshop of phantasmal fantasy for ages 10–14 years.

Magician sitting cross legged on a cosy bed in a darkened room, wearing pyjamas and holding a wand, with a tower of cards and a teddy bear as props that surround him.
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The Magic Pyjama Party

A laugh-filled, wonder-packed school holiday show about amazing dreams.

Metallic robot figure looking amazed at a red-winged insect.
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Trinket the Robot

A puppet show for 3–10-year-olds about a little robot who longs to become real.

Puss in Boots cat puppet figure wearing a waistcoat and feathered hat, hiding behind illustrations of trees.
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Puss In Boots

A surprising puppet tale of courage, magic and clever tricks for ages four and older.

Puppet scene with a figure holding a lamp in a purple forest setting.
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The Boy Who Lost His Light

An enchanting puppetry adventure into a magical illuminated world for 3–10-year-olds.

Colourful artwork in the style of an ancient Greek fresco in abstract red and blue.
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Pigments of the Past: For Kids

Discover how ancient Greeks painted their world in this creative workshop for kids.

A teachers bobs down next to a seated student and listens intently.

Dragon Academy: Holiday Program

A full-day writing workshop full of fireballs for ages 10–14 years.

Drawing of a child seated in a tree reading a book.
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Melbourne Kids Book Fest

Meet your favourite authors and illustrators at a book festival just for kids.

Walkers entering the finish line of a charity walk, wearing brightly coloured running shorts and leggings.

Olivia's Walk for Wellness

Walk together for cancer support, connection, hope and wellbeing.

A smiling young girl seated as a table in front of a pile of slime.

Slime Lab

A play and retail space offering awesome and creative slime workshops for kids.

Young teens in a classroom setting with a teacher looking on and bookshelves in the background.

Escape from the Underworld: Holiday Program

A full-day writing workshop in the afterlife for ages 10–14

Child adding details to artwork on the back of a skateboard deck.
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School Holiday Street Art Workshops

Learn spray-painting techniques from a renowned street artist these school holidays.

Three smiling young girls lying on a mattress with sleeping bags, inside a museum, next to a dinosaur skeleton.
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Family Museum Sleepovers

Sleep among the dinosaurs in this unique overnight experience at Melbourne Museum.

The Bellarine Express catamaran docked at the Docklands Terminal on Harbour Esplanade in Melbourne, with water in the foreground and city buildings in the background.

Junior Captain Adventure Cruise

Become a Junior Captain and set sail on a fun-filled Melbourne waterway adventure.

Three children looking at colourful pamphlets while standing on the stairs inside the Old Melbourne Gaol.
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Billie B Brown and the Case of the Missing Treasure

Join Billie B and the Secret Mystery Club as they take on one of their trickiest cases yet.

Two young teenagers studying together in a library space as part of a creative writing workshop.

Beneath the Trap Door: Holiday Program

A creative story writing workshop devoted to subterranean suspense for ages 8-12 years.

A child wearing a plastic coat, squirting paint with a paintgun at a pink canvas on a wall splattered with paint.
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Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

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

A National Basketball League match underway inside John Cain Arena at Melbourne Park, with an indoor court and spectators watching from the stadium seats.

NBL: Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans

Melbourne United take to the court against the Cairns Taipans for Round 3 of the NBL27 season.

'Wonders of the sea' themed high tea treats including mermaid-tail cupcakes on a white plate on a display of sand and shells.
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Le Petit Wonders of the Sea: Kids High Tea

An enchanting under-the-sea themed High Tea designed especially for small explorers.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
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Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

People holding their glass bowl terrariums, looking amazed.
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Terrarium Miniature Garden Workshop

Join a hands-on workshop making your own living garden.

A multi-tiered high tea service featuring finger sandwiches, pastries, and sweets inspired by characters from the movie Shrek.
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Shrek Afternoon Tea

Families can enjoy a Shrek afternoon tea at The Langham these school holidays.

A group of children wearing protective gloves while participating in a hands-on, educational terrarium-building workshop around a wooden table.
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Little Gardener's Terrarium Workshops

These little gardener's terrarium workshops are perfect for the school holidays.

Two children's performers on stage performing a magic show.
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The Greatest Magic Show

The multi-award-winning, sell-out smash hit returns with more whimsical wonders for the family.

A crowd of people celebrating inside a decorated ferry during a Taylor Swift-themed singalong cruise.

Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise

The Taylor Swift singalong cruise returns with live music and family-friendly fun.

A circus performer holding onto a ring suspended from the ceiling, a big red star behind them.
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Circus The Show

Prepare to enter a world of whimsy and wonder where your imagination will soar like never before.

Two people dressed in white fencing outfits, fitted with head guards, fencing with swords on a fencing mat, indoors.
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Learn to Fence

Learn how to fence with experienced coaches at these introductory school holiday sessions.

A musical walking tour being led through a Melbourne laneway by a man wearing a blue cap, headphones, speaker and overalls.

Taylor Swift Themed Silent Disco Walking Tour of Melbourne

Join a sing-a-long tour of the city with other Swifties.

Kids sitting on the floor building with play construction equipment.
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Supreme Construction Pop-up

A hands-on construction and creative play space for the family, open for four weeks only.

For teens and older kids

Exterior of Holey Moley mini golf venue at night.

Holey Moley Golf Club

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

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Side view of a child typing on a laptop.
Until

STEM Holiday Workshop for Young People: Auslan and English

Young people are invited to experience a free hands-on STEM workshop at Science Gallery Melbourne.

A butterfly brooch with green and pink mother of pearl inlay wings, against a white background.
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Mother of Pearl Inlay Brooch Making Workshop

Join this jewellery making class on mother-of-pearl inlay, perfect for beginners.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

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

Seven people in coloured aprons holding up kokedama balls in a workshop.
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Kokedama Workshop

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

Two smiling workshop participants holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Workshop

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

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

A beige and white knitted shoulder bag with plush trim and a chain strap, made in a cross-stitch workshop.
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Cross-stitch Embroidery Bag Workshop

Make your own pretty cross-stitch bag to style your look in this beginner class.

A sophisticated music store with guitars hanging on the wall.

The Music Gym

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

Person on a skateboard at Riverslide Skate Park.

Riverslide Skate Park

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

Small brick building illuminated at night, housing Signal creative arts studio.

Signal

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

People skating in an indoor ice rink with disco lighting.

O'Brien Icehouse

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

Brightly coloured singing booths arranged around the walls in a large room, with bench seating in the central open space.

Kono Coin Karaoke

Enjoy a karaoke experience at a singing booth.

The exterior of Hardrock climbing in the city, surrounded by other buildings.

Hardrock Climbing

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

People lining up outside a retro photobooth at night.

Flinders Street Photobooth

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

Looking into the interior of a studio space, with a row of five small booths on the left and shelves of props and equipment on the right wall.

Life4Cuts Chinatown

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

Three girls posing and holding up their hands in peace signs while wearing flower headbands.

Hama Film Self Photo Studio

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

A giant ball pit with brightly coloured geometric patterns and neon shapes on the walls.

Hijinx Hotel

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

Interior of Archie Brothers games venue, showing a candy counter, and a central bar area.

Archie Brothers

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

School holiday workshops

Children using spray cans and stencils to decorate skateboard decks in an art workshop.
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Skateboard Deck Art

Paint your own skateboard deck using stencils, spray cans, sharpies, and collage, for ages 8 to 13.

A standing and seated row of children in a large bright room, all holding up artworks they've created.
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Art Classes for Kids

A guided art class for children, led by an artist and educator, held at The Hub at Docklands.

A child wearing a plastic coat, squirting paint with a paintgun at a pink canvas on a wall splattered with paint.
Until

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

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

Children preparing Thai ingredients in a cooking class.
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Kids Thai Cooking Class

A hands-on school holiday experience for little chefs.

Kids on the grass outside the Shrine of Memorial, holding kit bags and smiling.
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Shrine Kids

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

A primary-school aged child wearing a yellow top while standing among lush green ferns and looking upward.
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Spring School Holidays at Melbourne Museum

Get involved in immersive and hands-on activities inspired by ancient Rome these school holidays.

Family-friendly attractions

Baby looking in a mirror.

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

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

Koala in a gum tree at Melbourne Zoo.

Melbourne Zoo

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

Child looking over right shoulder with delighted smile, dark dinosaur model behind.

Melbourne Museum

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

Two friends in exaggerated poses against a hand-painted interactive artwork of a jungle scene, at ArtVo.

ArtVo

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

Family in a glass tunnel looking up at a very large stingray.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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

Water wall installation at the entrance to NGV International on St Kilda Road.

NGV International

NGV International houses a whole world of international art.

Large, rectangular building of Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

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

Smiling vendor selling a range of pastries, dips and spreads at Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market

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

Dark silhouetted figures in a space with red and blue lighting.

ACMI

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

People browsing a museum with paper lanterns and artwork.

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

Double-storey ArtPlay building with city skyscrapers in the background.

ArtPlay

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

More family-friendly ideas

Note: Some age limits may apply, check with venues before visiting.

Last updated on Tue 22 Sep 2026

Only In The City

Only in the City
Inside a bustling market hall

Things you can only see in the city

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

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

Multiple plates on a white table cloth.

Things you can only eat in the city

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A smiling man holds a cheerful toddler in his arms as the child reaches toward a large, textured, teardrop-shaped gourd hanging from the ceiling; part of an interactive installation at ArtPlay.
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Exhibition: Obang 오방

Step into a Korean grandmother's home while she is away visiting her grandchildren overseas.

A Georgian room with marble fireplace and a large Christmas tree.
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A Taste Of Christmas

Current exhibition, Taste and Temptation, has been transformed for the festive season.

A young boy and girl pointing to triceratops bones in the Museum.

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.

A group of friends having a picnic at an outdoor event

Melbourne's best outdoor events

Take the good times out into the fresh air with alfresco dining, summer events and epic pop-ups.