Family and kids

Girl looking out at mini village display in the garden.

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

A statue of a mother and baby giraffe in an indoor children's playground.

The best things to do in Melbourne with kids under 5

Toddler-friendly activities for a day out in Melbourne that you'll enjoy too.

A family looking at a circular tank filled with jellyfish in an aquarium.

Melbourne's best rainy day activities for kids

Find the best indoor family activities during the school holidays.

Family events

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

'Wonders of the sea' themed high tea treats including mermaid-tail cupcakes on a white plate on a display of sand and shells.

Le Petit Wonders of the Sea: Kids High Tea

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

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.

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

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

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

Kids activities

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

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.

Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

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

A woman with two red plaits and a white cap holds up a picture book in a kids library area.

Stompers

Bring your child to Library at The Dock on Tuesdays for a lifelong love of books.

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

Shrine Kids

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

Kids shows

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.

24 Sep – 4 Oct

The Magic Pyjama Party

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

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

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

A smiling library worker holding up three picture books with their front covers facing out, seated cross-legged on the floor in front of library display shelves.

Songbirds

Come along to City Library on Fridays for songs, rhymes and stories.

A smiling adult holding a scrunched-up bit of paper and interacting with a smiling infant lying on a cushioned surface, against a yellow background.

Welcome The Little Stranger

A joyful theatre show for babies and their adults from Pocketfool.

Kids attractions

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.

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.

Visitors surveying the tranquil scene of Fitzroy Gardens fountain, lawns and trees,

Fitzroy Gardens

These historic gardens are home to the famous Cooks' Cottage.

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.

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

ArtPlay

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

A tall brick building with people outside and a large detailed entrance.

Science Gallery Melbourne

A free gallery where arts and science collide.

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.

Polly Woodside sailing ship permanently moored at South Wharf.

Polly Woodside

Polly Woodside is a historic museum ship moored at South Wharf.

A family seated at an outdoor table in a grassy park, eating takeaway food from the food van parked behind them, the Skyline Ferris wheel in the background.

Skyline Melbourne

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

People crossing the road in front of a large train station at sunset

Iconic Melbourne experiences

Waterside views, hidden bars and amazing exhibitions.

A child engaging in an immersive augmented reality adventure game standing in front of a brick wall and holding a digital device up high.

Hunters and Raiders

A world-first AR treasure hunt filled with clues, mystery and real-world adventure.

See all family and kids events

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

Where to find the city's most iconic dishes.

Discover more

An outdoor restaurant by the river with pizza and pasta dishes on the table.

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

Grab a bite at one of these kid-approved and pram-friendly spots.

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 small playground on a sunny day

The best playgrounds in Melbourne

We've rounded up the best adventure parks and playgrounds.

Barista pouring water into a coffee jug in an industrial kitchen.

Swan Lab Coffee School

Learn Melbourne coffee culture through hands-on barista and latte art experiences.