A girl and a boy reaching their hands out to touch a glass wall water feature.
–

School holidays

Dates

3 Apr - 19 Apr

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities. There's plenty of free, low-cost events and family attractions to choose from.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

When are the school holidays?

The school holidays in Victoria are from Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026.

Julia and her two kids walking across Princes Bridge

Julia Busuttil Nishimura's family day out - only in the city

If you simply can't bare to think up a day of activities, Melbourne-based cook and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura has done the hard yards for you. Follow her guide for a fun, easy, affordable day out - without the stress of planning and researching what you should do!

School holiday deals and offers

Twinkle Dance Party

Use code TWINKLE10 to get 10% off your tickets.

Special offer
Performer wearing a hat and waistcoat, with rope.

Magic, Mirth and Mystery

Enjoy discounted rates: kids $35, adults $45, family of four $145

Special offer
A hand holding an open fan upside-down.

Illusionaire Family Magic Show

Enjoy discounted rates: kids $35, adults $45, family of four $145

Special offer
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

School holiday events

Three children looking at colourful pamphlets while standing on the stairs inside the Old Melbourne Gaol.
–

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.

Performer wearing a coat with striped lapels, with a large bubble wand.
Until

Dr Hubble's Brilliant Bubbles

A fun, funny and (slightly) educational show for all the family by Australia’s favourite bubble man.

Child adding details to artwork on the back of a skateboard deck.
Until

School Holiday Street Art Workshops

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

A tan jacket made of squiggly fur on a white dummy torso.
Until

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

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

Two female tennis players both wearing yellow sports gear and white visors.
–

Billie Jean King Cup

Your chance to see the best of Australian tennis take on the might of Great Britain.

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.

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

Melbourne Magic Show

Enjoy a theatrical magic experience like no other.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
Until

The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

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.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
Until

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.
Until

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.
Until

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.
Until

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

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.

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.
Until

Family Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways

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

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

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

A group of people dressed at pirates posing on an old ship.
Until

Pirate Day at Polly Woodside

Come along and experience the pirate life aboard Melbourne's tall ship.

The foyer of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with balloons and banners overhead, and a large sign above a doorway with the words 'good friday appeal' written on it.

Kids Day Out

A family fun festival day out, hosted by The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

An adult and a few primary-school aged children standing at a table that holds a potted plant and a red watering can, with slightly obscured signage in the background that reads 'Little Food Festival'.
–

Little Food Festival

Australia's iconic food festival created for kids is free for all to attend.

A DIY kids craft project of a cardboard gladiator helmet, inspired by ancient Roman designs.
–

Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators

Enter the world of ancient Rome in Melbourne Museum’s Creative Lab workshop, Rise of the Gladiators.

A portion of an ancient Roman colonnade at an archaeological site, against a blue sky.
–

Mosaic Monuments

A drop-in activity that invites families to step into the world of ancient Rome!

Young children playing in a tunnel structure at the Children's Gallery at the Melbourne Museum.
–

Autumn School Holidays at Melbourne Museum

Autumn adventures await at Melbourne Museum.

A family of four wearing pyjamas and sleepmasks lying on mattresses in a museum with lamps, dinosaur skeleton in the background.
–

Family Museum Sleepovers

Explore the museum after dark in this unique overnight experience at Melbourne Museum.

Kids in a classrooms setting writing in notebooks.

The Name is Spy: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 8-12 years.

Kids at a large desk writing and drawing.

Creature Magic: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 7-10 years.

Two young girls working on laptops on a sofa.

Diary of Secrets: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 7-10 years.

A teacher kneeling down beside a student at a desk, chatting.

Enchanted Library: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 8-12 years.

Kids in a classroom setting with a teacher looking on.

Assassin Academy: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 10-14 years.

A table with girls at work writing in notebooks.

Dragon Fire: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 8-12 years.

A girl with curly black hair smiling at a table in a classroom setting with kids at long tables.

Detective High: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 10-14 years.

Students working at desks in a classroom setting.

Land of the Lost: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 8-12 years.

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

Cursed: Holiday Program

A full-day creative story writing workshop for ages 10-14 years.

A male performer operates a large, yellow, barrel-shaped smoke cannon, which fires a large, blue-lit smoke vortex across a dark stage during a live science show.
–

Kaboom!

See Australia’s favourite family science show.

Two performers wearing bright costumes on a stage.
–

Magic, Mirth and Mystery

Enjoy a family magic show these school holidays.

A male magician in a top hat and suit on a smoky stage, holding a yellow and green fan and performing a trick.
–

Illusionaire Family Magic Show

Sam Angelico is back in Melbourne performing his family-friendly show Illusionaire.

A male performer dressed in a red ringmaster-style jacket and black trousers on a stage with blue and red lighting, holding a stick and gesturing with his other hand during a circus and magic show.
–

The Greatest Magic Show!

The Greatest Magic Show is a spectacular packed with magic, comedy and larger-than-life fun.

A male circus performer in a purple jacket and black pants stands on a stage in a circus tent under bright lights, holding a flaming torch, with an audience watching and a large CIRCUS sign in the background.
–

Circus The Show

A family circus spectacular that families are raving about.

An illustration of a tan coloured deer with antlers and a grey kola, with the human faces of Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta superimposed on the animal's heads.
–

The Big Animal Quiz with Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta

A family-friendly live show is an hour of laughs, education and banter about animals.

A woman and child sit in a museum, looking up at a glass case displaying a preserved human body posed in a dramatic leap, with exposed muscles visible.
Until

Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness

Discover what lies behind the skin to reveal how our health, emotions and environment impact us.

Three people interacting with a neon light installation in a gallery.
Until

Distraction

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

A child and an adult with sporting medals around their necks, one of them holding a table tennis paddle, standing in a room.
Until

Table Tennis

Play a game of table tennis with the local world champion, Chau.

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 young child wearing a dressing gown, looking at an open picture book in her lap, blurred twinkling lights behind her.
Until

Bedtime Storytime

Hop into your pyjamas, grab your favourite teddy and enjoy bedtime stories.

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

Dino Days

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

Play School exhibition with signature teddy and toys.
Until

Play School: Come and Play

A hands-on, playful exhibition where families can discover how the beloved TV show comes to life.

Group of children seated on the floor while adults look on.
Until

Auslan Storytime

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

Three cartoon kids in a a real park setting.
–

Then and Now Time Detectives

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

A decorative purple illustration of an ancient Greek amphora featuring a Pegasus, or winged horse, set against a yellow background.
–

Hooves, Horns & Wings: Unicorns & Other Horsey Things

Meet the many horse-like creatures of Greek mythology in this school holiday activity.

Portraits of six First Nations comedians, each within an orange or yellow box laid out in a grid pattern, with three on the top and three on the bottom.

Aboriginal Comedy Allstars for Kids

First Nations comedians present laughs, singalongs, dance and an education for all.

A scene from a Studio Ghibli anime film, with humans and creatures on a green rooftop.

Mina Yu Quartet with Strings: Studio Ghibli

Immerse yourself in the melodies and soundscapes of Studio Ghibli films.

Care Bears themed high tea treats, including bear-shaped cookies with pink icing alongside cups of tea and juice.
–

Care Bears Afternoon Tea

Step into a world of colour, sweetness and nostalgia with an enchanting Care Bears afternoon tea.

A dessert buffet, featuring a central chocolate fountain, at the Easter high tea buffet at Stamford Plaza Hotel Melbourne.

Easter Holiday Chocolate High Tea Buffet

Enjoy a family friendly Easter holiday chocolate high tea buffet at Stamford Plaza Melbourne.

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

Swiftie Singalong Cruise

The Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise returns this April with live music, fun and family‑friendly vibes.

Side view of a child typing on a laptop.
–

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 standing and seated row of children in a large bright room, all holding up artworks they've created.
Until

Rainbow Art Class

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

Child's hands using a rolling pin to roll out roti on a stone benchtop.
–

April School Holidays Kids Cooking Workshops

A relaxed way to introduce children to new flavours while building confidence in the kitchen.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

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

A collection of coloured paper and pens with scissors and glue, and a home-made board game board.

Game Making

Join this workshop and create a cupboard full of DIY games to take home and play on the holidays.

A man in a dinner suit and glasses upside down against a blue and black sun ray striped background.
–

The Tricky Nick Magic Show

Strap in for an unpredictable rollercoaster ride through the weird mind of Tricky Nick.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
Until

Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

A child and their adult carer, engaged in a collaborative collage arts and crafts activity, involving paper and other materials.
–

Collage Nouveau: Children's Collaging Workshop

A sustainable craft workshop, for kids aged 5 to 8 years and their carers.

Three illuminated lamps with cylindrical parchment or fabric shades, decorated with various pressed flowers and small human figures.
Until

Pressed Flower Lamp Making Workshop

Make your room colourful and vibrant with your own pressed flower lamp.

Western Bulldogs AFL football player shaking a fist as he runs past fans in the stands during a game.

AFL Round 4: Western Bulldogs v Essendon

The Western Bulldogs and Essendon play each other on Easter Sunday.

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

Stompers

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

Children's performer, Mr Snotbottom, posing with thumbs up in a suit and Mickey Mouse ears, holding a doctors bag filled with small creatures.
–

Mr Snotbottom/Mark Trenwith: P.Gee!

Clean but chaotic, harmless but hectic, innocent but edgy physical comedy for all ages.

A woman holding a teddy about toe read a picture book in a library story area.
Until

Songbirds

Visit Southbank Library on Mondays for Songbirds, with songs, rhymes and stories for littlies.

A kids comedy troupe performing on stage in fun poses.
–

Comedy Club for Kids

A laugh-a-minute hour the whole family will enjoy.

Two soccer players tussle over a ball which is in the air at a soccer match.

A-League Men's: Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets

Melbourne Victory take on the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park.

Jungle Book bear character, paw raised and smiling, against purple background.
–

The Jungle Book

Join Baloo and Mowgli as they reunite in this heart-warming and high-energy stage musical.

Three young children on the floor, each with a pencil and a clipboard.
–

Build a Story World with Davina Bell

Craft an original picture-book narrative with author Davina Bell in this hands-on workshop for kids.

A still image from the Disney film Beauty and the Beast showing the Beast and Belle dancing.
–

Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Concert

Experience this spellbinding story backed by the full might of the MSO.

Balloon display of octpus and kangaroos surrounding a tram and Flinders Street Station.
Until

Balloon Story

An immersive installation where every world, creature and moment is crafted entirely from balloons.

Huge Comedy Festival microphone prop in a paved courtyard with seating.
Until

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Busking Program

Laughs, magic and high‑energy street acts as the Comedy Festival takes over City Square.

North Melbourne AFL football player gesticulating during a match.

AFL Round 6: North Melbourne v Richmond

North Melbourne meet Richmond in this Round 6 AFL match.

More school holiday ideas

Family 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.

Large IMAX signage above entrance to cinema.

IMAX

Delivering an immersive movie experience on the world's largest screen.

The geometric exterior of ACMI at Federation Square in Melbourne.

ACMI

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

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.

Tranquil scene of trees and lawn surrounding a lake.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

A picturesque haven for recreation and a key botanical resource for research and conservation.

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.

Three women joining hands and fooling around against a fantasy backdrop.

ArtVo

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

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.

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.

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

ArtPlay

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

Kingpin Melbourne's bowling lanes decorated with vibrant murals.

Kingpin Melbourne

Kingpin's new flagship space brings next level entertainment to Collins Arcade.

Three teenagers playing a basketball arcade game in an brightly lit games venue.

PLAYit

Next level arcade and mini golf fun for all ages and abilities.

Pink sweet food treats inspired by the Sanrio character My Melody, found at the Hello Kitty Cafe.

Hello Kitty and Friends Café

A colourful experience celebrating Hello Kitty and Friends with themed treats and exclusive merch.

Painted bears of various sizes standing on a wooden ledge.

Bear With Us

Unleash your inner artist in this therapeutic and fun experience.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

A family of two adults and three children gathered around and looking at their strip photos outside a vintage style photo booth on Flinders Street in Melbourne city.

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.

People laughing and having fun on MotoGP arcade games.

Archie Brothers

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

People enjoying tenpin bowling.

Strike Bowling

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

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.

Discover more

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 small playground on a sunny day

The best playgrounds in Melbourne

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

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.

Young kid sitting on the shoulders of an adult in a large crowd of people watching a show.

Melbourne for free

Discover free things to do in Melbourne, including galleries, museums, events and festivals.