Melbourne keeps visitors pouring in with incredible sporting events, street art, kid-friendly cultural activities and the best coffee in Australia. These are the best things to do in Melbourne with kids.
A visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a must and is a free activity in Melbourne. Start with The Tan, Melbourne’s iconic 3.8-kilometre track that loops around the gardens — perfect for a leisurely walk, scooter ride or bike adventure. Inside the gardens, the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden is a highlight for little explorers. Here, kids can splash in the water play area on warm days, dig in the dirt, and wander through the magical Bamboo Forest, where they might stumble across statues from the beloved Australian story The Magic Pudding.
The Kitchen Garden offers hands-on learning about how food grows and the importance of saving water, while the wide lawns and shady picnic spots make it easy to spend the whole day here. Families love the Royal Botanic Gardens for its mix of nature play, education and plenty of space to run free.
Melbourne Zoo’s huge menagerie of animals means that Melburnians can see wildlife from all over the world. Free keeper talks on a number of species are a must for your day’s itinerary, along with visits to creatures great and small – from butterflies and baboons to elephants and giraffes. Little ones aren’t left out either: aspiring zookeepers, vets, horticulturists or researchers will love the Keeper Kids indoor play area, which has dress-ups and toys for role playing. Save when you buy your ticket through Klook here.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is a perfect way to spend a rainy day and definitely one of the best things to do in Melbourne with kids. You could spend a week trying to meet all the residents, but if time is of the essence then the aquarium has you covered, with plenty of experiences and tours to help you get the best out of this underwater kingdom. Encounter exotic fish from all over the world, and waddle your way to the icy waters of Antarctica, home to the regal King and cheeky Gentoo penguins. Discover an enormous 5.5-metre saltwater crocodile, meet turtles of all shapes and sizes, and get up close with graceful colonies of seahorses and sea dragons. Descend into the mysterious world of jellyfish in SEA LIFE Melbourne’s Ocean Invaders exhibit. Filled with various species of this pulsating sea creature, Ocean Invaders enlightens and entertains people of all ages. Peek into the Jelly Lab to understand the lifecycle of a jellyfish and watch the experts at work.
No matter what age they are, the kids will LOVE ArtVo. This awesome immersive gallery allows visitors to become a part of the 3D art. Kids are encouraged to touch and interact with the artwork, breathing new life into their gallery experience. Teenagers are going to take a lot of Snaps in here. The venue features 11 areas with more than 100 giant floor-to-ceiling artworks to explore.
For families who like the high life, the Melbourne Skydeck is an observation deck on the 88th floor of Eureka Tower in Southbank. Here, you can take in 360-degree views of the stunning Melbourne skyline from the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. If you dare, families with older kids can venture out onto The Edge – a three-meter transparent glass cube, which slides out from the building, suspending guests 285m above the city. In the Voyager Theatre, kids can don VR goggles and go on an immersive journey through 16 Melbourne attractions.
The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is a 30-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD. Experience 12 awesome family play zones including LEGO City Soft play area, 4D cinema and the Creative Workshop. Journey through the kingdom to save our LEGO Princess on the Kingdom Quest ride and cast a magic spell on the Merlin’s Apprentice ride. Using more than a million LEGO bricks, the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre fosters creativity as children get hands-on discovering, building and constructing whatever their imagination desires. There are also hands-on activities like the Build & Test race track and rides.
Since opening in 1992, Scienceworks has been sparking curiosity and inspiring kids with the wonders of science. Bursting with hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences, it’s a place where children can play, experiment and uncover the mysteries of the universe. One of the biggest highlights is the Lightning Room, where 30-minute live shows crackle with energy — literally — making science come alive in the most electrifying way.
Long before the arrival of European colonists, the area now known as Federation Square was an important gathering place for members of the Kulin Nation who came together on the banks of the Yarra River. These days Fed Square is the gateway to Melbourne’s arts and sporting precincts. The building is home to three of Victoria’s major cultural institutions – the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (NGVA). In summer, Fed Square often has relaxing bean bags dotted across the artificial grass lawn. If you’re in Melbourne with kids, it’s a great place to stop and rest their legs after you’ve tackled some of Melbourne’s biggest attractions.
Dreamskape is Australia’s first augmented reality playground. It uses cutting-edge technology to create immersive experiences that cater to both children and adults. Dreamskape is a massive 770-square-metre complex divided into six distinct zones, with more than 100 games and 50 immersive experiences spread throughout the facility – none of which require AR headsets. Expect a roller coaster experience, a laser maze, immersive game rooms, and interactive spaces that bring drawings to life. Families will also meet QB, the resident robot host, who remembers the face of every guest and will guide you through the complex. Dreamskape is now open on Level 1 of Melbourne’s District Docklands, right next to the Melbourne Star. Opening hours are from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Monday to Wednesday and extended hours on weekend. Tickets are priced from $25 per person for a specific zone.
If you’re planning a family trip to Melbourne, make sure the kids have their pocket money ready. The city is brimming with exciting stores, from fashion and toys to sporting gear, lollies and more. Wander through Bourke Street Mall or duck into one of Melbourne’s famous laneways to discover quirky little shops. For bargain hunters, the DFO at South Wharf is a must, while fashion-forward teens will love exploring Chapel Street, stretching from South Yarra through Windsor and Prahran.
Melbourne is Australia’s theatre capital thanks to its world-class venues, thriving arts scene and constant calendar of musicals, family shows and performances. The city’s grand historic theatres like the Princess Theatre, Regent Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre host international productions straight from Broadway and the West End, while smaller venues and festivals bring fresh, homegrown talent to the stage. For families, seeing a show in Melbourne is a magical experience. Many productions are designed with younger audiences in mind — from dazzling musicals and stage adaptations of favourite books and films to school holiday performances. Kids get swept up in the storytelling, music and spectacle, while parents can enjoy introducing them to the excitement of live theatre in some of the most beautiful venues in the country.
The artwork in Melbourne is as changeable as the weather. So even if you’ve done a street walk before – go again, the art may have changed. Hosier Lane is the best-known laneway for street art in Melbourne. You’ll find large murals, secret sculptures and textured artworks. Named after the legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC Lane is covered in tributes to rock’n’roll. The City of Melbourne council website has a great map for visitors who would like to wander the city laneways in search of art. You can find it here.
Watching an AFL match at the MCG is top of the list for many families planning a trip to Melbourne. Even if you’ve never been a fan, the roar of the crowd, the meat pies and the action on field will likely win you over. Check the schedule of matches for the MGC and Marvel Stadium before you go. If your trip coincides with a match you can book tickets here.
Read: Melbourne’s 27 best restaurants and pubs with playgrounds
Transport your family to a winter wonderland at O’Brien Icehouse, an indoor skating rink located in Docklands. Located within Melbourne’s free tram area, the rink offers beginners a safe and fun environment to learn ice skating. Skates of all sizes are available for hire on the premises, and we recommend that you rug up – the Icehouse is kept at a chilly 16 degrees Celsius. There’s even a gym, skater’s shop, bar and café to check out on the premises.
Every January, Melbourne hosts the Australian Open with top-seeded tennis players from all over the world. You can often book packages that include tickets to the Australian Open and a hotel. Families can also book unique experiences at the Australian Open, including a centre court walk-on.
Melbourne’s most famous market is filled with fresh produce, unique clothing, technology, gifts, stationery and homewares. It even has a barber. The market is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you find it a little overwhelming, join a foodie tour. The two-hour tour includes generous tastings, a $5 Market voucher, a Queen Victoria Market shopping bag and a Market Cafe coffee voucher.
Melbourne’s love affair with coffee began with the arrival of Italian and Greek immigrants after World War II. In the time since brewing coffee has developed into an art form. The best part? Visiting a cafe is something you can absolutely do with kids in Melbourne. According to Tourism Australia, the best places for coffee in Melbourne are ST ALi in South Melbourne, Seven Seeds in Carlton and Market Lane in South Yarra. But in reality, it doesn’t matter where you go, Melbourne’s coffee will not disappoint. If you’re in the city, head down to bustling Degraves Street. This was one of the first laneways in Melbourne to make its mark. The coffee is fantastic, the food is delicious and the people watching is out of this world.
This pantheon of Melburnian culture and knowledge boasts a huge variety of exhibitions for every age. Feel dwarfed by the skeleton of diprotodon, the largest marsupial to ever live, on the Dinosaur Walk; hear stories of Melbourne’s heroes and scoundrels in The Melbourne Story; or use virtual reality to learn about the science of road safety in the Road to Zero experience.
Younger tots will love the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery, where they can excavate fossils, explore the discovery garden, or look at objects to learn about history. Bunjilaka is a permanent exhibition at Melbourne Museum dedicated to representing the Koorie experience. Bunjilaka is co-curated by First Nations people and has three main spaces to explore: the Birrarung Gallery (with three rotating exhibitions per year), the Millari Garden (with a family trail winding through Indigenous flora and fauna and a cave with paintings) and a performance space.
Not near the beach? No problem! In fact, the team at URBNSURF Tullamarine ensure kids and adults learn in the most controlled environment possible with no critters in the water. Melbourne’s crystal-clear, all-immersive surf experience is the first dedicated surf park in Australia. The park produces up to 1,000 ocean-perfect waves per hour, ranging from gentle half-metre swells to barrelling two-metre waves, with the intensity able to be adapted to suit the experience of any surfer. When out of the waves, kids will love the playground and the chance to ‘free surf’, or take part in structured lessons.
Imagine a place where the kitschy delight of a playground has been merged with the playful sophistication of an institution like the National Gallery of Victoria. Lose the kids in the interactive exhibits. They can climb, build with foam blocks and paint a real 1970s VW Beetle. MoPA is a buzzing, tactile space that is irresistible for fertile young minds. You’ll find MoPA sites located in Nunawading, Thomastown, Sandringham and Geelong.
With two huge Museums full of wondrous exhibits, a rotation of creative activities, qualified educators on staff, and fully-licensed cafe’s, families love it here. Exhibits and activities provide opportunities for play-based learning and creative exploration. MoPA maintains a very comfortable capacity limit, so MoPA is never too busy and always very clean. However, it does mean that you’re best to book a visit to MoPA at least a few days in advance for weekdays, and at least a week in advance during weekends and school holidays.
Climb aboard the tall ship Polly Woodside and be a real pirate for a day. On the first and third Sunday of every month, kids can unleash their inner marauder and discover what life could be like sailing on the high seas. Your little buccaneers can head on their very own pirate treasure hunt, scrub the deck, ring the bell and engage in interactive pirate-themed games and crafts. Polly Woodside also offers other visitor activities, including a history museum and picnic area.
Head to Plenty Gorge Park to feel Melbourne’s busy clamour and freneticism melt away, giving way to trails beneath towering gums, fresh air and wildlife. Early risers can spot kangaroos bouncing across this oddly placed green wedge just north of one of the most densely populated cities in the country.
When the mood for nature strikes, Bundoora Park Farm is a must-visit for afternoons of goat-feeding, sheep-petting and bunny cuddling, all against a charmingly rustic backdrop.
If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne with kids who love sport – this is the place for you. The Australian Sports Museum houses the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and galleries dedicated to football, cricket, the Olympics and horse racing.
Kids can also test their sporting skills with interactive exhibits that allow them to ride, cycle, surf or climb to their own gold medal moments.
Melbourne’s Chinatown is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western world. It’s a great place to take kids to learn about diversity and Chinese culture. And to eat! Chinatown extends along Little Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street. In between, you’ll find dozens of eating houses and top-class restaurants. China Red serves Shanghai, Canton and Szechuan-style dishes. The kids will love ordering on the touch screens. One of our favourites is Hutong Dumpling Bar City which is renowned for Xiao-Long-Bao, Spicy Won Ton and Pan-fried dumplings.
Fitzroy Gardens is one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor spaces and one of our favourite things to do in Melbourne with kids. Kids adore the miniature Tudor Village, carved Fairies’ Tree and fabulous playground where they can play on a dragon slide, climb on a dolphin fountain and swing on a giraffe’s ears. A walk through the Victorian-era gardens also leads to Captain Cook’s cottage, the oldest building in Australia, transported brick by brick from Yorkshire, England back in 1934.
Melbourne’s NGV houses one of the most impressive art collections in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 70,000 artworks showcasing important works of European, Asian, Oceanic, American and Australian art. Diverse temporary exhibitions pop up throughout the year and school holidays see the NGV come alive with programs that include shows and hands-on workshops for kids.
The NGV Kids Space offers an interactive kids’ play space, garden and climbing structure, where little ones can engage with art. A short walk leads to NGV’s Ian Potter Centre and incredible displays of Australian and Indigenous art.
If you’re around Docklands, stop in at Urban Alley Brewery to fuel up and chill out. The brewery and restaurant sprawls across both an indoor and outdoor area, so families have plenty of space to spread out. Mum and Dad can enjoy a craft beer or gin flight while the little ones chow down on spaghetti, nuggets, calamari, fish bites and ice cream. Enjoy weekly specials, a daily weekday happy hour, modern pub classics and an impressive range of local brews.
GoBoat offers families the chance to captain your own little vessel right through Melbourne’s heart, lifejackets on and sandwiches in tow. The Yarra is brown and uninviting from a distance. Still, it winds its way through the city in a way that transforms the experience into magic.
Metartworld is Port Melbourne’s quirky gem. The a one-of-a-kind scrap metal art gallery is also a Guinness World Record holder. Here, whimsical sculptures made from discarded metal are an ideal, low-key adventure for kids and teens alike. Think 9D cinema experiences and virtual reality theme park action, without the exhausting crowds. Seriously, this is a terrific secret way to spend an afternoon as a family
Melbourne is the home of the Formula One Grand Prix. If you can’t make the event, you can always recreate the adventure and battle it out with your teenagers on go-karts. This incredible city has both indoor and outdoor go-kart tracks. Several claim to have the “fastest” go karts in Melbourne. You can make up your own mind on that. Check the age limits for each track as they do differ. Ace Karts takes children aged 12 and up. Auscarts, an indoor go-karting track in Port Melbourne, allows kids aged 13+ to race. Le Mans Go Karts, Dandenong South has options for kids as young as eight to race.
Got a child that loves to make a mess? If they’re over five, take them to Smash Splash in Oakleigh. This incredible Melbourne play centre allows kids and adults to throw paint on the walls and themselves in the Splash rooms. The company supplies paint balloons, paint and brushes to get you started. You can also purchase additional canvasses so that you can take home a reminder of your experience. If you need more action, try the “Crash” room. Here, the whole family can dress up in Sumo suits and smash into each other as you attempt to shoot hoops, capture the flag and find the mystery ball. If you’re in Melbourne with kids older than 18, you can also try the “Crash” room, where you can smash all kinds of items with a hammer for stress relief.
Who needs the Gold Coast? Melbourne’s 15.7 hectare Funfields Themepark dominateds the suburb of Whittlesea, 40 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD.
Kids will love the heated outdoor wave pool, named Volcano Beach,the Gravity Wave water slide and the Voodoo pendulum ride. It starts off gently… watch it on the video below.
The seaside suburb of St Kilda has so much to offer families, from historic Luna Park to visiting the local penguin colony found on St Kilda Pier. Take a stroll down Acland Street, home to many continental cake shops that will delight tiny taste buds. Nearby Alma Park hosts the Hank Marvin food market on Saturdays for families looking to spend their day tasting delicious street foods and tempting treats.
Melbourne’s oldest prison – and the heart of the city’s law and order since the 1840s – is now a fascinating three-storey museum. The Gaol is very hands-on, with activities designed to engage families. The Watch House Experience lets you role-play an arrest and lock-up, giving kids (and parents) a fun but eye-opening taste of what it was like to be on the wrong side of the law. There are also holiday programs, night tours for the brave, and interactive exhibits that make learning about the past feel like an adventure. It’s best suited for school-aged kids and teens who can appreciate the spookier atmosphere and historical detail, while parents will love how it blends Melbourne’s gritty past with an engaging, immersive experience.
Looking for the perfect rainy day activity to do with kids in Melbourne? Look no further than Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq at Docklands. With laser tag, bowling, VR games, dodgem cars and a huge range of fun arcade games, the whole family is sure to have a blast.
Entry to the arcade is free, but to play games you’ll need to get a game card which you load with credit and tap each time you play. Kids are allowed to visit the venue before 8pm daily, and after 8pm from Sunday to Thursday when accompanied by a responsible adult.
The Arts Centre is Melbourne’s leading venue for theatre, dance and music. The Theatres Building houses the State Theatre, The Australian Ballet, the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio. Hamer Hall is a premier venue for musical performances, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is popular for open-air concerts.
If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne with kids, you should check to see what’s on, when you plan to visit.
Got a budding rock star or magician in the house? Arts Centre Melbourne also provides drama workshops for kids of all ages. Courses include Now Hear This, a fun programme where they can create live sound effects with everyday objects. ‘The Magic Workshop’ is designed for those children with a conjurer’s touch. Another popular workshop will teach them how to become the next greatest rock star. The creative course teaches kids how to create and make digital music and even produce and star in their very own music video. The workshops run until May, giving kids plenty of time to try out each one.
The grand State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library opening its doors in 1856. It was one of the first free public libraries in the world. The Children’s Quarter holds two floors of entertainment for children up to 12 years old and is great for rainy days. On its ground floor, little ones can curl up in cosy reading nooks, enjoy playful spaces and get creative with crafts, while older kids (8–12 years) can head to the Castle to discover graphic novels and challenge friends to board games.
You can see Ned Kelly’s real suit of armour in the library and Chess Room is home to one of the largest chess collections in the world.
Werribee Open Range Zoo has two sections; the African trail and the Australian Trail. Visit the open plains of Asia, North America and Africa to learn about some of the world’s most endangered species. The zoo is just 30 minutes from the heart of Melbourne. Once you purchase your entry ticket, you hope on the free safari bus and join a free zoo tour to learn about the animals or attend one of the free animal talks. Kids aged three and under are free while kids aged four to 15 can come for free on weekends and holidays.
If your kids like animals of the illustrated variety, let them spend a few hours with a warrior panda, a neurotic giraffe, a talking donkey and some friendly dragons at The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Located right by Flinders Street Station in the CBD, it’s a museum of a different kind for kids, dedicated to all things film, video games and pop culture.
Melbourne is famous for its Trams. Learn about its history dating back to 1885 at the Melbourne Tram Museum. The museum has trams parked on the depot’s railway tracks. Kids are allowed to climb all over the retired trams, sit in the drivers seat and ring the bell on the platform. Entry is by coin donation.
Make your visit to Melbourne a little posh with high tea at The Hotel Windsor. Having served afternoon tea every day since 1883, the hotel has perfected the tradition. Ribbon sandwiches, warm scones with housemade jam and an ever-changing array or pastries are staples of the menu. A selection of 11 teas, including the signature Windsor blend, are served in elegant silver teapots and Noritake china.
Be sure to try the Grey De Luxe tea, enjoyed by members of high society since the 1880s, after it was made famous by British Prime Minister Earl Grey himself. There is even A Guide to Afternoon Tea Etiquette available for kids. Learn the dos and don’ts of this British pastime, from how to hold a tea cup to where to place a napkin.
Step into The Lume Melbourne, Australia’s first permanent digital art gallery which transforms the world’s finest art into fully immersive sensory encounters. Watch the walls come alive as light ripples across every surface and masterpieces awaken your senses. Curated tastes, aromas and a choreographed soundtrack add thrilling new dimensions to this 360-degree experience.
Luna Park is Melbourne’s most iconic amusement park & tourist destination. Thrill seekers can rde the Pharaoh’s curse to be flung 19 metres into the air, the Coney Drop to lose your stomach as you speed towards the ground or the Twin Dragon to swing back and forth on a dragon ship. For more gentle fun the Sky Rider Ferris Wheel offers a relaxing ride to take in St Kilda views, the happy swing for a gentle ride and the beautiful carousel.
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum is one of the most culturally significant things to do in Melbourne with kids. With state-of-the-art exhibits and a multitude of educational opportunities, this museum shares the stories and lives of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The Melbourne Holocaust Museum holds exhibitions such as Everybody Had a Name and Hidden: Seven Children Saved, with the latter inviting children aged 10 and over to hear individual accounts of seven Holocaust survivors. Discover an array of artefacts, artworks and written testimonies scattered throughout the museum. Children and parents alike will exit the world-class museum educated and informed.
The famous Puffing Billy Railway is a ripping activity no matter your age. Legs dangling from open carriages, wind in your hair through the cool sub-tropical hills of the city’s outer Dandenongs. Book early, as these do fill up quickly in the summer and shoulder seasons.
Families looking to head further afield can find our selection of the best family-friendly things to do in Victoria here.
You can also find our complete family-friendly guide to Melbourne here.
This article on things to do in Melbourne with kids is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. For the latest family travel news, deals and inspo, sign up to receive our free enewsletter here.
Main image: Alison Godfrey
Let Code Camp inspire your children to get creative with technology these holidays, learn some valuable new skills, have fun and make new friends. There is a wide range of in-person camps and online programs available. Choose from beginner to advanced coding camps, robotics, stop-motion animation, DJing and video production.
Kids can learn to code with DreamWorks Trolls! At Little Coders: Trolls Edition, 5 to 7-year-olds will take their first steps on their coding journey banding together with their favourite characters. At Spark and Ignite, kids 7 to 12 years can code and create an adventure game with Poppy, Viva, and Branch.
Plus, AI Camp where kids embark on an exciting journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the most important technology of a generation. Young minds discover the wonders of AI and its fun and practical applications in our everyday lives and create their own comic book using AI.
Your favourites are also back this season including Minecraft Engineers (for kids 7-12), Minecraft Minis (for kids 5-7), and Roblox Legends (for kids 7-10). Robotics Camp and Drone Camp are also running this summer, offering the coolest few days of STEM learning and fun.
Where: Many locations in Melbourne
Suited for: 5-13 years
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