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The school holidays are almost here! Running from Saturday June 29 until Sunday July 14, you’ll need plenty of things to do to keep the kids entertained. Have some fun with a variety of kid-friendly activities available during the school holidays. From thrilling experiences to family-friendly shows, here’s our list of fun activities to try in Melbourne and beyond during the school holidays.
1. Firelight Festival
Kick off the school holidays with this fiery winter festival in Docklands. Feel dazzled by fire sculptures, fire twirlers, live music, tasty food and more. This year, there will also be the new ticketed experience, Firelight Labyrinth. Firelight Festival will run from June 28 to June 30. Meanwhile, the Labyrinth will run until Sunday July 14.
2. Winter Street Party in Werribee
Kick off the school holidays at the Winter Street Party in Werribee on Friday June 28. This event will take over Watton Street with fire shows, street performers, installations, snow play and more. Check it out from 4pm to 9pm. Learn more here.
3. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Embark on a journey to the Wizarding World on this magical light walk. With the use of professional theatre designers and lighting experts, see the forest come to life with magical creatures. Forest sounds will flit through the trees, and the characters from the Fantastic Beasts™ and Harry Potter™ movies await amongst the foliage. This spellbinding adventure must close on Sunday July 14. Don’t miss out.
4. Playbound
Playbound festival is taking over the city with family-friendly performances, workshops, exhibitions, activities and more. These are designed to inspire and educate children 12 and under with outdoor and indoor play. You’ll find the festival in 14 venues across the city, like the City of Melbourne Libraries, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Recital Centre and more. Playbound will run from June 29 to July 14. See more here.
5. Unko Museum
After amusing visitors in Japan, the adorable Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience is here in Melbourne! Embrace the cuteness of poop in this playful experience, filled with multiple themed zones, games and photo opportunities. Find it at 360 Bourke St, Melbourne. Get your tickets here.
6. NGV International
Learn all about the pharaohs, the pyramids and more in the children’s gallery at NGV International. The exhibition, Ancient Egypt for Kids, features plenty of activities, cinematic screenings and more. It’s free to visit and is on display until October 6. Learn more here.
7. The Art of the Brick
The Art of the Brick is now showing in Melbourne! This immersive experience has over 100 sculptures made from over 1 million LEGO® bricks, as well as moving sculptures, cool projections and more. Check it out at Melbourne Showgrounds, and for a limited time only, there’s a 15% discount on tickets available. See the code and get your tickets here.
8. Beauty and the Beast
Feel enchanted by the magical Beauty and the Beast musical. Watch in wonder as your favourite characters perform spectacular songs, like ‘Be Our Guest’, ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’ and more. This production will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre from June 27.
9. Disney on Ice
Explore a whole new world of magic and enchantment at Disney On Ice. Watch your favourite characters come to life, while performing high-flying acrobatics, surprising stunts and of course, world-class ice skating. Find it at Rod Laver Arena from Thursday July 4 to Monday July 8.
10. Chaos Lab
Located in The District Docklands, Chaos Lab is a lab-themed playground that offers a variety of activities that are tailored towards children between the ages of 4-9 years old.
The experience is filled with fun activities that will keep your kids entertained while also teaching them about science. These activities are designed to engage participants in creative thinking, problem-solving, and sensory play. Kids can look forward to a giant ball pit, a mirror maze and making their own ooey-gooey slime at the slime station. What more could a kid want?
11. The NBA Exhibition
Get your head in the game at The NBA Exhibition. Explore over 20 themed sections, see cool memorabilia, play arcade basketball games, check out the VR zone and more. This fun experience is now open at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
12. Care Bears Afternoon Tea
The Langham is hosting an adorable Care Bears Afternoon Tea over the winter school holidays. Nibble on heartwarming treats and receive a little goodie bag at this wholesome event. This afternoon tea is available from July 8 to 14. Learn more here.
13. ACMI
Meet and play with an assortment of curious characters born from code at the world premiere ACMI exhibition, Beings. Created by the international art and design collective, Universal Everything, this exhibition features 13 artworks made with ever-evolving algorithms. Move, dance and play with these creatures on screen, and enjoy a different experience each time. See what else is available for families at ACMI here.
14. Melbourne Museum
Visit Melbourne Museum and check out some fun and exciting exhibitions with the kids. Current exhibitions include Victoria the T. Rex and Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs. See what’s happening over the school holidays here.
15. Scienceworks
Visit Scienceworks over the school holidays, and have heaps of fun with the Air Playground exhibit. Then, check out live science shows, go out-of-this-world in the Planetarium and more. See what’s on here.
16. Grazeland
Grazeland in Melbourne’s west is celebrating the winter season with snow, fire pits, roving entertainers and tasty winter warmers. Check it out every weekend from Friday June 28 to Sunday July 28.
17. Zoos Victoria
Take a walk on the wild side over the school holidays and marvel at all the incredible animals at any of the Zoos Victoria locations. Stay close to the city at Melbourne Zoo, head out west and take a safari tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Venture out east and admire Aussie wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary. Or, check out Kyabram Fauna Park in Victoria’s north. Children under 16 can visit the zoos for free on school holidays and weekends.
18. Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise
Dress up and listen to your favourite songs while floating in Style along the Yarra River on one of the Swiftie Singalong Cruises by Port Phillip Ferries. These cruises will take place on Tuesday July 2 and Tuesday July 9, from 2:30pm to 4pm
19. Monopoly Dreams
Head to Melbourne Central and immerse yourself in the Monopoly Dreams attraction. The kids will have plenty of fun, with a 4DX cinema, interactive games, photo opportunities and more. See more here.
20. Wicked The Musical
Based on the novel Wicked by Gregory Maquire, this story is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of the talented girl with emerald skin, Elphaba, and the blonde and popular Glinda. They become rivals, then friends, until the world decides to call one ‘good’ and the other one ‘wicked’. Wicked is now showing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Don’t miss it, or you’ll be green with envy!
21. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Visit the Oceanarium at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and admire sharks, rays, turtles and more. Check out the exhibit, Night on the Reef, which features a digital bioluminescent beach and an array of marine life.
22. Frosted – A Winter Spectacular
The big field in Narre Warren opposite Westfield Fountain Gate has transformed into a winter wonderland. At Frosted – A Winter Spectacular, you’ll have plenty of fun with ice skating, a taboggan slide, a polar bear ball pit, winter refreshments and more. Check it out from now until July 21.
23. Saboteurs
Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Set inside converted shipping containers, this Among Us-style game is perfect for school holiday activities in Melbourne. Kids can run around in this immersive environment, complete fun tasks and eject any suspicious imposters. Learn more here.
24. ArtVo Immersive Gallery Experience
The first in Australia of its kind, ArtVo is an immersive art or ‘trick art’ gallery. Journey through 1400 square meters of illusionary art pieces, and have fun taking pictures in weird and wonderful situations! There are nine themed zones to explore with over eighty hand-painted immersive installations. Explore the ocean, polar ice caps, space, and the forest throughout the various themed rooms.
This is a great activity to do as a family, and you’ll be able to create many fun family photos that will provide you with lasting memories. See more here.
25. House Down Under
Flip your perspective at House Down Under. Head to Docklands and enter an inverted house that looks like it dropped straight from the sky! Walk in and take heaps of fun photos, while exploring the upside-down rooms. See more here.
26. Melbourne Magic Festival
See the largest magic festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, right here in Melbourne. This year, feel enchanted by almost 200 performances in 45 different shows. The Melbourne Magic Festival will run from July 1 to 13. More info here.
27. Metartworld
Metartworld is a metal art gallery showcasing unique artworks from international artists. The space in Port Melbourne is filled with incredible metal art statues, each handmade from scrap metal and recycled material. You will be able to view over 200 metal sculptures ranging from metal tankard mugs to larger-than-life dinosaurs and superhero sculptures.
There is also a a “starry sky” exhibition on the second floor which displays a perfect combination of advanced technology with the world of light and shadows. There’s different themed spaces, an immersive 360° tunnel and more. This is an incredible experience that is great for groups of all ages and sizes.
28. Virtual Room Melbourne
If your kids enjoy computer or video games, they will love this virtual reality experience in Melbourne. This award winning VR experience at Virtual Room Melbourne blends elements of an escape room with a 3D cinematic experience. Played in groups of 2, 3 or 4 the game allows players to fully immerse themselves in a virtual world, where they will be able to talk to each other, walk around, bend, throw objects
Players can choose between one of 4 themed games, ranging from alien invasions to a zombie apocalypse, and will have to work together with their teammates in order to complete their missions.
29. Pentridge Prison
Try out the Prison Break Explorers tour at Pentridge Prison. In this tour for all ages, children are invited to become young detectives and thwart a prison escape. Along the way, your tour guide will visit key spots around the prison, share stories about some notable characters, and teach you about what life was like on the inside. This tour will run every day during the school holidays. Learn more here.
30. URBNSURF
Ride the waves at URBNSURF during the school holidays. This surf park near Melbourne Airport has family-friendly options, so that your child can safely explore the water and learn to surf. There’s sessions like bodyboarding or learning to surf in The Bays, a gentle environment with rolling waves close to shore. Explore their website here.
31. Eynesbury Winter Festival
Eynesbury is transforming into a delightful winter wonderland. Travel 40 minutes to Melbourne’s west for ice skating, a carnival zone, night markets and more. The Eynesbury Winter Festival will take place from June 27 to July 14. Find out more.
32. Puffing Billy
Journey through lush forests and across trestle bridges on the famous Puffing Billy. Opt for something classic and let your legs dangle from the carriage sill, while admiring dreamy views from this iconic steam train. Or, feel amazed by their special winter event, the Train of Lights. Perfect for all ages, this experience in the Dandenong Ranges is a great way to spend the school holidays. See more here.
33. Adventure Park’s Winter Glow
Adventure Park is bringing back their dazzling Winter Glow experience this year. Escape to their delightful winter wonderland, and frolic in the snow, go on the rides, marvel at twinkling lights, see ice sculpting displays and more. This event will run from now until July 21.
34. Polar Express Train Ride
Head to Queenscliff and celebrate the beloved book and film, The Polar Express, with the help of Bellarine Railway. Feel immersed with theatrical experiences on board the train, cosy hot chocolate and more. This experience will take place on June 29 and 30, as well as July 1, 5, 6 and 7. Learn more here.
35. Treetops Adventure
Escape to the Otways and soar through native Australian forest at Treetops Adventure in Yeodene Park. There’s different ropes courses for you to choose from, with aerial activities, ziplines and freefall drops. There’s also two junior ropes courses for the little ones, as well as high monkey bars and a pegasus you can ride. Get your tickets here.
36. Gumbuya Dreaming
Beloved theme park Gumbuya World will light up the night with a brilliant new event that combines cutting-edge technology with traditional First Nations storytelling. Get ready for Gumbuya Dreaming, an event that will celebrate Indigenous culture with stories, installations and soundscapes. The experience will run from Saturday June 8 to Sunday July 21.
37. Ballarat Winter Festival
At the Ballarat Winter Festival, the whole family will have fun with Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, adventures at Kryal Castle and more. The festival is on from Saturday June 29 to Sunday July 21.
38. Electric Wonderland in Bendigo
Bendigo will light up with lasers, fairy lights and more with an Electric Wonderland in Rosalind Park. After that, head to Hargreaves Mall for a bit of ice skating. Check it out from Friday June 28 to Sunday July 14.
Additional words by Monro Grier.