The school holidays are almost here! Running from Saturday September 20 until Sunday October 5, you’ll need plenty of things to do during the school holidays to keep the kids entertained. With an array of kid-friendly activities, as well as events geared at teenagers and whole families, there’s plenty to do around the city, so we’ve rounded up some of our favourites. From thrilling experiences to family-friendly shows, here’s our list of fun school holiday activities to try in Melbourne and beyond.
The best school holiday activities in Melbourne
123Boom!
You’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout your time at 123Boom!, an immersive puzzle adventure where you and your team are tasked with diffusing a ‘bomb’ to save the day. To do so, you’ll require teamwork, skill, and problem-solving, all racing against the clock as the story advances and the seconds tick down. It’s open now, and you can find your tickets here.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Feel like you’ve Apparated from Melbourne to Hogwarts at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. See authentic props and set pieces from the films, and go on your own magical journey. Conjure your own Patronus, test your Quidditch skills and more! Find it at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.
Prison Island
Challenge yourself and your teammates to escape Prison Island. Instead of breaking out from a single room, you’ll take on a series of tasks in multiple cells and race against the clock. This experience is suitable for those aged 7+. Find it at The District Docklands. Grab your tickets here.
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. Get your tickets here.
SENSAS
Round up some friends and tackle some fun challenges at SENSAS. Test all five of your senses in some wacky experiences. This playful space is now open, and is suitable for visitors over the age of 7. Get your tickets here.
Saboteurs: Mr. Wolf
Dodge, dash, and strategise in Saboteurs: Mr. Wolf. Navigate bouncy castle obstacles, press matching shape buttons, and sync up with teammates via headsets to score big. But stay sharp— Freeze when the lights turn red, go when they are green. This action-packed, real-life adventure is curated especially for 5 – 10 year old kids.
Quiz Room
Quiz Room is Australia’s first immersive game-show style quiz where anyone can win. Inspired by Millionaire Hot Seat, gather your wits and your team and step on set with all the lights, music and action you see on TV.
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time
Experience the tragedy of the Titanic like never before with this virtual reality experience. Dive to the wreck site, then journey back in time to explore iconic spaces around the ship, such as the Grand Staircase. Along the way, you’ll meet characters based on real passengers and crew members. This experience is suitable for visitors aged 8 and above. Get your tickets here.
Melbourne Royal Show
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The iconic Melbourne Royal Show is coming back to town for another season of family fun. Look forward to animal encounters, fireworks, rides and more. Find it at Melbourne Showgrounds from Thursday September 25 to Sunday October 5.
AFL Macca’s Footy Fest
Head to Yarra Park and find fun for the whole family at the Footy Fest. Look forward to player appearances, giveaways, dodgems, an AFL Play zone, music and more. If you’re hungry, there will be food trucks and bars on-site. Entry is free, and the festivities will run from Wednesday September 24 to Saturday September 27. Learn more here.
RESET at Fed Square
Fed Square is focusing on sustainability and nature at their spring festival, RESET. Check out free and family-friendly events and workshops that will get you thinking about how you can live sustainably. Look forward to free movie screenings in the outdoor cinema, a Big Toy Swap, a Mini Beast Disco and more. For the full program, click here.
Electric Arcadia
As part of Melbourne International Games Week, a part of Fed Square will be transformed into a vintage video arcade. In this free space, you’ll find nostalgic classics as well as exciting indies. Electric Arcadia is on from Friday October 3 to Thursday October 9. Learn more here.
Grand Final Long Weekend at Queen Victoria Market
Visit Queen Victoria Market for free footy skills sessions, handball challenges, ball games and even appearances from AFL players Lewis Young and Ben McKay. Learn more about what’s happening over the Grand Final weekend here.
NGV International
Let your kids unleash their creativity at the Plans for the Planet exhibition in NGV. This free exhibition by Olaf Breuning features animated drawings and colourful spaces, where kids can read Olaf’s first book, learn about the natural world and make their own drawings. Entry is free. Learn more here.
Melbourne Museum
There’s a whole stack of things for kids to try at Melbourne Museum over the spring school holidays. Take part in a sleepover and snooze among the fossils, see the LEGO Star Wars exhibition and more. See what’s happening over the school holidays here.
Scienceworks
Source: Museums Victoria/Photo: Eugene Hyland
Visit Scienceworks over the school holidays, and check out cool exhibitions like Museum of the Moon, enjoy live science shows and see fulldome flicks in the Planetarium. See what’s on here.
Pinocchio at Brunetti Classico and Cinema Nova
Visit Cinema Nova for a screening of the beloved 1940 film, Pinocchio, then pop by Brunetti Classico for themed cupcakes and free workshops for children, such as story time readings and Italian vocabulary lessons. The cupcakes are available from September 19 to October 5. Meanwhile, the movie screening will take place on October 4, and the workshops will run on September 25, October 1 and October 4.
Port Phillip Ferries
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Get out on the water over the school holidays by taking a ride with Port Phillip Ferries. Try out the Magical Movie Singalong Cruise, an interactive show for all ages that will feature live performances of songs from movies like Frozen, The Lion King, Moana and more. This event will take place on Tuesday September 23 and 30. Learn more here.
Malibu Barbie Cafe
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A cheerful Malibu Barbie Cafe has popped up at Chadstone. Treat yourself to themed dishes and drinks, then have fun at the roller rink. The cafe will stay at The Social Quarter in Chadstone until summer 2026.
Mattel at Chadstone
Toy company Mattel is celebrating its 80th anniversary at Chadstone over the school holidays. Apart from the Barbie cafe, there will be other fun experiences for all ages. Visit the Mattel Adventure Camp and make friendship bracelets, try out an obstacle course and more. On September 28, there will also be an adorable dance event with famous baby rave entertainer Lenny Pearce at Hotel Chadstone.
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, or head out west and meet the elephants 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.
From September 20 to October 5, Melbourne Zoo will also have an adventure trail inspired by How to Train Your Dragon. Meet Toothless and other cool characters, test your skills on the training ground and more. Learn more here.
DinoFest at Werribee Park
Journey back to prehistoric times with DinoFest at Werribee Park & Mansion. This thrilling event will feature a new Dino Trail, and showcase over 30 cool species, including a walking Triceratops, a towering Brachiosaurus and more. This experience will run throughout most days of the school holidays from September 20 to October 5. Learn more here.
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.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Visit the Oceanarium at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and admire sharks, rays, penguins, turtles and more. As school holiday activities go, it’s one of the more peaceful ones on this list.
IMAGINATOR
Embark on an immersive and playful experience at IMAGINATOR in Docklands. Move through this family-friendly space and feel lost in a world of colour and sound. Learn more here.
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.
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.
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.
Pentridge Prison
Step back in time and try to solve the case at Pentridge Prison. Work together to thwart an escape plan on the immersive family tour, PrisonBreak Explorers. Otherwise, follow to clues and unlock stories from the past on Time Travellers – Scavenger Hunt. Find out more about these school holiday activities here.
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. Perfect for all ages, this experience in the Dandenong Ranges is a great way to spend the school holidays.
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
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Drive out to the Dandenong Ranges and feel delighted by the visual splendour of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. There’s nearly one million bulbs spread across five acres to discover. On top of the tulips, there will be food, drinks and entertainment. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival will run from Saturday September 13 to Sunday October 12.
Blue Hills Cherry Blossom Show
Blue Hills Berries & Cherries are bringing back their delightful Cherry Blossom Show. Feel a touch of whimsy at this cherry farm, and discover a fairy garden, stunning flowers and face painting. On the weekends, there will be live music and a roaming Blossom Fairy. The Cherry Blossom Show will run from September 20 to 28. Learn more here.
CherryHill Orchards Blossom Festival
Supplied/Credit: Connie and Luna
Drive out to the Yarra Valley and celebrate spring at the CherryHill Orchards. Explore the stunning rows of blooming cherry trees with the whole family, even your dog! There will be food trucks, cherry treats, entertainment and more. Check it out from September 24 to October 5.
Admire the Bendigo Annual Tulip Display
Head to Pall Mall and Conservatory Garden to see this year’s Bendigo Annual Tulip Display. There, you’ll find over 43, 000 tulips with a whole range of colours, sizes and blooming times. The tulips usually start blooming from mid-September until mid-October. Check here for more information.
Treetops Adventure
Take your school holiday activities to new heights by escaping to the Otways and soaring 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.
Additional words by Monro Grier.
