The school holidays are almost here! Running from Saturday April 5 until Monday April 21, 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
1. 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.
2. Kids Day Out
The Good Friday Appeal is bringing Kids Day Out back to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Find plenty of activities for the whole family, such as a Teddy Bear Hospital, a carnival zone, a sports section, crafts, live performances and more. Entry is free, although some activities will need a gold coin donation or an extra cost. Find it on Friday April 18 from 10am to 5pm. See more here.
3. Fed Square
There’s lots of fun stuff happening at Fed Square over the Easter school holidays. Learn all about food at The Little Food Festival, catch Studio Ghibli films on the big screen, have a merry time at The (Very) Big Laugh Out and more. See what’s on here.
4. NGV International
The Yayoi Kusama exhibition is now showing at NGV International. When you’re not losing yourself in its immersive rooms, take the family along to Kusama for Kids in the Children’s Gallery.
5. 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.
6. Queen Victoria Market
Hop over to Queen Victoria Market over the school holidays. Enjoy tea with the Easter bunny, get into the Easter spirit in the play space and more. See what’s happening at Queen Victoria Market here.
7. The LUME Melbourne
Rain or shine, The LUME Melbourne is a great escape for the whole family. They’ve brought back their popular Van Gogh exhibition, and there’s some new stuff that you can look forward to, like a shared VR experience. This experience is pram-friendly, and kids aged four and under can enter for free. On Sundays, children aged 17 and under can also visit for free, as long as they’re with an adult.
8. Port Phillip Ferries
Get out on the water over the school holidays by taking a ride with Port Phillip Ferries. Explore the bay and take a short trip to Geelong and Portarlington. During the school holidays, kids can travel for free! There’s also some special themed events to try, like a Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise. See what’s available here.
9. 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.
10. 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 is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
11. Melbourne Museum
There’s a whole stack of things for kids to try at Melbourne Museum over the Easter school holidays. Take part in a sleepover and snooze among the fossils, giggle your way through some hilarious events as part of the comedy festival, take part in an Easter egg hunt and more. See what’s happening over the school holidays here.
12. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition
Wes Anderson films may perhaps be more geared at teenagers and the more precocious youth, but this pleasingly symmetrical exhibition will enchant visitors of all ages. Taking inspiration from the iconic films of Wes Anderson, and continuing the work of the quirky Instagram account-turned bestselling book, Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition is a photographic exploration of the world’s most whimsical places and structures. This exhibition ends on April 13. Find your tickets here.
13. Grazeland
Grazeland is a great place for the whole family to visit. The kids can have fun with Giant Jenga, Funky Monkey Bars and more in the Jungle Hangout zone. There’s also local bands and DJs performing, as well as refreshing food and drink. See the schedule here.
14. Scienceworks
Visit Scienceworks over the school holidays, and check out cool exhibitions like Museum of the Moon. Then, enjoy live science shows and see fulldome flicks in the Planetarium. See what’s on here.
15. Hellenic Museum
Head to the Hellenic Museum and learn all about the horse-like figures in Greek mythology. Listen to tales of mythical horses, learn the history of the unicorn and more. The tour takes 30 minutes and is great for children aged 4 to 10. Learn more here.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. LIT in Wyndham Park
The twinkling evening experience, LIT, is back in Melbourne’s west. Gaze at lovely light installations, dreamy landscapes, dazzling projections and more. This free experience on in Wyndham Park from Thursday to Sunday, from now until April 13.
20. Australian Sand Sculpting Championship
Wander over to the Frankston Waterfront and marvel at the Australian Sand Sculpting Championship as they depict ‘The Villains of Storytime’ out of 300 tonnes of sand. Beyond the sculptures, there’s fun for the whole family with food trucks, mini golf, workshops and more. Check it out from April 5 to 27.
21. Lightfall
Wander along a 1km light trail in the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. Lightfall will feature large-scale light sculptures, lakeside reflections and immersive soundscapes. Check it out from Sunday April 6 to Sunday April 20.
22. 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.
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. Get your tickets 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. Code Camp
Get creative and learn new skills at Code Camp over the school holidays. With camps available from ages 5 to 13, there’s all sorts of different options for kids to try, such as coding, animation, crocheting, YouTubing, and even Minecraft. See what’s available 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
Step back in time and go on a scavenger hunt at Pentridge Prison. Follow the clues and unlock stories from the past. This self-guided experience is great for ages 5 and above. See 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 family 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. 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. See more here.
32. Tesselaar KaBloom Festival Of Flowers
Immerse yourself in fields of colourful flowers this autumn at the Tesselaar KaBloom Festival of Flowers. Wander through the stunning gardens, and be greeted by millions of bright blooms. After admiring the vivid blossoms, stay a little longer and have fun with circus performers, enchanting fairy tales, tractor rides, food and more. Head out to the Dandenong Ranges, and see this festival from now until April 27.
33. Blue Lotus Water Garden
Blue Lotus Water Garden offers a charming summer escape for the whole family. Gaze at the beautiful flowers, and let the kids have fun at the Fairy Garden and Dragons Trail. Pack a picnic to enjoy while you’re there, or grab a bite from the on-site cafe.
34. 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.
35. Kryal Castle
Kryal Castle is transforming into a magical kingdom during the school holidays. Themed around Fairies and Goblins, you’ll meet mythical creatures, see Fae Royalty test their sword skills on unicorns, take part in a magical dance class and more. The festivities will run from Saturday April 5 to Sunday April 27. See more here.
36. Sovereign Hill
Wander over to Sovereign Hill and travel back in time. Meet plenty of costumed characters inspired by real people, then have fun with gold panning and more. Learn more here.
Additional words by Monro Grier.