Melbourne is known for many things. Its bustling coffee scene, its charming literature, its buzzing nightlife. None of these things immediately paint a family-friendly picture. But thankfully, Melbourne is bursting with exciting things to see and do with kids. Find fun attractions, animal adventures, educational experiences and more, from the CBD to the suburbs. Make memories for the whole family and get started on your next day out with these handy suggestions.
1. Go to the zoo
Take a walk on the wild side 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 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 aged 4 to 16 can visit the zoos for free on school holidays and weekends. Younger bubs aged 0 to 3 can enter for free at any time.
2. Swim over to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
There’s lots of awesome things to do with kids at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Marvel at rays and other creatures in the oceanarium, see the adorable penguins, learn all about jellyfish and more.
3. Find thrills at Luna Park
The iconic Luna Park is the oldest theme park in Australia. Since it first opened in St Kilda in 1912, it has entertained generations of families. You’ll have a blast with plenty of rides for the little ones and the older thrill seekers.
4. Make memories at Melbourne Museum
There’s lots of cool things to see and do with your kids at Melbourne Museum. There’s a Children’s Gallery which is perfect for those aged 0 to 5. Let them explore and play through hands-on learning. For some outdoor fun, check out the Gandel Gondwana Garden and learn more about the animals and plants of Victoria’s past. Both younger and older kids will also enjoy indoor exhibitions, like Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs.
5. Learn something super at Scienceworks
There’s so many awesome things to check out at Scienceworks. Give your kids a core Melbourne memory and have them race against Cathy Freeman. Check out other cool exhibitions, ranging from aerodynamics to technology, and see a live show in the Lightning Theatre. Then, head inside Melbourne Planetarium for a show that’s out of this world.
6. Do pass go at 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.
7. Have a barn-tastic time at Collingwood Children’s Farm
Get a taste of country life without having to go too far from the city at Collingwood Children’s Farm. This adorable space has plenty of animals, and daily activities like cow brushing and meeting guinea pigs. Throughout the year, there’s also fun events like workshops and being a farmer for a day. Learn more here.
8. Play the Among Us-style game, Saboteurs
If you loved playing the online, multiplayer game, Among Us, and you’d like to experience something similar IRL, then you’ll definitely want to head Level 2 at The District Docklands. There, you’ll find Saboteurs, an immersive, space-themed game played inside 11 converted shipping containers. Play with your family and friends, live on a Moon Base and eject any crewmates that seem sus. The original mode is suitable for ages six and up, and a dark mode is available for those nine and above.
9. Enter the immersive art gallery, ArtVo
Become part of the art at ArtVo, Australia’s first ‘trick art’ gallery. Journey through 1400 square metres of illusionary art pieces, and explore nine themed zones with over 80 hand-painted immersive installations. Get your tickets here.
10. Have fun at ArtPlay
Stroll along Birrarung Marr and pop into ArtPlay, an exciting place for children to get in touch with their creative side. Suitable for babies to children aged up to 13, this space has a range of exciting events, performances and workshops throughout the year. Activities at ArtPlay are either free or available at an affordable price. Learn more here.
11. Have fun in Fitzroy Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens has lots of interesting places for kids. See the enchanting Fairies Tree, marvel at the Model Tudor Village, check out Cooks’ Cottage and more. Find out more.
12. Get moving to ACMI
ACMI has a whole range of exhibitions and experiences to help your kids learn more about screen culture. In the free exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, you’ll learn about the past, present and future of films, TV, video games and art. There’s also fun interactive experiences, a rotating range of exhibitions, movies, and more to discover. See more here.
13. Hop aboard Polly Woodside
This historic ship, Polly Woodside, first launched in Belfast in 1885. After multiple trips around the world, she’s now docked in South Wharf. There’s guided tours on the first Sunday of every month, but if you’re keen for a fun time out with the kids, check out their Pirate Days on the third Sunday of the month. Go on a treasure hunt, receive a pirate tattoo, swing on the rope, dress up as a pirate and more. Learn more here.
14. Have a poo-fect day out at Unko Museum
Japan’s surprise sensation, Unko Museum, has taken over 360 Bourke St, Melbourne. Unko Museum is the only international touring museum dedicated to poop, but don’t hold your nose – the focus here is all about kawaii exhibits and photo-friendly moments, making it a fun and family-friendly day out. Get your tickets here.
15. See what’s happening at NGV
NGV is a great space to introduce art and culture to the family. Pop into the children’s gallery and see the latest exhibition for kids. There’s also fun events, workshops, activities and even art parties for teens. More info here.
16. Turn that frown upside down at 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.
17. Have a purrfect time at Cat Café Melbourne
Play and socialise with adorable cats while sipping on a hot chocolate or other cosy beverage at Cat Café Melbourne. This space is open to visitors aged 8 and above.
18. Bounce over to 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. Find it at The District Docklands. Get your tickets here.
19. Zoom around in go karts
Does your family have a need for speed? Scratch that itch by racing over to some thrilling go karting tracks around Melbourne. See our list of recommendations here.
20. Soar up to Melbourne Skydeck
There’s lots of things to do with your kids at Melbourne Skydeck. Take in the view from nearly 300 metres high, and experience a thrill by stepping into the Edge, a transparent cube that juts out of the building. Go in the immersive Voyager Theatre, then test your balance in the VR Plank experience.
21. Build a good time at Art of the Brick
The Art of the Brick 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. Get your tickets here.
22. Have fun at the Museum of Play and Art
Perfect for children aged 1 to 7, the Museum of Play and Art has plenty of exciting exhibits and activities for play-based learning. There’s two locations to choose from. Visit the venue in Sandringham or drive out to their second location in Geelong. Find out more.
23. Challenge yourself at the wacky Hijinx Hotel
Suitable for visitors aged five and above, Hijinx Hotel in Chadstone features a series of challenge rooms. You will be assigned five rooms at random, and you’ll need to complete tasks, like shooting a basketball through a hoop, in order to win points.
24. Block out time for fun at Legoland Discovery Centre
The kids will have fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Chadstone. There’s 13 awesome attractions to explore, with over two million LEGO bricks. Watch something in the 4D Cinema, go on rides and create something cool in the play areas. Learn more here.
25. Choo-choo-choose a trip to Puffing Billy
Hop aboard this iconic steam train, swing your legs from the carriage sills and go on an adventure through the lush surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges. Zoom past towering Mountain Ash trees and across trestle bridges in this quintessential Melbourne experience. There are daily trips from Belgrave to Lakeside, as well as other routes on weekends, like Lakeside to Gembrook. Puffing Billy Railway also has special events and experiences throughout the year, like the stunning Train of Lights during winter and the Polar Express trip around Christmas.
26. See Aussie animals at Moonlit Sanctuary
Drive 50 minutes southeast of Melbourne CBD and have a wild time at Moonlit Sanctuary. This incredible wildlife park is home to over 70 Australian species, including endangered animals. At night, you can also take lantern-lit tours to see these creatures in their natural nocturnal environment. Children under 4 can visit for free. Learn more here.
27. Lose yourself at Enchanted Adventure
Escape to Arthurs Seat and have a blast at Enchanted Adventure. There’s all sorts of stuff to keep both the kids and the adults busy, with tube slides, tree surfing courses, an aerial playground, giant brainteaser puzzles, hedge mazes and more. They’re open every day except for Christmas. See more here.
28. Have a magical time at Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Embark on a spellbinding walk through the forest and come face-to-face with magical creatures and scenes from the Harry Potter universe. The Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience is now open at The Briars in Mount Martha. Get your tickets here.