School holiday activities Melbourne

Things to do with your kids these school holidays

If you're anything like me, you know that school holidays can feel long, loud, and a little overwhelming. But they can also be some of the most memorable moments of childhood.

Slower mornings. Messy adventures. Laughter you wish you could bottle forever.

If you are a Melbourne based family with young children and you are looking for ideas that are fun, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable for parents too, this list is for you.

I have pulled together local favourites from trusted family guides like Mamma Knows East and Melbourne With Siri, along with some brilliant local Whitehorse Council activities right here in Melbourne's east, seeing as I'm based in Vermont.

These are the kinds of days your kids will remember. And the kinds of moments that often end up becoming your favourite family memories.

Local Whitehorse Council School Holiday Activities

If you are based in Vermont, Blackburn, Box Hill, Mitcham or surrounding suburbs, Whitehorse Council offers some wonderful school holiday programs that are affordable, creative, and close to home.

Schwerkolt Cottage

A beautiful historic space that regularly hosts school holiday activities for kids of all ages.

• Old fashioned outdoor games and lawn activities • Hands on craft and creative play sessions • Nature based and seasonal themed workshops

These are perfect for younger school aged children and are often free or low cost.

Box Hill Community Arts Centre

A fantastic option for creative kids who love making things.

• Clay and pottery workshops • Art days and themed creative sessions • Take home pieces that become keepsakes

Many of these workshops book out quickly, so it is worth planning ahead.

Whitehorse Youth and Library Programs

• School holiday craft and activity sessions at local libraries • Table tennis, games and creative workshops for older children • Youth ConneXions holiday activities for tweens and teens

Whitehorse Council programs are a brilliant way to keep kids engaged without having to travel far.

Melbourne School Holiday Activities Families Love

If you are happy to venture a little further, Melbourne has no shortage of family friendly school holiday activities.

Museums and Indoor Adventures

Perfect for cooler or rainy days.

• Melbourne Museum with hands on exhibitions for kids • Scienceworks for interactive learning and play • Immigration Museum and ACMI with rotating family programs

These experiences are educational but still fun, and they suit a wide age range.

Animal and Nature Experiences

• Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo • SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium • Collingwood Children’s Farm for hands on animal fun

Animal based outings are always a winner and make for beautiful candid moments.

Creative Workshops and Play Spaces

• Art and craft workshops around Melbourne during school holidays • Indoor play centres like Fizz Kidz Balwyn and surrounding locations • Trampoline parks and movement based activities for high energy kids

Family Approved Ideas From Melbourne With Siri and Mamma Knows East

Local family guides consistently recommend experiences that are practical, fun, and realistic for parents.

• Puffing Billy steam train for a classic Melbourne experience • Holiday workshops at places like Little Picassos in Kew • Aqualink Box Hill holiday pool fun and inflatables • Local park picnics paired with a simple adventure

These are the kinds of outings that suit real families with real kids.

Why School Holidays Are The Perfect Time For Family Photos

School holidays often slow things down just enough for families to reconnect. There is less rushing. More time together. More space for genuine moments.

This is why so many families choose to update their family photos around this time of year.

• Your children are growing quickly, especially during the school years • Their personalities are more confident and expressive • The connection between siblings really shines • These moments deserve to be documented before they change again

Family photography is not about perfect behaviour. It is about connection, laughter, and capturing your family exactly as they are right now.

A Gentle Thought For Parents

One day, these school holiday memories will be the stories your children tell. The photos on your walls. The albums they flick through as adults.

If you have been thinking about updating your family photos, school holidays can be a beautiful time to do it. Relaxed, connected, and full of real moments.

If you would love to chat about a family photography session that feels easy and guided, I would love to help you, simply click the button below,

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, safe new year and enjoy the school holidays with your beautiful kiddos- I know I will be :)

Stace x