Things to Do With Kids in Melbourne These School Holidays: A Mum’s Guide

School holidays.

Two weeks of no school runs, no lunchboxes and no rushing out the door in the morning sounds pretty bloody good when you're looking at the calendar.

Then day three rolls around.

“Muuuum, I'm bored.”

“What are we doing today?”

“Can we go somewhere?”

And suddenly you're expected to become a full-time activities coordinator, tour guide, chef and entertainer while also trying to get some work done and remember what day it is.

As a mum myself, I've learnt that you don't actually need to have every day planned. In fact, some of the best school holiday days are the simple ones. A new playground, a trip to the library, an indoor play centre when it's raining, fish and chips at the beach or discovering something happening at your local shopping centre can be enough.

So I've put together some of my favourite ideas for things to do with kids in Melbourne these school holidays, with a particular focus on the suburban activities that are easy to get to and don't require you to plan a military operation.

Some are free, some cost a few dollars, and some are those bigger outings you save for when you really want to make a day of it.

Before you do anything, check your local council

This is probably my number one school holiday tip.

Check your local council website before you start Googling big attractions.

Melbourne councils put on a surprising number of school holiday activities, and plenty of them are free or very inexpensive. There are often craft sessions, sports, performances, workshops, library activities, nature programs and things happening at local community centres.

Whitehorse, Knox, Monash and Manningham are all worth checking if you're in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, but the same goes for whichever council area you live in.

For example, Whitehorse's current school holiday program includes things like free activities at Whitehorse Art Gallery and Schwerkolt Cottage, mini golf discounts, activities at local libraries and recreation centre programs. Monash also has a mix of free library activities and aquatic centre sessions, while Knox runs activities through its libraries, community centres and arts venues.

These are the sorts of things you can easily miss if you only search for "things to do in Melbourne".

And honestly, sometimes a $5 or free local activity is exactly what you need.

Don't forget your local library

I think libraries are one of the most underrated school holiday resources.

We're not talking about simply taking the kids in to choose a few books and then trying to stop them from arguing over who gets to press the lift button.

Libraries regularly run school holiday programs including story time, craft, Lego, games, workshops and special events. They're often free, indoors and don't require you to spend half the day getting there.

Have a look at your local library's school holiday calendar and you'll probably find something you hadn't even realised was happening.

Shopping centres aren't just for shopping

This is another one I think parents sometimes overlook.

Shopping centres know that bored kids mean parents who would rather be anywhere else, so during school holidays they often put on free entertainment and activities.

Forest Hill Chase is a great local example. Their current school holiday program has included free activities with games, sports, animals, dinosaurs and other themed activities.

M-City in Clayton has also been running free school holiday activities, including magic shows, storytelling, face painting and reptile encounters.

These are perfect for those days when you don't want to spend $100+ on a family outing but you still need to get everyone out of the house.

And you can grab lunch while you're there, which is always a bonus when nobody can agree on what they want to eat at home.

Got younger kids? Find your local play café

If you've got toddlers or younger primary-aged kids, indoor play centres and play cafés can be absolute lifesavers.

Dancing Dandelion in Balwyn is one I've heard plenty of mums mention, with indoor play and a café so the kids can play while you get to sit down for five minutes and drink something that isn't cold.

MiniTown in Nunawading is another great option for younger kids who love imaginative play.

There are also loads of smaller suburban play centres, gymnastics centres and indoor activity venues around Melbourne that don't necessarily make the big "things to do in Melbourne" lists.

This is where I'd encourage you to search your own suburb first. You might have a little gem 10 minutes from home that you've driven past a hundred times without ever stopping.

When it's raining and they need to BURN energy

Some rainy days call for craft.

Other rainy days call for somewhere the kids can physically wear themselves out.

BOUNCE is always a hit with school-aged kids when they're stuck inside and have far too much energy. Trampolines, dodgeball, jumping and all the other activities mean they can burn off a decent amount of energy while you're staying warm and dry.

It's particularly handy for those days when the kids have been inside since breakfast and you've already heard "I'm bored" approximately 47 times.

And if trampolines aren't their thing, look at your local indoor sports, gymnastics, swimming or activity centres. School holidays often mean extra sessions or special programs.

Head to the beach, but make it easy

A beach day sounds lovely until you remember you're the one who has to pack the towels, sunscreen, hats, spare clothes, snacks, buckets, spades and approximately 14 things your children suddenly cannot live without.

One thing I love doing is choosing a beach that also has a really good playground nearby.

Carrum is a great example. There's a playground right near the foreshore, so you can let the kids have a play, head down to the beach, have a swim or paddle, grab some food and then head home with tired kids.

Seaford and Chelsea are also worth looking at if you're after that beach-and-playground combination.

I love this option because you don't necessarily have to commit to a full "beach day". You can just head down for a couple of hours when the weather is good.

And if the kids are old enough to play independently for a bit, Mum might even get to sit down.

We can dream.

Find a new playground

You don't have to drive into the city to find something new to do.

Melbourne has an enormous number of parks and playgrounds, and I reckon most families have a few within driving distance that they've never actually visited.

Search Google Maps for playgrounds in the next suburb over. Ask in your local Facebook group. Ask another mum at school.

You'll often find playgrounds with water play, climbing equipment, bike tracks, nature play, basketball courts, picnic areas or huge open spaces to run around.

Pack a picnic, take the scooters or bikes and make an afternoon of it.

It doesn't have to be fancy.

Go swimming

If the weather isn't playing ball, an aquatic centre can be another easy option.

Many local pools have kids' areas, splash zones, wave pools, inflatables or school holiday activities.

Some councils also offer casual recreation activities during the holidays, so it's worth checking your nearest aquatic centre rather than assuming swimming means simply doing laps while your children complain that they're cold.

For older kids especially, an afternoon at the pool can be a pretty easy way to burn off some energy.

Take them to the movies

Sometimes you just need to sit down somewhere for two hours and let someone else entertain the children.

No shame in that.

The IMAX Melbourne experience can turn a regular movie into a bit more of an outing, particularly if there's something on that the kids are excited about.

And if you're already heading into the city, you can combine it with lunch, a wander around Southbank or another activity nearby.

For younger kids, Melbourne Museum is another good rainy-day option. There are always exhibitions and activities happening, and children under 16 are currently free to enter the museum's general collection areas.

The current school holiday program includes activities around ancient Rome, nature and the museum's other exhibitions, so it's worth checking what's on before you go.

Disney On Ice is always one to keep an eye out for

If you're looking for something a bit bigger during the winter school holidays, keep an eye on Disney On Ice when it comes to Melbourne.

It's definitely more of an event and costs more than your local playground or library activity, but if you've got Disney-loving kids, it can be a really fun school holiday outing.

I wouldn't necessarily make every school holiday activity a big-ticket event though. The beauty of having a list like this is that you can mix one or two bigger outings with plenty of inexpensive days.

Look for a local pub with a kids' play area

This one is very mum-approved.

There are plenty of pubs around Melbourne that have kids' playgrounds or dedicated children's areas, and they're brilliant when you want to get out of the house but don't necessarily want to spend the day running around after the kids.

The kids get a meal and somewhere to play.

You get to sit down.

Everyone wins.

Search "pub with kids playground" around your suburb and check the current opening times and facilities before you go, because these can change.

Community centres are worth checking too

Your local community centre can be another goldmine during the school holidays.

They often run affordable craft sessions, cooking activities, sports, workshops and programs for different age groups.

Again, these aren't always the things you'll see when you Google "best things to do in Melbourne with kids", but they're often exactly what local families are looking for.

Get out into nature

You don't need to be a family of serious hikers to enjoy some of Melbourne's parks and reserves.

Pack some snacks and go for a walk somewhere you've never been before.

Take bikes or scooters if the path allows it.

Go looking for birds.

Collect interesting leaves.

Take the kids to a creek and see what they can find.

Or just find a big patch of grass and let them run.

There are plenty of beautiful parks and reserves across Melbourne's eastern suburbs, including places like Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Yarran Dheran and the many local parks and walking tracks managed by councils.

And if the kids complain that they're bored, give them a scavenger hunt. "Find three different leaves, something yellow and a bird" suddenly makes a walk feel like an activity.

Have a proper day trip

If you've got the energy for a bigger outing, Melbourne has plenty of options.

Melbourne Zoo is an obvious one, particularly if you haven't been for a while.

Healesville Sanctuary is another favourite for getting out of the suburbs and seeing Australian wildlife.

You could also head further afield for a day at the Mornington Peninsula, Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley or somewhere along the coast.

But don't feel like every school holiday needs to include a day trip.

Sometimes the traffic, packing and getting everyone out the door takes more energy than the actual outing.

And sometimes... do absolutely nothing

This might be the most important one.

Your kids don't need a jam-packed itinerary for two weeks.

They can stay in their pyjamas until lunchtime.

They can watch a movie.

They can build a fort in the lounge room.

They can play in the backyard.

They can complain that they're bored and then eventually figure out something to do.

There's something to be said for giving kids some unstructured time too.

And if you're a parent who still has work to do during the school holidays, don't feel guilty about not providing a Pinterest-worthy childhood experience every single day.

They're going to survive.

Make a list of your local go-to places

One thing I'd recommend doing is creating your own little school holiday list in your phone.

Add your favourite playgrounds.

Your local library.

The indoor play centre.

The swimming pool.

The pub with the kids' area.

The beach with the good playground.

The café that doesn't lose its mind when children walk through the door.

Then when the inevitable "What are we doing today?" arrives, you don't have to start from scratch.

You've already got a list.

And while you're out, don't forget to get in the photos

This one is a little bit personal for me as a family photographer, but I really do think it's worth saying.

We're so used to documenting our kids that we can forget to actually get in the photos with them.

Your camera roll might be absolutely full of your kids.

But how many photos are there of all of you together?

You don't need a perfectly styled family, matching outfits or children who sit still and smile on command.

In fact, I don't want that either.

My outdoor family photography sessions in Melbourne are relaxed and focused on letting kids be kids. They can run, play, cuddle, explore and generally do what children do while I capture what's actually happening.

And yes, that includes Crocs.

It includes kids who don't want to smile.

It includes husbands who aren't particularly excited about family photos.

It includes dogs.

It includes the slightly chaotic bits too.

Because when you look back at these photos years from now, you're not going to care whether everyone was perfectly coordinated.

You're going to care that you were there.

If you want family photos without giving up half your day

I also run limited outdoor family mini sessions for families who want professional family photos without committing to a full session.

They're particularly handy for busy families with school-aged kids because the session is just 15 minutes, and the edited digital proofs are emailed within 2 days.

My next outdoor Christmas mini sessions are on Saturday 5 December 2026, so if you've been meaning to get some updated family photos before Christmas but keep putting it off because life is busy, this is exactly what they're designed for.

Because sometimes Mum doesn't need another thing that takes three hours.

She just wants some bloody good photos of her family.

And while you're out, don't forget to get in the photos

This one is a little personal for me as a family photographer, but I really do think it's worth saying.

We're so used to documenting our kids that we can forget to actually get in the photos with them.

Your camera roll might be absolutely full of your kids, but how many photos are there of all of you together?

You don't need a perfectly styled family, matching outfits or children who sit still and smile on command. In fact, I don't want that either.

My outdoor family photography sessions in Melbourne are relaxed and all about capturing your family as they actually are. Kids can run, play, cuddle, explore and generally do what kids do while I take care of the photos.

And yes, that includes Crocs.

It includes kids who don't want to smile, husbands who aren't particularly excited about family photos and dogs who think they're the star of the show.

Because when you look back at these photos years from now, you're not going to care whether everyone was perfectly coordinated. You're going to care that you were there.

Looking for a Melbourne family photographer?

If you've been meaning to update your family photos but keep putting it off because getting everyone organised feels like a whole thing, that's exactly why I keep my sessions relaxed and simple.

I'm Stacey, the photographer behind Allure Photography in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, and I've been photographing families for more than 15 years.

No stiff posing. No making your kids sit still for an hour. No pressure to have the perfect family.

Just you, your people and some bloody good photos you'll actually want to have around your home.

View my family photography sessions 

A final reminder from one mum to another

You don't have to make every day of the school holidays amazing.

Pick a couple of bigger outings if your budget allows, mix them with free council activities, libraries, playgrounds and beach trips, and leave plenty of room for the kids to just be kids.

And before you drive across Melbourne because someone on Instagram told you there's an amazing school holiday experience happening, have a look at what's happening in your own suburb first.

There is probably more going on than you realise.

And if all else fails?

Put them in the car, head to the beach or the playground, buy everyone an ice cream and call it a day.

Sometimes that's more than enough.

Happy school holidays, Melbourne mums. You've got this. ❤️