It’s a scene many families will recognise: all the books have been read, all the movies have been watched and all the games have been played; and now, the kids are officially bored.
If this sounds familiar, and you’ve been caught out unable to think of any fun things to do in Melbourne, listen up – this could be your school holiday saviour. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top kid-friendly activities in Melbourne that promise maximum levels of entertainment and fun. Plus, they happen to be a good time for adults, too!
Get Creative at ArtVo
Got an arty, crafty kid on your hands? Then we’ve got just the fun thing to do in Melbourne that will leave them absolutely spellbound (not to mention make you parent of the year). ArtVo is a completely immersive gallery in Docklands, the first of its kind in Australia. You’ll get to interact with a dazzling array of reality-warping 3D artworks and murals, essentially placing yourself in crazy, mind-boggling situations. There are 11 themed sections to work your way through, with hand-painted settings that include an enchanted garden, underwater world and famous movie scenes. Taking silly photos at ArtVo is highly encouraged, so it’s almost like you’re coming away with a free souvenir – and any parent knows those are hard to come by!
Move to the Museum
When something is educational and fun, you know you’re onto a winner – and that’s exactly what the Melbourne Museum is all about. As the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, it boasts an impressive mix of both permanent and visiting exhibitions, which means there’s always something new to get the kids excited. Highlights of the Melbourne Museum include the Bugs Alive! exhibition, which young creepy-crawly enthusiasts will love; the Dinosaur Walk and the much-adored display of legendary racehorse Phar Lap. Surrounded by the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is also conveniently located right next door to the IMAX Cinema – another family favourite.
Swing or Fly Into an Adventure Park
Sometimes in life, the best things are free, and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to the humble playground. Although, humble might not be the right word to describe some of Melbourne’s top-rated playgrounds. These days, many resemble mini theme parks and feature everything from flying foxes to trampolines and giant slides. Some of Melbourne’s most popular parks include St Kilda Adventure Playground, Ron Barassi Snr Park in Docklands, Royal Park Nature Play and Fitzroy Adventure Park. If it’s cheap and cheerful you’re after, you can’t go past a good old-fashioned trip to the park.
Be Thrilled at Luna Park
Melbourne may not have its own Movie World or Dreamworld, but it does have Luna Park, and not only is it one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, a trip here is one of the best things to do in Melbourne with kids. Luna Park is like a playground, circus and carnival all rolled into one. We’re talking wild rides (the Scenic Railway is the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world), sideshow-esque attractions and enough sugar to keep the littlies running around all day. And this Easter, Luna Park will again be hosting the Great Luna Park Easter Egg Hunt, an all-ages egg-stravaganza with up to 30,000 chocolate eggs up for grabs – yum!
Skate Into an Ice Rink
Forget taking the kids on a bike ride, the coolest (literally!) sporty family activity you can get the youngsters involved in is an ice skating session at Melbourne’s O’Brien Group Arena. At Australia’s largest ice rink, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve never pulled on the skates before, or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s the perfect place to practice those ice dancing moves. For the tiny tots who are a bit shaky on two blades, Ice Ambassadors are on standby to run helpful 15-minute ice skating lessons on the basic skills required. School holidays are an ideal time to visit if you’re wondering what to do in Melbourne, as there’s always extra classes, games and incredible skating performances.
Go Wild at Melbourne Zoo
You’re never too old watch to watch animals getting up to mischief, which makes Melbourne Zoo one of the best family activities in Melbourne. With more than 300 species to discover, from the impressive elephant enclosure, to the cheeky seal pool and the stunning butterfly house, it’s hard to know which direction to head first. And this school holidays, Melbourne Zoo is hosting an awesome new event: Neon Playground. With vibrant light displays, art installations and live performances, the zoo will be open late every night to showcase the works of local artists and celebrate wildlife conservation. Did we also mention that on weekends and holidays, children are free? There’s no excuse not to visit the zoo now!
Not in the Victorian capital but want to experience one of these family-friendly Melbourne activities for yourself? Book flights to Melbourne with Webjet and start planning your family holiday itinerary today.
Feature image: Luna Park in Melbourne. Credit: Reki woo on Unsplash
