Melbourne with Kids: What to see and do

by mumslittleexplorers · August 23, 2018

Melbourne for Kids: A list of family friendly, fun kids activities in Melbourne to keep your little ones entertained for the day, weekend, or holidays!

Melbourne for Kids - Kids Activities Melbourne and Around

Melbourne for Kids: Fun Kids Activities Melbourne

Melbourne is a great family friendly destination with so many things to do and see with kids. Whether you are looking for fun kids activities or events in Melbourne for kids, a museum to visit for the day, a place to spend a day out or weekend away with the family, we have you covered.

Check out our list of family friendly things to see and do in Melbourne for kids, and fun kids activities Melbourne!

Melbourne Zoo, Carlton

The Melbourne Zoo is just one of Melbourne’s three fantastic zoo’s which are all unique to each other. Located near the centre of the city, the Melbourne Zoo has over 300 difference species of animals from around the world. Walking around the Melbourne Zoo is like strolling through a rainforest. See the traditional zoo animals such as elephants, monkeys, tigers and lions, but make sure to check out the meerkat enclosure and the famous butterfly enclosures

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne

The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium takes you on an interactive underwater adventure discovering the wonders of the underground world. You can see some amazing sea creatures and marine animals, meet one of the largest crocodiles in captivity and then head into Antarctica with the penguins. Sea Life Museum is a great day out in Melbourne for kids and families.

Melbourne Museum, Melbourne

If you are interested in learning about history and the natural world, head to the Melbourne Museum. Highlights include exhibitions on art, design, history and nature.

Kids (and adults) will love the dinosaur walk with skeletons of 17 prehistoric animals. There is also the Children’s Gallery for babies to 5 year old where children can engage in activities and explore.

Located next to the Royal Exhibition Building and the gorgeous Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is also home to IMAX Melbourne.

Eltham Miniature Railway

Operating every Sunday, The Eltham Miniature Railway is operating for kids of all ages through the wooded bushland along the banks of the Diamond Creek. The 2km run takes almost 15 minutes for trains to travel around the track and back to the main platform.

Take a picnic and make a day of it. The Diamond Valley railway is a fantastic experience for the whole family and a perfect activity in Melbourne for kids.

Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville

Healesville Sanctuary, in the Yarra Valley is home to a variety of Australian animals. Meet koalas, kangaroos, dingos, wombats, and emus and many woodland birds in a sanctuary that covers 30 hectares.

Healesville Sanctuary makes a fantastic family day out while you explore the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

Puffing Billy, Gembrook

Take a ride on board Australia’s most famous steam train Puffing Billy. Ride through the gorgeous Dandenong Ranges through the forests and gullies. Stop off at Lakeside for a picnic with a view or in Summer time have fun with the various water activities. If you are looking for activities in Melbourne for Kids that the whole family will love, Puffing Billy is perfect.

Lake Mountain Snow Resort

Just 2hrs east of Melbourne, this is the fantastic spot for a day out or weekend away from Melbourne for kids and families in the Winter time. From June to early September Lake Mountain usually receives some great snow.

Race down the three toboggan runs, or make a snowman. There are even ski and snowboarding lessons for kids.

Alfred Nicholas Gardens, Sherbrook

Out in the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne’s west are the stunning Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens which make a relaxing day out in nature in Melbourne for kids. These gardens really are a nature lovers dream with lots of native and exotic trees, and gorgeous waterfalls. Pack a picnic and have lunch with a view.

Scienceworks, Spotswood

Scienceworks Museum is a kid friendly Science Museum in Melbourne for people of all ages. This kid friendly science museum answers a lot of the burning scientific questions that kids often ask and even houses the Melbourne Planetarium!

With lots of hands on activities and exhibits, for children of all ages, Scienceworks makes a fun and exciting day out in Melbourne for kids and families.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee South

It’s not Africa, but it’s the next best thing in Melbourne. Just 30 minutes from the city located by the Werribee river next to the Werribee Park Mansion is the Werribee Open Range Zoo. See animals from all parts of the world including native Australian animals and birds. Take the 40min guided safari tour where you can get up close to animals from the African savannah such as Giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and more.

Funtopia Indoor Climbing & Playcenter, Maribyrnong

Funtopia, in Melbourne’s West is one of the biggest indoor climbing and play centres in Australia. Your little monkeys can burn off energy climbing, jumping, sliding, rolling, and more. Join them climbing, or just sit back and enjoy a coffee at their in house restaurant Mr Spriggins while they play in the enormous play centre.

You can spend a couple of hours or a whole day at Funtopia. It is a great way to spend a rainy day, or when you just need to get the kids out of the house.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

Step back in time at Melbourne’s most amazing outdoor museum to the Goldrush days in Ballarat at Sovereign Hill. Just a couple of hours drive from Melbourne Sovereign Hill gives the whole family a unique historical Australian experience.

Pan for gold, make your own candles, bowl in the old bowling alley, taste the delicious home made sweets and eat at the famous bakeries.

If you are looking for something to do in Melbourne for kids for a day out, Sovereign Hill is a unique experience you will never forget.

Adventure Park Geelong

Looking for some adventure? Adventure Park Geelong is Victoria’s biggest water park and is the perfect place to spend the day if you are in Melbourne with kids, especially in the Summer time.

Water slides, Theme Park Rides, and a day full of adventure and fun! Adventure Park Geelong has it all including the new Tornado – Victoria’s biggest, longest & most epic Proslide Tornado water slide.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, this water park makes the perfect day out with the kids if you are looking to get out of the city.

Family Day trips or weekend trips just outside Melbourne

If you have seen in and around the city you may want to head out of Melbourne for the day or even the weekend. There is lots to do just outside Melbourne for kids, check out our post: Family day trips from Melbourne for some great ideas.

Melbourne For Kids

Wherever you are based, there are so many great places to visit in and around Melbourne for kids. I hope this list has given you some ideas of fun activities to do with kids in Melbourne and it’s surroundings! Have fun on your Melbourne adventure!

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