Whether it's just another weekend or summer school holidays, activities with kids can quickly become costly. So we’ve rounded up a list of the best free things to do with kids in Melbourne. Lucky for us the city is littered with destinations and excursions that the whole family can enjoy for little to no cost at all.
Here are 9 of the best free things to do with kids in Melbourne for 2022:
The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden
CBD
If you’re on the hunt for a free nature-based play within Melbourne City’s concrete jungle the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is the destination for your family. The landscape has been perfectly scaled for little people to enjoy carefreely. The Royal Botanical Garden curates and maintains this garden with children in mind so they feel invited to crouch, climb and crawl around the naturescape as they explore.
Federation Square
CBD
Fed Square sits at the heart of Melbourne City and acts as a hub for the fine arts. They always have a stacked program of events and installations that are free to the public. On any given day there could be a live televised sports game, staged musical performance or strange sculptural art for you to check out. You’ll want to check out the program to see what’s on.
Queen Victoria Markets
CBD
The Queen Victoria Markets are a Melbourne icon for its eclectic stalls and quality produce. It’s an easy excursion that involves shopping, eating, drinking and live music. Get lost in the maze of speciality shopping stalls and heritage-listed food halls. It’s always a vibrant scene and the bonus free food samples never hurt.
ACMI
CBD
ACMI is Melbourne’s dedicated museum to screen culture and the moving image but it’s not just for the grown-ups. They’ve got film programs, art workshops and school holiday programs designed especially with kiddos in mind. ACMI always has free entry so give them a visit next time you’re looking for a city-based activity that will keep the whole family engaged.
Royal Park Nature Playground
PARKVILLE
Royal Park boasts the largest open space in the City of Melbourne and is the perfect family destination with dedicated spaces to barbeque and picnic. But it's the award-winning Nature Playground that will have your kids entertained for hours. The Nature Playground at Royal park is free to visit and equipped with a sandpit, water play area, roll-worthy grass hills and swingsets.
NGV Kids Corner
CBD
The NGV has gone child-friendly with its kids corner and the best part, it's free entry. The NGV Kids corner in Fed Square is a space where children and their families can enjoy creative installations and activities designed just for them. It’s a magical place for children to engage with real artworks in an educational and entertaining setting. The display will rotate every six months so you can go back a couple times a year and expect something new.
The City Circle Tram
CBD
If your kids are fascinated by anything transport, the free City Circle Tram might just be the activity for them. The route 35 tram ride is completely free so you can leave the Myki at home and admire the heritage tram and the city scenes out the window. The tram runs a hop on hop off service that lasts roughly thirty minutes around Melbourne’s business district and passes many tourist attractions.
State Library of Victoria
CBD
The State Library of Victoria has an entire area dedicated to children and families. The Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter is a free purpose-built space entirely dedicated for children to read, learn and play with their parents and guardians. You can expect a two-story castle, countless reading nooks and over four-thousand children’s books. They have weekly storytime and playdate events as well as an entirely separate program of activities just for the school holidays.
ArtPlay Playground
CBD
Melbourne city has a lot going for it when it comes to kid-friendly entertainment but it’s running low on playgrounds. However, tucked behind Fed Square next to the ArtPlay building is maybe the best playground in Melbourne. It is the only one in Melbourne’s CBD with slides, sandpits, swinging hammocks, activity panels, rock and rope climbing features and balance beams.