The Best Things To Do In Melbourne With Kids
Looking for the best things to do with kids in Melbourne? Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure, school holiday outing, or just trying to keep the little ones entertained, we’ve rounded up the top family-friendly activities across the city. From interactive museums and outdoor playgrounds to hands-on workshops and sweet-treat pit stops, these are the Melbourne experiences kids (and adults) will genuinely love.
Scroll on for Urban List's ultimate guide to getting the kids off their screens and out exploring Melbourne.
Museum of Play and Art
51 McKillop Street, Geelong & 247 Bay Road, Sandringham
Image credit: MOPA | Supplied
Galleries are often a nightmare family outing, but not at the Museum of Play and Art. MOPA has curated immersive experiences and exhibits as a playful way to introduce kids to art. The museum focuses on play-based learning that will keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours. From painting a real car to dance parties, there's something to pique almost every child's interest.
Insider Intel
- But bookings are essential, so you’ll want to get your tickets for a session time beforehand.
NGV
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Image credit: NGV | Instagram
The NGV is one of Melbourne’s most loved cultural institutions and a welcoming space for families. With a long-standing commitment to engaging children and young audiences, the gallery offers creative, hands-on experiences that connect kids with art and culture from around the world.
On any given visit, you can explore family-focused exhibitions, wander the NGV Collection using self-guided activity sheets, or take part in school holiday workshops and events designed for curious minds of all ages. It’s an inspiring way for children to discover new ideas, perspectives and creative forms, all within one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Insider Intel:
- Keep an eye on the NGV’s seasonal kids’ programs and free online activity sheets—perfect for continuing the creativity at home after your visit.
Flip Out
Various Locations
Image: Flip Out | Website
Get ready to bounce, flip and soar at Flip Out—the high-energy trampoline park for energetic families craving active, offline fun. This massive arena is packed with escapades, it’s the best place to turn up the excitement and let the kids run amok.
At the heart of Flip Out is its epic trampoline zone, where kids (and their guardians) can jump, dunk and practice flips into soft foam pits. Challenge each other on the parkour courses, test your grip on the climbing and running walls or tackle the ninja-style warped walls and escalating climbing poles. There’s even an exclusive soft play area for younger children, ensuring everyone from toddlers to teens finds their thrill.
Insider Intel
- While height restrictions apply in some zones (with areas tailored for both under and over 130cm), the variety means no one misses out.
The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
If you’re on the hunt for some nature-based play within Melbourne City’s concrete jungle the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is the destination for your family. 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.
Insider Intel
- The landscape has been perfectly scaled for little people to enjoy carefree.
Holey Moley Funhouse
590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Holey Moley Funhouse | Website
Holey Moley’s Funhouse is a wild, interactive twist perfect for families and kids craving laughs and lighthearted competition. This is an arcade-style adventure filled with eccentric holes and hilarious challenges that both young ones and adults can enjoy together.
Kids will love testing their memory in The Glowey Hole, stepping only on the right lit tiles to cross safely. For a burst of action, Drop Shot lets them toss soft golf balls to rack up points, while Invasion of the Birdie Snatchers turns putting into a fast-paced colour-matching frenzy. Older kids and parents can team up for games like Putt Putt Pong—a clever mix of cup pong and tic-tac-toe, or try their luck with the card-guessing game Birdie or Bogie.
Insider Intel
- And no one can resist the silly challenge of dodging swinging obstacles in King of the Swingers.
Scienceworks
2 Booker Street, Spotswood
Image credit: Scienceworks | Instagram
Scienceworks is a one-stop shop of activities to satisfy children's curious minds. This interactive museum combines scenes and play to create a fun educational experience for both kids and guardians.
The museum has earned a stellar reputation for its planetarium and lighting shows as well as limited edition featured exhibitions. Scienceworks is one of those few places where adults are just as captivated by the activities as the young ones.
Insider Intel
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Not to mention the playground is always a fan favourite amongst kids.
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MJ: The Musical
Her Majesty's Theatre
Image credit: MJ The Musical | Supplied
If you’re planning a theatre outing with older kids, MJ The Musical is one of the most exciting family-friendly shows to hit Melbourne. Now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, this award-winning Broadway production brings Michael Jackson’s story to life through unforgettable music, dynamic choreography and a behind-the-scenes look at his creative journey.
Families can expect a fast-paced, visually spectacular performance that blends storytelling with more than 25 of MJ’s biggest hits. From Billie Jean and Beat It to Smooth Criminal and Thriller, every number is delivered with the kind of energy that keeps both kids and adults hooked from start to finish.
Insider Intel:
- Not an MJ fan? Check out more of the best musicals and live shows to catch in Melbourne.
Popcorn With The Pooches At Moonlight Cinema
Royal Botanic Gardens | Until Sunday 5 April
Image: Moonlight Cinema X Lyka | Supplied
Moonlight Cinemas across the country are opening up the gates for furry friends to come, sit and watch the big screen. Running ‘til 5 April 2026, the cinema will be set up in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Picture dogs running around with paired snacks provided by Lyka—the gourmet dog food meals on wheels service.
You could be eating popcorn while your best friend chews down a Turkey Dental Jerky treat from a specialised goodie bag. Plus, watching a film with your dog always increases the magic of the moment—especially when you're under the stars.
Melbourne Zoo
Elliott Avenue, Parkville
Image credit: Zoos Victoria | Instagram
The zoo is a classic family outing and for good reason. Our very own Melbourne Zoo is world-leading in wildlife conservation and extinction-fighting programs. The zoo located in Royal Park has enough wildlife to fill up an entire day of exploration and also doubles as a great location for a picnic.
Insider Intel
- With a big cat enclosure, a gorilla rainforest, an elephant sanctuary and a reptile house, there will definitely be an animal that captivates their attention.
Urbnsurf
309 Melrose Drive, Melbourne Airport
Image credit: URBNSURF | Instagram
Urbnsurf is the school that is ready to help your kid go from swimmer to surfer. If your child has a love for the ocean and you’re looking for a fun physical activity, surfing lessons might be an idea worth exploring.
The bay offers beginners a safe and gentle rolling green and whitewater waves to learn on—Urbnsurf is ready to help kids over the age of six find their confidence on the board and potentially catch a wave.
Insider Intel
- The coaches will have them knowing how to paddle, pop-up, take-off and dismount in no time at all.
DreamCity
Level 1, DFO Southwharf, 20 Convention Centre Place
Combining tech and fun, DreamCity encourages kids to explore different career paths through play. While adults don’t necessarily correlate work with fun, DreamCity opens children's minds to potential jobs through interactive games. Here, they can operate flight simulators, fight virtual fires, perform surgeries and produce podcasts.
Insider Intel
- This is a hands-on approach for kids to work out if they have a budding interest in various science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields.
Sea Life Aquarium
King Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Sea Life | Supplied
If your kids have a fascination with all things under the sea an excursion to Sea Life Aquarium is the move for you. You can visit for a self-guided tour with a general admission ticket, or you can add on extra experiences like a trip on a glass-bottom boat that glides above the 2.2 million litre oceanarium.
Insider Intel
- Trust us, a trip to the aquarium strikes that perfect balance between education and entertainment.
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Image credit: Melbourne Museum | Supplied
The Children’s Gallery is a permanent fixture at Melbourne Museum. Here, budding paleontologists can excavate for fossils in the dinosaur dig, and aspiring botanists can explore plants and stories in the discovery garden. Too often, museums forget about creating an exhibit with little people in mind but the Children's Gallery at Melbourne Museum invites kids to get hands-on and not just observe from a distance.
Insider Intel
- While you’re there, why not roam some of the other exciting exhibitions like the Milarri Garden Trail, The Melbourne Story, Triceratops: The Fate of the Dinosaurs and Bugs Alive!
Collingwood Children’s Farm
18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Image credit: Collingwood Children’s Farm | Instagram
Collingwood Children’s Farm is a much-loved not-for-profit and destination for families. This community farm has had its gates open to the public since 1979. What started as a project to support children facing adversity, the Collingwood Children’s Farm has kept its roots in supporting social inclusion through a range of programs. Upon arrival, the team will give you a rundown of the daily activities, which could include meeting the guinea pigs or putting the poultry to bed.
Insider Intel
- It is worth noting, though, that this is not a traditional petting zoo.
Main image credit: NGV | Instagram
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