Family Activities In Melbourne

According to Burnt Ends chef Dave Pynt, even a quick stop in Singapore is enough to get out and see the best of the city. 

Victoria is introducing a new move this summer that will give your Myki (and your wallet) a well-deserved break.

Watching Euro summers through IG stories got you craving your own adventure? Lucky for you, Singapore Airlines just dropped its Early Bird fares for next year. 

Melbourne’s best pubs are redefining family-friendly dining—with proper playgrounds, delicious food  and cocktails to top you off. We’ve hunted down the 19 spots where kids go feral in enclosed play zones, teens disappear into arcades and parents finally get to enjoy a meal while it’s still hot. Genius? Absolutely. Long overdue? Even more so.

Broadway’s hit MJ The Musical lands in Melbourne. From electrifying dance numbers to emotional storytelling, here’s why it feels like being front row at a Michael Jackson concert.

No, it's not just you—eBikes are everywhere right now.

Fed up with the dreaded “Are we there yet?” echoing from the back seat? If one more car journey soundtracked by cocomelon and the smudge of a ketchupy finger on your last clean device is your final straw, we’ve got you. It’s time to swap screen time for scene time.

 With a stacked calendar of festivals and events lighting up regional Victoria this winter, the season’s never looked so good.

Dogs love water just as much as we do, from chasing garden hose streams to splashing in shallow pools. Watching your pup frolic in the waves at Melbourne’s best dog-friendly beaches is pure joy. However, not all beaches welcome furry friends. We've curated the top dog beaches in Victoria for 2025 so you and your best mate can enjoy the coast together. Here are Urban List's picks for the best dog-friendly beaches in Victoria.

Let’s cut straight to the chase, Melbourne. After a few years of chaotic fixture changes and interstate envy, the question on every footy fan's lips as we look to the future is: where are we watching the holy grail of Australian sport in 2025?

A melting pot of rich culture, incredible cuisine and plenty of fun, Singapore is the ultimate getaway for families. 

Love the thought of a weekend getaway in Victoria but worried about leaving the dog behind? You don’t have to, as Urban List has been hard at work digging out the best pet-friendly accommodation for you and your furry family member.

From the usual suspects like Gardens by the Bay and Universal Studios Singapore to more unusual offerings like Haw Par Villa and Changi Jurassic Mile, here are the best things to do in Singapore.

If you’re chasing the van life but want to skip the epic endurance test, the half lap might be your new ultimate travel hack.

Astro-tourism is the latest travel craze. From dark-sky parks to luxury bubble retreats, explore family-friendly stargazing spots across Australia. 

Perfect for family holidays, solo sojourns, or a getaway with your mates, Flight Centre just dropped a stack of Singapore hotel deals, so get planning on your next overseas getaway.

Your go-to guide for maximising your time on-board.

Whether you’ve been out at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants and require an equally excellent dessert or just have a craving for sugary goodness that warrants an excursion, Melbourne is home to plenty of dessert bars, patisseries and other sweet offerings that are sure to tickle your fancy. 

Geelong, it's only an hour away from Melbourne but it's a whole new world and there's plenty of things to get around. Here's the local inside scoop on where to eat, drink, play and stay when you're in The Pivot.

Whether it's Dolly Parton hitting the Comedy Theatre stage bootstraps and rhinestones in tow, or the awaited return of Lightscape’s epic winter trail, Melbourne’s serving up another weekend of top-tier happenings. 

Arguably Melbourne’s most picturesque regional city, Ballarat was founded in 1838 and was the centre of the gold rush in Victoria—and very briefly one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It’s come a long way since then and it’s not just about gold rush history anymore—there’s more things to eat, drink, do and see than ever before.

If you're planning on cosying up and leaving home only for the most impressive events this winter you're in luck, because Firelight Festival is set to return bigger and brighter than ever. 

Consider this your Melbourne bucket list that covers both tourist attractions and local haunts. There are endless things to do, see, eat and drink but sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. Like all good city guides, we’ve divided our hit list into a compass-like fashion to help you navigate your way around Melbourne’s best activities. So this is your chance to discover something new in your suburb or dare to venture into an unfamiliar area.

Rainy day? School holidays? Just need to get the kids out of the house before they climb the walls (or you do)? Melbourne’s packed with indoor play centres that go way beyond your average ball pit. 

We're breaking down five of the most common hurdles first-home buyers face, and how to tackle them like a pro.

On the hunt for the best cafe in Melbourne? It's a tough one, simply due to the sheer volume of options. The standard the city has set has been replicated all over the world, and it's no surprise as the quality of our coffee is world-class and our brunch is unbeatable.

Buying your first home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make—these are the questions you should ask yourself first. 

Looking for Melbourne's best mini golf? Whether you're after a glow-in-the-dark party, coastal views with your putts or the ultimate obstacle courses, we've teed up the city's top spots for unforgettable rounds. 

Hold onto your hearts, Melbourne—the world’s most adorable gang is about to make its grand entrance! The long-awaited Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, after much speculation, has finally swung open its doors, bringing the whimsical world of Sanrio to life in an Australian first-of-its-kind immersive dining experience. And yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds.

It’s Mother’s Day every day at Brunetti Classico for sous-chef Alexandra Di Biaise. She and her two children Davide and Nicole are all chefs in the kitchen at the Lygon Street institution—which turns 40 this year.

So you’re ready to take the leap and buy your first home? Here’s how to find the right place to fit your lifestyle, your future, and your community.

The suburbs are back and they’ve had a major glow-up, blending state-of-the-art design, liveability, affordability, and modern convenience like never before.

For those on the hunt for a cultural experience rich with all things history, people, stories, and nature, Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) should be top of the list. 

The moment every foam-footed fanatic has been impatiently waiting for is finally here – Crocs is opening its first Australian flagship store at Melbourne Central this April, and it's about to rewrite everything you thought you knew about comfortable footwear. 

Winter just got cheesier. From 15 May to 22 June 2025, Fed Square transforms into a snow-dusted French alpine village for Fondue Chalet—the city’s most indulgent winter pop-up from the team behind Melbourne’s cult-favourite Raclette Igloo.

We asked mum and midwife Lauren Brenton for the hacks every toddler parent needs to know. 

As the action revs up on the track, we'll show you how to ace the off-track scene

Patience, young padawan LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition will be knocking down blast doors and arriving in Melbourne on 4 May at Melbourne Museum.

As the temperature rises and summer holidays get into full swing, it’s time to hit the pool. Here’s our list of the best places to make a splash this summer.

Ever been at the kids’ play centre and thought, ‘I wish there was a little more here for me?’ Well, you’re not the only one. Hoopla has opened as Australia’s first ‘parent’ focused kids indoor play centre and family outing spot (read: there’s a grown-ups menu). 

Returning to where it all started Jurassic World: The Exhibition is pipelining for Melbourne with some raving reviews following its massive season in Sydney. 

The sight of the blossoming purple flowers of the Jacaranda trees is a friendly reminder that the true frosty season is over and there are warmer climates ahead. The Jacaranda is typically earmarked with the coming of summer and Christmas (according to the jingle). The floral tree is an Australian icon in the plant community and a welcome beacon to the tail end of the year. 

Go karting is a timeless activity. The almost child-like pursuit of speed and reckless endangerment is a thrill that you can’t (and shouldn’t) get driving to coles. With many tracks and karts around town, all with their own different bends and different levels of engine CC’s, it can be a little difficult to know where exactly you should burn rubber. 

Melbourne certainly has no shortage of restaurants being home to some of the country’s best hospitality. However, every parent knows fine dining is not always synonymous with kid-friendly.

To be honest, we’re always looking for an excuse for a staycay in one of the best hotels in Melbourne. Birthday? Book a suite. Nephew walked for the first time? I’m already calling the Sofitel. Found $10 on the ground? Let’s party. Of course, there are a few ways you can go with Melbourne/Naarm hotels, from the boutique to the bodacious. Get ready to raid the minibar and steal some bathrobes (kidding) at the best hotels in Melbourne for 2024.

Melbourne loves to make a big deal of things—think laneways and the metro rail project—and fortunately for us, Christmas falls into that category of ‘things’. Kicking off at the end of the month is the City of Melbourne’s four-week-long Christmas Festival set to take over the city.

It’s that time of year again where Melbourne welcomes Moonlight Cinema back for its 28th summer. Returning to their usual turf—the Botanic Gardens Friday 29 November 2024. This annual cinematic tradition has multiple flicks to feast your eyes on. 

Tucked away in the lush, tranquil Otway Ranges, just a stone’s throw from the legendary Great Ocean Road, there’s a slice of nature that feels like it’s been plucked straight from a fairy tale

Everoyne's favourite train is running a late timetable this spring, with Twilight Trains choo chooing us into the balmy evenings ahead and making room for plenty of Instagrammable moments. 

If you’re up the top end of the Sunshine Coast and looking for things to do in the bustling hub that is Noosa, we’ve got you covered.

Parents and guardians know the struggle all too well of trying to find an activity that will entertain kids for longer than a few minutes. If you’re looking for something to do away from the screens and out of the house, we know a couple spots. Even better, some of these outings will amuse adults just as much if not even more than the kids. 

Marking the end of Broome's pearl harvest season when the fortunes of the pearl farmer are told, Shinju Matsuri celebrates this unique blend of cultures with a jam-packed schedule of events in August. 

Big swing, all ding! The suburbs are set for another cracking entertainment venue, this time in the form of an indoor golf simulator. X-Golf is moving into Clyde North on August 21 and will provide a sports entertainment hybrid with a big food and drink offering. 

Instead of waiting for school holidays to plan your next vacay, pack your suitcases for a destination that has the little people covered from check in to check out. 

From summers filled with cold rainy days to bars made entirely out of ice, the chill runs through Melbourne’s veins. Little did we know there was a unique Airbnb hidden in plain sight that's everything your Frozen dreams could imagine, and more. Enter: Winter Wonderland.

Getting out and pounding the pavement and mixing up your environments is a bloody good way to refresh the body and the mind. There are plenty of ripper trails and paths across the city that’ll give you some great vistas of Melbourne and show off some of its most pristine stretches and undiscovered spots.

In the small town of Moama just on the outside of the Victorian border sits a stretch of the Murray river that holds a long and special history. 

Transformed into a world of light, colour and music, step into the Royal Botanic Gardens which has been reimagined into an immersive symphony of sights, Lightscape. Across the RBT, the trails, lakes and garden spaces have been enchanted with glowing installations guaranteed to captivate all of your senses. 

After a successful sold-out debut in 2011,  The Art of the Brick Immersive LEGO exhibition returns to Melbourne for a second time at The Showgrounds in mid-April, this time as an immersive experience. This globally acclaimed exhibition, which redefines the intersection of LEGO and art, uses over one million LEGO bricks to present over 100 pieces within a 360-degree setting, bringing the childhood toy to life. 

Here’s a round-up of kid-friendly places to see and things to do in Melbourne CBD. 

Brunswick, or Bulleke-bek in Woi Wurrung language, is the inner-city suburb in Melbourne's northeast, and once a year the entire suburb lights up for the long-loved Brunswick Music Festival. Nine huge days, the festival stands to celebrate the people, place, culture and music of Brunswick. From compelling performances to free live music, here are five things to do this year at the Brunswick Music Festival for 2024:

Attention all summer beach lovers, The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series returns for a massive 11th season in 2024 ready to delight and inspire with stunning agility, skill and team spirit.

What better time to upgrade on some culture and history and explore what makes Victoria unique. Melbourne newbies can check out the classic Melbourne Museum or locals can head a few hours out to one of the largest surf museums in Australia. Regardless, such interesting niches exist within this state and it would be remiss to not get cracking to at least one museum Melbourne and Victoria have on offer.

No matter how much you love your job, some weeks just seem to drag, right? But, instead of wishing them away, we’ve trying to add in more mid-week activities to give us something to look forward to during the work week and to embrace our thriving cities. 

Whatever your dream vacay looks like, Village Roadshow Theme Parks has over 120 world-class rides, slides, shows, characters and attractions to choose from.

Following an extended season in the US, the closest thing to taking a walk in Jurassic Park has arrived in Melbourne at Dinos Alive, an immersive exhibition featuring 80+ life-sized, animated dinosaurs. 

Whether you’re a lover of lights, sports or downright incredible architecture, Singapore invites you to immerse yourself in this colourful wonderland where modern delights mix with ancient history.

There’s no need to jet off to Europe for a culture fix. Instead, set your sights on Auckland (aka Tāmaki Makaurau) just a short plane ride away. New Zealand’s largest city turns it on over the summer months with a vibrant event line-up encompassing music, art, culture, and all things inspiring.

Bring the light and flavours of Diwali home with some delicious help from our community and The Spice Tailor. 

Christmas shopping in Melbourne can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially if you've taken it upon yourself to transform your home into a festive wonderland. 

Whether you’re in search of kid-friendly accommodation for a weekend-long city staycation or a week-long inaugural family holiday, we’ve got you and the little ones sorted. There are a few more things to consider when selecting a family-sized hotel room, mainly space.

Heading over to Singapore with the family or simply love all things nautical? Home to more than 100,000 beautiful and distinctive marine creatures, S.E.A Aquarium Sentosa is a must visit on your next vacay to Singapore. 

With summer around the corner, the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC) is gearing up to welcome the Darebin community on Monday, November 13, following an extensive 18-month transformation. 

Craving a luxe escape but the cost of living holding you back? Flight Centre’s got you covered. They’ve curated lush escapes without the eye-watering price tag for any vibe you’re after. With flights, accom and plenty of great extras included at huge savings, this is the sign you’ve been looking for to take the plunge and book that next trip.

We enlisted the experts at Flight Centre to share their best secret travel and spending tips to help us live our best vacay lives, and they did not disappoint. From genius ways to save big to sneaky sales and clever local hacks, they’ve got us dreaming of ticking off our next bucket list escape even sooner.

It’s safe to say you’ve had at least one ‘team building’ session at a Holey Moley over the years, and it’s safe to say you’ve left feeling like your cup is full—as well as your ego if you managed score a hole-in-one. Well, the good news is that those in the south-east can try their luck at another ace at Holey Moley’s latest locale in Moorabbin.

A sure-fire way to end friendships and relationships, a giant real-life Monopoly experience is arriving in Melbourne. 

Dust off your passport—Urban List Vacays has arrived. 

The Bugaboo Dragonfly pram is slated to drop in Australia in August. Here's what to expect from this game-changing new pram for city-dwellers—including its patented one-hand fold technology. 

Take to the skies, soak in the view and pop a bottle once you're back on dry land, the hot air balloon experience is pretty bloody sweat. 

We pull back the curtain on a day in the life of Brooke O'Brien, an early childhood teacher who specialises in play-based learning, as part of Vic Gov Department of Education's push to make kinder more accessible to Aussie kids (and teaching more accessible to Aussie adults). 

You'll love these kid-friendly experiences, too. 

It can often be too gloomy to venture out over the winter months. Stop cabin fever and the groans of “I’m boreddd” in its tracks with these kid-friendly indoor activities. 

From scenic flights to night kayaking, luxe harbour cruises, haunted ghost tours, and more. 

Going Indoor rock climbing and bouldering has never been easier in Melbourne. Thanks to the flurry of interest in the sport a couple of years ago off the backs of films such as Free Solo and The Dawn Wall there's now some world-class indoor climbing around town. 

There's never been a better time to be (or indulge) a Disney fan with the Disney100 Celebration taking over the 'Happiest Place On Earth'.

‘Beaches’ might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of for a day-trip with the kids in and out of Melbourne, but we’d argue that there are more than plenty of absolutely gorgeous spots for the entire family to enjoy.

Everyone has a go-to cafe for brunch and takeaway hotspot for coffee but if you’re looking to venture outside of routine we’ve taken a deep dive into our catalogue of Melbourne cafes to find the best kid-friendly spots around the city. No two cafes listed are alike and have their own personalities but what they do have in common is a dedicated kids menu. 

The struggle to find a dinner spot that caters to the whole family’s appetite is ever ongoing. Enter the Melbourne pub. The city is spoiled for choice when it comes to local haunts that serve up all the classic feeds with a side of beer. But Melbourne pubs go one step further with venues and menus that are child inclusive. So pack the whole family into the car and head to one of your local (or someone else's local) kid-friendly pub.

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.