200 Things for Families and Kids to do in Melbourne

Melbourne is a wonderful city for kids and families because there are so many activities, attractions and events for kids. We have combed the Melbourne Playgrounds site and have listed more than 200 ideas for things to do with Kids in Melbourne. Enjoy.

1. Find your way through the mazes at The Enchanted Maze Garden. Once you've managed to find your way out of these mazes, check out these additional mazes
2. Knock over some pins at an Indoor Tenpin Bowling Centre
3. Whatever the weather, have a hands-on experience with a large variety of friendly farm animals at the Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard
4. The ultimate adventure playground is St Kilda Adventure Playground
5. Immerse yourself in the world of film, television and digital culture at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image
6. Let lost in the giant maze, experience the illusions or play Maxi-golf at Maze'N Things on Phillip Island.
7. Meet the farm animals in inner Melbourne at Collingwood Children's Farm. If that's not enough animals, another 14 animal farms are located around Melbourne.
8. Blast off in a rocket at the Ray Bastin Reserve playground in Narre Warren. Why go to Kazakhstan when you can launch rockets from the Ray Bastin Reserve?
9. Recreate the film 'Joe Versus the Volcano' at the SuperZu Playcentre in Dingley Village where the huge, fiery volcano spews out hot lava. Although it's a tiring job for the staff to clean up all the ash on the floor each night.
10. Check out the fantastic bat wing carousel at Wombat Bend Playspace in Templestowe Lower
11. Indulge in a total strawberry experience at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
12. Bounce along to an Indoor Trampoline Centre. Don't forget to put your socks on first.
13. Visit the Western Suburbs and have a heap of fun.
14. Rain is splashing down the window. Time to find a rainy day activity.
15. Step back in time at the Churchill Island historic island farm
16. Attend music lessons and learn to play an instrument or sing. Maybe practice singing in the shower first.
17. Trace the Australian wool story - from the sheep's back to the clothes rack at the National Wool Museum in Geelong.
18. Discover the chilling history and secrets of the Old Melbourne Gaol including the hanging of Ned Kelly.
19. Learn about Melbourne's Tall Ship story on the Polly Woodside.
20. Get in a spin with huge spiral slides at Surrey Park, Box Hill or Coburg Lake Reserve, Coburg.
21. Explore the grandeur of Werribee Park.
22. Find a Train related activity
23. Visit the Woodlands Historic Park for a glimpse of settler life in the 1840s.
24. Trot along to an Equestrian Centres for horse riding lessons or trail rides.
25. Wander the streets of the Melbourne and see Melbourne Street Art.
26. Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide of course. Thrills and spills down massive playground slides
27. Find a playground (more than 5600 playground reviews available).
28. Get lost in one of Melbourne's mazes.
29. Tremble in fear before going down the huge slides at Kids Space Indoor Play & Party Centre in Hallam.
30. Search for nesting penguins at The Nobbies on Phillip Island.
31. Glide down the longest playground slide at Bayview Park Pirate Playground in Point Cook. Then try some Pirate Activities.
32. Visit the Dandenong Ranges
33. Visit a fur seal colony with Wildlife Coast Cruises on Phillip Island.
34. Re-live the olden days by going to the Dromana 3 Drive-In, Lunar Drive In at Dandenong or Coburg Drive-In.
35. Don't be so dramatic - at least until you've seen our Guide to Drama and Theatre Activities
36. Wanting to pat a kangaroo or have a crazy streak and want to pat an emu? Find a place to pat native wildlife.
37. Get a taste of African adventure at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
38. Find a Fire Truck Activity
39. Take off in a rocket at Sprouts Play Centre in Kilsyth South.
40. Skate at Riverslide Skate Park next to the Yarra.
41. Ride a The Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria miniature train at Moorabbin.
42. Plan a day trip or longer Victorian holiday using our Outside Melbourne activity portal.
43. Everything doesn't have to cost a kings ransom. The evidence is in our guide 100 free Activities for Families and Kids.
44. Head to the Docklands for a round of Black Light Mini Golf.
45. Experience advanced gaming technology at Sunshine Intencity
46. Ride a train and get grab something from the sausage sizzle at Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club running days.
47. Visit a free Storytime session at a local library
48. Parlez vous Francais? Learn a foreign language at Alliance Francaise de Melbourne, Australasian Centre of Chinese Studies (Bentleigh), Australasian Centre of Chinese Studies (Box Hill), Australasian Centre of Chinese Studies (Hawthorn), Centre of Italian Studies or El Patio Spanish Language School
49. Ride the cars around the hilly track at Lollipops Playland and Cafe in Bentleigh East.
50. Become a book worm at the State Library of Victoria
51. Attend cooking classes at Gourmet Kids
52. Do some moves in the capsule at the Skate & BMX Park in Knoxfield. If your heart can't take such a manoeuvre find another skatepark.
53. Find a local event. There are heaps of Kids oriented events throughout Melbourne every week.
54. Ready for some free Adventure, then head to one of Melbourne's Adventure Playgrounds.
55. Fly on over to the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin and do some plane spotting. Aviation fans may want to check out these Aeroplane Activities. Maybe you prefer fast and vertical Helicopter Activities.
56. See the largest collection of Victorian Railways steam locomotives at the North Williamstown Railway Museum.
57. The sun is shining and it's a perfect time to scan the Top 50 Playground list in Melbourne to find a fun and exciting playground.
58. Skate at Frankston Skate Park which is one of the best in Australia.
59. Take the train into the CBD and pick from the Activities in Melbourne Central Business District (CBD)
60. A Smurf village, two big slides and play equipment galore at Bicentennial Park, Chelsea.
61. Tour the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve and take a guided tour of the historic lighthouse.
62. Learn to row at the Y Rowing Centre on Albert Park Lake.
63. Wave pool, diving and lots more at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
64. Long flying foxes, huge rope pyramid climbing frames, big steamer play structure and skate park at Malahang Reserve, Heidelberg West
65. AFL mad kids? Then take the Etihad Stadium Tour
66. Take a dip at the Art Deco masterpiece at Eastern Beach Reserve Swimming Enclosure in Geelong.
67. Try the two fantastic slides at Casey Recreation & Aquatic Centre (RACE) which are in the admission price.
68. Ride through the park on the Portarlington Miniature Railway.
69. Explore the moving stories of people from all over the world who have migrated to Australia at the Immigration Museum.
70. Build magnificent structures from little blocks at the Legoland Discovery Centre.
71. Master Martial Arts.
72. Wander through all the exhibitions and collections at the Melbourne Museum. This is one of many museums which will educate as well as entertain.
73. Take part in an arty activity at the National Gallery of Victoria.
74. Wind your way through picturesque Elgar Park on the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway.
75. Call into the National Sports Museum for a sporting time.
76. Learn about flying in close-up detail at the RAAF Museum
77. There are almost twenty lakes around Melbourne which are stocked prior to the school holidays with good sized rainbow trout which are relatively easy to catch, even for beginners. There's no excuse not to go fishing.
78. Join the Guides for personal, physical, practical and self-development.
79. Take your bike to a BMX Track. Some of the best are at: Waurn Ponds, Kilsyth, Knox, Mill Park, Park Orchards, South Oakleigh, Werribee and Altona Meadows. Or try these BMX tracks around Melbourne.
80. Take a free guided tour with the ranger at the Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve and maybe take a ride on the mini-train.
81. Interact with the Farm animals at Animal Land Children's Farm in Diggers Rest.
82. Visit Arthurs Seat State Park and enjoy the pleasant one hour circuit walk to Kings Falls.
83. Get lost in Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens
84. Plenty of exciting playground fun at the Victoria Street and The Boulevard playgrounds at Ruffey Lake Park.
85. Explore the wetlands, mazes, mini golf and giant games at Boneo Maze & Wetlands.
86. Bottle feed some animals at Bundoora Park Children's Farm
87. Search for ibis and koalas at Coolart Wetlands & Homestead.
88. Two big playgrounds together at Ballam Park Reserve, Frankston (West) and Ballam Park Reserve (East), Frankston
89. Ride a paddleboat, fish, walk or see the model railway at Emerald Lake
90. Travel through cuttings and over bridges with a view of Mt Macedon on the Bulla Hill Railway.
91. Use some pedal power at Emerald Lake Paddleboats
92. Join the Scouts and participate in some adventurous activities.
93. Race on the spectacular Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Go Kart Track.
94. Tree house, flying fox and other unique play areas at Alma Park East Adventure Playground in St Kilda
95. Meet Australian flora and fauna at Healesville Sanctuary
96. Learn some Circus skills like juggling at Westside Circus
97. Too tired to move away from the computer, then try some educational web-sites
98. Vist a Market, Fete or Fair
99. Find a 'Muttaburrasaurus' or another Dinosaur Activity.
100. Play, explore, climb, splash, hide and dig in the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
101. Take a trip to Healesville and a ride on the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway.
102. Skate the classic Fitzroy Skate Bowls.
103. Become a Melbourne Playgrounds Facebook Fan and keep up to date on new activities and ideas.
104. Spot the koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre at Phillip Island
105. Enjoy Lilydale Lake and the Lilydale Lake Playground with water play park.
106. Ride a heritage steam or diesel train on the Bellarine Railway or enjoy a special Friends of Thomas day.
107. Head to Caulfield Park for three playgrounds in a huge park. There are playgrounds at Park Crescent, Balaclava Road and Inkerman Road.
108. Visit the animal park and a spot of mini-golf at Maru Koala and Animal Park
109. Wonder at the aquatic environment at the Melbourne Aquarium
110. Meet endangered native nocturnal animals at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
111. Swim with seals and dolphins with Moonraker Dolphin Swims
112. A fun day at Myuna Farm
113. View the waddling penguins at the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.
114. Have a close encounter with wildlife at Phillip Island Wildlife Park
115. Ride a long flying fox at the Halliday Park playground in Mitcham
116. Water fun on the two fantastic slides and huge Water Adventure Park at Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre in Waurn Ponds
117. Walks, gardens and a playground at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
118. Wonderful gardens at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
119. Feed the pelicans at San Remo.
120. Take a ride on the iconic Puffing Billy.
121. Ride the Mornington Tourist Railway.
122. Get a great view of the city at Sky High Mt Dandenong Observatory and Maze
123. Stroll around the lovely Geelong Waterfront area.
124. Visit the busy and bustling Queen Victoria Market
125. See the steam traction engines in action or take a ride on the miniature train at the Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club
126. Organise a kids party with a Fun Activity, Animal Theme, Clown, Face Painting, Fairy, Jumping Castle or Magician
127. Have a loan of some toys from a local Toy Library.
128. Invite an entertainer to a Kids party from Dreamscape Kids Entertainment
129. Visit a Play Centre
130. Climb aboard the full size train at Bayswater Park, Bayswater and enjoy a wonderful playground.
131. Ride some big slides at Bigslide Indoor Sports Playground & Cafe
132. Exercise with your children at Melbourne's famous 'Tan Track' in the company of other parents with Bay City Strollers
133. Learn to dive at A B Ocean Divers on the 'Bubblemakers' program.
134. Attend dance lessons and learn one or more styles of dancing.
135. See the huge working Emerald Lake Model Railway
136. See the farm show at Chesterfield Farm.
137. Learn to swim at one of the Swim Schools across Melbourne.
138. Find your way through the giant wooden maze or play a round of mini-golf at A Maze 'n Games.
139. Get soaked at Adventure Park Geelong which is a massive water theme park.
140. Pick some fresh berries and cherries at Blue Hills Berries and Cherries. For more pick-your-own fruit, try these locations.
141. Have a Kids Party at home with Home based Entertainment
142. Get a view of the best of Melbourne on the free City Circle Tram.
143. Investigate the workings of a large commercial dairy farm at Caldermeade Farm (and visit the animal nursery)
144. Learn to ride safely at the Kew Traffic School
145. Become enchanted at Fairy Park at Anakie
146. Whoosh down a water slide
147. Enjoy a family fun day at Funfields
148. Interactive games galore at Galactic Circus
149. A day out at Gumbaya World with Australia's longest concrete toboggan, animal park and water park in summer.
150. Learn cheerleading and dream of performing in front of the Dallas Cowboys.
151. Find an Aquatic Centre across Melbourne.
152. Learn road safety at Kew Traffic School
153. Visit Melbourne's iconic Luna Park
154. Take Fido along and join a Dog Obedience Club
155. Try the fun and speed of slot car racing at Mr Slotcar or King Willys Slot Car Raceway.
156. Ride the beautifully restored Carousel at Waterfront Geelong.
157. Hand paint a ceramic piece at All Fired Up Ceramic Cafe
158. Experience Indoor Karting at Karting Madness in Braybrook or Bayswater
159. Try the Wyncity Family Entertainment Centre in Werribee.
160. Get active and play some Sport.
161. Improve the backhand with Tennis Coaching.
162. Try in-line skating at Blade School
163. Take your radio controlled car to the Knoxfield Radio Controlled Car Track or one of these remote control car tracks.
164. Try roller blading and roller skating at Skateworld Mordialloc, Sk8House or one of these these rinks.
165. Visit the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory where chocolate faces are the norm.
166. Ride go-karts around the three tracks at Le Mans Go Karts. After you've conquered these, test yourself on these go kart tracks.
167. Push it, pull it, spin it, bang it and get interactive at fantastic Scienceworks
168. Pay respect to those who died for our country at the Shrine of Remembrance
169. Have a picnic at one of the Nature Reserves close to Melbourne.
170. Learn to ice skate at O'Brien Group Arena, Olympic Ice Skating Centre or IceHQ.
171. Drop in to the awesome Rampfest Indoor Skate Park.
172. Find a fire truck at the Fire Services Museum
173. Try the huge Skate Ramp at Wantirna South (for experienced skateboarders only)
174. Watch the planes fly over Melbourne Airport at Operations Road or Sunbury Road. Bring some Deep Heat in case you get a sore neck.
175. Take a walk through the magnificent Alfred Nicholas Gardens
176. Ride the Altona Miniature Railway.
177. Spend a day with the huge range of animals at the Melbourne Zoo. Experience the wonders of the animal world at these Animal and Zoo Locations
178. Become a pioneer at the Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum Complex
179. If finding a kangaroo in a zoo is too easy for you, then have a go at finding wild kangaroos.
180. Brrr, during winter Winter Light Festivals are wonderful.
181. If snow is falling, our guide to snow resorts and tips for visiting the snow are going to be invaluable.
182. Wander around Frankston which has more than fifty street art murals painted by renowned Australian and international artists.
183. If your kids like to dress in black and hide in the cupboard, then they might be training to be Ninjas. Practice on the Burden Park Ninja Warrior Course or try one of these Ninja activities.
184. The Museum of Play and Art in Sandringham and Geelong raises the bar on play spaces for kids. Where else can kids get to paint a car?
185. Try Little Athletics which is an athletics program for children from 5 to 15 years. Even tall children can participate.
186. Toddlers don't need to be able to sing Nessun dorma but they can have fun with music at Mini Maestros
187. Busy families need some Virtual Reality sometimes.
188. Get your gumboots on, grab a pitchfork and find a community garden.
189. Get a free workout at an outdoor gym.
190. In Autumn, check out the stunning orange, yellow and red Autumn colours.
191. Visit a thunderous waterfall (or maybe a trickle in summer)
192. Observe the stars at the Melbourne Observatory or Mount Burnett Observatory.
193. Experience some Buddhist culture at Quang Minh Buddhist Temple
193. Visit playground hot spots which have a high concentration of great playgrounds at Clyde North, Aintree and Tarneit / Truganina.
194. Can you keep a secret? Try the True Secrets Self-Guided Walking Tour.
195. Take a family walk to experience art trails, bayside views, rainforests, huge Botanic Gardens, creeks, rivers and flora and fauna. Bring along your dog on these walks.
196. Catch a fish at a Trout and Salmon Farm.
197. Follow the trail of epic sculptures at Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park, Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove and McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park.
198. Take your dog for some exercise at a fenced dog park, dog beach or dog off leash area.
199. Hire a bike, e-Bike or e-Scooter and explore Melbourne's bike trails.
200. Melbourne has cinemas ranging from chains offering a variety of luxurious options, beautiful historic art-deco cinemas, independent family owned theatres, child friendly movie theatres, giant IMAX screens, drive-ins and outdoor cinemas. Use our guide to find one.
201. Archery activities hit the target
202. Barefoot bowls at a Lawn Bowls Club. Try out lawn bowls for free at Packer Park Public Lawn Bowls.
203. There are bocce courts which are free to use. BYO some balls.
204. Toddlers in the family, then check out 100 Activities for Babies and Toddlers. Teenagers, then check out 100 Activities for Teenagers.

206. Free water play. That's refreshing in summer. Some more places to go during hot weather.
207. Challenge yourself on big walls at a climbing centre.
208. A ropes obstacle course set high above the ground is a test of courage and nerve.
209. Shoot first, ask questions later. Welcome to the world of Laser Tag / Skirmish.
210. Try and get out of an Escape Room in time with your reputation and dignity intact.
211. You may not earn as much as Tiger Woods but successfully negotiating a round of Mini Golf has its personal rewards.
212. Play a free round of Disc Golf.
213. If a Maze seems too difficult then maybe try a Labyrinth.
214. Parkruns start at 8am every Saturday at more than 40 locations across Melbourne.
215. Play an outdoor game of Snakes and Ladders.
216. Eat, drink, play and be merry at a Restaurants, cafe or hotel with a playground.
217. Visit the Yarra Valley
218. In December, take a tour of the magical Christmas Lights around Melbourne.
219. Culture vultures can gorge on free Art Galleries across Melbourne.
220. Exploring rock pools is endless hours of fun for the whole family at any time of year.

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