The Best Family Friendly Things to Do in Melbourne

“I’m bored” is a phrase every parent has heard too many times to count, so with that in mind, Culture Trip has created a guide of the best family-friendly things to see and do in Melbourne. From Crafternoon, to Puffing Billy and the Aquarium, these activities will keep the kids out of trouble and earn you brownie points.
Crafternoon
Cafe
Crafternoon
Named one of the top 5 child-friendly cafés in Melbourne as published by The Herald Sun Sunday, Time Out Magazine, and Hey Bambini, Crafternoon invites you to unleash your inner child and nurture your artistic side alongside your kids through painting, pasting and playdough activities. If all those crafts have made you hungry, you can choose from their all day brunch menu. Crafternoon also hosts crafty kid’s parties as well as high teas for adults.
Crafternoon 718 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC Australia +61 3 9995 2861

Courtesy Crafternoon
SEA LIFE Aquarium
Aquarium

Scienceworks
Museum

Ice Skating
Ice Skating
Rug the kids up and head to the O’Brien Group Arena in Docklands – Australia’s largest ice skating rink. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry, as the Ice Ambassadors will teach you the basics in a free 15-minute session and with no age restrictions, (their smallest skates are a toddler size 7) it’s never too early or too late to learn to skate. The arena also presents school holiday programs with classes, face painting and designated sessions for children under the age of 8.
O’Brien Group Arena 105 Pearl River Rd, Docklands VIC Australia
Melbourne Zoo
School, Zoo

Melbourne Zoo
If your kids are animal lovers, then take them to Melbourne Zoo, the oldest zoo in Australia and home to over 200 native and exotic species. Only four kilometres from the city, Melbourne Zoo has an assortment of exhibits including the magnificent Trails of Elephants, the Tropical Butterfly House and the Orangutan Sanctuary. You can even go behind the scenes on a Wild Encounter or listen to the zoo keeper talks. The best part is that children under 16 receive free entry every weekend, public holiday and during the school holidays.
Melbourne Zoo Parkville VIC Australia

Sumatran Tiger Courtesy Melbourne Zoo
NGV Kids
NGV Kids
While some art intuitions turn their noses up at children, preferring to maintain their hushed and arrogant reputations, The National Gallery of Victoria welcomes art aficionados of every age. The gallery’s devoted program NGV Kids offers a range of interactive exhibitions, workshops and publications developed specifically for children and families. There are even activity sheets available because you’re never too young to appreciate art.
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, +61 3 8620 2222
BOUNCE Inc
Amusement Park
Puffing Billy
Train Station

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.