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
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