Planning a holiday to Melbourne? Looking for fun things to do with kids for a memorable family trip? Just a 1.5 hour flight from Sydney, Melbourne’s distinct and undeniable culture invites you to explore the city and soak up its eclectic vibe. Reviewer Felicia Ryan shares her favourite attractions to visit with kids in Melbourne.
Best attractions to visit with kids in Melbourne
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
One of the best attractions to visit with kids in Melbourne is the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, which offers a range of sensory and immersive experiences. My 2-year-old loved the touch pool, getting closer to the fish in under tank ‘bubbles’, and pointing out jellyfish in the immersive digital exhibition. Best of all, there’s a kids’ area where they can pick games and colouring in, and can make their finished picture appear on the ocean screen. Miss 2 was thrilled when her picture floated across the screen!
While the oceanarium was closed for renovation when we went, there was still a lot to explore and enjoy. If you want to make your trip extra memorable, there are some amazing experiences on offer including the Jelly Lab Experience (explore the jellyfish laboratory and feed them) and penguin encounter with the Penguin Passport. The kids will love meeting Happy Feet!
Hot tip: Book tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment. Also, the café was closed when we went, so bring food with you to keep little tummies happy. There are some tables and chairs around to eat within the aquarium, and a few vending machines about if the kids get hangry.
- Where: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, King Street Melbourne VIC 3000
- Price: General Admission Monday-Friday: Adult $37.60 Child $25.60 | Saturday & Sunday: Adult $42.30 Child (3-15 years) $28.80
- Open: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm | Saturday & Sunday 9:30am-5pm
- Website: www.visitsealife.com/melbourne
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- Watching the fish
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- Heading through a tunnel
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- Interactive colouring in
Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum is another fabulous attraction to visit with kids. There’s so much to explore at Melbourne Museum, we didn’t know where to start! It’s a little further out from the centre of Melbourne. I walked there with Miss 2 in the pram (about 45 minutes) and she was happy observing all the sights on the way, wrapped in a blanket with snacks galore. Needless to say, we got an Uber on the way back.
If you have kids up to age 5, the Children’s Gallery is a must! An awesome dedicated space for babies and little ones, they’ll have so much fun! There’s an indoor playground and a separate vibrant play area that invites babies and tiny tots to explore. When the kids are done climbing, sliding, colouring and swinging inside, don’t forget to wander outside because yes – there’s more! The kids can build with large foam blocks, walk and balance on them, dig and sweep the sandpits for fossils or chill on the swinging egg chairs.
While entry to the Children’s Gallery is included with your museum ticket, you must book a time slot in advance to guarantee entry. You’ll have 50 minutes to explore which is ample time before your toddler decides it’s snack time again.
There are great sensory experiences about, and we enjoyed the Dinosaur Walk and Forest Gallery. We ran out of time to explore some other areas, so will definitely be back to discover more exhibitions, tours and activities.
I didn’t realise during our visit that The Listies provide a free audio guide at the museum (BYO device and headphones). If their show at the Sydney Opera House is anything to go by, there’ll be lots of jokes and laughs. Even tweens with a bit of ‘tude will be smirking.
- Where: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street Carlton, VIC 3053
- Price: Adult $15 | Child (up to 16 years): Free. Book your tickets online
- Open: 9am-5pm everyday. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
- Website: www.museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/
ArtVo
ArtVo
Now this is a fun attraction for kids – a trick art gallery where you can goof around with the kids and create funny, cool, amazing photos and a memorable experience! If you have friends or family in Melbourne, bring them along. It’s enjoyable going in a small group, and you have extra hands to take various shots. Miss 2 and her cousins (aged 13, 11 and 9) had lots of fun huddling and jumping in scenic photos together – from being trapped in a jar, hopping around in outer space, and getting close to animals big and small.
As you walk past the different artworks, there are handy dots on the floor with suggestions for taking your photos. Kids are great at using their imagination too!
Getting there
We caught the free Tram 70 on Flinders Street, a few minutes’ walk from Hyatt Centric, to The District Docklands, and the ride was a novelty for Miss 2. While the tram we got wasn’t very pram friendly (a kind person helped me carry the pram up and down the stairs to get on/off), it was a short trip and a nice way for us to experience Melbourne.
- Where: ArtVo, 26 Star Crescent, Level 1, District Docklands, Docklands VIC 3008
- Price: Adult $30 | Child (5-15 years) $20 | Child (0-4 years) free
- Open: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm | Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm
- Website: www.artvo.com.au
The LUME Melbourne
Pack your bags and check out this amazing digital exhibition! I cannot recommend this enough, it’s a must see for everyone and SO Melbourne. A truly immersive experience, The LUME provides a great opportunity for all ages to appreciate and enjoy art. Giant digital displays of artwork cover every inch of the open and inviting space.
Miss 2 and I entered in absolute awe at how exciting, intriguing and beautiful it was. We marvelled at the changing displays, and wandered and explored the digital paintings from different angles (including upstairs, and thankfully there was a lift so it was easy with the pram). The music was beautifully paired with the displays, creating a relaxing environment for Miss 2 to try out her ballet moves.
There’s a café inside if you fancy refreshments, and a lovely shop on the way out to grab a souvenir or two.
The current exhibition Monet & Friends ends 4 June 2023, so book that weekend away! And if you’re not taking the family, this is perfect for your getaway with the girls.
- Where: THE LUME Melbourne, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC), 5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf VIC 3006. MCEC Door 18
- Prices: Vary with day and time. Check their website for full details.
- Open: Monday-Wednesday: 10am-6:30pm | Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9:30pm | Sunday: 10am-6:30pm
- Website: www.thelumemelbourne.com
Luna Park Melbourne
If you’re after some thrills, then don’t miss Luna Park. They have so much for kids of all ages. Test out the sky rider and enjoy the views over Melbourne. The littlies can enjoy the Happy Swing, Moon Balloons and Dodgem Cars. Those with a tad braver might take on the Coney Drop, Ghost Train or Speedy Beetle. You can spend the whole day taking on the rides and having a blast with the whole family.
- Where: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, VIC 3182
- Prices: 0-3 years: $18 | 4-12 years: $41.50 | 13+ years: $51.50 | Family of 4: $155
- Website: https://lunapark.com.au/
Parks and Playgrounds
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
With more than 38 hectares waiting to be explored, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a great place to take the kids exploring. You can pick up some Seek and Find Nature Cards from the Visitor Centre and set off with the kids exploring all the parks and creatures on the cards. You can also discover the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden which has been designed around nature play! Kids can learn about flora and faunce, while jumping, crouching, crawling and more.
They also run plenty of events in the gardens, so be sure to check before you visit. Lightscape is an annual after-dark experience that the whole family will love, running through July.
- Where: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
- Open: Daily: 7.30am-5.30pm | Children’s Garden: 10am-5.30pm, Weds-Sun
- Website: rbg.vic.gov.au
Flagstaff Gardens Playground
If you’re on the hunt for a big playground where the kids can run loose, then Flagstaff Gardens Playground is a great option. There’s plenty to do for kids of all ages with a big net for climbing, sandpit with diggers, slides, tunnel, balance beams, rope ladders, poles and more. The five-way swing is the highlight, where kids can actually face each other to swing! There’s plenty of table to take a seat, or even bring a picnjic and spread out in the grassed area. Most importantly, there’s toilet’s nearby as well.
- Where: Cnr William Street and, A’Beckett St, West Melbourne
Booran Reserve, Glen Huntley
Booran Reserve, Glen Huntley
While you have a drive a little, this award-winning park is not to be missed on your trip to Melbourne. The big kids especially will love it! The highlight, of course, is the 10-metre-high double dome rope climbing net with a slide for those who make it all the way to the top. You get the best vantage point from up there! There’s also plenty for the little kids too with a dual flying fox, sensory spaces and a two-tiered sandpit. The water play feature is also great in Summer with a surface splash pad and water jets that spray at various times.
- Where: 1051 Glen Huntly Rd, Glen Huntly
Family Friendly Restaurants
The Terrace, Royal Botanic Gardens
The Terrace, Royal Botanic Gardens
If you’re making a day of it at the Royal Botanic Gardens then plan a pit stop for a bit to eat at The Terrace. Overlooking the Ornamental Lake, you can choose from both takeaway and sit-down options. On their all-day menu you will find scnones with cream and berry reserve, blueberry and ricota hotcakes, Calabrian chilli scrambled eggs and a special gardens granola. The cafe is both kid and dog friendly.
- Where: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
- Website: theterrace.melbourne/cafe
Walkers Doughnuts
Walkers Doughnuts
Labelled as the best doughnuts in Melbourne, if you’re after a bit of a treat (or some bribery for the day ahead!), this is the place to go. Their doughnuts are all made using traditional techniques and the magic of long yest fermentation, which is how they get them so fluffy, fresh and tasty! There’s so many to choose from, you might need to grab a few to taste test. From apple custard and lamington to blueberry crumble, lemon cream, maple bacon ball and plenty more. The perfect pick-me-up to see you through a day of sightseeing.
- Where: 276 Flinders St, Melbourne
- Website: walkersdoughnuts.com.au
Deck Kids, Brighton
Deck Kids, Brighton
If you’re willing to travel a little further from the heart of the CBD, Deck Kids in Brighton is the perfect stop on a day out exploring Melbourne with the kids. Step inside and you’ll find five different themed house play areas that will keep your kids entertained for hours. There’s a soft play area that is perfect for little ones and a kitchen for lots of roleplay fun. Outside you will find plenty of pretend play options for builders and gardeners, with the Deck Mart is a mini-supermarket for little shoppers.
They also have a cafe on site so you can settle back and enjoy a little rest and relaxation while the kids are kept busy. Choose from the avo smash, eggs benedict, poke bowl or beef burger and treat the kids to a delicious milkshake.
- Where: 26 Outer Cres, Brighton VIC 3186
- Cost: $8 per adult/child, which can be redeemed across food and beverages (under 12 months free)
- Website: thedeckkids.au
Accommodation
Hyatt Centric Melbourne
With so many options across Melbourne, it’s hard to find a balance between wanting to experience that Melbournesque feel, and staying reasonably close to family attractions.
In typical fantastic Melbourne style, we were welcomed at the Hyatt Centric Melbourne with live music (Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, played on cello. That’s right, cello – it was beautiful). And we were so excited when we were offered soft serve ice cream during check in (check their website for school holiday offerings).
What are you waiting for? Pack those bags (and nappies, spare clothes and favourite snacks) for a fun filled weekend! Built around lunch time naps of course.
- Where: Hyatt Centric, 5 Downie St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Website: hyatt.com/hyatt-centric
