The best school holidays activities in Melbourne

Melbourne stays warm in winter with countless, fun-filled festivals and events in the colder months. Many of them have kid-friendly activities or a family-friendly vibe, particularly Eynesbury Winter Festival. Or if you're feeling up for a family road trip, regional Victoria has a jam-packed calendar of winter festivals, too. 

The Australian premiere of Disney Theatrical’s Broadway blockbuster Beauty and the Beast is getting a modern makeover ahead of its run at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from June 27. The enchanting tale – which Time Out Sydney crowned five stars – will be brought to life in a reimagined production from the producers of The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Aladdin and Frozen.

The classic board game that we all have memories of (both the wholesome family fun and table-flipping fights) now has a theme park wonderland in Melbourne, where you can relive all the fun – minus the sibling rivalry. 

Monopoly Dreams will celebrate the best-selling game with a one-of-a-kind immersive entertainment experience in the heart of the CBD. It's the world's largest Monopoly-themed attraction, and will take you on a nostalgic journey through the world of Mr. Monopoly, where reality and the game become one. The attraction is running special activities just for the school holidays.

Coinciding with the NGV's landmark Pharaoh exhibition, this free, family-friendly version invites children to unlock the mysteries of ancient Egypt through a series of activities. It coincides with the gallery's Pharaoh, this interactive exhibition will captivate with displays of ancient Egyptian objects, including a decorated coffin lid, hieroglyphs and much more. 

For most of us, Lego is a nostalgic hobby from bygone childhood years, but there are an exceptional few who took these tiny building blocks from a fun pastime to the next level. Lego artist Nathan Sawaya is one of these talented individuals who is showcasing his fascinating sculptures with a new exhibition that has to be seen to be believed. 

The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience exhibition features more than 100 contemporary artworks, all crafted using more than one million Lego bricks to make large-scale, life-like creations. 

Sometimes, it helps to look at the world from a different perspective – upside-down, perhaps? At this new photo experience opening underneath the (now defunct) Melbourne Star, you'll certainly be able to see things from a different point of view. 

The inverted house experience, House Down Under, will bring topsy-turvy fun to Docklands from December 2. From the outside, the house appears to have dropped from the sky, Wizard of Oz style, and inside you can capture surreal and creative photos.

Back by popular demand, Scienceworks is once again blowing visitors away with an exhibition all about the power of air. Air Playground is a 600m2 playspace full of fun and fiscovery, where kids can explore the invisible but important resource. They’ll learn the basics of aerodynamics by designing their own paper planes, play around with the physics of airflow, and even make objects float. 

There'll be giant air-filled tentacles, giant bubble shows and a huge inflatable sculpture for kids to bounce around on. Air Playground is perfect for a fantastical school holiday activity for the whole family. You can find out all the details on the Scienceworks website. 

Looking for more family-friendly fun? Check out our guide to the best activities for kids in Melbourne.

If your kids have dreamed of running away with the circus, then this is your chance. Melbourne’s eccentric and wonderful National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) has unveiled its circus holiday program dates for 2024.

Keep the kids blessedly busy with NICA’s school holidays program, running from April 3 to 12. No matter what their fitness level, they’ll be able to learn fun tricks like juggling, tumbling, plate-spinning, pyramids, unicycling and more.

Code Camp, one of Australia’s leading school holiday programs where kids design, code and create, has opened up bookings for its 2023 spring schedule held across Melbourne and regional Victoria. From coding and animation to YouTube creation and drone training, there's something to suit every child and their passions.

Put your putt-putt skills to the test on the two-level, 18-hole mini-golf course or head to the old school arcade and grab a joystick, pretend it's 1985 and play classic games like Space Invaders and Pacman. For those uninterested in a blast from the past, there's also a new school arcade boasting an ever-evolving collection of contemporary games and immersive experiences. Sing your favourite song at one of Funderdome's private and spacious box-style karaoke lounges, or head to the Clubhouse for some competitive sports like cornhole, shuffleboard, pool, air hockey, foosball and more.

This brick-filled play centre will delight little and big Lego fans. The space is packed with more than two million Lego bricks and features attractions including Miniland Melbourne, where the city's best-known landmarks have been recreated out of thousands of Lego bricks, as well as play zones for the kids and Lego-themed rides. There is also a 4D cinema (it’s a sensory cinematic adventure – the wind will actually blow in your hair) so you can rewatch your favourite Lego movies on the big screen, a Lego factory tour and heaps more. 

Did you know that children aged 16 or younger can get free entry to the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo over the school holidays? Plan a visit to check out your favourite creatures, including giraffes, koalas, monkeys and so much more. To be eligible for free entry, children must be accompanied by an adult. 

MoPA is a children’s museum, a place where kids can engage with fun, immersive exhibits created in line with childhood education guidelines. While all children develop at different rates, the exhibits at MoPA are designed for tots aged one to nine. Kids can suss out their fine motor skills in the soft play area, build and race in the Zoom Room, climb up to Sunset City for a sweet view of the museum and get creative at the MoPA Art Car.

Too cold for outdoor activities? Catch some thrills in the air at an indoor trampoline park. On top of being super fun, it's also a form of exercise in disguise – it's a great workout for building strength, coordination and balance.