20 Best Things To Do In Melbourne With Kids

Top Family Attractions In Melbourne On Your Australia Holidays

* Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the best free Melbourne family attractions. Pack a picnic and spend the day exploring these beautiful grounds. There are lakes, restaurants and pathways to explore. Don't miss the children's garden where the kids can learn all about plants! This interactive garden allows children to dig, learn and explore. Your children will love the plant tunnel, kitchen garden filled with edible plants and seeing the unique trees and flowers selected to intrigue young minds. Great place to head with your babies, toddlers and children. (Closed for 8 weeks in winter).

* National Gallery Of Victoria is another one of the free things to do in Melbourne with kids. The museum is divided into two buildings-one showcasing international art and another one focusing on Australian art. Kids will love the aboriginal artwork and the awesome stain glass ceiling! There is a kids corner here for children under 8 with interactive art activities. There is also a climbing structure for the kids in the sculpture garden. Pack some water color paints and molding clay so the kids can create their own masterpieces back at the hotel.

* Enjoy a Cricket Match at Melbourne Cricket Ground with the family. Check the current schedule for matches. Your sports fans will love this massive stadium. Beware cricket matches run notoriously long! You can also enjoy a tour of the stadium and on site museum here.

* Your teenagers will like the lively atmosphere at St Kilda Beach on the weekends. Watch the surfers ride the waves, build sandcastles with your younger ones, and enjoy the beautiful Australian sun. Stroll the pier in search of the small penguins (best spotted in the evenings). There are some great restaurants, cafes and shops nearby. Luna Park is also here-an older amusement park with rides for the family to enjoy.

* Melbourne Museum has lots of interactive exhibits to keep the kids entertained. They will love the live creepy crawly section, human body exhibits and dinosaur exhibits. There is a children's section for ages 3-8 with hands on activities and a children's garden. Kids 16 and under are free!

* Old Melbourne Gaol is a unique Melbourne attraction that your older children and teenagers may enjoy. There is an interactive tour of this old prison where you can experience a mock arrest. Some days there are interactive mock trials at the Old Magistrates's Court. You can learn about some of Australia's most infamous criminals. One of the unique things to do in Australia with kids.

* For incredible views of the city visit the Eureka Skydeck 88. Your family can take the highspeed elevators up to the viewing deck. There are binoculars available for zooming in on the landmarks. You can also go on the caged outdoor platform. You can buy a multiple entry ticket to return and see the beautiful night views. There is a small cafe up there too. Also available for an additional fee is a visit in the glass cube which projects 3 metres out and 300 metres up on the building!

* Head to Federation Square and check out the interesting buildings and street entertainment. Great place to grab a drink and people watch! There is a great park (Birrarung Marr) with a playground beside the square. Lots of structures to climb on, swinging hammocks, slides and a sand pit.

* Scienceworks is a fun interactive museum geared towards kids. Great place for toddlers and small children to visit with lots of play areas and things to touch. Don't miss the lighting room show and planetarium! There are playgrounds outside and a picnic and BBQ area.

* Melbourne Aquarium is one of the fun things to do in Melbourne with kids. Babies and toddlers will love watching the penguins slip and slide. Children are usually fascinated with the see-through fish, sharks and sea horses. Great family fun. Don't miss the feedings!

* Galactic Circus is a huge indoor arcade filled with the latest games, motion rides, bowling and laser area. Great place to bring teenagers and children for some fun!!

* Enjoy a snorkeling tour in Queenscliff where your family has the chance to swim with dolphins in their natural environment. You will hold onto a rope as the curious dolphins swim nearby. Suitable for children that can swim and are comfortable in the water.

* Phillip Island is a great spot to visit with the kids (about 2 hours drive from Melbourne). At dusk check out the penguin parade-head to the boardwalks along the shore . Floodlights come on and you can see thousands of penguins swimming up to the shore and heading home to their burrows. Kids will love watching them waddle along! Amazing experience. Don't miss the Philip Island wildlife centre where the kids can pet the kangaroos, and search out the wallabies, emus and tasmanian devils. Don't miss the koala conservation centre on the island too. A Maze'N Things offers fun unique entertainment with mazes, optical illusions and puzzles!

* Pick up some fresh baked Aussie meat pies for a picnic in one of the local parks or bring some meat and shrimp to BBQ at one of the many public park areas. Fish 'n' chips is another great option for a meal on your family travels. Check out these tasty Australian food for kids.

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