From our families to yours: tried-and-tested school holiday activities
School holidays are the best time to get out, explore, and enjoy quality time with the kids. As parents, we know how important it is to find activities that are not only fun but also keep them engaged and active. A day trip to the playground just isn't going to cut it. We've tried and tested countless experiences across Melbourne and put together this list of school holiday activities in Melbourne that our own families have loved. Whether you're after an exciting day out, hands-on learning opportunities, or just a great way to keep the kids entertained, these ideas will help you make the most of the break. We've put together the ultimate list of school holiday activities in Melbourne, packed with exciting adventures and hidden gems to keep the kids entertained throughout the break.
Look out for the tags under each activity to help you choose — we've included seasonal tips, age suitability and theme info to make planning easier.
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A quick guide to choosing the right activity
Not sure where to start? Use the tags beneath each suggestion to match activities with your family's needs.
- By season: Find options that work rain or shine, or suit sunny weekends.
- By theme: Whether it's animals, art, adrenaline or indoor fun, there's something for everyone.
- By age: Each activity includes a cue so you know if it's best for toddlers, tweens or teens.
Outdoor school holiday activities in Melbourne
1. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
Best for: All seasons | Outdoor | All ages
This one’s a personal favourite for our crew. We’ve spent entire afternoons wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens, spotting ducks, kicking a footy, and discovering new plants along the themed walking trails. It’s the perfect combination of fresh air, nature, and low-key adventure. Pack a picnic, roll out a rug, and you’ve got yourself one of the best school holiday activities in Melbourne that’s both peaceful and playful.
Even in winter, we love rugging up and letting the kids explore the sensory gardens or chase the birds around the lake. For a calm, screen-free day out that still wears them out by dinnertime, it’s hard to beat.
2. Drop into a farm
Best for: Autumn & spring | Animal experience | Toddlers and up
There’s something magical about watching your kids interact with animals up close — especially when it’s not through a screen. Collingwood Children’s Farm has become one of our go-to spots for school holiday fun. Our little ones love feeding the goats and cuddling guinea pigs, while we appreciate the gentle rhythm of a working farm just minutes from the CBD. It’s an activity we return to again and again.
There are always new sights to see and new animal antics to enjoy, and the café on-site makes for a relaxing coffee break for the grown-ups. For little ones with big curiosity, it’s the perfect place to slow down and connect.
3. Go berserk at Luna Park
Best for: Autumn & summer | Thrills | Primary & teens
Luna Park is the kind of place we all remember from our own childhoods — and bringing the kids here is just as magical now. Ours race to the Ghost Train, then challenge each other to carnival games and laugh their heads off in the Mirror Maze. We’ve made it a family tradition every Easter school break. It’s the kind of high-energy, iconic fun school holiday programs were made for.
The unlimited ride passes are great value if your crew has stamina, and the old-world charm of the park always wins us over. The sights, sounds, and sugar rush create memories that last long after the school holidays are over.
4. Book a racing session at Ace Karts
Best for: All seasons | Thrills | Ages 6+
When our kids started asking for something “cooler” than the usual school holiday activities, we booked them in at Ace Karts. Safe to say, we’ve never looked back. Whether it’s a Rookie Kart ride for our youngest or a full-throttle lap in a Super Kart, every visit is packed with adrenaline and grins. One of the easiest ways to join the action is through our arrive and drive option — just show up, suit up, and hit the track. We even jump in a 2-seater ourselves sometimes — it's the ultimate family-friendly thrill.
And because we’re open rain or shine, it’s one activity we can always count on, even when the forecast is looking grim. The kids love tracking their lap times, and we love seeing them challenge themselves and celebrate their wins.
ROOKIE KART
Are you starting your racing journey? Our Rookie Kart is ideal for beginners, offering safe speeds and easy handling for ages 6-11. It’s the perfect way to introduce kids to the excitement of go karting, with plenty of fun around every corner.
40km/h
Easy steering for beginners
2-Seater Kart
For young racers not quite ready to drive solo, our 2-Seater Kart is the perfect solution. Share the excitement with an adult in our tandem karts while enjoying the smooth handling and mid-speed thrills of our popular outdoor karting track.
55km/h
Easy and comfortable
SUPER KART
Our Super Kart is perfect for thrill-seekers who love high-speed fun and want to feel the speed with the fastest karting on the track. With a finely tuned Honda engine boasting impressive horsepower and highly responsive handling, it’s designed for those ready to test their limits on our technical turns to test your skills and wide and twisty track.
75km/h
Highly responsive
5. Go wild at the zoo
Best for: All seasons | Animal experience | All ages
Our zoo days are some of the most memorable. From giraffes at Werribee Open Range Zoo to tree kangaroos at Healesville Sanctuary, it’s been incredible watching the kids light up around the animals. Thanks to Zoos Victoria, school holidays are the perfect time to go — especially with free entry for children aged under 16. We usually plan a full day and let the kids lead the way.
There are animal talks, keeper experiences, and always something new to discover — even if you’ve been before. It’s hands-on, educational, and exciting all at once. Just don’t forget snacks, hats, and comfy shoes.
6. Enjoy Grazeland or Queen Vic Market
Best for: Weekends & summer | Food & culture | All ages
Whenever we’re looking for something vibrant but easy, we head to Grazeland. The kids dance along to roving entertainers, snack on dumplings and gelato, and burn energy in the play area. On quieter weekends, Queen Vic Market is our go-to — we browse stalls, grab lunch, and let the little ones pick their own fruit or sweet treat. Both are great ways to discover fun activities and keep the kids happy without too much planning.
There’s something special about these bustling Melbourne institutions — they offer the kind of laid-back adventure that turns into a full day out without any real agenda. Great food, live music, and space for the kids to roam: what more could you want?
Rainy day activities in Melbourne
7. See a movie at ACMI or any of the amazing cinemas around
Best for: Winter & rainy days | Indoor fun | All ages
When the rain hits, we’re the first to check what’s playing at ACMI or IMAX. There’s something about watching iconic films on the big screen with popcorn in hand that makes the holidays feel special. Sometimes we even pick a movie first, then build a whole afternoon around it — food, a stroll through Fed Square, maybe a bonus exhibition if energy allows.
With family-friendly screenings, discount sessions and air conditioning, it ticks all the boxes for an easy day out. It's perfect when you want to keep the kids entertained without overthinking the schedule.
8. Get cultural at the NGV or Melbourne Museum
Best for: All seasons | Educational | Primary & teens
If you haven’t visited the obliteration room at NGV with your kids, do it — it’s a hit. We’ve spent hours letting our children aged 5 and up explore, touch, learn, and create. The Melbourne Museum is another favourite for our family. From the dinosaurs to the interactive play area, every visit brings something new. These places turn education into excitement, and they’re surprisingly easy to spend a full day in.
They also rotate exhibits during the school holidays, which means there’s always something fresh to explore. And if you’re planning a full cultural day out, it’s easy to pair it with a visit to ACMI or a lunch stop at Fed Square.
9. Leap into fun at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Best for: All seasons | Indoor fun | Toddlers to tweens
As parents of LEGO-mad kids, LEGOLAND is a lifesaver on rainy days. Our youngest gets lost in the play zones while the older ones challenge themselves in the building competitions. It’s safe, creative, and the kind of immersive activity that doesn’t get old — no matter how many times we go back.
Between the LEGO rides, 4D cinema, and massive Miniland Melbourne model, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy. It's bright, colourful, and brilliantly designed for kids who love to build and explore.
10. Dive into SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Best for: All seasons | Animal experience | All ages
SEA LIFE never disappoints. From the moment you walk into the cool, dark space and see a stingray glide overhead, the kids are captivated. We’ve followed sharks through tunnels, counted penguins during feeding time, and even joined a few of their school holiday programs. If your family loves marine life as much as ours, this is a must.
There’s something calming yet awe-inspiring about the whole experience. It keeps the kids curious and engaged, and we always leave with new facts, fun photos, and stories to retell.
11. Take on an indoor trampoline park
Best for: Rainy days | Active fun | Primary & teens
We’ve had entire days disappear inside trampoline parks like Bounce Inc. With so many zones — dodgeball, wall runs, virtual reality rooms — the kids never get bored. It’s our favourite way to balance screen time with real movement. We leave exhausted but happy.
What we love most is that it's not just for older kids — there are toddler zones, beginner areas, and relaxed sessions if your kids prefer a bit more space. It’s indoor energy-burning gold.
12. Get lost in Monopoly Dreams or the Inverted House
Best for: Autumn & winter | Immersive fun | Primary & teens
These are two of the quirkiest places we’ve ever visited — and we loved every second. Monopoly Dreams feels like stepping inside the game, while the Inverted House messes with your senses in the best way. The kids had a blast taking upside-down selfies, and we had just as much fun watching it all unfold. Perfect for a school holiday surprise.
They’re both right in the heart of Melbourne, so it’s easy to pair your visit with lunch nearby or another fun stop on the way home. Definitely one for the memory books.
Just for fun
13. Tee up with mini golf
Best for: All seasons | Indoor fun | Primary & teens
We’ve tested our putting skills at just about every mini golf venue in town, and it never gets old. Holey Moley is our top pick — the themes are hilarious, and the karaoke booths are a bonus for confident kids. If your crew loves a bit of friendly competition, this one’s a winner.
Mini golf is perfect when you want an activity that’s fun, social, and doesn’t require hours of commitment. And whether you’re seven or seventy, sinking that final hole-in-one feels like a victory.
Let’s make this school holiday one to remember
With so many ways to fill the school holidays in Melbourne, boredom doesn’t stand a chance. If you’re planning something special for the kids, don’t miss Ace Karts’ school holiday sessions — they’re a massive hit with families. Or, if you’re looking for a deal, check out our current offers before you book. For high-speed action and all-weather excitement, book a go-karting session at Ace Karts and hit the track today.
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