Fun Things to Do in Melbourne With Your Kids

Melbourne is absolutely one city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, but when you’re visiting with kids in tow, the usual cocktail bars and sightseeing tours may not be as high up on the itinerary.   If you’re heading to Melbourne with the kids and want some ideas of fun things to do together as a family, here are a few great kid-friendly attractions and activities that are sure to entertain everyone.

Visit One of Melbourne’s Great Zoos

Melbourne is lucky enough to be home to three fantastic zoos and a visit to at least one of them is a must for any family visiting Melbourne. Here’s a look at what each of these zoos have to offer:

Melbourne Zoo in Parkville is Melbourne’s original zoo and is the easiest to get to from the city centre. Home to everything from gorillas, orangutans, elephants and lemurs, to meerkats, reptiles, seals, fairy penguins and big cats, it’s an excellent way to spend a day.

If you’re keen to venture to one of Melbourne’s zoos which are a little further out, Healesville Sanctuary is beautiful, but the Werribee Open Range Zoo with its African savanna landscape and bus safari tour is a much-loved family favourite.

Head to Melbourne Museum

The Melbourne Museum in Carlton is really easy to get to from the CBD (Central Business District) and has something that’s guaranteed to impress kids from every age group. This is both a natural and historic cultural museum.

In addition to a great range of permanent exhibits such as the prehistoric dinosaur skeleton walk, a wild display of more than 600 animal specimens, the bugs alive experience, the underwater world marine exhibit, the first peoples exhibit where you can learn about Australia’s Indigenous history and the living forest gallery, Melbourne Museum is also home to the fantastic Children’s Gallery where little ones can play, climb, learn and explore to their hearts content.

Cool Off in a Water Park

While Melbourne gets very cold during the winter months, come summer, the climate is vastly different and you’ll be looking for every way to cool off—and a water park experience is always a sure-fire winner.

While there are a couple of water parks in outer Melbourne, Gumbuya World is definitely worth a visit.  This water park in Melbourne definitely takes the cake as it delivers everything you’d expect to find at a water park with the addition of both theme park rides and a zoo adventure experience.

Visit Williamstown Beach

Take the short ride from Melbourne to Williamstown beach where the kids can enjoy an ice cream, see what creatures they might find while exploring the rock pools and take a splash in the safe and calm waters of Port Phillip Bay.

If you have time, make sure you also head over to the port side of Williamstown where you can explore the cute and quirky shops, visit the foreshore playground, indulge in some tasty fish and chips or go aboard the HMAS Castlemaine docked at Gem Pier.

Meet the locals at Collingwood Children’s Farm

Located in Abbotsford, only a stones throw from Melbourne’s CBD, the Collingwood Children’s Farm offers a touch of country life in a city location. If you plan your visit at the right time, the kids may be able to have a go at milking a cow, cuddling a guinea pig or checking the chicken coup for eggs.

If you’re there on the second Saturday of the month you’ll also be able to enjoy browsing the artisan wares and gourmet delights at the on-site farmer’s market.

Stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens

When the kids need to stretch their legs and burn off some of that youthful energy, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra.

Take in the fresh air and lush surroundings while exploring the many walks and gardens. You may even spot some of the resident black swan population that call the central Ornamental Lake home.