The Best Places To Take Toddlers & School-Age Kids In Melbourne

It can be so hard to find a happy medium for children's activities when there is a huge age range. Where do you take babies and teens? Toddlers and school kids? 

Fortunately, we know Melbourne here at ellaslist, and these are our top picks for family age gap attraction success!

Brooklyn Reserve

We love this park (pictured above) for its ability to entertain kids of all ages, and it's not super-huge so it's actually doable to keep an eye on all areas. One side is geared to older kids with workout gear, eagle's nest rope course, twisty slide, swings and other "big kid" equipment, and the other side has a sandpit with water play, smaller cubby to climb on, lower slides, a merry-go-round, swings, one of which has the expression swing for babies and carers to share.

Situated in a quiet area and next to a huge oval perfect for footy-kicking, it's one of our top spots for everyone.

Find it: Nolan Avenue, Brooklyn

We also love the new Eliston District Park Playground (above), which has lots of fun for older adventure seekers but also nice soft, colourful surfaces for younger less confident climbers. WIN-WIN! 

Find it: Waterman Drive, Clyde North

 

Image Source: Museums Victoria 

Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery

The gold standard when it comes to kid fun! Especially when you're looking for cheap indoor fun on those days when cabin fever hits hard.

In the outer room is the baby and toddler area, with soft blocks, mounds to climb, and plenty of places to crawl and play. The larger inner room boasts a mini animal camouflage dance party, ropes course, hiding spaces and more. Your tiny paleontologists will love unearthing treasures at the dinosaur dig, and the discovery garden is a popular spot.

We also love the explorable train and fun museum exhibits all within the same wing.

Find it: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am - 5 pm.

Library At The Dock

A library with its own playground? Sure, why not! Bring your bookworms and your outdoorsy types to the Library at the Dock, and check out the artsy geometric Buluk Park playground right outdoors. Step inside the sustainably-built breezy reclaimed timber library's gorgeously-designed children's area, with plenty of books, toys, games and even interactive publishing screen area to keep everyone occupied. Even the book return chute conveyor belt is unusual and well worth a look!

Find it: 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 7 pm, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday noon - 5 pm.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

This one takes a bit more planning and maneuvering, but the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre on the top level of Chadstone Shopping Centre is so worth it. There are rides to be had, cool LEGO-filled fun pits to play in, fenced soft play areas, car-building areas, LEGO Friends Heartlake City zone, and cute baby/toddler-friendly Duplo farm area, all within viewing distance of each other. Highly recommend for something out of the ordinary that spans the age barrier.

Find it: Level 2, Chadstone Shopping Centre
Opening Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 9.30 am - 4 pm, Thursday - Saturday 9.30 am - 5 pm.

Bundoora Park Farm

For farm lovers who prefer things a little quieter, Bundoora Park Farm is absolutely perfect. Pat the horses, milk the goats, cuddle the rabbits, see the emus, go on a tractor ride, grab a coffee and bite to eat in the cafe, explore the historic replica village, or let the kids loose in one of our favourite Melbourne playgrounds. 

Find it: 1069 Plenty Rd, Bundoora
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am - 4.30 pm, farm animal feeding times are 11.30 am and 3.30 pm.

Luna Park

The original and still the best, Luna Park has tons of attractions, rides, and fun for folks 0 - 100. Bigger kids will love the thrillseeking rides, dodgem cars, and hall of mirrors, while littlies will enjoy the fantastically beautiful merry-go-round, mini Ferris wheel, smaller rides, and the special visitors who come throughout the season to brighten everyone's day!

Find it: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
Opening Hours: 

Friday: 6 pm - 11 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm, 6 pm-midnight
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm, 6 pm - 11 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6 pm - 11 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed

Where would you choose to go? If it's not on the list, let us know!

Other Melbourne Attractions For Kids

Melbourne's Best-Value Family Days Out
Fun Train-Themed Playgrounds
Space-Themed Adventures In Melbourne

 

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