Looking for school holiday activities to get the kids out of the house? Melbourne is full of fun school holiday boredom busters to keep them entertained, happy, and out of your hair.

Victoria's summer holidays run from Friday 3 April to Friday 17 April 2026, and are gearing up to be quite jam-packed this year! Here are our top picks for the best things to do with kids during the summer school holidays in Melbourne.

School Holiday Activities & Programs in Melbourne

1. Speaking Schools Australasia

Speaking Schools Australasia offers a range of holiday workshops tailored to help children from Kindergarten to Year 10 sharpen their speaking skills and build confidence. These lively and engaging workshops cater to different levels and interests, ensuring there's a program for every child.

From beginner to advanced courses in public speaking and debating, each workshop is thoughtfully designed to match specific skills and goals. Students can enjoy a dynamic and supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive!

Where:    Locations in Box Hill and online
When:      Tuesday 7 - Friday 17 April 2026
Cost:       From $260 per child | See Speaking Schools Australasia for costs.

2. Luna Park

Luna Park is a school holiday classic for a reason. Right on the St Kilda foreshore, this historic amusement park delivers all-day fun with unlimited rides for kids, teens and grown-ups. This April, get ready for an egg-stra special celebration as Luna Park hosts its much-loved Great Easter Egg Hunts, with a visit from the Easter Bunny and entertainment throughout the day, plus face painting and roaming performers.

A Luna Park visit isn’t complete without a turn on the Great Scenic Railway, the world’s oldest continuously operating wooden roller coaster, still delighting riders since 1912. Families can mix nostalgic favourites like the Ghost Train with modern high-energy rides such as Sky Rider and Power Surge, plus enjoy carnival treats, classic games and all the colourful charm Luna Park is known for.

Easy to reach, packed with attractions, and just steps from the beach, it’s a guaranteed hit for school holiday fun.

Where:     Luna Park Melbourne, 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
When:      Throughout the Autumn school holidays
Cost:        Unlimited Rides Tickets from $45 or Family Pass from $170
                 Unlimited Rides & Egg Hunt from $11
                 Entry + Single Ride Ticket - $25
                 3 years and under are admitted free

4. Scienceworks

This school holidays, Scienceworks is the ultimate destination for curious kids and families looking for hands-on fun and an action-packed day of scientific discovery for curious kids of all ages.

Families can explore the brand-new Colour exhibition, strap in for the free live science show Ready to Launch and learn all about blasting off into space, or put their detective skills to the test with a Solar System Scavenger Hunt. Don’t miss a spectacular show at the Melbourne Planetarium, where the holidays coincide with the popular Fulldome Flicks festival, showcasing world-class movies created for the immersive dome screen, along with the expert-led What’s in the Sky Tonight? tour. Round out the day with an electrifying live demonstration in the Lightning Theatre and explore interactive exhibitions that reveal how science works in the real world.

With interactive exhibits, fascinating shows, and endless opportunities to explore, Scienceworks is the perfect place to spark young imaginations!

Where:     Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood
When:      Open daily from 10 am
Cost:        Museum Entry - Adults $15. Children FREE.
                 Check the website for program costs.

5. Jump Aboard the Puffing Billy Railway

Puffing Billy travels through the magnificent forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Lakeside, only one hour east of Melbourne.

Buy your tickets online and enjoy one of Melbourne's best activities for kids and a fun family day out!

Where:   Belgrave Station, 1 Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave
When:    Open throughout the school holidays
Cost:      Fares from $24 

 6. Code Camp

 

Let Code Camp inspire your children to get creative with technology these holidays, learn valuable new skills, have fun and make new friends. With a wide range of in-person camps and online programs available, there truly is something for everyone. Choose from beginner to advanced coding camps, robotics, stop-motion animation, DJing, video production and more.

Code Camp’s flagship coding programs are the perfect introduction to your child’s Code Camp journey. Choose Little Coders for ages 5–7 to take their first steps into the world of coding, and Spark for ages 7–12 to use drag and drop coding to create an exciting arcade-style game. Their most popular creative camps are also back this season, including Minecraft Engineers, Roblox Legends, Robotics Camps and YouTube Creators, offering the coolest few days of STEM learning and fun.

For a different kind of creative experience, Code Camp also offers tech-free crafting camps called Get Crafty. It is a break from screens where kids can enjoy hands-on activities that encourage mindfulness and creativity while having fun with others.

Where:      Various locations throughout Melbourne
When:       Throughout the summer school holidays
Cost:         Various, depending on camp type and duration; check the website for pricing options

7. Metartworld

 

Metartworld in Port Melbourne is Australia's largest indoor metal art gallery, offering an immersive experience perfect for families during the summer school holidays. Spanning over 2,500 square metres (gaining the Guinness World Record for World's Largest Indoor Scrap Metal Art Gallery!), this unique art space features more than 200 handcrafted sculptures made from recycled scrap metal, including life-sized dinosaurs, superheroes, movie characters, and vehicles.

Little metal heads will love the interactivity where they can touch, sit on, and even "drive" various metal artworks. And make sure you check out the Ineractive Art Lab, a space designed to ignite the imagination of young minds through creative expression and interactive painting experiences.

Where:   155 Boundary St, Port Melbourne
When:    Open throughout the school holidays, 10 am - 6 pm
Cost:      Entry is $30 per child, $40 per adult, children under 2 are FREE

8. Take a Trip to Prison Island

Looking for a school holiday adventure with a twist? Prison Island at The District Docklands takes escape rooms to the next level with 34 thrilling challenge cells to conquer.

Unlike traditional escape rooms, this action-packed experience combines brainpower, teamwork and physical skill. Families and friends can race against the clock to solve puzzles, navigate laser mazes, test reflexes, and tackle coordination and strength-based challenges. With 90 minutes on the clock, the aim is to complete as many cells as possible and climb the leaderboard. Perfect for ages 7+!

Where:    440 Docklands Drive, Docklands
When:      Open throughout the school holidays
Cost:       $44.90 per adult, $39.90 per child (aged 7 - 17)

9. Spend a day at the Museum of Play and Art

With locations in both Melbourne and Geelong, MoPA offers a truly wonderful day of activities.

This children's museum is dedicated to engaging and immersing kids in educational and fun ways—there's a soft play area, a creative art car, and a whole lot more—making it the perfect day out these school holidays! Bookings are essential; due to the popularity of the museum, walk-ins are currently not accepted. 

Where:   MoPA Geelong: 51 McKillop Street, Geelong. MoPA Melbourne: 247 Bay Road, Sandringham
When:    9 am - 5 pm during the holidays
Cost:     $20 per child, $16 per adult

10. Take a Trip to Melbourne Zoo

Making a great day out in the heart of the city, Melbourne Zoo is perfect for big and small animal lovers alike.

Visitors can discover penguins, seals and other inhabitants of Victoria's coast and ocean at the Wild Sea exhibition, walk the infamous elephant trail—which is home to eight Asian elephants, and encounter the endangered Sumatran tiger, whilst learning about conservation efforts to protect endangered species. 

Kids under 16 go free on weekends, public holidays, and during Victorian school holidays—so don't miss out!

Where:   Elliott Ave, Parkville
When:    9 am - 5 pm daily
Cost:     $42 per adult

11. Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

Curious minds can take on a quest at the Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure - a free activity designed for families to explore the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne.

Collect your map and embark on an adventure as you answer 12 questions scattered throughout the gardens. Families will love teaming up on this unique scavenger hunt, encouraging observation and exploration. There's also a 'seek and find' activity for younger kids to engage with nature through the gardens. 

Where:   Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
When:    10 am - 4 pm daily
Cost:     FREE, no booking required 

12. Pass GO at Monopoly Dreams

School holiday activities in Melbourne don't get much more immersive than at Monopoly Dreams. This place is packed with games, challenges, and chances to score some serious Monopoly Money. Test your skills by cracking Mr Monopoly's vault, diving into the Water Works and Electric Company, grabbing some cash at the Bank, and trying your luck at interactive games. Just make sure to steer clear of Jail.

Stroll through the legendary streets of Monopoly City, where all your favourite board game spots come to life: fix those broken pipes, get the power flowing, and snap a mugshot in Jail. Earn Monopoly Money by tackling challenges and games like outsmarting the high-tech laser security at Mr Monopoly's vault, solving puzzles, or using your wits to break out of Jail. Then, cash in your hard-earned Monopoly Money at the retail store, café, or for tickets!

Where:   Melbourne Central, 290 Lonsdale Street
When:    Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Cost:      From $39.60

More Family Fun in Melbourne

The Wait is Ogre! Shrek the Musical Hits Melbourne in 2026
Free Things to Do in Melbourne
Best Dumplings in Melbourne

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!