The Top Things to Do with the Kids in and around Melbourne

There is plenty to keep kids entertained in Melbourne; they’ll love the native animals and high-energy attractions, and you’ll get some serious kudos for showing them a city of activity and culture.

Having the little ones in tow in Melbourne is no barrier to getting the best from this modern, friendly and manageable city. Everything is set up to make the most of the outdoors, and during the legendary summers, it comes alive with activity.

In the colder months, there are all manner of things to do indoors, too, so you’ll never struggle to find fun. Here are the top things to do in Melbourne with the kids.

The gift that keeps on giving, Lego has remained a major player in fun, and the kids will love this place. Made using more than two million Lego bricks, Australia’s first Legoland Discovery Centre is home to all kinds of creations, from the Master Model Builder Workshops, where children can have a go at making their own Lego tower, to loads of attractions like the 4D Lego Cinema, Merlin’s Apprentice, Forest Pursuit Driving School and the epic Kingdom Quest Laser Ride. You’ll find all of this conveniently located in the Chadstone Shopping Centre, and there’s something for the whole family to get involved in. There’s also a café for lunch and chill-out time.

A classic choice for a family-friendly holiday in Melbourne, old Puffing Billy takes you on a steam ride on comfy seats. Take in views of fern gullies, farmlands and forests as you journey through the majestic Dandenong mountain ranges. It’s perfect for little legs that may grow tired from lots of walking!

The ride starts in Belgrave, and you can choose to go to Lakeside or Gembrook, depending on where you fancy. Single or return tickets are available, too. The kids will love the big open-sided chugger, and the people who run it are great with the youngsters, going out of their way to make it a memorable experience.

Belgrave is around 70 minutes from Melbourne on the Metro, or about an hour by car.

The island is famous for a few things, but nothing is bigger than chocolate in these parts. Set among Instagram-worthy scenery, the Chocolate Factory makes for an ideal family day out. You can take a tour of the working factory, seeing first-hand how the magic happens, including how the factory creates their amazing desserts. Better yet, you can even have a go at making some yourself. After a day of being surrounded by the stuff, you’re going to have to try some, right?

The factory is about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, and while no cars are allowed on the island, you can park nearby and rent bikes, making the visit even more adventurous! Young children get free entry, too.

Home to thousands of animals, including massive stingrays, crocodiles, sharks, penguins and more, the Sea Life Aquarium is one of the best things to do in Melbourne for the family.

There are daily talks where you can all learn about marine life, and the animal feedings are a lot of fun, especially when the Gentoo penguins in the Penguin Playground are involved. Walking through the transparent sea tunnel is quite an experience, as turtles, sharks and sting rays swim about in the colourful corals above. The penguin tour is well worth a look, too, and the country’s largest saltwater crocodiles are not to be missed over at Croc Lair – they’re more than six metres long. Crikey!

Among many other things, there’s also a new 4D cinema offering an Ice Age theatrical experience, which the kids will lap up.

Our own backyard is home to some of the wildest, weirdest and most beautiful animals on the planet, and quite a few of them are found here among the picturesque grasslands of Werribee Open Range Zoo. Koalas and kangaroos wander about, and you can get up close to them. But that’s just the start of it. Lots of Africa’s biggest hits are here as well, including giraffes, hippos, rhinos and zebras.

The safari bus tour adventure is perfect for the family, and you can learn about conservation efforts made to protect the future of the many majestic creatures. Werribee is only a 30-minute drive from Melbourne, or you can also get there by a combination of bus and train. Kids under three also get free entry to the zoo. It’s a no brainer!

Tiny penguins scurry off Brighton Beach shore in the morning, off for a day’s work of fishing in the ocean, then shuffle back together at home-time to be greeted by their family. No guide to Melbourne is complete without mentioning the amazing Phillip Island Day Tour. It’s incredible to see these little guys do their thing, and taking your seats to watch the night-time Penguin Parade is the highlight.

There’s also the chance to hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park. You can also take a scenic stroll along the coastal boardwalk, where you’ll find Seal Rocks and Nobbles. There’s also an option to upgrade to the Penguin Plus package or the Guided Ranger Tour, where you get VIP perks. The tour will then take you back to Melbourne, aboard a comfy bus, complete with WiFi. A stress-free family day out.

If you prefer to do the whole thing without a guide, then you can also get General Entry tickets to the parade for your family. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there so you can get the best seats!

Want to go down as one of the “cool” parents? It’s time to ween your teens off their screens (see what we did there?) and get them into the outdoors. If you’re up for an adventure, Live Wire Park is a must. Run on solar and recycled water power alone, this is a memorable day out where the whole family can fly through the eucalyptus forest and take in stunning views.

There are a number of circuits ranging in difficulty, meaning it’s great for your 12 year olds, and you. There are even wobbly wire bridges and rope crossings, adding to the adrenaline factor! The Super Circuit is particularly challenging, with 53 activities to get stuck into, and then there’s Shockwave, which is a mega 525m zip line that will really get your heart pumping! You guide yourself around, but don’t worry – you’re always connected to the guide wires. The admission price is competitive, and Lorne, where the park is situated, is a picturesque 2-hour drive from Melbourne.

One of the more cultural things to do in Melbourne with the kids, Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery in the Melbourne Museum is specially designed for the young ones – from babies to five-year-olds – and features all kinds of engaging, educational activities. There’s a Camouflage Disco with mirror wall, soundscapes and light projections, net climbing, and even a quiet ‘nothing nook’ where kids can chill out for a while.

Another big pull is the Dinosaur Dig, where little ones can play at being a palaeontologist, and the Indigenous storytelling area is complete with murals from famous street artist David Booth (known as Ghostpatrol) along with First Nation creation stories. You’ll find the Melbourne Museum in the Carlton area of the city, which is in the North but still handy to get to from the CBD. Tickets are only $15 for adults and ages 0-16 enter free!

One of the most popular family attractions in Melbourne, Funfields has a whopping 22 rides, together with mini go-karts, carousels and Ferris wheels for the little ones. The kids have their own play area, and there’s a handy barbecue, café and ice cream shop for when it’s time to refuel.

The Alpine Toboggan Slide is a particular highlight, as is Blackbeard’s Fury pirate ship. If the kids fancy a bit of healthy competition, the Kraken Racer is a lot of fun. They can plunge down into darkness on the Blackout, ride the record-breaking Gravity Wave, which is 26m high, and speed down the Typhoon slide. Funfields is situated one hour’s drive from Melbourne, and group discounts are available, which is helpful for a big family.

For something different, try an enchanting walk though the Maze Garden. It’s magical, with manicured hedges, huge puzzles and massive wood sculptures creating a fairytale scene.

The main highlight is undoubtedly the maze area. The Hedge Maze comes complete with a Japanese Garden, while the Labyrinth Maze has an enormous topiary dragon. You’ll also find lots of mini mazes with fairies, plus an indoor maze.

There are also slides for the kids to enjoy, a miniature toy train, and an Amazing Lolly Shop, which the kids will love have a poke around. And don’t miss the canopy walk and the Bush Adventure Scramble obstacle course! It’s all just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, and public transport can bring you here if you don’t fancy the drive.

Just because you’re with the children, it doesn’t mean you can’t indulge your love of good food. Melbourne has plenty of great options that will keep everyone happy. Ilona Staller, in Balaclava, does a trendy take on bistro classics and excellent cocktails, and the kids’ menu is also a puzzle page – handy for keeping them occupied for a while!

If you’re looking for things to eat down by the bay, Pantry Brighton is very cool. The beach vibe is inviting and families are well catered for. 8Bit in Footscray has awesome burgers, and the kids will be all over the epic desserts at Sugarbuns Bakery Cafe in South East Melbourne. If you just want to grab a coffee and a light bite, Phat Milk is worth a look. It’s known for serving some of the best coffee around, and the Middle Eastern-influenced menus – great for adults and kids – are creative and delicious.

Melbourne has some top-notch beaches, and in summer, they are the place to be. St Kilda is a popular one; it’s only 8km from the centre of the city. There are loads of things to do that the whole family can get involved in, from beach cricket to all kinds of water-based sporting fun. Luna Park, which has heaps of attractions for the little ones, is at the end of the beach, too.

Brighton Beach is a little further out of town, but this pretty spot is perfect for swimming, sunbathing and surfing. There are lots of great eateries around here as well, so it makes for a fun family day out in the sunshine.

Melbourne is an incredible city with so much to take in and explore. It’s also a wonderfully family-friendly place, and you’ll find plenty to keep the whole tribe happy at any time of the year. There are trendy places to eat, and the beaches are action-packed. This versatile place is home to a host of attractions that the kids will absolutely love.