Things To Do During Melbourne School Holidays

There are two words every parent dreads during the school holidays: “I’m bored.” And you just know the sing-song tone it’s delivered with.  

Fortunately, Melbourne barely knows the meaning of boredom. This family-friendly destination is more used to words like ‘action’ and ‘packed’, ‘endlessly’ and ‘entertaining’, and ‘can’t wait until the next break so we can do everything we missed this time’.  

Here’s everything on the agenda for the Melbourne school holidays standing between you and those dreaded two words.  

Here’s just some of what’s on during the holidays, quick-fire style:  

• The School Holiday Program at Scienceworks 
• Free admission and regular kids programming at Heide
• School holiday workshops at ACMI 
• Mazes & outdoor crafts at Boneo Discovery Park

With so much on, it’s like the whole city is celebrating the school holidays in Melbourne. The best part is that so many of them offer indoor activities for chilly, rainy days, which means your sanity won’t depend on the weather forecast.  

There’s enough to do in Melbourne that you’ll need more than one set of school holidays to tick them all off.  

Good thing these ones are available year round.  

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Hold your breath, you’re headed to another world.  

The SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium invites you and your little ones to go under the waves to discover – and perhaps event meet – the thousands of colourful aquatic animals that call it home. While you’re there, you can opt for a behind-the-scenes tour, meet the jellyfish in the Jelly Lab Experience, or sign up for a Penguin Passport to take a look around their icy abode.  

Luna Park

Luna Park holds a special place in the hearts of all Melburnian adults – and it got there by being a mainstay of every school holiday.  

Bumper carts. A Ferris wheel. Terrifying drops and gravity-defying spins. All the classic rides are right there waiting to make some core memories these school holidays. And no break from school is complete without a ride on the heritage-listed Great Scenic Railway – a wooden roller coaster that is the oldest continuously operating coaster in the world.  

O’Brien Icehouse

Get a jump start on winter with a visit to the O’Brien Icehouse.  

This ice skating arena is a fun way to get some activity in, even on a rainy day. From lazy laps around the rink to figure skating lessons, curling, and ice hockey, there’s a lot to discover on the ice. Not least that your little one can quite literally run rings around you.  

 The LUME Melbourne

Take your final chance to explore The LUME Melbourne before it closes its doors on June 1.  

This living, breathing art experience goes well beyond the traditional bounds of a museum. It’s like stepping into a painting, with the walls, floor, and ceiling completely surrounding you.  

Pro move: Book a Sunday when kids go free.   

Movies. Bowling. Laser tag. And all the kid-approved menu options you could dream of. You don’t have to drive all over the city for your school holiday activities – it’s all right here at Crown.  

It takes a Village… Cinema  

When in doubt, take the kids to a movie.  

Village Cinemas is a dream come true for kids. Huge luxurious seats, gigantic screens, and even a personal waiter in the Gold Class. Opt for a family pass for ticket savings, and enjoy a little treat from the candy bar to complete the experience.  

Strike 

Be wary of Kingpin – once you take the kids there once, they’ll want to go every day.  

This entertainment centre offers ten-pin bowling, arcade games, pool tables, food and drinks, and even laser tag. It’s ideal for letting the kids loose while you sit back at The Hub and keep an eye on them with a relaxing cuppa and a bite.  

On The Stage  

It’s hard to be bored with world-class talent on stage in front of you. The Palms theatre at Crown Melbourne hosts more than 150 shows every year, from comedy to concerts to magic.  

The kids might not appreciate the Led Zeppelin tributes, but keep an eye on the schedule and see what might pique their fancy.  

The “I’m hungry”  

Whether you’re out and about in the city or keeping the kids busy at Crown, we’ve got the answer to the other dreaded two words.  

Mr. Hive Bar and Restaurant offers buffet dining for breakfast and lunch, Gradi has some of the best pizza in Australia, and Cervo is the place to go for an exceptional plate of pasta.  

Conclusion 
Theme parks. Skating rinks. Movie theatres. Laser tag. Melbourne is a mecca for school holiday activities, and Crown plays a huge role in offering family fun for the kids. Be sure to check back each holiday break to see what’s on.