Open House Melbourne Weekend is back on Saturday 27 July and Sunday 28 July 2024, with a packed program celebrating the best of architecture across the city.

To help you choose from huge program, we’ve hand-picked the best places and activities to discover at Open House Weekend with kids. These buildings are offering something unique for the weekend – they’re either not normally open to the public or are hosting extra fun.

Activities are mostly free, and the buildings listed here are all pram-accessible. Bookings are required for some locations.

Also read my tips on how to visit Open House Melbourne with kids.

What is Open House Melbourne?

All cities like to celebrate their beautiful architecture.

Open House is an international movement that invites people to deepen their understanding of design and urban planning in cities all around the world.

Since Open House Melbourne started in 2008, the event has grown bigger and bigger every year. The program now covers the whole city and you’ll get to experience Melbourne’s architectural diversity firsthand – from iconic skyscrapers and modern homes to historic landmarks and hidden gems. 

So come along – you’ll get to see parts of Melbourne you’ve never seen before and gain a new perspective on the city you thought you knew!

Open House Melbourne – Melbourne CBD and Docklands

Play! in the City

Explore Melbourne’s most unique play spaces across the city!

This self-guided tour introduces visitors to some of the best play spaces across the City of Melbourne, including Rocks on Wheels on Southbank Boulevard, Royal Park Nature Play and Lincoln Square playground.

Over the Weekend (27 + 28 July), collect self-guided tour maps at the Open House Melbourne Info Hub outside Melbourne Town Hall to explore the beloved and award-winning play spaces.

Play! in the City, Collect from Open House Melbourne Info Hub outside Melbourne Town Hall, 90-120 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

AAMI Park

Guests will visit back-of-house areas not normally accessible to the public, including new corporate and media spaces, and take a walk on the pitch to experience the scale of the stadium and its new curved videoboards from the perspective of an athlete.

Tours will be conducted by members of the AAMI Park venue management team, so guests will also learn about the operations of the venue, and what it takes to deliver a year-round program of events.

AAMI Park, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3004

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Tours run 10am, 11.30am + 1pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Collins Street Baptist Church

Members of the church community will be on hand to talk more about its history as the home of the oldest continuing Baptist congregation in Australia, and its continuing commitment to social justice.

Children have the option of taking a detective trail sheet and following the clues around the building accompanied by a carer. There is also a children’s corner with toys.

Collins Street Baptist Church, 174 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

narrm ngarrgu Library

Tour the library with Six Degrees Architects, who designed narrm ngarrgu as part of the Munro Development, one of Australia’s most sustainable mixed-use developments.

In the dedicated children’s library, kids can explore artworks by First Nations artist Maree Clarke, discovering the five clans of the Kulin Nations and the seven seasons.

OPEN Play is also happening at the library. OPEN Play is a Open House Melbourne’s educational program for young people and youth exploring the role good design plays in shaping our community and city. Kids 3-8 years are invited to find ways to create new and interesting solutions to design challenges provided by the facilitator- all materials are supplied.

narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Saturday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Tours by Six Degrees run 11.30 am + 1pm
Running for 45-60 minutes in groups of 50

Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

OPEN Play

Sunday 28 July
Drop in session runs 1pm-3pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing

Age: 3 to 8 years
No bookings required. Capacity is limited and operates on a one in one out basis.

Scots’ Church and Assembly Hall

Constructed between 1873 and 1874, the Gothic Revival style Scots’ Church was designed to be the most beautiful building in Australia.

Take yourself through the church and experience a demonstration of the magnificent Rieger Organ, or join for a traditional church service on Sunday morning, featuring the organ and the world-class Scots’ Church Choir.

Scots’ Church and Assembly Hall, 156 Collins Street, Melbourne

Saturday 27 July
Open access + organ demonstrations 10am-4pm
Organ demonstrations running for 20 minutes

Sunday 28 July
Open access + organ demonstrations 10am-4pm
Organ demonstrations running for 20 minutes
Sunday service 11am-12pm
No bookings required

Southbank Theatre

Go backstage at Southbank Theatre, the home of Melbourne Theatre Company, where some of Australia’s most beloved actors have graced the stage.

On Saturday, explore the public spaces of Southbank Theatre and view an exhibition of the building’s design and history and see aspects of the company’s performance operations, including a display of costumes and other staging elements of its productions. 

On Sunday, see the exhibition or join a tour to see backstage and the set for the production of ‘English’ by Sanaz Toossi, before it opens on July 29. See the actors’ dressing rooms, technical operations and other spaces not usually open to the public.

Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank

Saturday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm

Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Tours running every half hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 3.30pm
Running for 30 minutes in groups of 15

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wesley Church

Come design and build your own heritage building! Using materials and templates designed by a local artist, we encourage kids to get creative with a building of their own.

Plus there will be a musical performance on the organ, tours and talks about the windows at Wesley and the history and stories behind them, and tours of the heritage building.

Wesley Church, 136 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Port of Melbourne Boat Tours

Featuring a guided commentary from port staff, you’ll see Australia’s busiest port from a whole new angle. Normally Port Open Day boat tours run on Sundays during the warmer months but for Open House Melbourne the tours are free (with booking fee).

All tours are round-trips, leaving from Victoria Harbour in Docklands. There is a children’s activity zone onboard.

Port of Melbourne Boat Tours, Water Plaza, Victoria Harbour Docklands

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Tours run 10am + 1pm
Running for 120 minutes in groups of 220

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies.

Open House Melbourne – North

Albanian Mosque

Informal tours will be taken through the mosque, multi-purpose room and social room and will include a glimpse of the renovations being done to the new ablution area and courtyard. Visitors will have the opportunity to see one of the five daily prayers performed by members of the congregation. Light refreshments will be provided.

There will be a children’s activity table set up.

Albanian Mosque, 765 Drummond St, Carlton North VIC 3054

Saturday 27 July
Open access 1pm-4pm

Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-2pm

No bookings required

Montsalvat Arts Centre

There will also be self-guided tour pamphlets available outlining the 90-year-old history of Montsalvat, as well as a variety of art-centric activities for kids and adults alike. On the evening of Sunday 28 there will be an outdoor wine bar and Montsalvat’s monthly Jazz Night concert in the Barn Gallery, with tickets available at the door on the day.

For kids there will be a bingo activity sheet and an attended kids colouring station, as well as a variety of entertainment.

Montsalvat Arts Centre, 7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham VIC 3095

Islamic Museum of Australia

The Islamic Museum of Australia will be open to the public for free, giving Melbournians an opportunity to see what lies behind the rusted Corten steel veil. There are five permanent galleries and two visiting gallery spaces.

Children will be given self-guided tour worksheets.

Islamic Museum of Australia, 15A Anderson Rd, Thornbury VIC 3071

Saturday 27 July 10am–4pm

Open House Melbourne – South

Mt Burnett Observatory

In small groups you will be shown around the observatory and visit the Monash Dome and the 18-inch telescope, the Celestron Dome, the Log Cabin, specialist astronomy displays and children’s activities.

Visitors on the evening tours will have the opportunity to view the night sky through the telescopes (weather permitting). 

Mt Burnett Observatory 420 Paternoster Rd, Mount Burnett VIC 3781

Saturday 27 July
Daytime tours run 10am, 11.30am + 2.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 45

Evening tours run 5.30pm + 7.30pm
Running for 90 minutes in groups of 45

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies

Firestation Print Studio

Visitors will have open access to explore the gallery with its current exhibition; the main studio, where there will be demonstrations of printmaking techniques; and the backroom, where visitors will have the chance to participate in letterpress, gel plate printing and other hand printing techniques.

Resident artists’ studios will be also open and daily raffles with a wonderful array of prizes.

Children will be able to take part in simple printmaking techniques, such as gelli plate and letterpress printing, creating unique pieces of artwork to take home.

Firestation Print Studio, 2 Willis St, Armadale VIC 3143

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-4pm
No bookings required

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron

Wander through the building at your leisure or be guided by a member of our historical and memorabilia group. There will be live music during the afternoons.

There will be sailing-related activities for the kids, including knot-tying and face painting.

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron,  1 Pier Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182

Victorian Institute of Sport

There will be tours of the Victorian Institute of Sport, showcasing the wide-ranging facilities and fascinating architecture of the building.

There will be speed and power tests for kids (and adults!) to see how they compare to our elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Victorian Institute of Sport, Lakeside Stadium, 33 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park VIC 3206

Gasworks Arts Park

Over the weekend visitors can visit the open studios of resident artists working in former workshops that still retain original features, and also see a display of historical photographs showing the evolution of Gasworks from the 1880s to now.

For kids there will be Clay in the Park, where soft clay tiles can be decorated by children using a range of tools and coloured slips. The tiles will be fired in our community kiln and can be collected during the Farmers Market on August 17. There will also be wildflower pressing activities on both days.

Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July 
Open access 11am-3pm

Clay in the Park children’s activity runs 1pm-2pm
No bookings required

Wildflower Pressing children’s activity runs 11am-3pm
No bookings required

Morris Moor

Experience the industrial feel that’s true to the roots of the property as the former Philip Morris manufacturing site. Take a tour through the award-winning grounds, or enjoy the amenities on site.

For families there is a playground, outdoor table tennis, face painting, colouring pages and more.

Morris Moor, 1 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin VIC 3189

Melbourne Holocaust Museum

Encompassing the existing heritage building on the south-eastern corner, the new Melbourne Holocaust Museum is conceived in stark contrast to the bunker-like forms of many Holocaust museums around the world. There will be tours of this award-winning building to view and understand the structure.

Inside the museum there is a permanent exhibition for children aged 10 and above. Hidden: Seven Children Saved is an innovative exhibition designed to provide children aged 10 to 14 a safe and meaningful interaction with the Holocaust, by following the experiences of one of seven child survivors who were in hiding during the war. (This exhibition is an additional cost.)

Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Elsternwick

Sunday 28 July
Tours run 11.30am + 1.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 30

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies

Brighton Town Hall

Come explore Brighton Town Hall, with access to the Bayside Gallery, the Brighton Historical Society, the Brighton Theatre Company, and the Brighton Art Society.

Bayside Gallery will have a number of hands-on activities for children linked to the exhibition Prehistoric Bayside, while the Brighton Historical Society will have a collection of toys and games on display for children to view.

Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter St, Brighton VIC 3186

Saturday 27 July
Open access 1pm-5pm

Sunday 28 July
Open access 2pm-5pm

No bookings required

Open House Melbourne – East

Box Hill Community Arts Centre

There will be opportunities to meet working artists and to learn what it takes to run an arts facility which hosts weddings, parties and more in this changing city landscape.

Sunday will feature child-centred family workshops, including Make Your Own Arts-House, where kids will build fantastic cardboard box arts houses; California Dreaming, where children and families can learn about and then design their own Californian Bungalow; and Mosaic Magic, where families will be able to tour the Centre’s mosaics, followed by a paper-making mosaic masterpiece workshop. Numbers will be limited, so don’t forget to book!

Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station St, Box Hill VIC 3128

Saturday 27 July
Open access 10.30am – 4pm
Tours run 10.30am, 12pm + 2.30pm
Running for 45 minutes in groups of 16
No bookings required

Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-2.30pm

Child-centred family tours running every hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 2pm
Running for 15 minutes in groups of 10
No bookings required

All workshops require bookings.

This program includes both open access and pre-booked components. Where bookings are required—a $7 booking fee waived

Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum

Come along for a special opportunity to explore inside Schwerkolt Cottage and learn about its construction and history. Tour the 19th-century stone cottage with a guide and walk around the barn, smithy, smokehouse, cellar and orcharding shed.

Explore the local history room with Whitehorse Historical Society and warm up with a Devonshire tea.

The Needlework Tapestry Guild of Victoria will be inside the museum giving demonstrations. See stunning examples of furniture and wood craft on display by the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking.

Kids can see the Pepperwood Farm doll house inside the museum and get inspired to create their own fairy house or furniture at craft activity stations. The extensive grounds also include a barbecue area and family playground.

Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum, 2-10 Deep Creek Road, Mitcham VIC 3132

Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm
Tours run 12.30pm, 1.30pm + 2.30pm
Running for 20 minutes in groups of 16

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hawthorn Arts Centre

Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Town Hall Gallery, located within the historic Hawthorn Arts Centre. Gallery staff will guide you through the exhibition spaces, workroom​and collections storeroom, offering insights into the space’s operations. 

The Explore and Create space in the Hawthorn Arts Centre is designed to engage children and adults alike. This space is an opportunity to relax and to create, with fun activities available to connect with your inner artist. We regularly activate our Explore and Create space with interactive artworks to celebrate Town Hall Gallery exhibitions, highlight cultural events, or display community artwork.

Hawthorn Arts Centre 60 Burwood Road, Hawthorn

Saturday 27 July
Open access 11am-4pm
Venue tours run 11.30am + 2.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20
No bookings required

‘The Long Way: Kevin Chin’ curator-led exhibition tour
Running for 60 minutes in a group of 30
No bookings required

Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-4pm
Venue tours run 11.30am + 2pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open House Melbourne – West

100 Story Building

Learn how this unique space was designed in collaboration with the Futuremakers, a team of young designers whose ideas have helped to create this dynamic space for creativity. Kids will love the hands-on self-guided scavenger hunt.

100 Story Building 206-208 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011

Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm
Talks at 1pm + 3pm
Running for 30 minutes

No bookings required. Capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Moonee Ponds Court House Museum

Visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour and explore the architecture of the building, learn about cases from the Court and the history of the building and locality and see the effects of the 2016 fire.

Kids are challenged to explore the sports exhibition with their own scavenger hunt activity!

Moonee Ponds Court House Museum, 770 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

Werribee Mansion

Enjoy free access to the interior of Werribee Mansion. Parks Victoria staff and volunteers will be on site to chat to visitors about the Mansion’s history, art, and architectural features.

There will be different forms of entertainment popping up sporadically throughout the Mansion, providing a lively atmosphere and surprising and delighting visitors. The café will be open, selling light food and beverages.

Werribee Mansion, 320 K Road, Werribee South

Saturday 27 July & Sunday 28 July 10am–4pm

Tips on how to visit Open House Melbourne with Kids

Best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne CBD

Catch the City Circle tram for a free Melbourne city tour

The post Open House Melbourne: Best Buildings and Events for Kids + Families (2024) appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

As always, the program includes family-friendly experiences, so everyone, no matter their age, can have an enriching experience.

As you explore together, you’ll have plenty to talk about – it’s a great way to bond and spark curiosity as a family. Who knows?  This could be the beginning of a lifelong interest in design and architecture for your little ones.

To help the whole family enjoy Open House Melbourne Weekend, Market your Architecture and I have developed these tips for visiting Open House Melbourne with kids.

What is Open House Melbourne?

Every July, Open House Melbourne encourages Melburnians to explore sky-scraping towers, religious buildings, private homes and public spaces.

Open House Melbourne Weekend is a free annual event and a unique opportunity to explore the city’s stunning architecture and vibrant culture with your kids.

As you explore, you’ll uncover the story of our city’s history and how it’s evolved.

Visiting Open House Melbourne with Kids

1. Plan ahead – but be flexible

Even with litres of coffee and an unlimited Uber balance, you wouldn’t be able to see everything Open House Melbourne Weekend has to offer.

How to choose? Filter your options by precinct or type of building by using the website. You can also check out our list of the best Open House Melbourne buildings and events for families.

2. Be realistic with your itinerary

Plan a realistic itinerary for your family. I find even with older kids/teens that half a day of architecture is enough (museum legs, anyone?).

Aim to see 2-3 buildings and give yourself plenty of time to do this – that should cover a large chunk of the day. If you are very fast and continue to have energy, shortlist another 2-3 optional venues close by.

3. Plan your transport

Consider how you’ll travel to your locations. I recommend picking an area/precinct and sticking to it rather than spending all your time travelling across town.

There are maps on each building listing and from there you will be able to plan your transport routes.

4. Make 1 event booking per day

I recommend keeping to a maximum of 1 time-sensitive booking a day to avoid rushing.

Some buildings and tours will require booking and sell out quickly. If you are desperate to visit a particular venue, often there are no-shows so you might be able to sneak in. But I think to avoid disappointment, it’s best to expect sold-out tours to be sold out.

For families, I think self-guided tours are easier to manage. Unless your children are very well-behaved and can keep up with a tour group, it is easier to see the buildings at your own pace.

5. Read The Fine Print

Beware! Not every building is open on both days, and not every building is open all day.

If you really want to see a building that’s not open for the whole day, note the opening time and turn up 20 minutes early so you’re not turned away.

In addition, apart from the buildings that are putting on activities for families, not every venue is suitable for kids or is accessible to prams.

6. Dress For the Weather

Make sure everyone wears warm clothes and comfortable shoes they can walk in.

Winter jackets, beanies, perhaps a small umbrella and sunglasses in case of bright sunshine are perfect for Melbourne’s ‘four-seasons-in-one-day’ weather.

7. Have a plan if people get lost

If you’re navigating through a crowded venue, establish meeting points with your kids in case they get lost/left behind.

If you have a ‘runner’ it might also be worthwhile writing your mobile phone number on your child’s arm.

8. Pack Lots of Snacks

Come armed with plenty of food for kids to snack on, and even some secret lollies if you need to revive them to keep going. Bring a water bottle, too.

In Melbourne CBD check out my list of top family friendly cafes and restaurants for refuelling.

9. Create a Fun Pack for Kids

One reader had this awesome idea – pack a special fun pack for the weekend!

Look around your home to find things that will help your child enjoy looking at buildings. You might find binoculars, a magnifying glass, a clipboard for ticking off places, stickers and textas for colouring.

10. Encourage Your Kids’ Opinions

Ask your kids what they think makes a building ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Should it have plants? Large windows? Should it be warm, big, small, or pretty? Come up with 3 criteria and rate each building after you’ve visited.

Kids will enjoy ticking boxes with you or applying stickers to show which was their favourite building.

11. Get Social

Follow Open House Melbourne on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for immediate updates as to where there is a #queue or #noqueue, for navigational tips, and to ask questions. You can also use the hashtags to post your own updates, share photos, and connect:

#OpenHouseMelbourne
#OHMWeekend

12. Speak to the Volunteers

Open House Melbourne relies on an army of workers donating their time for free. They keep the weekend going, welcome visitors, and answer their questions.

Encourage kids to say hello to them, ask what they like best about a particular building (if they’re not busy), and say thank you when they leave.

13. End at the Nearest Playground or Library

At the end of a busy day enjoying Melbourne’s architecture, plan to chill out at your nearest playground or library (or break up your day’s itinerary with a play stop).

For instance, if you’re in the CBD keep them happy with a trip to the ArtPlay Playground at Birrarung Marr in the City of Melbourne.

Then pat yourself on the back for taking part in the  Open House Melbourne Weekend with your children. Well done you!

The post 13 Tips for Visiting Open House Melbourne with Kids appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

Whether you’re into the arts, sports, outdoors, music, or just looking for fun things to do to keep the boredom at bay, these awesome activities and events will help you make the most of the remaining cold winter days! 

This post is updated regularly so check back in to see what’s on in Melbourne today and this weekend, as well as what’s happening for the whole month.

Lightscape

Dates: August 4 – August 4

The immersive Melbourne hit returns to transform Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne after dark with a reimagined trail and brand-new installations. Surround yourself with the interactive Submergence as well as the beloved Winter Cathedral and Laser Forest at Fern Gully.

Enjoy delicious food at the welcome zone, along with tasty treats at The Terrace Food Hall.

Visitors to Lightscape make their way along a winding trail through Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne’s landscape, awash in artistic lighting design. Along the way, they’ll encounter large lighting sculptures, colourful lighting effects and an accompanying soundscape.

BUY TICKETS

Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Dates: August 2 – October 28

Get closer to dinosaurs than ever before in Jurassic World: The Exhibition!

Based on one of the biggest blockbusters in cinema history, the exhibition immerses audiences of all ages in scenes inspired by the beloved movies.

Walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates as an honoured guest and gaze in wonder at a towering Brachiosaurus; come face-to-face with a Velociraptor; and get a rare up-close look at the most vicious dinosaur of them all, Tyrannosaurus Rex. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring journey and remember, if something chases you… run!

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The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience

Dates: July 25 – September 1

Enter into the renewed immersive version of The Art of the Brick!

Explore ten expansive themed rooms filled with impressive original collections as well as more than 100 artworks by artist Nathan Sawaya. From endangered species, human and non-human figures, enormous masks, artificial reality, cutting-edge technology, video mapping, and much more, this exhibition promises to be an event that's not to be missed.

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Ancient Egypt for Kids

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July 16 @ 8:00 am - August 31 @ 5:00 pm

Swatch Collins Street Hosts Interactive Colouring Station

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What’s On in Melbourne – CBD / Docklands

• Groovy Tunes with ArtPlay (Fri 9- Thurs 29 Aug) – Join master drummer and multi-instrumentalist Kofi Kunkpe in a joyful music and movement workshop for preschool aged kids.
• BEINGS By Universal Everything​ (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
• The Art of Banksy – Australia: “Without Limits” Exhibition” (Wed 12 Jun – Sat 3 Aug) – The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” is a stunning street art exhibition of museum quality featuring over 150 artworks, such as certified art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, digital installations, murals, mapping shows, and more.
• Lightscape (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – For the very first time, an immersive, after-dark experience comes to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. Iconic tree canopies will be drenched in colour, and vibrant bursts of light will tumble from the undergrowth and run-up trees like fizzing fireworks. Read the Lightscape Review.
• Little Murmur (Thu 25 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – A new international dance theatre performance featuring ground-breaking projections, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard of paper and confetti.
• PAW Patrol Live! (Sat 31 Aug – Sun 1 Sep)- PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is coming to Melbourne this August. Everybody’s favourite pups on stage for an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure.

• Storytime by State Library Victoria (Wed 7 Aug) – Share the delight of stories, songs, and picture books with your preschooler on Wednesdays at the Library. Read the State Library of Victoria Review.
• Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – this is one of the ultimate ‘whats on Melbourne’ events in winter! Every Wednesday evening enjoy delicious street food, hot bevvies, roaring open fires, great shopping, live music and fun at the silent disco. Read the Winter Night Market review.
• Teeth & Tails – SEA LIFE Melbourne (Sat 19 Aug – Mon 4 Sep) – Explore the fascinating world of marine creatures! Learn about the moray eel’s sharp teeth and hidden jaws, sea stars’ unique digestion, and meet the impressive Mega croc Pinjarra.
• Now or Never Art Trail (Thu 22 Aug – Sun 31 Aug) – Explore the Now or Never Art Trail, a magical journey to the future. Along the Docklands promenade, experience a luminous outdoor gallery merging the physical and digital worlds. Don’t miss this free and wondrous adventure!
• The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. Read the Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.

• The District Makers Market (Last Sunday of every month) – creative and colourful market stalls showcasing a variety of art, craft, jewellery, homewares, gifts and artisanal produce last Sunday of the month. 
• Polly Woodside (First Sunday of the Month) – Come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas. Read the Polly Woodside review.
• Docklands Community Market (2nd & 4th Sunday of each month) – Grab your early morning coffee, enjoy a lovely stroll & support your local producers at this lovely market.
• Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• Leonardo Da Vinci (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 16 Sept) – Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius promises to be THE LUME Melbourne’s most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking experience yet.

• Soft Play (ongoing) – Play with your child and make community connections in a safe and fun indoor environment.
• Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (ongoing) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
• Into the Music – Composition Workshop 2024 (ongoing) – Participants in Into the Music – Composition Workshop will explore technology and techniques used to create the music they hear every day.
• Escape the Gaol (Ongoing) – At Old Melbourne Gaol, kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review
• SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (ongoing) – See some of the world’s most incredible animals, including penguins, a 6-metre-long crocodile and thousands of tropical fish, plus the newly reopened oceanarium.

What’s on in Melbourne – North / North-East

• Cosy Collage Matinée @ Missing Gorilla (Sat 27 Jul and Sat 10 Aug) – Dream of a screen-free, family-friendly winter escape by the fireplace, exploring contemporary collage, sipping drinks, and enjoying nibbles to French Jazz & Cafe music.
• Meet Victoria the T. rex (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 20 Oct) – Victoria the T. rex is a world-class, interactive exhibition starring the real fossil skeleton of a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus named Victoria.
• Hurstbridge Wattle Festival (Sun 25 Aug) – A rural street festival held on the last Sunday in August in Hurstbridge.
• Italian Day Festival (Sun 25 Aug) – Enjoy live entertainment, cooking demos, pop up food stalls, free kids activities, and more!
• T.REX 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sat 21 Dec) – Narrated by Sam Neill, experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world’s biggest, best screen in this thrilling IMAX 3D documentary!

• Under 5s Art Classes (Fridays until 15 Sep) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Abbotsford Farmers Market (Saturday) – Shop local and seasonal produce and visit the Collingwood Children’s Farm which is just next door.
• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft and play.

• VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – VU early childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
• Rose Street Artists’ Market (Saturdays and Sundays) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies Review.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read the Diamond Valley Railway Review.

• Heide Gallery Kids  (Fridays) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Sensory Tray Sessions (ongoing) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Tiny Tours (ongoing) – A 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Dinosaur Walk (ongoing) – Check out the real dinosaur bones at Melbourne Museum’s permanent exhibition featuring ten dinosaur skeletons, three pterosaurs, and other select megafauna artefacts such as huge teeth!
• Mini Twitchers Heide (Ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (ongoing) – An immersive voyage into a lost world, where visitors will explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.
• Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Ongoing) – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – and a wonderland for little learners! The exhibition combines hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments and unique museum collection objects.

What’s on in Melbourne – South / South-East / Bayside

• Prehistoric Bayside Exhibition (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 25 Aug) – Prehistoric Bayside is an immersive family-friendly exhibition showcasing the tumultuous lives of bizarre beasts dating back roughly 5-6 million years.
• Teen Digital Photography Project (Wed 24 Jul – Wed 11 Sep) – Engage in a range of hands-on activities, tapping into the realm of camera settings and controlled lighting, as you learn to craft captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective.
• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party tickets (Sat 10 Aug – Sun 11 Aug) – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party presented by BIG W lets audiences see real-life versions of Hot Wheels monster truck toys, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, and the new HW 5-Alarm fire truck, in exciting competitions and battles in the dark.
• LINDEN PLAYS > FABRIC + PAPER MACHE BOWLS WORKSHOP (Sat 10 Aug) – Get ready to transform recycled fabric into unique paper mache bowls, bursting with colour and imagination! Under the guidance of facilitator Anna Zobel, children will explore the magic of upcycling while unleashing their artistic flair.
• NGV TEENS: ART PARTY (Sat 10 Aug) – Experience an unforgettable night at NGV International complete with DJs, workshops, performance and inspiring talks exclusively for teens.
• Circus Royale – Pakenham (Sat 29 Jul – Sun 10 Sep) – Step Right Up! Experience a Circus Like Never Before: Circus Royale Brings Australia’s Only 3D Hologram Display & Bonus Animatronic Dinosaur Exhibit to Pakenham!

• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party tickets (Sat 10 Aug – Sun 11 Aug) – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party presented by BIG W lets audiences see real-life versions of Hot Wheels monster truck toys, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, and the new HW 5-Alarm fire truck, in exciting competitions and battles in the dark.
• Moorabbin Junction After Dark (Sat 10 Aug) – Station Street’s first-ever street party, celebrating local community. Experience the magic as neon light artist Carla O’Brien transforms the street into an interactive wonderland.
• The Peasant Prince in 2024 (Mon 19 Aug – Tue 20 Aug) – The Peasant Prince tells the remarkable true story of a 10-year-old peasant boy’s journey from impoverished rural China to the international dance scene. This is a story of courage, resilience and unwavering hope.
• Wonderbox by Sensorium Theatre (Wed 21 Aug – Sat 24 Aug) – Sensorium Theatre, Australia’s only theatre company making work specifically designed for young audiences with disability and their friends, invites children to roll the dice and set out along a safe, exhilarating pathway into the unknown.
• Little Play Times (Every Wednesdays Starts Aug 9) – Legoland’s new program that is designed to teach pre-school children new skills through meaningful parent-child play!
• Mini Makers (Wednesdays) – Back for Term 3, Mini Makers provides masterclasses for kids ages 2 – 5, where they can explore science, craft, cooking, music, movement and more!
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Until 31 Dec 2024) – Weaving together interviews, field recordings and a musical score, this evocative listening experience responds to collectors’ passions, botanical knowledge, favourite memories, childhood impressions, historical anecdotes and cultural viewpoints
• Little Play Times Legoland (ongoing) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®

• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday.
• Young At Art (Tuesdays) – With the guidance of an experienced early childhood educator, participants work on a different hands-on creative activity every week, using materials from the take-home art materials box supplied each session.
• Tune in Time Out Music Playgroup (Tuesdays) – A pre-school music group plus time for play and parents to relax. The group runs weekly on Tuesday Mornings from 10:00 – 11:30am during school terms.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else.
• National Steam Centre (Saturdays and Sundays) – A visit to the National Steam Centre will delight a wide audience from the pre-schooler obsessed with Thomas and train rides, to train enthusiasts of any age!
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Sun 21 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Little Play Squad Legoland  (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®.
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Every Tuesday) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Sundays) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (ongoing) – Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• Shrine Kids (Daily) – The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and it makes for an educational (and sobering) outing for families. Read the Shrine Kids Review.

• Nature Play (ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
• WIIILD Wednesdays, Gumbuya World (ongoing) – Dive into Wildlife Wanderers, the trail of free-roaming wildlife, savor two interactive shows, and hop on junior rides! Get up close with exotic animals, connect with nature, and enjoy exciting entertainment every week!
• St Kilda Breakwater (ongoing) – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade.
• The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden (ongoing) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Ongoing) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes.
• Little Lunies at Luna Park (Ongoing) – Discover a fantastic world of rides, attractions, and games to suit Little and Big Lunies! There’s something for everyone from old favorites like The Great Scenic Railway, Ghost Train, & Carousel to the big thrill rides like the Power Surge, Sky Rider, Twin Dragon, and more!
• St Kilda Breakwater (Ongoing) – St Kilda Breakwater – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade.
• Gumbuya World Wildlife Wanderers (ongoing) – join a fun day for your little ones with a 30-minute program, which will include storytime, games and Nature Play-based activities.

What’s on in Melbourne – East

• BUSY BODIES (Tue 6 Aug – Tue 27 Aug) – Join the fun each Tuesday during the school term for FREE activity sessions tailored for pre-school aged children.
• Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sun 4 Aug and Sun 25 Aug) – high quality pre loved, handmade, and new goods at reasonable prices.
• Creative Kids: Toddler Mornings (Wed 14 Aug) – Join us for our monthly craft sessions at Creative Kids, Burwood One. It’s totally free and open to all!
• Park Orchards Market (Sat 17 Aug) – Enjoy music, kids activities, playgrounds, plenty of parking, coffee, bread, pastries, fresh fruit & veg, local eggs, honey, wholesale meat, artisan deli goods, cheese, wine, plants, gifts, homewares, dogs & cats painter, arts & crafts and jewellery.
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley Review.
• Melbourne Tram Museum (Sat 10 Aug, Wed 14 Aug, and Sat 24 Aug) – Visit a Melbourne icon at this quirky museum. Read the Melbourne Tram Museum full review

• ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Wurundjeri Storytime (Fridays) – Join Rebecca from Wurundjeri Council in an interactive online storytelling session for kinders, early years groups and families aged 0 to 5 years. Children will learn about Wurundjeri culture, Woi-wurrung language and Dreaming stories through storytelling, rhyme and song. Please register each class group attending.
• BUSY BODIES Malvern Central (Every Monday) – Experience FREE activity sessions for pre-school children every Monday during the school term. Play, learn, cook, and have fun with engaging activities tailored by experts to captivate little imaginations.
• Mt Baw Baw (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort is open for the winter season. Read the tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
• Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play, 2 hours from Melbourne. Read the visiting Lake Mountain with kids review

• Eastland (ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events and $5 valet parking!
• ​Spirits of the Sky (ongoing) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds at Healesville Sanctuary which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• Afternoons of Awesome at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (ongoing) – Young builders can blast out of the classroom into a world of creativity, hop on electrifying rides, and set off on epic afternoon LEGO adventure!
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (2nd Sunday of the month) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

What’s on in Melbourne – West

• Australian Model Railway Association 2024 Exhibition (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – Experience the Australian Model Railway Association (AMRA) 2023 Exhibition, a captivating showcase of model trains.
• Kryal Castle’s: Highland Spectacular (Sat 17 Aug – Sun 18 Aug) – Step into Scotland this August. For two days only, August 17 and 18, Ballarat’s iconic medieval castle will welcome visitors to the world of pipe bands, highland dancing and clan tents, all paired with an array of decedent Scottish food and drink.
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read the Bulla Railway Review.
• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway.Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Grazeland (Fridays – Sundays) – huge dining precinct with city views and 50 stalls to choose from. Read the Grazeland Review

• Essendon Traffic School (Saturdays) – Essendon Traffic School is a mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Read the Essendon Traffic School review.
• Altona Homestead (recurring 1st Sunday of the month) – Experience the renowned Devonshire Tea at Altona Homestead on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve your spot in advance for a delightful time.
• Altona Beach Market (recurring weekly every Tuesdays) – Experience Melbourne’s popular Altona Beach market, a weekly street market held on Pier Street, featuring fresh food stalls, unique crafts, and a scenic seaside backdrop, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over the city.
• Art in the garden (Tuesdays) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• 2024 Spartan Urban Event Weekend (Sat 3 Aug – Sun 4 Aug) – Conquer thrilling obstacles and overcome rugged terrain with the Spartan Kids Race! Prepare for smiles, medals and a whole lot of mud!

• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Thurs + Fridays) – The Fun In Art’ provides art classes for toddlers and kids where they’re more about the fun of creation and less about the outcome of the artwork.
• Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Ongoing) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.
• Robotics and coding kit – Discover the power of mBot robots in this fun introductory workshop that explores how simple programs can control complex machines.
• Animal Land  (Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) – Children’s Farm in Diggers Rest offering an authentic farm experience for children and families.
• Playnastics (Wednesdays & Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Ongoing) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!

• Sunday Funday Station Hotel (Sundays) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel prepares an animal farm and other entertaining activities to keep the little ones busy, while you sit back and relax. Read the Station Hotel Review
• Bells and Beats (Thursdays during school term) – Come along on a musical adventure with plenty of fun and dancing for 0 – 5 year old’s.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown
• Werribee Open Range Zoo (ongoing) – Stroll through the Zoo spotting lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas and more, catch the safari bus tour or explore the Ranger Kids indoor play space and Village Kids outdoor playground.
• Air Playground (ongoing) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
• ​Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (ongoing) – Parents and carers can sit back and relax with a coffee and a snack from the Clocktower Café while the kids explore the space, watch the trams go by or listen to their favourite book with the interactive Storytime Pod.
• Incy Wincy Babies (ongoing) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
• Bounce Play Dates Essendon Fields (ongoing) – It’s not just jumping and rock climbing for kids, enjoy a minibouncer zone exclusive for toddlers (for kids <110 cm in height).

This post contains paid inclusions. We carefully select who we include in our content and if you purchase with our partners it helps me to provide free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks, Joyce

The post What’s On in Melbourne: August 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

And right now the Melbourne ice skating scene is buzzing as winter hits and ice skating season begins (although many ice skating rinks are open year-round).

Melbourne has a number of great places to go and enjoy an ice skating experience with the whole family. From the large outdoor public ice rinks to the smaller ice skating rinks located inside shopping centres and arcades, you can bet that this city has it all. 

We love skating in the winter season! Not only does it offer tons of winter holiday fun but also poses a great opportunity to go out and get moving.

Each of these ice skating rinks is well worth a visit, but before you lace up those skates, here’s some info you’ll need to know about some of the best places to go ice skating Melbourne wide.

Ice Skating Melbourne

1. Winter in Williamstown, Williamstown

Escape to Winter in Williamstown this season and embrace the festive spirit at Commonwealth Reserve from 28 June to 14 July 2024.

Lace up your skates for a glide across the synthetic ice rink, marvel at the mesmerizing Winter Lights Display, and enjoy live entertainment with DJ sets and roving performers.

Williamstown Ice Skating in the Park:

• All abilities are welcome! 
• Session running: 12pm – 6pm Sun to Wed, 12pm – 8pm Thurs to Sat
• $1 Children, $5 Adults (13+) plus booking fees
• Skates included
• Penguin helper hire is FREE for small children (pre-book)

Winter in Williamstown, (From 12 pm daily, Sat 28 June to Sun 14 July 2024) Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown VIC 3016

Book ice skating tickets here

2. Eynesbury Winter Festival, Eynesbury

Opening on Thursday 27 June the Eynesbury Winter Festival – a spot that’s perfect for ice skating in Melbourne and for enjoying some tasty winter food and drinks, plus a bunch of other winter activities. 

The winter celebration offers so much for families to see and do. On top of the hourly superstar ice skating experience, you’ll also get to be entertained by the live music and performances, wander the winter market and much more.

Eynesbury Winter Festival is a perfect winter outing and a destination that is a contender for best ice skating rink Melbourne wide. The festival is free to enter but you’ll have to pre-book tickets for the ice rink, sessions start at $15.

Eynesbury Winter Festival, 479 Eynesbury Road, Eynesbury, +61 3 9971 0414, events@eynesbury.com.au.

3. O’Brien Ice House, Docklands

Known as Australia’s premier Olympic ice sports venue, The O’Brien Icehouse is a HUGE ice skating rink with great facilities that is open all year round for skating. So if you’re looking to have some fun ice skating Docklands might just be the destination for you! 

This rink is open seven days a week and offers ice skating classes, parties and events and school group bookings. It also has an onsite cafe and bar.

O’Brien Icehouse, 105 Pearl River Road, Docklands, 1300 75 66 99, Info@obriengrouparena.com.au

4. Olympic Ice Skating Centre, Oakleigh

Skating enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the public ice skating sessions at the Olympic Ice Skating Centre. The location is a training ground for future Olympians and offers free skate rental, along with free parking. 

This spot is one of the nicest around and is definitely worth checking out If you’re looking for a great place to go ice skating as it’s perfect for a family outing and you’re sure to have a blast!

Olympic Ice Skating Centre, 1080 Centre Road, Oakleigh South, +61 3 9579 3755

5. Ice HQ, Reservoir

Formerly known as the Puckhandlers inline hockey stadium, Ice HQ is an indoor Ice Skating Rink that’s been transformed into a state-of-the-art ice skating centre for ice hockey games, lessons and general ice skating sessions. 

Ice HQ is open for ice skating daily except on wednesdays. However, the rinks schedules may change from time to time so it would be best to check first before you vist.

Ice HQ, 1 Blake St, Reservoir, +61 3 9478 2876

6. Ballarat Winter Festival, Ballarat

The Ballarat Winter Festival is a celebration of the city’s signature season and for 2024 the joyous celebration is set to take place from 29 June to 21 July 2024! 

On top of the unique events and various winter offerings, you can bet that one of the long awaited activities for the festival is the ever popular pop-up ice skating rink which will only be up for a limited three-week season (so it would be best to book your tickets online now to avoid missing out.)

Be sure to take the time to visit the Sovereign Hill Winter Wonderlights while you’re in town as well as eating and drinking your way through Ballarat’s burgeoning food scene.

Ballarat Winter Festival, Armstrong Street South, Ballarat Central, 1800 44 66 33, events@ballarat.vic.gov.au

Ballarat Winter Festival is your Family Getaway Destination This Winter School Holidays

Places to Ski, Enjoy Snow Play and Ice Skating in Melbourne & Victoria

Click here for my 10 tips for a family ski trip or snow holiday

The post 6 Best Places to go Ice Skating in Melbourne with Family and Friends appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

Answer: Melbourne Museum!

Trust me, you’ll never hear “I’m boooored’ when your kids get to explore two storeys of curiosity and wonder, plus they always put on an excellent school holiday program.

Even better, general admission to Melbourne Museum is always free for kids 16 and under!

Playbound is the home of fun these Winter School Holidays

These winter school holidays, Melbourne Museum‘s program of special events and exhibitions is part of Playbound, a dynamic children’s festival taking over Melbourne from 29 June to 14 July 2024.  

The creative children’s festival features over 40 programs spread across 14 city venues, offering interactive experiences grounded in play, nature, science, and imagination.

Playbound is presented by Museums Victoria, in partnership with the City of Melbourne, ArtPlay, Melbourne Recital Centre, Road to Zero and Gowrie Victoria

Here are some of the highlights at Melbourne Museum!

1. Victoria the T. rex Opening Weekend Dinosaur Party

Join the roaring fun at Melbourne Museum’s Dinosaur Party celebrating the opening of the Victoria the T. rex exhibition!

From mask-making to scavenger hunts, kids of all ages can enjoy a prehistoric adventure included with museum entry.

Get creative with 3-D T. rex masks, explore fossils with pop-up activities, and meet a real dinosaur lover for fascinating insights.

Hunt for 100 tiny dinosaurs, dance at the Dino Disco, and even meet a baby Triceratops up close.

It’s a weekend filled with dinosaur excitement and interactive learning that’s sure to delight both young and old palaeontology enthusiasts.

Sat 29 June + Sun 30 June from 10 am to 4.30 pm

2.  Build your own T. rex Masks

Step into the exciting world of dinosaurs at Melbourne Museum and craft your own T. rex mask during the Playbound festival these school holidays.

Discover the incredible strength of the T. rex’s bite while engaging in a hands-on activity that combines creativity and science.

Channel your inner palaeontologist as you colour and construct your very own T. rex mask, creating a unique piece of prehistoric art to take home.

It’s a great before or after stop combined with a visit to Melbourne Museum’s iconic Dinosaur Walk.

Sat 29 Jun until Sun 14 Jul 2024

3. NAIDOC Week Family Day

Melbourne Museum invites you to kick off NAIDOC Week with a special Family Day filled with engaging activities and performances on Sunday 7 July 2024.

The theme “Blak, Loud and Proud” celebrates Indigenous identity through the reclamation of narratives and the amplification of voices.

Witness a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, enjoy performances, and join maker activities like designing your own Kooyang Eel and learning about Dancing Dragonflies.

Explore exhibitions like “Biik Milboo Dhumba” and “Piinpi” showcasing Indigenous art and fashion. Listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue to foster a society where Indigenous wisdom and contributions are valued and respected.

This evocative and beautifully designed space is one of our favourite permanent exhibitions at Melbourne Museum. 

4. Scavenger Hunt and Competition

Embark on an epic quest at Melbourne Museum to find 100 tiny dinosaurs scattered throughout the galleries!

Follow the trail of these miniature creatures as they make their way to welcome Victoria T. rex. Delve into the Dinosaur Walk and Gandel Gondwana Garden to uncover hidden dinosaur stickers and unscramble letters for a special code word.

Discover the shiny Crystal T. rex for a chance to win a grand prize pack worth $500! With each dinosaur found, learn more about these fascinating prehistoric creatures and their world.

Sat 29 Jun until Sun 14 Jul 2024

5. Join a tiny guided tour

Tiny Tours is where youngsters aged 3 to 5 can discover the enchanting world of museum objects like never before. Led by expert guides, this 45-minute adventure focuses on the significance of small wonders in a world dominated by giants.

From unravelling mysteries of 600 million years ago to uncovering the fate of the dinosaurs, children will be immersed in a captivating learning experience.

Every Friday at 10 am and 11.30 am.

6. Road to Zero Scavenger Hunt

Gear up for an exciting and informative experience at the Road to Zero Scavenger Hunt.

Visit the interactive Road to Zero gallery and engage in a thrilling scavenger hunt that combines entertainment with learning about pedestrian and cycling safety.

Work together with your family to solve puzzles and uncover the key principles of road safety, making this a memorable and educational experience for all.

Suited to children aged 4 to 13.

Mon 1 Jul to Sat 13 July (excluding Sun 7 July), from 10am to 3pm.

7. Explore the nature play space.

Gandel Gondwana Garden is an outdoor nature play space, suitable for children aged six to twelve but open to visitors of all ages, that offers a rich exploration of Australia’s natural history and Indigenous culture.

Roam through diverse ecosystems, encounter prehistoric megafauna, and immerse yourself in the stories of Creation as you traverse the garden’s interactive exhibits. 

Gandel Gondwana Garden is included with museum entry.

8. From Little Things…

Make sure you visit the Mini Mega Model Museum!

This quirky exhibition presents intriguing miniatures and small things in unexpectedly huge sizes, with opportunities to press buttons to operate models and interact with exhibits in fun ways.

It’s been one of the most popular temporary exhibitions with my kids, with requests to visit time and time again. 

Mini Mega Model Museum is included with museum entry.

9. Get curious with your little ones

The Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery is one of the most popular locations for families at Melbourne Museum, full of sensory experiences and hands-on exhibits.

Inside and outside, there are so many opportunities for fun and delight with your little ones. Dig for dinosaurs, pump the bubbles, colour butterflies and more!

Note that the Children’s Gallery requires a separate entry booking in order to manage capacity, so make sure that you book a timeslot at the same time as booking your Museum ticket so you don’t miss out. 

10. Step into an urban forest

When you need some peace and tranquility, take a deep, cleansing breath of fresh mountain air when you enter the Forest Gallery. 

Located at the heart of Melbourne Museum, this unique natural space abounds with hidden creatures – it’s a wonderful place to play a little game of ‘I Spy’ with the kids. 

This post was published in partnership with Melbourne Museum

The post Why Melbourne Museum Should Be On Your Hit-List These Winter School Holidays (2024) appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

This post is updated regularly so check back in to see what’s on in Melbourne today and this weekend, as well as what’s happening for the whole month.

GLOW WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

Featured Event

Glow Winter Arts Festival celebrates 10 years of illumination in Stonnington from 18-21 July 2024!

Head to Central Park, Malvern East to experience a free program of stunning and immersive outdoor installations to spark curiosity after-dark. The Festival includes innovative works never before presented in Victoria.

Running over 4 nights, Glow is a free event for the whole family and is a ‘must do’ on Melbourne’s cultural calendar. Be immersed in a night-world of colour and light and experience winter in Stonnington like never before at Glow Winter Arts Festival 2024!

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• BEINGS By Universal Everything​ (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
• Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – every Wednesday evening enjoy delicious street food, hot bevvies, roaring open fires, great shopping, live music and fun at the silent disco. Read the Winter Night Market review.
• Little Murmur (Thu 25 Jul – Sun 4 Aug) – A new international dance theatre performance featuring ground-breaking projections, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard of paper and confetti.
• Lightscape (Fri 16 Jun – Sun 6 Aug) – An immersive, after-dark experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. See iconic tree canopies drenched in colour, vibrant bursts of light from the undergrowth and more!

• The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. Read the Story of the Moving Image ACMI Review.
• Into the Music – Composition Workshop 2024 (ongoing) – Participants in Into the Music – Composition Workshop will explore technology and techniques used to create the music they hear every day.
• Storytime by State Library Victoria (Wednesdays during school term) – Share the delight of stories, songs, and picture books with your preschooler on Wednesdays at the Library. State Library of Victoria Review.
• Escape the Gaol (Ongoing) – At Old Melbourne Gaol, kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review
• Hop into the boots of SEA LIFE Melbourne’s penguin keepers this winter (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Enjoy keeper talks and an interactive trail where guests will dive into the world of penguins, gaining knowledge about feeding, habitat, enrichment and conservation.

• The Art of Banksy – Australia: “Without Limits” Exhibition” (Wed 12 Jun – Sat 3 Aug) – The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” is a stunning street art exhibition of museum quality featuring over 150 artworks, such as certified art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, digital installations, murals, mapping shows, and more.
• T.REX 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sat 21 Dec) – Narrated by Sam Neill, experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world’s biggest, best screen in this thrilling IMAX 3D documentary!
• Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• Polly Woodside (First Sunday of the Month) – Come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas. Read the Polly Woodside review.
• NAIDOC Week (Sun 7 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (ongoing) – See some of the world’s most incredible animals, including penguins, a 6-metre-long crocodile and thousands of tropical fish, plus the newly reopened oceanarium.
• Soft Play (ongoing) – Play with your child and make community connections in a safe and fun indoor environment.
• Docklands Community Market (2nd & 4th Sunday of each month) – Grab your early morning coffee, enjoy a lovely stroll & support your local producers at this lovely market.
• Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Every market day) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
• Leonardo Da Vinci (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 16 Sept) – Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius promises to be THE LUME Melbourne’s most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking experience yet.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• The Grandparents Club – South Morang (Sun 21 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
• Treetime with Claire Saxby for 7 – 8 year old nature lovers (Sat 27 Jul) – Create your own tree with multi-award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Raclyeft, as they take you on a journey of wonder and discovery.
• A Mysterious Afternoon for 9-12 year olds (Sat 27 Jul) – Batthew Aromascent and the Missing Corpse Flower is the first dazzling book in an exciting new adventure mystery series about the rich world of fragrance, starring a young Nose named Batthew Aromascent, whose parents disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
• Cosy Collage Matinée @ Missing Gorilla (Sat 27 Jul and Sat 10 Aug) – Dream of a screen-free, family-friendly winter escape by the fireplace, exploring contemporary collage, sipping drinks, and enjoying nibbles to French Jazz & Cafe music.
• Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (Until Sun 31 Jul) – Enjoy thought-provoking documentaries from all over the world. Running from 1 – 31 July Online & 17 – 31 July In-Cinema.
• VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – VU early childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
• Rose Street Artists’ Market (Saturdays and Sundays) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
• Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.

• Meet Victoria the T. rex (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 20 Oct) – Victoria the T. rex is a world-class, interactive exhibition starring the real fossil skeleton of a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus named Victoria.
• Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Daily) – Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – and a wonderland for little learners! The exhibition combines hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments and unique museum collection objects.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (Daily) – An immersive voyage into a lost world, where visitors will explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.
• Tiny Tours (Fridays during school term) – a 45-minute tour created for early year audiences that will invite them to wonder, discover and be amazed.
• Dinosaur Walk (Daily) – Check out the real dinosaur bones at Melbourne Museum’s permanent exhibition featuring ten dinosaur skeletons, three pterosaurs, and other select megafauna artefacts such as huge teeth!

• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft, and play at Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo.
• Sensory Tray Sessions (ongoing) – Sensory Tray Session (Various dates) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Heide Gallery Kids (ongoing) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Mini Twitchers Heide (Ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park.
• Heide Art Babies (Ongoing) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies Review.
• Under 5s Art Classes (ongoing) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Diamond Valley Railway Review.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Glow Winter Arts Festival (Thu 18 Jul – Su 21 Jul) – Be immersed in a night-world of colour and light and experience winter in Stonnington like never before at Glow Winter Arts Festival 2024!

• Gumbuya World Dreaming (Sat 8 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – ‍Prepare to be transported to a realm of wonder and awe as Gumbuya World Theme Park proudly presents ‘Gumbuya Dreaming’, a mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam.
• Prehistoric Bayside Exhibition (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 25 Aug) – Prehistoric Bayside is an immersive family-friendly exhibition showcasing the tumultuous lives of bizarre beasts dating back roughly 5-6 million years.
• The Grandparents Club – Moorabbin (Wed 17 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
• The Grandparents Club – Frankston (Fri 19 Jul – Wed 17 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
• Teen Digital Photography Project (Wed 24 Jul – Wed 11 Sep) – Engage in a range of hands-on activities, tapping into the realm of camera settings and controlled lighting, as you learn to craft captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective.
• Prehistoric Bayside Cartoon workshop with Zev Landes (Sat 27 Jul) – In this awesome cartoon workshop we’ll have fun doing learning to draw bizarre beasts from prehistoric Bayside.
• Advanced Prehistoric Bayside Cartoon workshop with Zev Landes (Sat 27 Jul) – Learn advanced techniques in cartooning and bring incredible prehistoric creatures from Bayside to life with artist Zev Landes.
• ARC BY ERTH (Sun 28 Jul – Mon 29 Jul) – A place to keep the most precious of things. A place to embrace the awe and wonder of nature.
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods, and more! Every Sunday. 

• Shrine Kids (Daily) – The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and it makes for an educational (and sobering) outing for families. Shrine Kids Review.
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (Until Tue 31 Dec) Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (Wednesday – Sunday) – A dedicated, fully fenced space for families featuring plants, water, structures, and pathways that reflect Melbourne’s changing seasons.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• Sonica Botanica: Stories and Sounds from the Gardens (Until 31 Dec 2024) – Weaving together interviews, field recordings and a musical score, this evocative listening experience responds to collectors’ passions, botanical knowledge, favourite memories, childhood impressions, historical anecdotes and cultural viewpoints

• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Sun 18 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers..
• Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Ongoing) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Every Sunday) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else.
• Young At Art (Tuesdays) – With the guidance of an experienced early childhood educator, participants work on a different hands-on creative activity every week, using materials from the take-home art materials box supplied each session.
• Tune in Time Out Music Playgroup (Tuesdays) – A pre-school music group plus time for play and parents to relax. The group runs weekly on Tuesday Mornings from 10:00 – 11:30am during school terms.
• National Steam Centre (Saturdays and Sundays) – A visit to the National Steam Centre will delight a wide audience from the pre-schooler obsessed with Thomas and train rides, to train enthusiasts of any age!
• Nature Play (Ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.

• Little Play Times Legoland (Ongoing) – Little Play Times Legoland (Wednesdays) – An interactive parent-child Play & Learn session based on LEGO® DUPLO®.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Ongoing) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes.
• WIIILD Wednesdays, Gumbuya World (Ongoing) – Dive into Wildlife Wanderers, the trail of free-roaming wildlife, savor two interactive shows, and hop on junior rides! Get up close with exotic animals, connect with nature, and enjoy exciting entertainment every week!
• Little Lunies at Luna Park (Ongoing) – Discover a fantastic world of rides, attractions, and games to suit Little and Big Lunies! There’s something for everyone from old favorites like The Great Scenic Railway, Ghost Train, & Carousel to the big thrill rides like the Power Surge, Sky Rider, Twin Dragon, and more!
• St Kilda Breakwater (Ongoing) – St Kilda Breakwater – Spot the Little Penguin colony just before dusk coming ashore from the promenade.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST

• Circus Royale Wantirna South (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Melbourne’s Favourite Circus Spectacular is coming to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South with Australia’s #1 action-packed circus event and animatronic zoo.
• Silvers Circus Spectacular (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Silvers Circus has returned with a 90-minute spectacular by elite artists from around the globe, including the Walison Muh as seen on Australia’s Got Talent.
• Melbourne Tram Museum (Wed 10 Jul, Sat 13 Jul, & Sat 27 Jul) – historic trams on display. Read the Melbourne Tram Museum Review.
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (Sun 14 Jul) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.
• Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 21 Jul) – Every 3rd Sunday you can ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. Read the Box Hill Miniature Railway Review.
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Sun 28 Jul) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.

• BUSY BODIES Malvern Central (Every Monday) – Experience FREE activity sessions for pre-school children every Monday during the school term. Play, learn, cook, and have fun with engaging activities tailored by experts to captivate little imaginations.
• Yarra Valley Railway (Every Sun) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley Review.
• ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Wurundjeri Storytime (Fridays) – Join Rebecca from Wurundjeri Council in an interactive online storytelling session for kinders, early years groups and families aged 0 to 5 years. Children will learn about Wurundjeri culture, Woi-wurrung language and Dreaming stories through storytelling, rhyme and song. Please register each class group attending.

• Eastland (Ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events, and $5 valet parking! FREE.
• Spirits of the Sky (Daily) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• Afternoons of Awesome at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Ongoing) – Young builders can blast out of the classroom into a world of creativity, hop on electrifying rides, and set off on epic afternoon LEGO adventure!
• Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST

• Adventure Park – Winter Glow (Fri 22 June – Sun 21 July) – Discover a glowing winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice.
• Winter Wonderland at Grazeland (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 28 Jul) – Farewell the winter blues at Grazeland’s annual Winter Wonderland! Melbourne’s foodie playground is heating up with an array of food, drink and entertainment.
• Winter Wonderlights Sovereign Hill (Mon 27 Jun – Mon 15 Jul) – Christmas in July with snow falls, carols and projections. Read the Winter Wonderlights Review.
• Incy Wincy Babies (Fri 19 Jul) – Barking Spider Creative artist guides carers with their babies through a visual art experience at the Gallery.
• The Grandparents Club – Moonee Ponds (Sat 27 Jul) – The Grandparents Club, an original Australian Comedy Musical, celebrates the wonderful world of Grandparenting in a show made for Grandparents. Visiting Melbourne in July.
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read the Bulla Railway Review.

• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10am and 3pm ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Essendon Traffic School (Saturdays) – Essendon Traffic School is a mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Read the Essendon Traffic School review.
• Kryal Castle (Weekends only) – Experience a captivating and enchanting day for all ages at Kryal Castle’s Festival of Magic this June.
• Art in the garden (Tuesdays) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• Sunday Funday Station Hotel (Sundays) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel prepares an animal farm and other entertaining activities to keep the little ones busy, while you sit back and relax. Read the Station Hotel Review

• Playnastics (Wednesdays + Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more. ​Read our review here.
• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Thurs + Fridays) – The Fun In Art’ provides art classes for toddlers and kids where they’re more about the fun of creation and less about the outcome of the artwork.
• Altona Homestead (recurring 1st Sunday of the month) – Experience the renowned Devonshire Tea at Altona Homestead on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve your spot in advance for a delightful time.
• Altona Beach Market (recurring weekly every Tuesdays) – Experience Melbourne’s popular Altona Beach market, a weekly street market held on Pier Street, featuring fresh food stalls, unique crafts, and a scenic seaside backdrop, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over the city.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown
• Werribee Open Range Zoo (Daily) – Stroll through the Zoo spotting lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas and more, catch the safari bus tour or explore the Ranger Kids indoor play space and Village Kids outdoor playground.

• Bounce Playdates (Ongoing) – Extended toddler sessions offer little adrenaline hunters time to explore and play, while parents can choose to join in, or watch on from nearby.
• Bells and Beats (Thursdays during school term) – Come along on a musical adventure with plenty of fun and dancing for 0 – 5 year old’s.
• Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (Daily) – Parents and carers can sit back and relax with a coffee and a snack from the Clocktower Café while the kids explore the space, watch the trams go by or listen to their favourite book with the interactive Storytime Pod.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Daily) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!
• Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Daily) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.
• Air Playground (Daily) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.

Where to ice skate in Melbourne

Best places for skiing and snow play

Cosy pubs with fireplaces that are great for families

The post What’s on in Melbourne for July 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

Scienceworks WINTER School Holiday Program

1. Air Playground

Air Playground welcomes curious kids and their families to play with air, the amazing invisible force, and experience the science of aerodynamics.  Whoosh, swirl, gust, squish, flow, float and more!

Float objects in mid-air, place material in fast-moving air-jets, squish a giant inflatable tentacle sculpture with your body, launch balls sky-high with compressed air, craft paper planes to soar and more.   

Air Playground, 30 March 2024 – 6 October 2024 | Daily | 10:00am – 4:30pm | Adult $25, Senior $20, Child $10, Concession $10, Member $8 | Includes Scienceworks entry 

2. Air-Palooza

Immerse yourself in the wonders of air at a free 20-minute live science show, Air-Palooza.

Uncover these secrets of invisible forces, witness levitation demonstrations, and explore the fascinating power of air pressure through interactive experiments.   

Air-Palooza 29 June 2024 – 14 July 2024 | Daily | 12:00pm and 2:00pm | Included with Scienceworks entry 

3. Guided Highlights Tour

For the first time ever, visitors can explore the museum on a guided tour!

With a knowledgeable guide, encounter some of Scienceworks’ truest treasures, including the world’s oldest surviving first-generation electronic computer, the Da Vinci Surgical System (the first ever used in Australia), a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite and much more.

Guided Highlights Tour, 29 June 2024 – 14 July 2024 | Daily | 1:30 pm | Adult $25, Senior $20, Child $10, Concession $10, Member $8 | Includes Scienceworks entry 

4. FlushBack

FlushBack, Scienceworks’ new, award-winning AR adventure, brings to life the awe-inspiring heritage-listed Spotswood Pumping Station. 

Travel back to 1942 and complete challenges based on real historical events. You must ensure the Pumping Station continues to operate so Melbourne doesn’t turn back into ‘Smellbourne’!

You’ll be guided by actual workers from the past, brought to life on your device using augmented reality (AR). They will introduce you to each of the major components that enabled the Pumping Station to pump Melbourne’s sewage away from the city for treatment. 

FlushBack, 29 June 2024 – 14 July 2024 | Daily | 1:00pm & 2:00pm | $3, $2 Museum Members 

5. Planetarium Shows

Book into the Planetarium and enjoy an out-of-this-world show exclusive to Scienceworks.  

11:00am – Tycho Goes to Mars 

12:00pm – Solar System Adventures: Where’s the Water?   

1:00pm – Starlight 

2:00pm – Solar System Adventures: Where’s the Water?   

3:00pm – Capturing the Cosmos

4:00pm – Dark Side of the Moon 

Planetarium Shows, 30 March 2024 – 14 April 2024 | Daily | $10 child and concession / $8 Museum Members 

6. Lightning Room Shows

Take a seat in our Lightning Room and be mesmerised by The Glow Show, a stunning 30-minute live science show.

Explore the fascinating processes behind luminosity, including the many ways a glow can be produced. Discover the science of fluorescence, how animals can appear bright at night and the brilliant, coloured effects of using different materials to make light.

In the spectacular finale, witness a giant Tesla coil light up the theatre with lightning using more than 2 million volts of electricity 

Lightning Room Shows, 30 March 2024 – 14 April 2024 | Daily | 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm | $10 child and concession / $8 Museum Members | Includes Scienceworks entry 

7. Pumping Station Orientation

Sniff out some of the smelly stories from the pumping station straining well and explore the magnificent engine room, marvelling at the engineering feat that helped overcome the stench of 19th century Melbourne in daily Pumping Station tours. 

Pumping Station Tours are available every day and run for thirty minutes. However, do note that the tours are sometimes closed for private events so it would be best to check Scienework’s What’s On Page first to see if tours are running.

Pumping Station tours 30 March 2024 – 14 April 2024 | Daily | 11:00am | Included with Scienceworks entry  

8. Collection Store Tours

Take an exclusive look behind the scenes with a tour of the Scienceworks Collection Store. 

Get a glimpse of some of the rare 40,000 collection items stored at Scienceworks, and hear some amazing stories belonging to these unique objects. 

Collection Store Tours, 30 March 2024 – 14 April 2024 | Daily | 12:00pm and 2:00pm | Included with Scienceworks entry 

Check out the Scienceworks’ must-do permanent exhibitions including Ground Up and Beyond Perception

Eat and drink at Grazeland next door

Click here for more things to do in Melbourne this Winter

The post Hands-On Fun: Winter School Holidays At Scienceworks 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

1. Winter Street Party Werribee (Fri 28 Jun) – See the city light up after dark, with beautiful light installations, street performers, kids’ activities and warming winter treats from city traders.
2. Docklands Firelight Festival (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 30 Jun) – the traditions of a winter solstice and a modern celebration of arts, music, food, fire and fun.
3. EID @ FOOTSCRAY (Sat 29 Jun) – Immerse yourself in the vibrant Eid festivities of the many Muslim cultures that enrich multicultural Maribyrnong. Experience: food samplings, Ethiopian coffee, Henna, interactive arts, communal prayers and Qawwali.
4. School Holidays: Winter Wonderland Creations (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – The school holidays are just around the corner and we are thrilled to invite you to an enchanting week of winter-themed activities that will delight the whole family!
5. Winter Wonderland (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Join the fun at our free winter themed school holidays! Sensory craft, an igloo photobooth and even a scavenger hunt.
6. FREE School Holiday Fun! (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Enjoy Free School Holiday Fun, where kids can participate in an interactive ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ workshop during week 1, followed by a week of engaging mindful activities such as kids yoga, coloring, and bead craft in week 2.
7. Winter School Holidays at Queen Victoria Market (Tue 2 Jul, Thu 4 Jul, Tue 9 Jul, and Thu 11 Jul) – Get ready for a giant tumble of geometric planks, where little ones can explore their creativity and collaboration as they create giant shapes to craft larger-than-life snowflakes.
8. Kids Takeover: After Dark (Wed 3 Jul) – Let your kids take charge at this one-day winter extravaganza, where they’ll dominate the Library with arts, hip-hop, magic, and more.
9. Firefly Night Market (Sat 6 Jul) – fun for the whole family with roving performers, interactive art, street food, artisan stalls, cultural activities and live performances.
10. NAIDOC Week 2024 Dandenong Market (Sun 7 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Recognising the history and achievement of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this event contributes to the movement for our elders and original owners of the land both past and present.
11. NAIDOC Week Oration by Uncle Charles Pakana (Mon 8 Jul) – This year Moonee Valley’s NAIDOC Week events will commence with a NAIDOC-themed oration delivered by Uncle Charles Pakana at the Incinerator Gallery.
12. NAIDOC Week: Indigenous Cultural Presentation on Fire (Tue 9 Jul) – Discover the importance of fire and smoke in this educational Indigenous presentation.
13. NAIDOC Week Children’s Craft Workshops (Tue 9 Jul) – Join for FREE NAIDOC Week children’s craft workshops. Let the kids enjoy painting and colouring during these school holidays.
14. Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Every market day) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
15. Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – Rug up in your winter woollies and head to the Market for Melbourne’s best street food trucks and stalls, local brewers and distillers, shopping and lively entertainment.
16. Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s annual NAIDOC Family Day (Wed 10 Jul) -The theme of NAIDOC Week 2024, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud,” celebrates the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, with fire symbolizing connection to Country, community, and traditions
17. Josh Deane: Crackle of the Cockatoos (Wed 10 Jul – Tue 16 Jul) – This intriguing installation by Palawa contemporary artist Josh Deane features a group of paper mache cockatoos, with each sculpture incorporating paper as a tribute to the library environment.
18. NAIDOC Exhibition Opening: Keep The Fire Burning (Thu 11 Jul) – Bluethumb is pleased to announce its annual NAIDOC week exhibition, ‘Keep The Fire Burning,’ which is dedicated to supporting the creative endeavours of Indigenous artists.
19. BLAKtivism. Build Blak Power. Fight for Change​ (Thu 11 Jul) – At this reflective and provocative panel event, Bebe Oliver discusses the currency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism, guided by Laniyuk, Apryl Day and Iluka Sax-Williams.
20. NAIDOC Week: The Little Long Walk at EF (Thu 11 Jul) – For the third year, join us this NAIDOC Week for the Little Long Walk at Essendon Fields.
21. Haus of Dizzy Charm Bracelet Workshop​ (Thu 11 Jul) – Welcome to the ultimate bling-tastic workshop with self-confessed ‘Queen of Bling’, Wiradjuri designer Kristy Dickinson of Haus of Dizzy. Kristy’s jewellery celebrates and honours Aboriginal culture through bold and statement-making accessories.
22. NAIDOC 2024 KHT NAIDOC Market (Fri 12 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud, and Proud,” symbolizing the enduring strength, vitality, and traditions of First Peoples cultures.
23. NAIDOC in the City​​ (Fri 12 Jul) – Following the annual NAIDOC march, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents.
24. Bastille Day French Festival (Sat 13 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Shop from local French stallholders, indulge in mouth-watering delicacies, plus delight in traditional dance and musical performances from French jazz, Mauritian bands and mime artists!
25. NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION 2024 (Sat 13 Jul) – Each year NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to acknowledge the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
26. Melbourne Zoo Com​munity Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Join us to close out NAIDOC week with a range of First Nations led activities for children, young people and families. A collaboration by Aboriginal Melbourne and Melbourne Zoo.
27. Junior Ranger Bush Food and Bizarre Bugs​​ (Sun 14 Jul) – Kids! Why are bugs important to the world? What is bush food? Discover the answer to these questions and more in these activities led by City of Melbourne Park Rangers and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
28. Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day promises an engaging blend of cultural immersion and community building.
29. Free Guided Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Led by a passionate guide, discover sensational views and the remarkable plant diversity of this sanctuary in the middle of bustling Melbourne.
30. Seek and Find Nature Cards (Until Sun 31 Dec) Set your young ones on an adventure exploring nature with our Seek and Find Nature Cards to be used at Melbourne Gardens or download the cards and go exploring in your own neighbourhood.
31. Free face painting Prahran Market (Thursdays) – face painter, Alysha, from Paint The Party.
32. Prahran Market Mini Marketeers (Tuesdays) – Enjoy free, guided activities teaching toddlers the fundamentals of eating well and putting the ‘yum’ in healthy food choices.
33. ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
34. Eynesbury Winter Festival (Thur 27 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – The perfect winter outing for the entire family! Hit the ice rink, enjoy some tasty winter food & drinks and more.
35. Junior Rangers (Ongoing) – Parks Victoria Ranger guided activities in various locations. Including Minibeast Discovery at Brimbank Park and Organ Pipes National Park.  Read the Junior Rangers review.
36. NGV TEENS: DROP BY AND MAKE A BUSH FLOWER WITH SOPHIE HONESS (Daily) – This school holidays, join artist Sophie Honess in a free workshop making a bush flower inspired pom-pom to decorate your school bag. Together with the NGV Teen Council, meet like-minded people and develop your skills at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
37. The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. ACMI review.
38. Shrine Kids (ongoing) – free discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Shrine Kids review
39. Bunnings D.I.Y Kids Workshop (Sat 8 Jul – Sun 9 Jul) – Get your kids to build their own crate for free in stores where they’ll be rewarded with a ‘License To D.I.Y’ certificate once their masterpiece is complete!
40. KNOX events, activities and festivals for everyone (Mon 26 Jun – Tue 26 Sep) – Explore a wide range of activities, festivals, and events happening near you. Join in the fun and embrace the vibrant community spirit.
41. Mini Twitchers Heide (ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park. Children under 16 FREE.
42. Eastland (Ongoing) – Sign up to the free mini & me kids club at Eastland (for kids 4 and under) and receive exclusive offers, invites to free events, and $5 valet parking! FREE.

Also remember that your local library and Melbourne Library Service hold free events plus check out the free ongoing Shrine Kids discovery trail for children at the Shrine of Remembrance. Full review.

Finally check out the following lists for free inspiration:

• Best indoor places for kids;
• Melbourne’s best libraries; and
• Best playgrounds for older kids.

Click here for winter school holiday events in Melbourne- CBD and Docklands

Click here for winter school holiday events in Melbourne – north, south, east, west

The post Free Winter School Holiday Events in Melbourne 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

From chilling out at ice rinks to enjoying festive markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Here are all the best school holiday events and activities happening throughout Melbourne’s suburbs. Find winter school holiday events in Melbourne CBD.

Note that this post is regularly updated so make sure to check back for new events.

Do Awesome Stuff at BOUNCE these school holidays!

Featured Event

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST

Melbourne Museum Winter School Holiday Program (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Engage in exciting performances, workshops, crafts, and activities that blend play, nature, science, and imagination to ignite young minds and foster creativity.

Featured Event

• ANTARCTICA 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – With never-before-seen footage, Antarctica 3D will take you to the farthest reaches of this wild and majestic continent.
• T-Rex 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Dive into the breathtaking world of T-Rex 3D, exclusively presented in IMAX 4K Laser Digital!
• 21st Bonfire 2024 (Sat 22 Jun) – Trot down to Collingwood Children’s Farm to make this family-friendly fundraiser burn bright!
• Meet Victoria the T. rex (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 20 Oct) – Victoria the T. rex is a world-class, interactive exhibition starring the real fossil skeleton of a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus named Victoria.
• BOUNCE Heidelberg Holiday Camp (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join BOUNCE Holiday Camps for a morning filled with 3-hours of indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!
• BOUNCE Essendon Fields Holiday Camp (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join BOUNCE Holiday Camps for a morning filled with 3-hours of indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!

• Victoria the T. rex Opening Weekend Dinosaur Party (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 30 Jun) – Celebrate the opening weekend of the Victoria the T. rex exhibition with mask making, scavenger hunts and dinosaur talks for kids – all free with your Melbourne Museum entry ticket.
• Tracey Lister: Kids’ Gnocchi Class (Mon 1 Jul) – A fun way for kids to learn some basic cooking skills in a safe and supervised environment.
• School Holiday Rolling Circus (Mon 1 Jul) – Step right up and prepare for the most dazzling pop-up roller rink of the winter school holidays!
• Farmer for a Day (Tue 2 Jul – Thu 4 Jul & Mon 9 Jul – Thu 11 Jul) – learn all about what it takes to keep a busy Community Farm humming and what Collingwood Children’s Farm does to take care of their animals as well as the land that we all rely on.
• Kindness Club (Wed 3 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – A unique, hands-on and interactive experience for children aged 6-12 to engage with the animals and philosophy of farmed animal sanctuary, Edgar’s Mission.
• Flower Power Roller Disco (Sun 30 Jun) – Get ready to boogie on down at the most groovy event of the year – the Flower Power Roller Disco! Mark your calendars for 30th of June 2024 and roll on over to the vrdl Factory at 2 Stott Street, Preston.

• Naomi Gnomey: Kids’ Sushi-Making Class (Tue 2 Jul) – A fun way for kids to learn some basic cooking skills in a safe and supervised environment.
• Tracey Lister: Kids’ Dumpling Making Class (Wed 3 Jul) – A fun way for kids to learn some basic cooking skills in a safe and supervised environment.
• Winter Light Spectacular Diamond Valley Railway (Wed 3 Jul) – You’ll journey through the bushland of Eltham Lower Park, lit by the light shows, passing signals and locomotive headlights.
• Night of Crime (Wed 3 Jul) – Michael Brissenden and Jane Sullivan talk about their new page turners with Adrian Hyland
• Tracey Lister: Kids’ Ice Cream Making (Thu 4 Jul) – What better dish to learn and enjoy regardless of the season! In this 2-hour class your child will learn how to prepare chocolate parfait, summer fruit sorbet and granita in a fun and safe environment.
• Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (Daily) – An immersive voyage into a lost world, where visitors will explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.

• Kids: Jon & Jero: The Forgotten Tales (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 7 Jul) – Get ready for a truly wondrous exploration of imagination filled with big characters, music, clowning and physical comedy. The Forgotten Tales is perfect for kids 5 and up!
• Naomi Gnomey: Kids’ Sushi-Making Class (Tue 9 Jul) – This class allows your kids to roll up their sleeves and explore their culinary creativity through making their own sushi.
• Kids craft – Aboriginal Rock Painting (Tue 9 Jul) – Bring your kids to Eltham Mall on Tuesday, 9th July, at 11am for a captivating Kids Craft session featuring Aboriginal Rock Painting! 
• Tracey Lister: Kids’ Biscuit Class (Wed 10 Jul) – This class allows your kids to roll up their sleeves and explore their culinary creativity through making double chocolate Snickerdoodles, Melting Moments, Jammy Dodgers and Kingston Biscuits with Chocolate Ganache
• Snip, Snip, Hooray Collage Holiday Workshops (Mon 1 Jul, Wed 3 Jul, Thu 4 Jul, and Fri 5 Jul) – Ever heard of contemporary collage? Screen-free and PERFECT for friends, siblings, kids & parents, these mini family-friendly holiday collage art sessions will take place in Eltham Town Mall this July!

• Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s annual NAIDOC Family Day (Wed 10 Jul) -The theme of NAIDOC Week 2024, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud,” celebrates the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, with fire symbolizing connection to Country, community, and traditions
• Tracey Lister: Kids’ Ice Cream Making (Thu 11 Jul) – What better dish to learn and enjoy regardless of the season! In this 2-hour class your child will learn how to prepare chocolate parfait, summer fruit sorbet and granita in a fun and safe environment.
• Eltham Town Square (Thu 11 Jul) – Join us for an exciting Photography Workshop – Capturing Your Memories, hosted by Little Things Photography on Thursday, 11th July at 11.00am, specifically designed for teenagers!
• Dinos at the Zoo (Until 14 July 2024) – Have a ROAR-some time exploring the new trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo for a limited time only.
• Dinos After Dark (Fri 5, Sat 6, Fri 12, Sat 13 July 2024) – Melbourne Zoo is transforming into a world where prehistoric creatures come to life at night!

• Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo (Ongoing) – Educator-led daily activities that promote learning through storytelling, craft, and play at Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo.
• Dinosaur Walk (Daily) – Check out the real dinosaur bones at Melbourne Museum’s permanent exhibition featuring ten dinosaur skeletons, three pterosaurs, and other select megafauna artefacts such as huge teeth!
• Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (Daily) – Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – and a wonderland for little learners! The exhibition combines hands-on exploration and discovery, open-ended play-based learning, extraordinary immersive environments and unique museum collection objects.
• The District Makers Market (Last Sunday of every month) – enjoy entertainment and shop fine arts, crafts, jewellery, and artisan goods.
• Diamond Railway Twilight Run (Sundays) – Journey through the bushland of Eltham Lower Park as it is lit by the light shows, passing signals and locomotive headlights.
• VU Play Coburg pop-up playspaces (Tuesdays – Saturdays) – Victoria University Early Childhood pre-service teachers create pop-up play spaces for children to play.
• The Rose Street Artists’ Market (Saturdays and Sundays) – Shop directly from Melbourne’s best artists, designers, crafters and makers at Fitzroy’s iconic Rose Street Market.
• Junior Ranger (Ongoing) – Participate in activities that encourage kids to explore Victoria’s amazing parks

• The Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Diamond Valley Railway (Sundays) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read the Diamond Valley Railway Review
• Mini Mega Model Museum (ongoing) – an exhibition featuring small and big things at Melbourne Museum. Read the Mini Mega Model Museum review. 
• YMCA School Holiday Programs (ongoing) – Explore YMCA’s school holiday programs for kids. Find a location near you. Fun-filled activities for children.
• Mini Twitchers Heide (Ongoing) – Be a twitcher for a day and spot some beautiful birds in the Heide Sculpture park! Use a map to locate each area where the twelve painted birds are hidden in trees in the sculpture park.
• Heide Gallery Kids (ongoing) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.

• Sensory Tray Sessions (ongoing) – Sensory Tray Session (Various dates) – Pour, scoop, splash and more at our sensory tray sessions!
• Heide Gallery Kids (ongoing) – Join Art Therapist Tanis Douglas, who supports pre-school children and their carers to gain confidence observing artworks in a small group.
• Inspiring Minds (Various days, Term 2 2024) – Workshops with hands-on activities to strengthen fine motor skills, explore STEM concepts, develop resilience and foster a love of learning. Held at both Essendon and Preston venues.
• Under 5s Art Classes (ongoing) – Sessions will explore the elements of art such as colour, shape, texture and pattern through material exploration and experimentation.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival (Tue 2 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – An interactive and dynamic program featuring performance and workshops in magic, puppetry, circus, dance, music, theatre and craft. Featured Event

Family Fiesta Monash Performing Arts Centre (Wed 3 Jul – Sat 6 Jul) – launch into space these school holidays at MPAC! Stellar live and participatory art and performance for 0-12 year-olds and their families. Featured Event

• Creative Indoor School Holiday Fun at the Robert Gordon Outlet (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – The Robert Gordon Outlet is perfect for getting creative. Enjoy a Paint Your Own Pottery session, lunch at Nancy Café and shop the outlet.
• Springvale Snow Fest (Fri 28 Jun) – Join in on the seasonal festivities as Springvale transforms into a magical winter wonderland on Sunday 28 July 12pm-7pm.
• Glad Movement Open Day (Sat 29 Jun) – Starting every 30 minutes from 11:00 AM, our expert guides will ensure you have the knowledge and confidence to explore our ninja gym facility.
• JUSTICE LEAGUE HERO ACADEMY (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Unleash your inner JUSTICE LEAGUE Super Hero and visit Chadstone – The Fashion Capital these school holidays.
• Multi Sport School Holidays Program (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Discover school holiday activities at Springvale Indoor Sports. Exciting programs for kids. Fun, active, and inclusive.
• NAIDOC Week 2024 Dandenong Market (Sun 7 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Recognising the history and achievement of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this event contributes to the movement for our elders and original owners of the land both past and present.

• Super Stars Camp 7-10 year old program (Mon 1 Ju – Mon 8 Jul) – Experience a day filled with excitement as you participate in fully supervised cricket-based activities and games designed to enhance your skills and make you shine like a star!
• Escalate (Tue 2 Jul) – Experience the pinnacle of juggling at Bunjil Place with Throw Catch Collective—award-nominated artists transforming rhythm into a thrilling, high-energy performance for all. Ages 8+.
• Winter Family Films: Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (Wed 3 Jul) – Snuggle up in the Bunjil Place Studio to enjoy this family film, presented as part of the HYBYCOZO Deep Thought program.
• Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF) (Sat 8 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – a festival of the best new kids’ films from across the world.
• Gumbuya-dreaming (Sat 8 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – ‍Prepare to be transported to a realm of wonder and awe as Gumbuya World Theme Park proudly presents ‘Gumbuya Dreaming’, a mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam.
• Lightscape (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 4 Aug) – An immersive, after-dark experience comes to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. Iconic tree canopies will be drenched in colour, vibrant bursts of light will tumble from the undergrowth and run up trees like fizzing fireworks.

• STEMBuddy Coding and Robotics for kids (Mon 1 Jul – Thu 8 Jul) – STEM Buddy’s school holiday program is a thrilling experience where kids engage in coding, robotics, and fun games.
• Winter Family Films: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Wed 3 Jul) – Over the Winter School Holidays, as part of the HYBYCOZO Deep Thought program, we present the film Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
• Hybycozo – Deep Thought Installation (Fri 28 Jun) – Experience Hybycozo’s Deep Thought—a fusion of geometry and art, transforming Bunjil Place into a winter wonderland of peace with five world-class sculptures in our Plaza.
• BOUNCE Keysborough Holiday Camp (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join BOUNCE Holiday Camps for a morning filled with 3-hours of indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!
• BOUNCE Glen Iris Holiday Camp (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join BOUNCE Holiday Camps for a morning filled with 3-hours of indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!
• Frosted – A Winter Spectacular Tickets (Fri 21 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Embark on a journey into an enchanted frost-laden realm at Frosted – A Winter Spectacular. Celebrating Christmas in July

• The Southeast Area Throwdown (Sat 29 Jun) – Back for another year The Southeast Sessions are bringing an afternoon of vibrant and dynamic street dance culture for all ages
• Prehistoric Bayside Exhibition (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 25 Aug) – Prehistoric Bayside is an immersive family-friendly exhibition showcasing the tumultuous lives of bizarre beasts dating back roughly 5-6 million years.
• Kids Breakin Workshop (Sat 29 Jun) – Join Demi Sorono for a deep dive into Breakin’ for kids. Learn basic popping, locking and fun dance steps accessible to all age groups and dance abilities
• National Steam Centre (Sun 29 Jun) – The museum engines are fired up and can be seen running on the last Sunday of each month.
• Toon Creations Kids Cartooning Caufield (Wed 3 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Kids will have a blast learning to draw all their favourite cartoon characters. They incorporate fun games and activities and kids will take home lots of new tips and techniques to improve their drawing skills
• Max and The Wild Things (Mon 8 Jul) – Max and The Wild Things – an Interactive Theatre Show based on Maurice Sendak’s beloved book, that invites children to Max’s wild world where big emotions rule!
• Bunnings D.I.Y Kids Workshop (Mon 8 Jul – Tue 9 Jul) – Get your kids to build their own crate for free in stores where they’ll be rewarded with a ‘License To D.I.Y’ certificate once their masterpiece is complete!

• FREE School Holiday Fun! (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Enjoy Free School Holiday Fun, where kids can participate in an interactive ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ workshop during week 1, followed by a week of engaging mindful activities such as kids yoga, coloring, and bead craft in week 2.
• GRUG (Tue 9 Jul – Wed 10 Jul) – Grug is a Windmill Theatre Company production. Originally produced in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Out of the Box Festival.
• School Holiday Drop-in session – Flesh and Bones Drawing Activity (Wed 10 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Children will be provided clues to reconstruct some of the most famous animals that have ever lived in Bayside. Suitable for ages 5+
• DAVID WALLIAMS’ Ratburger (Thu 11 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – The team behind The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehouses, Mr Stink and The Midnight Gang bring David Walliams’ screamingly funny Number One bestselling book to life on stage for children 6+ and their families.
• Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Linden New Art’s NAIDOC Week Community Day promises an engaging blend of cultural immersion and community building.
• School Holiday Drop-Off Programs at Activate by Hard Rock (Until Fri 7 Jul) – Explore an array of thrilling and convenient school holiday drop-off programs, including the exhilarating climbing program and more.
• The South East Area Throwdown (Sat 29 Jun) – The Southeast Sessions are bringing an afternoon of vibrant and dynamic street dance culture to Bunjil Place for all ages.

• Seek and Find Nature Cards (Until Sun 31 Dec) Set your young ones on an adventure exploring nature with our Seek and Find Nature Cards to be used at Melbourne Gardens or download the cards and go exploring in your own neighbourhood.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• Young At Art (Tuesdays) – With the guidance of an experienced early childhood educator, participants work on a different hands-on creative activity every week, using materials from the take-home art materials box supplied each session.
• The Fitzroy Market (Saturdays) – a one-stop hub for everything produce, food, artisan, handcrafted, vintage, second hand and local.
• Gembrook Market (4th Sunday of Each Month) – a country market with a sustainable living focus located only 20 minutes from the south eastern suburbs.

• Bentleigh Sunday Market (Sundays) – plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, books, videos, tools, antiques, crafts, pre-loved goods and more! Every Sunday. 
• Mornington Railway (Sundays) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
• Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Third Saturday of every month until Fri 15 Dec) – On Saturdays soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sample the very best of local Victorian produce, directly from Victorian farmers and specialty makers.
• Baby Pop-Up Playgroup (Fridays until 28 Jun 2024) – Come along and enjoy a range of activities for babies aged 0 to 12 months. With singing, playing and sharing activities that you and your baby could do at home whilst connecting with other families. 
• Afternoons of Awesome at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Until Fri 6 Dec) – Young builders can blast out of the classroom into a world of creativity, hop on electrifying rides, and set off on epic afternoon LEGO adventure!
• Gasworks Kids Holiday Program (TBA) – Gasworks’ kids holiday programs offer creative and entertaining experiences for children aged 4 to 14 during the school holidays. Bringing together a range of energetic artists and performers who specialise in working with kids.
• Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (ongoing) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, kids dance classes and music – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
• WIIILD Wednesdays, Gumbuya World (Ongoing) – Dive into Wildlife Wanderers, the trail of free-roaming wildlife, savor two interactive shows, and hop on junior rides! Get up close with exotic animals, connect with nature, and enjoy exciting entertainment every week!

• WIIILD Fun Nights (Ongoing) – Experience the WIIILD Fun Nights this King’s Birthday weekend at Gumbuya World! Enjoy thrilling illuminated roller coasters, up-close encounters with Australian wildlife, and captivating shows.
• LEGO Friends (Ongoing) – Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne to meet your new Friends, receive fun show bags, join in a scavenger hunt activity and more!
• Little Lunies at Luna Park (Ongoing) – Discover a fantastic world of rides, attractions, and games to suit Little and Big Lunies! There’s something for everyone from old favorites like The Great Scenic Railway, Ghost Train, & Carousel to the big thrill rides like the Power Surge, Sky Rider, Twin Dragon, and more!
• Nature Play (Ongoing) – Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for Nature Play, an outdoor, child-led playgroup session facilitated by a qualified ranger.
• Stories and Songs in the Square (Ongoing) – Stories and Songs in the Square (Mondays & Wednesdays) – Nurture your child’s early literacy skills by joining in to read aloud stories and sing action songs and rhymes.
• YMCA School Holiday Programs (ongoing) – Explore YMCA’s school holiday programs for kids. Find a location near you. Fun-filled activities for children.
• Kids Dancehall Workshops (Sat 29 Jun) – Join Jungle City for a fun exploration of Jamaican Dancehall and Afro Fusion, taking you on a dancing journey from the likkle island of Jamaica all the way to the continent of Africa and the African Diaspora

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST

• School Holiday Program Kew Junction (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – It’s time again for our fabulous and famous school holiday program! Leave your kids with us while you enjoy a relaxing coffee, shop or beauty treatment in Kew Junction.
• Eastland school holiday activation (Mon 1 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Unleash your inner athlete at Eastland’s fun, interactive Champions Arena and meet former basketball star Andrew Gaze and swimmer Mack Horton when they drop in.
• School Holiday Fun at The Pines (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Looking for exciting ways to entertain the kids during the school holidays? This program is packed with fun activities to engage young minds and create unforgettable memories.
• Champions Arena (Mon 1 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Face off against the goalie in the penalty shoot-out to claim the top spot on the leaderboard, challenge your reflexes on the beach volleyball reaction wall or showcase your basketball skills as you compete against friends (and the clock!) in the arcade-style game you know and love.

• Toon Creations Kids Cartooning Malvern (Wed 3 Jul – Thu 4 Jul) – Kids will have a blast learning to draw all their favourite cartoon characters. They incorporate fun games and activities and kids will take home lots of new tips and techniques to improve their drawing skills
• Circus Royale Wantirna South (Fri 14 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Melbourne’s Favourite Circus Spectacular is coming to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South with Australia’s #1 action-packed circus event and animatronic zoo.
• Ladder Art Space School Holiday Family Sessions (Sat 22 Jun – Fri 6 Sep) – Invite your buddies and family members for a paint party at Ladder Art Space. This class is designed for all levels of painters, including beginners.
• The Children’s International Film Festival | Lido and Cameo Cinemas (Fri 8 Jun – Sun 7 Jul) – A festival of the best new kids’ films from across the world. See the Moomins, a four-legged adventurer Titina, and more!

• KNOX events, activities and festivals for everyone (Mon 26 Jun – Tue 26 Sep) – Explore a wide range of activities, festivals, and events happening near you. Join in the fun and embrace the vibrant community spirit.
• School Holiday Programs Maroondah Leisure (Mon 26 Jun – Fri 30 Jun) – Experience a wide variety of holiday programs at The Rings and Maroondah Nets, catering to children aged 5 to 14. Keep your child active, entertained, and engaged during school holidays, regardless of the weather.
• Silvers Circus Spectacular (Fri 28 Jun) – Silvers Circus has returned with a 90-minute spectacular by elite artists from around the globe, including the Walison Muh as seen on Australia’s Got Talent.
• BOUNCE Blackburn Holiday Camp (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join BOUNCE Holiday Camps for a morning filled with 3-hours of indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!
• Winter Wonderland (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Join the fun at our free winter themed school holidays! Sensory craft, an igloo photobooth and even a scavenger hunt.

• Ladder Art Space School Holiday (Sat 29 Jun – Sat 13 Jul) – At Ladder Art Space, they offer an exciting and enriching school holiday experience for children aged 5 to 12 years old. Their holiday program is designed to inspire creativity, foster imagination, and provide a fun-filled learning environment for young artists.
• JOIN AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXCITING HOLIDAY CAMP! (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Book your BOUNCE Holiday Camp for a 3-hour session filled with indoor adrenaline fun throughout the holiday period!
• The Mini Mart (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 2 Jul) – Discover a school holiday adventure at the Mini Mart, featuring bowling, mini golf, prizes, and more! Don’t miss out!
• Play Unstoppable (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Dive into a bricktastic adventure of unstoppable play and creativity! Build LEGO® flowers at the Flower Cart and watch NEW 4D LEGO Friends movie!
• Lake Mountain (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids

• Ruccis Circus School Holiday Program (Sat 29 Jun – Thu 9 Jul) – Discover new skills, be mesmerized by show-stopping performances, and engage in interactive circus experiences.
• A Little Bit of Blue (Thu 11 Jul) – A Little Bit of Blue is an interactive detective show for families, told with puppetry.
• Heide Art Babies (Tuesdays) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the Heide Art Babies review.
• Ninja Parc School Holiday Program (Weekdays) – plenty of running, climbing and balancing activities to keep your kids moving and having fun during the holidays
• Mt Baw Baw (June – September but dates will vary depending on snow season) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids

• Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sundays) – Petting zoo, fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore!
• ECOSS Valley Market (Fridays) – Experience the vibrant Valley Markets, connecting local growers, artisans, and musicians in the heart of the Yarra Valley.
• Yarra Valley Railway (Sundays) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read the Yarra Valley Railway review
• Camberwell Sunday Market (Sundays) – second-hand retro, vintage, antique, fashion and collectible goods you just can’t find anywhere else
• Belgrave Big Dreams Market (2nd Sunday of the Month) – discover original and bespoke design pieces, some of the yummiest and freshest produce the area has to offer, live music, a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

• Box Hill Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the Month) – Ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. Read the Box Hill Miniature Railway Review
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Runs 4th Sunday each month) – miniature rail running every 4th Sunday.
• Bounce Playdates (Weekdays During Term Time) – Extended toddler sessions offer little adrenaline hunters time to explore and play, while parents can choose to join in, or watch on from nearby.
• Spirits of the Sky (Daily) – See the natural behaviours of a variety of native birds which may include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more.
• Wurundjeri Storytime (Fridays) – Join Rebecca from Wurundjeri Council in an interactive online storytelling session for kinders, early years groups and families aged 0 to 5 years. Children will learn about Wurundjeri culture, Woi-wurrung language and Dreaming stories through storytelling, rhyme and song. Please register each class group attending.
• Dinos at Healesville Sanctuary (Until 14 July 2024) – Let your imagination run wild as you explore a new trail of animatronic dinosaurs coming to life before your eyes for a limited time only.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST

Scienceworks Winter School Holiday Program (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Experience a blend of education and entertainment at Scienceworks these winter school holidays. Engage in hands-on activities at Air Playground, witness the power of air in the Air-Palooza show, embark on guided tours of museum treasures, and more.

Featured Event. 

• Winter Art Fun at Little Big Art (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Keep your child entertained during the winter break with fun, colourful and creative art classes, parties, events and much more for little to big artists.
• It’s Not Rocket Science (Thu 20 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join The Expedition! All ages can be space-age explorers at It’s Not Rocket Science by ENESS because you’re never too young or old to be beguiled by the universe.
• Adventure Park – Winter Glow (Fri 22 Jun – Sun 21 July) – Discover a glowing winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice.
• Eynesbury Winter Festival (Thur 27 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – The perfect winter outing for the entire family! Hit the ice rink, enjoy some tasty winter food & drinks and more
• Newport Folk Festival (Fri 28 Jun – Sat 29 Jun) – Discover the vibrant Newport Folk Festival, a celebration of music, community, and artistic performances in Newport.
• Grazeland (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 30 Jul)- Melburnians are invited to rug up and head to Grazeland as the food precinct transforms into a winter wonderland each weekend. Read the Grazeland Review
• THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride – Queenscliff (Sat 29 Jun) – Get ready to take a magical journey as THE POLAR EXPRESS stops at Queenscliff this winter in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the film.

• Winter Wonderland at Grazeland (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 28 Jul) – Farewell the winter blues at Grazeland’s annual Winter Wonderland! Melbourne’s foodie playground is heating up with an array of food, drink and entertainment.
• The 13-Storey Treehouse (Sat 29 Jun, Sun 30 Jun, and Mon 1 Jul) – A play by Richard Tulloch. Adapted from the multi-award winning book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.
• EID @ FOOTSCRAY (Sat 29 Jun) – Immerse yourself in the vibrant Eid festivities of the many Muslim cultures that enrich multicultural Maribyrnong. Experience: food samplings, Ethiopian coffee, Henna, interactive arts, communal prayers and Qawwali.
• Winter School holiday fun in Moonee Valley (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Discover a whole range of hands-on activities for kids of all ages.

• Aa is for Art Holiday Programs (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Discover the exciting holiday programs at AA is for Art. Engage in art activities, unleash your creativity, and have fun in a vibrant and inspiring environment.
• Victoria Hotel Yarraville (Tue 2 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – Free School Holiday Activities – These Holidays Victoria Hotel we will be holding free activities for the kids on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30am! Visit our website!
• Unleash your inner Superstar (Tue 2 Jul – Fri 5 Jul) – Spark your child’s creativity this winter at Footscray Community Arts! Join professional musicians Isobel, Bianca, and Max for a music-filled adventure. Unleash their talent through singing, band formation, and creative exploration.
• Kids: Jon & Jero: The Forgotten Tales (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 7 Jul) – Get ready for a truly wondrous exploration of imagination filled with big characters, music, clowning and physical comedy. The Forgotten Tales is perfect for kids 5 and up!
• Firefly Night Market (Sat 6 Jul) – fun for the whole family with roving performers, interactive art, street food, artisan stalls, cultural activities and live performances
• Super-Hero High Tea (Thu 4 Jul) – The perfect family day out; delicious food, an assortment of games and activities suited to all ages, a photobooth, Witchmount sweet cart!

• Get adventurous with Extreme Arts (Tue 9 Jul – Thur 11 Jul) – Get ready for an unforgettable school holiday experience filled with hat-making, experimental music, and circus fun using recycled materials.
• Metro Comic Con (Sat 13 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Step into a world of excitement and fun at Metro Comic Con, the ultimate destination for fans of film, TV, animation, gaming, cosplay, collectibles, publishing, and comics.
• 100 Story Building (Dates TBC) – Let your imagination run wild with holiday fun with 100 Story Building. Explore different story making activities, from game design, character creation and world building.
• SciencePlay Kids Holiday classes 4-12yo (Dates TBA) – SciencePlay offers engaging kids classes for 4-12-year-olds. Explore science through hands-on experiments, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and STEM skills in a fun and messy way.
• Art in the garden (Last Friday of the month) – It’s a combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup. Run by ‘The Fun In Art’.
• Bulla Railway (3rd Sunday of each month) – Ride the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. Read the Bulla Railway review.

• Tarneit Makers and Growers Market (3rd Friday of each month) – a free market experience featuring high quality hand-made or designed textiles, stationery, ceramics, homewares & jewellery, locally grown produce & authentic culinary experiences.
• Enterprize Sail Williamstown (usually sails the third Sunday of every month) – go for a one hour sail on tall ship Enterprize in Williamstown
• Sunday Funday Station Hotel (Sundays) – Every Sunday The Station Hotel prepares an animal farm and other entertaining activities to keep the little ones busy, while you sit back and relax, Read the Station Hotel review
• Altona Homestead (recurring 1st Sunday of the month) – Experience the renowned Devonshire Tea at Altona Homestead on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve your spot in advance for a delightful time.
• Altona Beach Market (recurring weekly every Tuesdays) – Experience Melbourne’s popular Altona Beach market, a weekly street market held on Pier Street, featuring fresh food stalls, unique crafts, and a scenic seaside backdrop, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over the city
• 100 Story Building Winter Holiday Program (Tue 9 Jul – Wed 10 Jul100 Story Building is offering two immersive all-day workshops for kids aged 8-12. Dive into the world filled with creativity, imagination and hands-on activities!

• Altona Miniature Railway (3rd Sunday of the month) – between 10 am and 3 pm, ride this wonderful Miniature Railway. Read the Altona Miniature Railway review.
• Werribee Open Range Zoo (Daily) – Stroll through the Zoo spotting lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas and more, catch the safari bus tour or explore the Ranger Kids indoor play space and Village Kids outdoor playground.
• Air Playground (Daily) – Air Playground has launched at Scienceworks. Levitate objects, engineer paper planes, & learn the physics of airflow.
• Melbourne Planetarium (Daily) – Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the stars regardless of the time of day – or the weather!

• Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together (Daily) – An exhibition for babies to five-year-olds where curiosity is rewarded around each bend with surprising and intriguing sights, sounds and touch sensations.
• Playnastics (Wednesdays + Thursdays) – Casual open play sessions using a selection of Preschool Gymnastics equipment and resources, as well as puzzles, blocks and more. ​Read our review here.
• Toddler and Kids Art Classes (Thurs + Fridays) – The Fun In Art’ provides art classes for toddlers and kids where they’re more about the fun of creation and less about the outcome of the artwork.
• Clocktower Centre Children’s Space (Daily) – Parents and carers can sit back and relax with a coffee and a snack from the Clocktower Café while the kids explore the space, watch the trams go by or listen to their favourite book with the interactive Storytime Pod.
• A Little Bit of Blue puppetry performance and workshop (Tue 2 Jul) – An interactive puppetry show inviting children and families to become detectives for a day. Then test out your creative ideas in a Paper Puppetry workshop.

Click here for the best indoor play centres in Melbourne

Click here for indoor rock climbing centres in Melbourne for kids

Top places to go Ice Skating in Melbourne with Family and Friends

The post Melbourne School Holidays Winter – Friday 28 June to Sunday 14 July 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT

To make sure you don’t miss out on the fun, we’ve created this mega list of school holiday events and activities in Melbourne CBD for the winter school holidays, including free, affordable low-cost events and family attractions.

If you’re looking for events and activities happening in Melbourne’s suburbs, go to Melbourne Winter School Holidays – Suburbs.

Note that this post is regularly updated so make sure to check back for new events.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

Featured Event

Taylor Swift Singalong Port Phillip Ferries ​(Tue 2 Jul + Tue 9 Jul) – Get ready to shake it off with an unforgettable afternoon on the water dedicated to the music of Taylor Swift!

Featured Event

Immigration Museum Winter School Holidays (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Join a guided tour of the Joy exhibition and explore the power of joy, connection, and celebration in this unique and enchanting family-friendly tour.

WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS

• Leonardo Da Vinci (Sat 16 Mar – Sun 16 Sept) – Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius promises to be THE LUME Melbourne’s most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking experience yet.
• History of the Library Tour (Wed 1 May – Sat 31 Aug) – Discover the fascinating history of State Library Victoria and explore some of the many iconic spaces with a one-hour tour hosted by our friendly and passionate volunteers.
• BEINGS By Universal Everything​ (Wed 22 May – Sun 29 Sep 2024) – A playful family adventure at ACMI filled with vibrant and playful digital art.
• Winter Night Market (Wed 5 Jun – Wed 28 Aug) – Rug up in your winter woollies and head to the Market for Melbourne’s best street food trucks and stalls, local brewers and distillers, shopping and lively entertainment.
• Hop into the boots of SEA LIFE Melbourne’s penguin keepers this winter (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Enjoy keeper talks and an interactive trail where guests will dive into the world of penguins, gaining knowledge about feeding, habitat, enrichment and conservation.

• Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF) (Sat 8 Jun – Wed 7 Jul) – The Children’s International Film Festival is back with a month-long celebration of cinema throughout winter school holidays at Classic Cinemas, Lido Cinemas and Cameo Cinemas.
• The Art of Banksy – Australia: “Without Limits” Exhibition” (Wed 12 Jun – Sat 3 Aug) – The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” is a stunning street art exhibition of museum quality featuring over 150 artworks, such as certified art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, digital installations, murals, mapping shows, and more.
• T.REX 3D (Fri 21 Jun – Sat 21 Dec) – Narrated by Sam Neill, experience the iconic T. rex come to life on the world’s biggest, best screen in this thrilling IMAX 3D documentary!
• Millie Mak Craft: Paper Dolls (Sat 29 Jun – Tue 2 Jul) – Create your own paper doll in this drop-in craft activity, inspired by Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng’s book, Millie Mak the Maker.
• TEDDY BEAR PICNIC TEA PARTY (Mon 1 Jul – Fri 12 Jul) – “Bring your favourite Teddy Bear for a delightful and charming tea party. Set in a cozy room with miniature kids tea party treats and sweets!”
• Care Bears Afternoon Tea, The Langham (Mon 8 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – A joy-filled experience for families, during the July school holidays, this heartwarming event will bring the beloved Care Bears to life in a magical setting.

• Firelight Festival (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 30 Jun) – Over three fiery nights, Melbourne’s epic winter festival, Firelight, takes over Docklands with fire pits, mesmerising light shows, live music, pop-up foodie feasts and more.
• School Holidays at MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Upon entry, each child will receive a new activity pack, with fun tasks to complete during their visit and to continue the fun at home.
• Fitzroy Gardens Winter Wander: Cottage Detective Quest (Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – Starting off at Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre, kids can collect their activity booklet and head to Cooks’ Cottage. Once there, they’ll meet eight of Kylie’s animal friends on their search for the missing hat. After answering all the questions, they can head back to the visitor centre to collect a prize.
• Firelight Labyrinth (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 14 Jul) – This winter, a subterranean space underneath Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium will be transformed into a mythical labyrinth of light and sound. Interact with state-of-the-art technology, offering an unprecedented experience unlike anything witnessed in Australia before.

• Academy at Arts Centre Melbourne (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – Unleash your potential at Arts Centre Melbourne’s The Channel, discovering the strengths within you through the captivating stories of successful artists.
• Melbourne Magic Festival (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – See over 130 performances of 30 different shows including top international guest magicians from all over Australia.
• Millie Mak Workshop: Scrunchies and Bags (Mon 1 Jul – Sat 7 Sep) – Turn old clothes into something new in our DIY workshops with Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng.
• Winter School Holidays at Queen Victoria Market (Tue 2 Jul, Thu 4 Jul, Tue 9 Jul, and Thu 11 Jul) – Get ready for a giant tumble of geometric planks, where little ones can explore their creativity and collaboration as they create giant shapes to craft larger-than-life snowflakes.
• Paper Planet workshops (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Join a unique school holiday activity of paper play and making.
• VCES School Holiday Workshop: LEGO® Robotics – Build Me a Story (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Armed with a passion for LEGO® brick building, your primary schooler (5–8-year-olds) and family members will work together to create and code a LEGO® brick robot while learning about the Library’s collection items.
• Winter Kids Takeover (Wed 3 Jul) – Let your kids take charge at this one-day winter extravaganza, where they get to run the show at the Library. From arts and crafts workshops to hip-hop classes and magical performances, there’s something for every child.

• The World Is Lava, Please Calm Down (Thu 4 Jul – Sun 7 Jul) – Jump into a physical challenge obstacle course experience followed by a playful investigation of calming techniques
• NAIDOC Week Oration by Uncle Charles Pakana (Mon 8 Jul) – This year Moonee Valley’s NAIDOC Week events will commence with a NAIDOC-themed oration delivered by Uncle Charles Pakana at the Incinerator Gallery.
• NAIDOC Week Children’s Craft Workshops (Tue 9 Jul) – Join for FREE NAIDOC Week children’s craft workshops. Let the kids enjoy painting and colouring during these school holidays.
• NAIDOC Week: Indigenous Cultural Presentation on Fire (Tue 9 Jul) – Discover the importance of fire and smoke in this educational Indigenous presentation.
• Josh Deane: Crackle of the Cockatoos (Wed 10 Jul – Tue 16 Jul) – This intriguing installation by Palawa contemporary artist Josh Deane features a group of paper mache cockatoos, with each sculpture incorporating paper as a tribute to the library environment.
• Inside Out – Dinosaur Dreams (Thu 11 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Explore a different idea and activity each time you visit; make a dinosaur sculpture out of cushions or felt; then turn it into a fabulous home for your fossils. Draw your favourite dinosaur’s food or wrap and weave a nest for them using ribbon and rope. 
• NAIDOC Week: The Little Long Walk at EF (Thu 11 Jul) – For the third year, join us this NAIDOC Week for the Little Long Walk at Essendon Fields.
• NAIDOC Exhibition Opening: Keep The Fire Burning (Thu 11 Jul) – Bluethumb is pleased to announce its annual NAIDOC week exhibition, ‘Keep The Fire Burning,’ which is dedicated to supporting the creative endeavours of Indigenous artists.
• BLAKtivism. Build Blak Power. Fight for Change​ (Thu 11 Jul) – At this reflective and provocative panel event, Bebe Oliver discusses the currency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism, guided by Laniyuk, Apryl Day and Iluka Sax-Williams.
• Haus of Dizzy Charm Bracelet Workshop​ (Thu 11 Jul) – Welcome to the ultimate bling-tastic workshop with self-confessed ‘Queen of Bling’, Wiradjuri designer Kristy Dickinson of Haus of Dizzy. Kristy’s jewellery celebrates and honours Aboriginal culture through bold and statement-making accessories.
• Junior Ranger Bush Food and Bizarre Bugs​​ (Sun 14 Jul) – Kids! Why are bugs important to the world? What is bush food? Discover the answer to these questions and more in these activities led by City of Melbourne Park Rangers and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

• NAIDOC in the City​​ (Fri 12 Jul) – Following the annual NAIDOC march, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents.
• NAIDOC 2024 KHT NAIDOC Market (Fri 12 Jul – Sat 13 Jul) – The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud, and Proud,” symbolizing the enduring strength, vitality, and traditions of First Peoples cultures.
• Bastille Day French Festival (Sat 13 Jul – Sun 14 Jul) – Shop from local French stallholders, indulge in mouth-watering delicacies, plus delight in traditional dance and musical performances from French jazz, Mauritian bands and mime artists!
• NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION 2024 (Sat 13 Jul) – Each year NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to acknowledge the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Melbourne Zoo Com​munity Day (Sun 14 Jul) – Join us to close out NAIDOC week with a range of First Nations led activities for children, young people and families. A collaboration by Aboriginal Melbourne and Melbourne Zoo.
• SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium (Open daily) – See some of the world’s most incredible animals, including penguins, a 6-metre-long crocodile and thousands of tropical fish, plus the newly reopened oceanarium.

• Polly Woodside (First Sunday of the Month) – Come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas. Read the Polly Woodside review.
• Kids Passport Queen Victoria Market (Every market day) – Collect your passport, then journey around the Market collecting stamps from our friendly traders, before making your way to the Queen Victoria Market Visitor Hub to claim your prize.
• Christmas in July Winter Night Market (Every Wednesday) – The Winter Night Market returns to Queen Victoria Market! Indulge in incredible street food, spiced Milo, mulled wine, specialty shopping offering unique and one-of-a-kind treasures, crackling fires and live entertainment. 
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk (Until Tue 31 Dec) – Journey into Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide.
• Silvers Circus Spectacular (Fri 28 Jun – Sun 21 Jul) – Silvers Circus has returned with a 90-minute spectacular by elite artists from around the globe, including the Walison Muh as seen on Australia’s Got Talent.

• Escape the Gaol (Ongoing) – At Old Melbourne Gaol, kids can become inmates on a mission to hatch the perfect escape plan. Read my Old Melbourne Gaol review.
• NGV TEENS: DROP BY AND MAKE A BUSH FLOWER WITH SOPHIE HONESS (Daily) – This school holidays, join artist Sophie Honess in a free workshop making a bush flower inspired pom-pom to decorate your school bag. Together with the NGV Teen Council, meet like-minded people and develop your skills at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
• The Explorer – Melbourne Gardens (Until Tue 31 Dec) Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.
• Winter Igloo Garden Wharf Hotel (Daily until September 2024) – get back outside and cosy up beneath a sky of twinkling fairy lights on the banks of the Yarra. Feast on a grazing board in your own private winter wonderland. Read the Wharf Hotel igloos review.

• CRFT* WRK (Last Saturday of every month) – one of the best Melbourne June events if you love craft markets, Crft*Wrk celebrates contemporary locally-made crafts under the iconic open-air sheds at Queen Victoria Market.
• Melbourne Book Market (Saturdays & Sundays) – curated collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles selected and presented by 15 of Melbourne’s most experienced booksellers.
• Arts Centre Sunday Market (Sundays) – find unique, quirky and handmade items at the stalls. There are always some yummy treats too!
• The Story of the Moving Image (ongoing) – Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories. ACMI review.
• Into the Music – Composition Workshop 2024 (ongoing) – Participants in Into the Music – Composition Workshop will explore technology and techniques used to create the music they hear every day.
• Melbourne Town Hall Tours (every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) – Take a free guided tour of Melbourne’s historic Melbourne Town Hall, one of the city’s most iconic buildings and the site of many of Melbourne’s proudest moments.
• Shrine Kids (Daily) – The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and it makes for an educational (and sobering) outing for families. 

What’s on in All Melbourne Suburbs for the Winter School Holidays

Click here for the best indoor play centres in Melbourne

Click here for indoor rock climbing centres in Melbourne for kids

Top 5 Places to go Ice Skating in Melbourne with Family and Friends

The post Winter School Holidays Melbourne CBD – Friday 28 June to Sunday 14 July 2024 appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT