School holidays are coming up, so we’ve made your life easier by making a list of fun and affordable activities and events. If you’re looking for something new and exciting, check out these places in Melbourne for activities these Christmas holidays.
Melbourne School Holiday Activities and Workshops
Pop Up Globe Theatre
The world’s first full scale temporary working replica of the second Globe theatre is in Melbourne and plays are regularly scheduled throughout the holidays. With tickets starting at $20.33 a pop, the experience is interesting and educational – especially great for older kids studying Shakespeare and plays at school.
Gourmet Kids
For future chefs or kids who love making a mess, Gourmet Kids in Malvern has a great program that teaches groups of kids aged 2 to 15 how to make fun and healthy foods.
If you’re looking for something that’s both fun and educational for your child, check out the Gourmet Kids cooking timetable here
Seed and Plant Swap
Learn more about seeds, plants and get gardening tips at a seed and plant swap in Carlton on any Saturday morning between 28th October to 23rd June. This is a great opportunity for children with an interest in plants, gardening, biology and sustainability.
Christmas at Cooks’ Cottage
This blast to the past is a great way for small children to learn about the traditional 18th century lifestyle and Christmas traditions. The event is interactive and is open to visitors of all ages who are interested in history. Entry fees are $3.50 to $6.50
On holiday at Linden: NGV Kids on tour
NGV is offering a free tour program for kids and their families at Linden New Art. Inspired by the NGV Triennial theme of the body, the tour encourages kids to unleash their creativity while playing board games, drawing and painting portraits and sculpting, with activities inspired by artist Fiona Hall.
Scienceworks
Scienceworks currently has many exhibits and activities for the school holidays including planetarium nights, little kids’ day in, and young makers club. Most of the events are free with entry ($0-$14 entry fee) and are a great way to introduce smaller children to science and to encourage older children to pursue studies and careers in the science and engineering fields.
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Sea Life is a great place to spend a hot afternoon indoors. With exhibits including open ocean rays and sharks, coral atolls, mangroves and rockpools, coral caves and crocodile lairs, the aquarium is a great place for budding biologists to interact with marine life.
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo has a great range of activities for kids including keeper talks and Christmas activities. They are also offering bookings for close-up encounters with animals and educational opportunities for kids to learn about animals from around the world.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Open Range Zoo is offering many activities for families this summer including keeper talks, animal encounters and safaris. In addition to this, lion cubs have just arrived and it is now possible to visit them with their mum Nilo!
ACMI Summer Family Programs
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image has announced an exciting summer program for families including workshops for movie making, screenings of movies for kids, and family sleep overs with pizza dinners and classic kids’ flicks on the big screen.
