Melbourne family guide
Melbourne school holidays: things to do with kids in the CBD
School holidays are here — which means two weeks of answering the same question:
“What are we doing today?”
If you're looking for things to do with kids in Melbourne CBD, you don't need to spend a fortune to fill the day. The city has free galleries and libraries, hands-on museum experiences, indoor attractions for unpredictable weather and plenty of places to burn off some energy.
Victoria's spring school holidays run from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026.
We've put together a mix of free, low-cost and paid activities close to Melbourne CBD so you can build a school-holiday day that works for your family.
You take care of the family, OKAMI takes care of your belly.
Start here
Free & low-cost things to do
01
Explore the State Library of Victoria
For a free activity that works particularly well with younger children, head to the State Library of Victoria.
The Children's Quarter gives kids a dedicated space to read, explore and play, while the library itself is an impressive place to wander around.
It's also an easy option when you want something educational without turning the day into a formal “educational activity”.
- Good for
- Younger children, primary-school kids and book lovers
- Cost
- Free
- Tip
- Check the library's current children's program before visiting, as individual activities and sessions can change.
02
Visit ACMI at Federation Square
If your kids are more interested in screens, games, movies and how things are made, ACMI is an easy CBD stop.
Its permanent exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, is free and includes interactive elements that let children explore film, animation, sound and games.
- Good for
- Primary-school children and older kids
- Cost
- Permanent exhibition is free
- Location
- Federation Square
03
Make a free art stop at NGV
The National Gallery of Victoria is another option when you're looking for something family-friendly without adding another big ticket to the holiday budget.
The permanent collection is free, and NGV also runs family-focused programming and children's activities throughout the year.
- Good for
- Families who want to mix art with a CBD walk
- Cost
- Permanent collection free; special exhibitions may require tickets.
04
Take a walk around Federation Square and the Yarra
Sometimes the best school-holiday activity is simply giving the kids somewhere to walk, explore and burn off energy.
Federation Square, the Yarra riverfront and surrounding CBD areas can be combined into a flexible family walk, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
And because the CBD sits within Melbourne's Free Tram Zone, you can combine different parts of the city without adding another public-transport cost for journeys within the zone.
Make it the main event
Paid & bigger-day activities
05
Spend a few hours at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is one of the strongest school-holiday options for families who want an activity that can occupy a substantial part of the day.
During the spring school holidays, the museum is running a program inspired by ROME: Empire, Power, People, including the Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators and the free Mosaic Monuments activity. There are also exhibitions, the Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery and special programs for younger visitors.
The museum is open from 9am–5pm, and general admission is free for children aged 16 and under, with adult admission currently $18.
Good for: toddlers through primary-school children, depending on the activity
Parent tip: This is an easy one to turn into a half-day outing rather than trying to squeeze three different attractions into one day.
06
Make it an indoor adventure at SEA LIFE Melbourne
If Melbourne decides to do its classic “four seasons in one day” routine, an indoor attraction can save the day.
SEA LIFE Melbourne is running school-holiday programming and is fully indoors, making it a practical wet-weather option. Current school-holiday activities include Croc Academy, with keeper talks, activities and crocodile-themed learning.
Parent tip: Book ahead if you're visiting during a busy school-holiday day.
07
Let the kids burn off some energy with an indoor activity
If your kids aren't interested in quietly looking at museum exhibits for three hours, don't worry — Melbourne CBD also has plenty of higher-energy options.
Current family guides highlight venues including arcade and VR activities, bowling, mini golf, climbing and other indoor entertainment across the CBD and Southbank.
These can be particularly useful as a backup plan when the weather isn't cooperating.
Good for: older children, tweens and families with lots of energy to burn.
Mix and match
How to turn it into a full family day
You don't have to spend the whole day inside one attraction. Try building the day around one main activity, followed by something free and easy.
Option 1
Budget-friendly day
State Library CBD walk Federation Square dinner
A mostly free day that leaves more room in the budget for dinner.
Option 2
Museum day
Melbourne Museum Carlton/CBD wander family dinner
Let the museum be the main event rather than trying to squeeze in another paid attraction.
Option 3
Rainy-day rescue
SEA LIFE Melbourne indoor activity dinner
A good option when Melbourne weather decides outdoor plans aren't happening.
The parent hack
And then… feed the kids
Here's the part parents know all too well:
You can spend the whole day carefully controlling the activity budget, only to discover that everyone is suddenly starving.
And buying individual snacks for a family while you're out can add up surprisingly quickly.
Instead, make dinner part of the plan.
At OKAMI, dinner itself is a fun activity. Families can choose from sushi, hot dishes, mains and desserts as part of the all-you-can-eat menu, giving children and adults plenty of different flavours and dishes to try rather than having to agree on one meal before you order.
For younger children, the menu also includes familiar options such as chicken, rice, gyoza and other approachable dishes, while adults can explore more of the Japanese menu.
And if your kids are curious about sushi, an all-you-can-eat format means they can try different styles and flavours instead of committing to one large dish.
Planning dinner with little ones?
Children aged under 3 dine free of charge on OKAMI's All You Can Eat menu.
Melbourne Inner & Bayside
Find a table near your day out
All stores offer an all-you-can-eat menu with sushi, mains, entrees and desserts.
OKAMI Brunswick
192 Moreland Road, Brunswick
15–20 min drive from Melbourne CBD (approx. 6km)
Book your tableOKAMI Fairfield
147 Station Street, Fairfield
15–20 min drive from Melbourne CBD (approx. 7km)
Book your tableOKAMI Camberwell
762 Burke Road, Camberwell
Approx. 20 min drive from Melbourne CBD (approx. 9km via Hoddle St/Toorak Rd)
Book your tableOKAMI Hampton
530 Hampton Street, Hampton
25–30 min drive from Melbourne CBD (approx. 17km)
Book your tableOKAMI Mount Waverley
29-31 Centreway, Mount Waverley
25–30 min drive from Melbourne CBD (approx. 17km)
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