Hooray! School holidays are yet again upon us.
Okay, you got me. Holidays are definitely more so “Hooray!” for the kids and more “… Oh no” for the parents, but don’t stress just yet, there are a few solutions up my sleeve to ensure you survive the seemingly endless school break. Luckily, Melbourne is always a winner for child-friendly activities and holiday boredom busters. I asked Tanya a mum of 5 form Melbourne with kidz http://www.melbaustralia.com what her top 5 places to go were. Not just thinking about her favourite places but places that are close to the city, places you can go to over and over again and love it every time and places that are not too costly.
So here they are..
Artvo, Docklands
http://artvo.com.au
This wonderful 3D world boasts hours of entertainment for the kids in Australia’s first “trick art” gallery. For parents, there are plenty of nearby café’s to relax at and a multitude of stores and boutiques to browse through while you pass the time.
Giant Wheel, Docklands
https://www.melbournestar.com
The 30 minute trip on the Giant Wheel offers the best view in town with plenty of sights to keep the kids busy. The best part? If you ride more than once, you only need to pay $2 for each consecutive trip! Bargain.
Children’s Garden, Royal Botanical Gardens
https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne/attractions/children-garden
Put simply, this is the cutest garden around. Just a short stroll from the information centre, the garden is easy to find and guaranteed to put a smile on your child’s face. Entry is free, allowing for endless hours of fun and outdoor play. There is a nearby café and ample street parking. If you want to do something different, pack a picnic basket and BYO treats! The garden is within walking distance to the Shrine of Remembrance, another potential go-to for you!
National Gallery of Victoria
Offering three separate levels of stunning art that will take up most of your day, the National Gallery of Victoria is a safe bet for families of all shapes and sizes. The gallery usually hosts a “Kid Zone” which is frequently updated, meaning you can visit again throughout the year! Entry is free with the exception of notable artist exhibitions which will usually only take up a small section of the gallery, leaving plenty of room for the young ones to run around elsewhere without breaking the bank. There is a yummy onsite café for when you need a break and I would highly advise searching for street parks to avoid paying any extra costs.
ACMI Studios, Federation Square
https://www.acmi.net.au
For anything and everything related to movies, ACMI is your new go-to spot. Located in the heart of Melbourne at Federation Square, ACMI is accessible from the Federation Square plaza entrance or the Flinders Street entrance. General entry is free aside from any cinema programs or ticketed exhibitions, leaving plenty of cool displays to explore without having to pay a cent. There are plenty of nearby eateries and a huge gift shop that is definitely worth taking a sneak peek at. Your kids will love this unique day out.
Well, there you have it – Tanya’s top 5 picks for a different kind of day out these school holidays. Most people seem to think that family fun days are bound to cost loads of money, but this list will totally prove you wrong! These places are fun, yet practical, and the kind of places that you can go to over and over again without having to line up for hours on end. Let me know your thoughts if you check them out, I’d love to hear from you!
For more great ideas and loads of pictures of Tanya’s 5 kiddies at all different kind of places around Melbourne follow Melbourne with kidz!
Enjoy the holidays!
Emma x
Makes me want to hop in a car and drive my kids to these places! Very well done!
These are all such great ideas for the kids, makes me wish I lived closer!