School Holiday Activities in Melbourne: The Best for Autumn 2024

By: Karl Hartmann, 06 March 2024

Looking for school holiday activities in Melbourne to get the kids out of the house? Melbourne is full of fun school holiday boredom busters to keep them entertained, happy, and out of your hair!

Here are our top picks for the best things to do for kids this these school holidays in Melbourne.

School Holiday Activities in Melbourne: The Best for Autumn 2024

1. Possum Magic

Possum Magic Melbourne
Possum Magic


Get ready to be swept away on a magical journey with Monkey Baa Theatre Company's incredible production of Possum Magic.

Based on the cherished book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas, and adapted for the stage by Eva Di Cesare and Sandie Eldridge, the story has been captivating children's hearts for more than four decades. Now, this beloved tale comes to life once again on stage, promising to bring joy and wonder to young audiences during the upcoming school holidays!

Where:      05 - 07 April, Alexander Theatre, Monash University Clayton Campus,
                  48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
                  12 - 13 April, Geelong Arts Centre, 50 Little Malop St, Geelong
When:       5 - 7 April and 12 -13 April 2024
Cost:         Tickets are $25 - $39 per person

2. BOUNCE INC. 

BOUNCE
Get bouncing at everyone's favourite BOUNCE INC. 


Luckily for families everywhere, BOUNCE INC. has multiple locations throughout Melbourne, meaning you're never far from your kids' next epic energy burn! 

It really is the ultimate indoor play haven that combines a trampoline park, a climbing park, and a dedicated kids' play centre. Little ones will love getting busy and energetic at the specially designed toddler play centre, featuring a play area crafted just for the little ones under 5. Safe to say, BOUNCE INC. offers a world of boundless fun, where kids can bounce, climb, and play to their heart's content.

Where:      Multiple locations throughout Melbourne, see BOUNCE INC. for details
When:       Throughout the school holidays
Cost:         Various dependent on child's height, age and length of session 

3. Signor Baffo at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Signor Baffo
Signor Baffo at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival


Get ready for a laugh-out-loud extravaganza at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this school holiday! Signor Baffo is bringing his unique blend of humour and heart to the stage for the first time in Australia, promising an unforgettable experience for young theatre enthusiasts and their families. Get ready to embark on a hilarious journey filled with fun, mischief, and plenty of adventure that will leave everyone smiling from ear to ear!

Where:   Swinburne Studio at ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
When:     29 March - 14  April 2024 | Tuesday to Sunday | 1:30 pm
Cost:       $25 per person | Family $80 (Admits 4) 

4. Scienceworks

School holiday activities in Melbourne
With so much to see and do, a trip to Scienceworks guarantees a day of learning and fun.


Throughout autumn, Scienceworks will be bursting with immersive school holiday activities in Melbourne so the kids can let loose and have fun with their imaginations.

These autumn holidays, Scienceworks is delving into all things air with their Air Playground exhibition. Complete your visit with a Lightning Room and Planetarium show! 

Where:   Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood 
When:    Open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
Cost:     General entry is $15 for adults and includes exhibitions and activities. Children are FREE. Some exhibitions incur additional costs.

RELATED:
Awesome School Holiday Programs in Melbourne

5. Jump Aboard the Puffing Billy Railway

School holiday activities in Melbourne
The Puffing Billy Railway is a great place to spend a day during the autumn school holidays.


Everyone's favourite steam train is the perfect autumn school holiday activity in Melbourne!

Puffing Billy travels through the magnificent forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Lakeside, only one hour east of Melbourne.

Buy your tickets online and enjoy one of Melbourne's best activities for kids and a fun family day out!

Where:   Belgrave Station, 1 Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave
When:    Open throughout the school holidays
Cost:      Fares from $31.50 

6. Check out Melbourne Rockpools

Melbourne Rockpools
Hidden marine treasures await at some great rockpools around Melbourne.


What always puts a smile on kids’ faces? Finding hidden treasures is definitely at the top of the list! And when you add water and rocks, the wonder of the cool outdoors fun is hard to beat.

Rockpools tick an exciting range of boxes – with squishy sand for inquisitive fingers, rocks to climb on and the possibility of uncovering real-life sea creatures in their natural habitat. Check out the best rockpools for kids in Melbourne.

Where:   Various locations across Melbourne and beyond
When:    Throughout the school holidays 
Cost:      Free

7. Spend a day at the Museum of Play and Art

School holiday activities in Melbourne
There's so much to engage little minds at the incredible MoPA.


With locations in both Melbourne and Geelong, MoPA offers a truly wonderful day of school holiday activities in Melbourne.

This children's museum is dedicated to engaging and immersing kids in educational and fun ways—there's a soft play area, a creative art car, and a whole lot more—making it the perfect day out these school holidays! Bookings are essential; due to the popularity of the museum, walk-ins are currently not accepted. 

Where:   MoPA Geelong: 51 McKillop Street, Geelong. MoPA Melbourne: 247 Bay Road, Sandringham
When:    9 am - 5 pm during school holidays
Cost:     $20 per child, $16 per adult

8. Take a Trip to Melbourne Zoo

School holiday activities in Melbourne
Soak up the wildlife at Melbourne Zoo during these school holidays in Melbourne!


Making a great day out in the heart of the city, Melbourne Zoo is perfect for big and small animal lovers alike—plus, their awesome Dinos at the Zoo exhibit is landing in Melbourne just in time for the school holidays!

Visitors can discover penguins, seals and other inhabitants of Victoria's coast and ocean at the Wild Sea exhibition, walk the infamous elephant trail—which is home to eight Asian elephants, and encounter the endangered Sumatran tiger; whilst learning about conservation efforts to protect endangered species. 

Kids under 16 go free on weekends, public holidays, and during Victorian school holidays—so don't miss out!

Where:   Elliott Ave, Parkville
When:    9 am - 5 pm daily
Cost:     $42 per adult, kids go free during school holidays

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