This week’s free finds for under-5s

Fast 5

Your top weekday events guide + the best posts for under 5s

If you haven’t filled out our short reader survey yet, there’s still time. It only takes two minutes, and you’ll go in the draw to win a $100 General Assembly voucher. Closes soon!

Take the survey

Weekday Event Picks

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

Auslan Storytime (Monday 1 Jun) Deaf storytellers from Expression Australia bring stories to life through Auslan at State Library Victoria — inclusive, interactive, and welcoming for all families. No bookings required. 📍 CBD

Storytime After Dark (Tuesday 2 Jun) Pyjamas on, teddies packed — sneak into the State Library for twilight tales, lullabies, and songs in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. 📍 CBD

Play School: Come and Play (Daily until Sunday 12 Jul) Celebrate 60 years of Play School at ACMI — little ones can be presenter, camera operator, or director, and climb the iconic Rocket Clock. Completely free. 📍 CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks

Rainbow Family Storytime (Tuesday 2 Jun) A monthly inclusive storytime for rainbow families with children aged 0–6, with stories, songs, bubbles, and craft. No bookings required. 📍 Brunswick

Dino Days (Wednesdays) Storytime, Dino Disco, sensory soft play, and borrowable dinosaur tails for young prehistoric fans, every Wednesday 10am–2pm. 📍 Carlton

Arty Tales (Friday 5 Jun) A gentle gallery and garden program for 2–4 year olds, with shared storytelling, songs, and a hands-on craft activity led by a Barking Spider Creative artist-educator. 📍 Aberfeldie

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks

Bush Playgroup (Mondays during term) Child-led nature play, crafts, storytelling, and bush walks at Arthurs Seat Park for children aged 0–4. All-weather — dress accordingly. 📍 Arthurs Seat

Community Playgroup (Wednesdays during term) Games, toys, dancing, and craft in a welcoming drop-in setting — a great way for little ones and families to meet new friends. No bookings needed. 📍 Chelsea Heights

Dads Group (Saturday 6 Jun) A relaxed group for local dads and their kids to connect and enjoy a fun morning out together — all experience levels welcome. 📍 Hampton

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks

Tawny Toddlers (Mondays during term) Nine weeks of bush walks, nature crafts, songs, and stories at Yarra Bend Park for children aged 2–3, just 6km from the CBD. 📍 Kew

World Environment Day Storytime (Tuesday 2 Jun) An Earth-themed storytime followed by a hands-on craft activity — a sweet way to mark World Environment Day with little ones. 📍 Nunawading

The Bridge Community Playgroup (Wednesdays during term) An all-inclusive outdoor playgroup for children aged 0–5 in a welcoming garden setting, run by a qualified Early Childhood Educator. 📍 Kilsyth

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks

Little Kids Day In: To the Moon (Monday 1 Jun) Don your best astronaut outfit for a free space-themed day at Scienceworks – rockets, lunar station building, and Moon Moves dancing for kids 5 and under.📍 Spotswood

Mess n’ Play Mondays (Mondays during term, excl. 8 Jun) Story-inspired sensory and messy play with June themes including Dino Stomp, Helping Hands, and Winter Wonderland. Book ahead. 📍 Maidstone

VU Play: Playwork Pop-Up (Thursdays until 6 Aug) A free weekly open-ended play space with Playwork-trained early childhood students. No booking required. 📍 Footscray

New + Noteworthy

sec2QLqcAXH8RyD8mbMKUE

For The Glow-Getters

Adventure Park transforms into a magical after-dark festival with real snow, rides, and A LOT of lights.

Friday Fun at Melbourne Museum

Created for preschoolers, Tiny Tours is a weekly guided wonder through the Museum’s most intriguing objects.

Winter is Here

We’ve rounded up the best of Melbourne’s June calendar so you don’t have to start from scratch.

cUs5fno2aLmSaHVnUu3DvG

It’s Christmas in July

Winter magic, three million lights, and real snow is coming to Ballarat this season, and everyone’s invited.

Don’t Miss The Perks

Members get an exclusive Stitch Head preview at Lido Cinemas this weekend — four tickets and popcorn, on us. Get on the waitlist for what’s next in Spring/Summer.

Enter to Win

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

We see you, scrolling straight to the bottom!

You got to the end of the page without signing up to receive our weekly tips for the best things to do in Melbourne and surrounds with kids.

Stop hunting and pecking all through Google or scrolling through social media….and start creating more happy memories with your family. 

Enter your info below and receive the best 5-minute read every week for creating quality family time! Promise.