Yes, cushion cakes are a thing

Fast 5

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

Event Picks

🌟 Featured Event

The Wiggles: Sparkle! BIG SHOW (Saturday 28 Nov) Australia’s favourite family group return with a new arena tour packed with music, colour and non-stop sparkle. 📍 CBD

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

Auslan Storytime (Monday 20 Jul) Deaf storytellers bring stories to life in Auslan at this inclusive session for kids aged 3 to 5, with no bookings required. 📍 CBD

Stompers (Tuesdays + Thursdays during term) This weekly library program builds a love of books in toddlers aged 18 months to three years. 📍 Docklands

Jams for Juniors (Saturday 25 Jul) This 30-minute musical workshop introduces under-5s to Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade with the MSO’s Jams Ensemble. 📍 Southbank

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks

Read, Play and Connect (Monday 20 Jul) Enjoy story time and games at the local library, with a chance to meet your council’s Early Years team. 📍 Lalor

Navigating the Newborn Weeks (Thursday 23 Jul) This relaxed session with a GP is designed for parents of babies aged six to twelve weeks. 📍 Brunswick

Forest School (Tuesdays during term) Little explorers aged 3.5 to 6 enjoy nature play, bush safety and campfire cooking at Brimbank Park. 📍 Keilor East

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks

An Uncertain Time (Wednesday 22 – Friday 24 Jun) This sensory theatre performance explores love and hope, made especially for babies and their carers. 📍 Albert Park

Scribble Club (Friday 24 Jul) Kids aged 0 to 4 get messy with art materials while grown-ups enjoy free coffee and zero cleanup duties. 📍 Sunbury

Messy Play (Fridays during term) This open-ended sensory play session is for ages 1 to 5, and parents are welcome to get messy too. 📍 Aspendale Gardens

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks

All In: Our Community Exhibition (Tuesdays – Sundays until 30 Aug) This free exhibition showcases artwork created by local kindergarten and school children, celebrating community and reconciliation. 📍 Healesville

OmNomNom (Thursdays, 23 Jul – 10 Sep) This 8-week program for ages 2 to 5 explores food through baking, soup-making and picnic prep, with a new theme each week. 📍 Burwood

Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market (Sunday 26 Jul) 65 stallholders sell new, handmade and preloved kids’ goods, with $2 entry and free entry for kids under 12. 📍 Berwick

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks

My Time (Mondays during term) This support group is for parents and carers of pre-school children with disability or additional needs. 📍 Tarneit

Music for Hip Toddlers (Mondays + Thursdays during term) This eleven-week course brings dance and percussion fun to toddlers aged 6 months to four years. 📍 Maidstone

Sing and Sign with Hey Dee Ho (Thursdays, 23 Jul start) This 8-week program teaches Auslan through song, dance and props for ages 0 to 5. 📍 Truganina

New + Noteworthy

The Sandpit Supreme

This huge indoor sandpit comes with ride-on diggers and a ball pit, great for ages 1 to 8.

m7X3NVto8u6VieqJDqjZU4

Tame the Mini Mane

These Melbourne hairdressers specialise in kids’ cuts and know how to handle a wriggly toddler.

Grazing Ground

This outdoor food and entertainment precinct in Spotswood has 50+ vendors, three bars and live music.

Step Into the Scene

Kids can surf a giant wave or float through outer space at Australia’s first immersive trick-art gallery.

bVoigisECKBL639XNELnAJ

Built for Two Generations

Hoopla is huge, imaginative and full of surprises – designed with both kids and parents in mind.

Hot Off the Feed

🎂 Kids take the stage at NGV

The Children’s Gallery is now a playful stage, art studio and cushion-cake sculpture zone, all in one.

🗓️ 26 Jun – 4 Oct at NGV International. Free entry.

HOT tips:
✅ All ages welcome
✅ Relaxed sessions available

Comment “RAGNAR” on the reel for the link to the site!

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.