Melbourne Museum is the place to be these autumn school holidays! From 4โ19 April, families can enjoy a packed program of interactive workshops, creative activities and laugh-out-loud performances.
Step into the world of ancient Rome, design your own gladiator mask, create giant mosaic artworks and catch the giggles as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over the museum with shows for kids.
Whether your family loves history, creativity, science or comedy, thereโs something here to spark curiosity in kids of all ages.
Melbourne Museum Autumn School Holiday Program
There is lots to see and do at Melbourne Museum these school holidays!
1. Step Into Ancient Rome
These school holidays, Melbourne Museum is celebrating the launch of the new Rome: Empire, Power, People exhibition with hands-on activities inspired by the ancient world.
2. Mosaic Monuments
From 4โ19 April, families can help create a spectacular collaborative artwork in the museum foyer.
Towering โRoman ruinsโ will become the canvas for a vibrant community mosaic, where visitors can add their own colourful designs inspired by ancient Roman art. Itโs a simple, creative activity that brings together history, imagination and teamwork.
Best of all, Mosaic Monuments is included with museum entry, making it an easy activity to drop into during your visit.
Join Mosaic Monuments | 4 April โ 19 April | 11.00amโ3.00pm | Included with museum entry
2. Creative Lab โ Rise of the Gladiators
Kids aged 6 to 12 can unleash their creativity in this engaging 30-minute workshop.
In Creative Lab โ Rise of the Gladiators, children will design and build their own gladiator mask while learning about the different fighters who battled in the Roman arena. Theyโll explore how helmets, masks and symbols were used to tell stories and intimidate opponents.
Itโs a great mix of history, theatre and hands-on making.
Book your spot in Creative Lab โ Rise of the Gladiators | 7 April โ 19 April | 10.30amโ11.00am, 11.30amโ12.00pm, 1.00pmโ1.30pm, 2.00pmโ2.30pm | Child $12 / Member child $10 / Adult free
3. Discover Our Wondrous Planet
While youโre visiting, make time to explore Our Wondrous Planet, one of Melbourne Museumโs newest immersive exhibitions.
This powerful exhibition invites families to journey through ecosystems around the globe and come face-to-face with incredible animals. Kids can learn about the connections between species and environments, and how humans can help create a thriving future for our planet.
The exhibition is included with general museum entry, so itโs easy to add to your day.
Explore Our Wondrous Planet | Daily | 9.00amโ5.00pm | Child free / Adult $18 / Members free | Included with museum entry
4. Tiny Tours: Whale to Tail
Got little explorers in your family? Tiny Tours: Whale to Tail is a guided adventure designed especially for curious young minds.
Held every Monday during the holidays, this tour reveals how the smallest details can unlock big stories about life on Earth. From the krill that feeds enormous whales to the final vertebrae in a Triceratops tail, kids will discover surprising connections across nature and history.
The tour also includes highlights such as:
- 600 Million Years
- Dinosaur Walk
- Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs
Itโs a fantastic way to help younger visitors experience the museum through storytelling and discovery.
Book Tiny Tours: Whale to Tail | Every Monday | 10.00am | Child $22 / Member child $18 / Adult $18 / Member adult free | Includes museum entry
Read our Tiny Tours review.
5. Big Laughs with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne Museum will once again become giggle central during the school holidays as it hosts several shows from the Melbourne International Comedy Festivalโs family program.
Expect silly antics, audience participation and plenty of laughs.
Bubble Show in Space
Ever wondered what it would feel like to be surrounded by a million bubbles?
This imaginative show takes kids on an intergalactic bubble adventure filled with spectacular soap science and playful surprises.
Book Bubble Show in Space | 4 April โ 19 April | 10.00am & 1.00pm | Tickets via Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Comedy Club for Kids
This popular showcase brings together some of the funniest kid-friendly comedians in one big show. Designed for children aged six and up, itโs the perfect introduction to live comedy.
Book Comedy Club for Kids | 4 April โ 19 April | 11.30am & 2.30pm | Tickets via Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Listies โ Make You LOL Again
Festival favourites The Listies return by popular demand with their famously ridiculous brand of family comedy. Expect chaos, silliness and the kind of jokes that make kids laugh until their stomachs hurt.
Book The Listies โ Make You LOL Again | 4 April โ 19 April | 1.00pm & 2.30pm | Tickets via Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Aboriginal Comedy Allstars for Kids
Taking place on 18 April, this special performance features an incredible lineup of Aboriginal comedians delivering big belly laughs and sharp storytelling. Itโs a lively show full of humour and heart.
Book Aboriginal Comedy Allstars for Kids | 18 April | 2.30pm | Tickets via Melbourne International Comedy Festival
6. Sleep Among the Dinosaurs!
For the ultimate museum experience, donโt miss the Family Sleepovers on 11 and 12 April. Kids (and parents!) can explore the museum after dark with exclusive torchlight tours through Dinosaur Walk and Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs.
Snuggle up for campfire stories in the Dynamic Earth exhibition and enjoy a special screening of the Minecraft Movie 3D at IMAX. The adventure doesnโt end thereโwake up to a delicious breakfast and a Baby Triceratops meet-and-greet before another day of discovery.
Book your spot at Family Sleepovers now | 4, 8 & 9 April | Child $245 / Member Child $225 / Member Adult $245 / Adult $265ย
7. Dino Days: A Roaring Good Time for Little Ones
Every Wednesday is Dino Days at Melbourne Museum, a special event designed for the museumโs youngest dinosaur fans. Packed with fun and interactive activities, Dino Days promise a prehistoric adventure thatโs as engaging as it is educational.
Perfect for kids eager to explore the world of dinosaurs,ย Dino Daysย are a must-do for families visiting Melbourne Museum.
Book your spot at Dino Days, Every Wednesday, 10:00am โ 2:00pm, Main Foyer, Ground Floor, Adults $15 | Children Free | Members Free (included with museum entry)
8. Learn About Road Safety at Road to Zero
The Road to Zero education space will also host a special holiday activity designed to help kids learn about road safety.
In Stop, Look, Listen, Think & Stick: Your Path to Safety, children create their own safe travel route using colourful stickers while discovering practical tips for navigating streets safely.
Itโs a fun, interactive activity that also delivers an important life lesson.
Visit Stop, Look, Listen, Think & Stick: Your Path to Safety | 7 April โ 18 April (excluding 12 April) | 10.00amโ3.00pm | Free
9. Dive Into the Ocean at IMAX Melbourne
After exploring the museum, head next door to IMAX Melbourne for a breathtaking giant-screen experience.
The new SHARK KINGDOM 3D film takes viewers deep beneath the oceanโs surface to discover the secret world of sharks. Families will learn how these fascinating predators use extraordinary senses to survive and play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Seeing sharks glide across the massive IMAX screen is an unforgettable experience for kids and adults alike.
Book SHARK KINGDOM 3D at IMAX Melbourne | Opening 12 March | Session times vary | Child $14 / Senior $14 / Concession $18 / Adult $21
Melbourne Museum Autumn School Holiday Exhibits
While you have free time during the school holidays, make sure you visit these awesome exhibits while theyโre still at Melbourne Museum:
- Childrenโs Gallery (Daily but book a time slot) โ A world-class immersive learning and play experience โ and a wonderland for little learners!
- Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs (Daily Exhibition) – Come face to face with one of the most awe-inspiring creatures ever to walk the Earthโthe Triceratops.
- Dinosaur Walk (Daily Exhibition) – Walk among skeletons of prehistoric animals.
- 600 Million Years (Daily Exhibition) – The origin and evolution of life in Victoria.
- Dynamic Earth (Daily Exhibition) – A brilliant, immersive exhibition about our ever-changing Earth.
- Mini Mega Model Museum (Daily Exhibition) – Welcome to the Mini Mega Model Museum, where the apples are wax and the Colosseum is small!
- Gandel Gondwana Garden (Daily Exhibition) A 900-square-metre Nature Play Space.
Check out the rest of Melbourne Museum’s must-do permanent exhibitions
Play outside at Carlton Gardens
Click here for more things to do in Melbourne this Autumn
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This sponsored post has been published in collaboration with Museums Victoria. It also contains affiliate links. If you order using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission that helps me to provide valuable and useful information for you! Thanks in advance โ Joyce
