Melbourne Museum is the place to be these autumn school holidays!
From 5 April, families can enjoy a jam-packed program of interactive workshops, thrilling performances, and unforgettable experiences. Whether your kids love creepy crawlies, cracking jokes, or searching for Easter eggs, there’s something for everyone.
Melbourne Museum Autumn School Holiday Program
There is lots to see and do at Melbourne Museum these school holidays!
1. Sleep Among the Dinosaurs!
For the ultimate museum experience, don’t 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 doesn’t end there—wake up to a delicious breakfast and a Baby Triceratops meet-and-greet before another day of discovery.
Book your spot at Family Sleepovers now | 11 April and 12 April | Child $245 / Member Child $225 / Member Adult $245 / Adult $265
2. Get Crafty and Bug Out
Calling all little nature lovers! Creative Lab – Bug Out is a hands-on workshop where kids can design and build their own bug habitats, complete with tiny tunnels and leafy hideouts.
They’ll also get up close with real live bugs—a perfect mix of creativity and science.
Book your spot in Creative Lab – Bug Out | 5 April – 17 April | Daily | 10.30am–11.15am, 11.30am–12.15pm, 1.00pm–1.45pm, 2.00am–2.45pm | Children $10 / Members $8
3. Laugh Out Loud with the Comedy Festival
Melbourne Museum is bringing the giggles these autumn school holidays with Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows:
- Bubble Laboratory – A mind-blowing, bubble-filled adventure!
- Comedy Club for Kids – A show packed with kid-friendly comedy acts.
- Mojo & Jimmy – Magic, mayhem, and hilarious tricks.
- Mr Snotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers: The Science of Snot – A gross, giggle-inducing deep dive into snotty science!
Book your spot at Bubble Laboratory | 5 April – 20 April (excl. 7, 14 & 18 April) | 10.00am | $20-$29
Book your spot at Comedy Club for Kids | 5 April – 20 April (excl. 7, 14 & 18 April) | See website for times | $16–$25
Book your spot at Mojo & Jimmy | 5 April – 20 April (excl. 7, 14 & 18 April) | See website for times | $21-$28
Book your spot at Mr Snotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers: The Science of Snot | 5 April – 20 April (excl. 7, 14 & 18 April) | 2.45pm | $22-$26
4. Hop Into the Great Museum Easter Egg Hunt
On 19 and 20 April, Melbourne Museum’s inaugural Easter Egg Hunt invites kids to create their own baskets and follow clues around the galleries to discover hidden treasures and claim chocolatey rewards.
Don’t forget to book ahead—this one is sure to sell out!
Book your spot at The Great Museum Easter Egg Hunt | 19 April – 20 April | 10.00am–3.00pm | Child $16 / Member Child $14
5. Tiny Tours
A special tour for young visitors to experience the museum like adults!
Tiny Tours offers a unique, 45-minute guided experience for early years audiences, particularly suited for children aged 3 to 5 years. With their own guide, children explore the museum’s most curious and amazing specimens and objects.
Read our Tiny Tours review.
Book your spot at Tiny Tours, | Child $22 / Guardians Free / Includes Melbourne Museum entry
6. Dino Days: A Roaring Good Time for Little Ones
Every Wednesday is Dino Days at Melbourne Museum, a special event designed for the museum’s youngest dinosaur fans. Packed with fun and interactive activities, Dino Days promise a prehistoric adventure that’s as engaging as it is educational.
Holiday Highlights:
- Dino Disco (11:00am & 1:00pm)
Early learners can move, stomp, and soar like dinosaurs in this playful, movement-based activity. Break out of your dinosaur egg, munch on imaginary leaves, and let your inner dinosaur shine! - Triceratops Tales (10:00am & 12:00pm)
Gather around for Horridus and the Hidden Valley, an enchanting storytime experience that takes little ones on a prehistoric journey.
While the school holidays focus on these two standout activities, Dino Days throughout the year also feature dino dress-ups, soft play, and other sensory-rich experiences.
Perfect for kids eager to explore the world of dinosaurs, Dino Days are a must-do for families visiting Melbourne Museum.
Book your spot at Dino Days, Every Wednesday, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Main Foyer, Ground Floor, Adults $15 | Children Free | Members Free (included with museum entry)
6. Discover the Giants of the Deep at IMAX Melbourne
For a breathtaking cinematic experience, head to IMAX Melbourne for Blue Whales 3D (opening 21 March). Dive into the depths of the Indian Ocean and come face-to-face with blue whales, dolphins, and orcas on the biggest screen in Australia.
Book your spot at IMAX Melbourne | Opening 21 March | Daily | 10.00am–2.00pm | Cost: Children $12 / Concession $16 / Adult $19 / Senior $12
8. Bat Detectives
Unleash your creativity during the autumn school holidays with Bat Detectives!
Kids will love to design a unique bat-inspired headband and become a bat detective. Use a special checklist to find intriguing facts about bats and their senses, contributing to our ecosystem.
Bat Detectives | Saturday 5 April 2025 to Thursday 17 April | 11am to 3pm | Included with Museum Entry
9. Create a Car, Be a Star
Experience the fun of car safety at Museums Victoria these autumn school holidays!
From April 7 to 19, kids aged 4-10 can build and decorate cardboard cars while learning vital safety information. Families will receive free resources and can visit howsafeisyourcar.com.au to check their car’s crash protection. Don’t miss this exciting free activity.
Create a Car, Be a Star | Monday 7 April to Saturday 19 April (Excluding Sundays) | 10am to 3pm
Melbourne Museum Autumn School Holiday Exhibits
While you have free time during the school holidays, make sure you visit these awesome exhibits while they’re still at Melbourne Museum:
- Children’s Gallery (Daily but book a time slot) – A world-class immersive learning and play experience – 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 Earth—the 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 – Joyce
