A new year, a new start – what adventures will your family have in 2024?
To kickstart your fun I’ve compiled a list of 30 awesome things to do with your kids this January.
Featured Activity
Embrace the sunny atmosphere with unlimited rides, amusement games and food for a good day out!
Luna Park Melbourne has been delivering thrills and entertaining kids since 1912. Grab your unlimited ride tickets to Luna Park Melbourne with Experience Oz to add this must-do attraction to your summer fun. It’s the perfect way to treat the kids to a fun-filled family day out – Luna Park Melbourne has something for all ages.
You cannot miss out on the world’s oldest continually running rollercoaster, the Great Scenic Railway followed by a scenic ride to calm the nerves on the Great Scenic Ferris Wheel overlooking the shores of St Kilda Beach and Port Phillip Bay. The ‘little lunies’ will be squealing with delight on the gentle rides that will dip, fly and glide while the more adventurous thrill seeker will also be chuffed with the offering of rides including the Supernova, Pharaoh’s Curse, Enterprise, Twin Dragon and more.
Need inspiration for other things to do? Experience Oz has you sorted with over 4,000 activities across Australia & New Zealand
WHEN ARE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN VICTORIA IN 2024?
Victorian Summer Holidays 2024 are from Thursday 21 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024.
THINGS TO DO IN MELBOURNE IN SUMMER
1 January – Splash and play at Adventure Park
Head to Victoria’s biggest theme park with our insider tips for visiting Adventure Park Geelong this summer.
Adventure Park Geelong, 1249 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
2 January – Visit Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum have curated exciting events and activities to make your holiday visit the best one yet!
These summer school holidays explore the tiny and titanic with RELICS: A New World Rises and Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition with fun and educational experiences for the whole family.
Babies, toddlers, kids and teens are all invited to embark on the coolest of museum adventures with our interactive activities designed for every age group.
Melbourne Museum, Fri 22 Dec – Sun 28 Jan
3 January – Kick some putt at Pixar Putt
Kick some serious putt at Melbourne’s favourite pop up mini-golf courses this summer!
Pixar Putt is back at Skyline Terrace, Federation Square, with more Disney Pixar-themed holes for putting fun. Conquer fun and challenging layouts and obstacles all while completing 9 or 18 holes.
Whether you call it mini-golf, goofy golf, putt-putt or otherwise, challenge your friends or family at one of Melbourne’s popular miniature golf courses.
4 January – Get smelly at Scienceworks
For something a bit different this summer they are braving the topic of everything poo-related with their sewerage-themed summer school holidays program, to celebrate the Spotswood Pumping Station on site at the Museum.
There will be daily STEM Lab activities, pumping station tours, a ‘From Sandwich to Sewerage’ program and ‘FlushBack’ an augmented reality game to play on-site, plus lots more.
Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood, 21 Dec 2023 – 29 Jan 2024
5 January – Hit one of Melbourne’s best playgrounds
Melbourne is home to some of the most spectacular playgrounds you can imagine!
Make a day of park play by checking off the list of the best playgrounds in Melbourne (one for every week of the year!).
6 January – Discover Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula
Embark on a family adventure just 75 minutes from Melbourne in the charming haven of Geelong! With its laid-back vibes and endless possibilities, Geelong promises a stress-free day out for families.
With lots of fun activities for kids, you could easily spend a half-day, full day or even a short break in this bustling coastal city. Read our list of the best places to go and things to do with kids in Geelong.
7 January – Visit a Beach Playground
Carrum Beach is one of our favourite beach playgrounds in Melbourne with a gorgeous nautical-themed playground on the foreshore.
Also check out the best beach playgrounds we’ve reviewed including beach playgrounds at Williamstown, Altona and Albert Park.
8 January – Get creative with NGV Kids Summer Festival
The NGV Kids Summer Festival is back with seven days of free family fun.
Bring all the family and enjoy a great day out – there’s something for everyone!
NGV Kids Summer Festival, NGV International, St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Monday, 8 January 2024 – Sunday, 14 January 2024
9 January – Enjoy free water play
Water play activities are great for keeping kids busy while also helping them develop and strengthen their gross and fine motor skills.
Enjoy free water play at one of Melbourne’s many free water play areas.
10 January – Book The Langham Melbourne’s Paddington High Tea
We love connecting our readers with memorable family experiences, and high tea is likely to be an event that’ll make your heart sing and your kids’ eyes sparkle – not to mention tickle your taste buds!
So, what if we told you that Paddington Afternoon Tea at The Langham, Melbourne isn’t just a tea party at a hotel – it’s a guaranteed memory-maker?
Join us on a scrumptious journey filled with unexpected surprises, delightful treats, and heartwarming moments.
The Langham Melbourne’s Paddington High Tea, 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank, on Fridays and Sundays
11 January – Hit the beach
Pack your bucket, spade and explore some of Melbourne’s best beaches for kids.
While you’re there, check out the best beachside eats in Melbourne.
12 January – Eat the best ice cream in Melbourne
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Cool down with a delicious treat and work your way through my list of Melbourne’s best ice cream and gelato or best ice cream and gelato delivery in Melbourne.
13 January – See the animals at Sunset Safari Werribee Zoo
Sunset Safari is an after-hours event held at Werribee Zoo where you can explore the walking trail throughout the Werribee Zoo at dusk.
As the sun sets, enjoy a guided sunset tour, cocktails and canapes at Hippo Beach, feast on a traditional African braai BBQ, and delight in an immersive performance that showcases the rhythm of Africa.
Sunset Safari Werribee Zoo, Saturday evenings from 13 January – 9 March
14 January – Australian Open tennis
If you love tennis then the Australian Open is definitely something you should not miss this summer!
See tennis stars, enjoy the food and drinks and festive atmosphere. Read my tips on visiting the Australian Open with kids.
Australian Open Tennis, Sun, Jan 14, 2024 – Sun, Jan 28, 2024
Related: Where to find free public tennis courts in Melbourne
15 January – Go for a swim
Head to your favourite public pool for some splashy fun!
Whether you’re looking for an indoor swimming pool or an outdoor swimming pool, check out where to find the best swimming pools in Melbourne.
Even better, bring your own food and order a grazing box so you just need to pack your bathers, towel and sunscreen!
16 January – Get your science on at Sensing the Smart City
Sensing the Smart City is two days of FREE hands-on and interactive science activities for kids aged 5-12 years, all centred around how we can use digital technology, data and information to help create better places for everyone!
Delivered by local STEM educators SciencePlay Kids in collaboration with TOT: HOT OR NOT, Sensing the Smart City is an opportunity for children to learn, create and play at the same time.
Sensing the Smart City, Footscray Connectivity Centre, 138 Nicholson St, Footscray Tue 16 Jan – Wed 17 Jan 2024
17 January – Visit the library
Picture your family delving into a world of books, activities, and learning adventures this summer!
The best public libraries in Melbourne offer an oasis of knowledge and creativity, where you can escape the heat, share captivating stories, and enjoy enriching programs that are often free or low-cost.
Bookworms will also love Melbourne’s best bookshops and Melbourne’s best secondhand bookshops.
18 January – Playable Plants at Arts Centre Melbourne
Fusing natural elements with custom-made digital sensors and crafted by Playable Streets, The Plants allows you to experiment with music in a fun and jovial way.
As children engage with the plants and touch the leaves, delightful gentle sounds are activated. Families can have fun and experiment with creating their own enchanting melody using these exclusive digital instruments crafted from actual plants.
Playable Plants at Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, 18 January – 19 January 2023
19 January – Take a train to regional Victoria
Victoria has some stunning destinations that are filled with fun activities for families and are just a train ride away.
Grab you myki card and check out our list of day trips by train from Melbourne for a fun day out this summer.
20 January – Visit Convent Kids!
There are lots of free activities and events on at the Abbotsford Convent these holidays as part of their Convent Kids Summer program.
The Slow Art Collective is a series of hands-on, art activities for kids using visual art, craft, sound and performances. Immersed by large-scale experiential installations, children will be able to add their own touches to the unique constructed world, using recycled and repurposed materials.
Child Nation, another part of the summer program, will offer the using of a hand-held device where kids will be prompted to answer quirky questions in response to the things they see around them.
Convent Kids, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
21 January – Slip and slide at Melbourne’s best waterslides
Whether you’re zooming down twisting slides, braving gravity-defying drops, or simply enjoying a leisurely float down lazy rivers, Melbourne’s best waterslides offer a refreshing respite from the heat.
Here’s a list of Melbourne’s best waterslides for your next thrilling water adventure!
22 January – School Holiday Street Art with Blender Studios
Let your child explore their creative side with a freehand or stencil street art workshop run by Blender Studios. Kids will learn how to master the tricky art of working with spray paint as a medium and work on a wooden board that they will be able to take home after the workshop.
The workshop costs $89 and is running on various weekdays all throughout January. It goes for around 2 hours.
School Holiday Street Art Workshop, Blender Studios, 33-35 Dudley St, West Melbourne, +61 3 9328 5556
23 January – Venture outdoors at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
This summer school holiday period, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is offering a plethora of free, self-guided activities; perfect to have a great time with the whole family.
These outdoor experiences include historic nature trails, sentimental children’s theatre and audio tours.
You can find an overview of these fun, yet educational, summer school holiday activities on their website: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/what-s-on-melbourne/
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria 7:30 am – 7:330 pm daily
24 January – Head to the coast
Take advantage of the clear clouds, bright sun, and warm summer heat by heading to the beach for a day trip or for the long weekend with my family-friendly guides to Lorne, Mornington Peninsula and Frankston.
25 January – Get Inspired at ACMI
If you’re looking for something to fill your day, a visit to ACMI and The Story of the Moving Image exhibition is a fantastic way to spend a morning or afternoon. You can read my review here. The exhibit journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, featuring ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns, the first cameras, famous costumes, movie sets, sketches, movie clips and contemporary art. The best bit is that its free!
Don’t miss Analogue Animation: Flipbooks and Thaumatropes (happening from Mon 8 Jan – Thu 25 Jan) the hands-on workshop inspired by “The Story of the Moving Image.” Kids get to craft a flipbook and thaumatrope, two of the earliest forms of animation.
ACMI The Story of The Moving Image, Gallery 1, Ground Floor, ACMI, Fed Square, Open Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
26 January – Go Bowling
Speaking of fun activities, have you ever considered spending Australia Day bowling in Melbourne? It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the day, and you can explore some great bowling alleys like the ones highlighted in this guide: Bowling in Melbourne.
However, it would be remiss of me to not point out that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Australia Day is considered a day of mourning and protest.
27 January – Catch a movie at an open-air cinema
Take advantage of all the outdoor cinemas open throughout Melbourne during the summer and catch the latest family-friendly flicks while relaxing on comfortable chairs or lounging on a picnic rug.
If you’re not sure where to find them then you should check out my post on the Best Outdoor Cinema Melbourne
28 January – Go for a scoot or bike ride
Check out some of the best bike trails in Melbourne for families or hit a playground with a bike or scooter track with your wheels.
Another option is to find a stretch of beachside path around Port Melbourne. For instance, Altona Beach is a fantastic bay beach with long stretches of sand, a pier, cafes and a beach playground. We love taking our bikes and scooters there.
29 January – Have a Ride on a Miniature Train
It’s Sunday! Take the kids for an adventure to Eltham to have a ride on the Diamond Valley Railway. You can read my review here. Volunteers operate the railway every Sunday of the month and families can ride steam and diesel trains for only $4 per person, with online tickets available only.
Related: Best miniature railways across Melbourne and Victoria.
30 January – Relax with a picnic
Last day of January before school starts to settle in!
Take this day to relax and have a chill day out under the sun with the people you love. Order a gourmet picnic box, read these zero-waste picnic tips and visit one of Melbourne’s best picnic spots for families.
Free Summer School Holidays Events & Activities
Best places to go in a Melbourne heatwave
This post has been published in collaboration with selected partners and 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 free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks in advance – Joyce
