A new year, a new start – what adventures will your family have in 2025?
To kickstart your fun we’ve compiled a list of 30 awesome things to do with your kids this January.
WHEN ARE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN VICTORIA IN 2025?
Victorian Summer Holidays 2025 are from Monday 23 December 2024 to Tuesday 28 January 2025.
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.
If you missed out in December, book the Christmas Lights Festival happening every Saturday in January 2025!
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!
From the immersive Antopia exhibition to hands-on workshops like Creative Lab and interactive performances like Ants, there’s something for everyone.
Babies, toddlers, kids and teens are all invited to embark on the coolest of museum adventures with interactive activities designed for every age group.
Melbourne Museum, Fri 20 Dec 2024 – Sun 27 Jan 2025
3 January – Get bubbly at Scienceworks
Explore interactive exhibitions like Air Playground, marvel at the Museum of the Moon, and enjoy thrilling shows like Bubblemania.
With activities, workshops, and Planetarium adventures, it’s a perfect family outing these school holidays!
Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood, 21 Dec 2024 – 27 Jan 2025
4 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 4 January – 8 March 2025
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.
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 your Thrills at Luna Park
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.
Tee up for the ultimate summer showdown with Luna Park’s Summer Mini Golf Course! Whether you’re a hole-in-one pro or just out for the giggles, this mini-golf course promises plenty of laughs and challenges for all ages.
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 – 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.
11 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
Saturday 11 January – Friday 17 January 2025
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 – 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 12, 2025 – Sun, Jan 26, 2025
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 Arty at ArtPlay
Let your imagination soar at ArtPlay, where children aged 0-13 can engage in artistic expression through collaborative workshops and events.
Set in Birrarung Marr, ArtPlay emphasises creativity with a diverse summer program allowing families to participate in developing new artistic experiences together.
While there, immerse yourself in the enchanting exhibition, RAIN, where you can reflect in puddles, arrange fuzzy felt pieces, and experience a moment of calm. Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr, Russell St Ext, Melbourne VIC 3004
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 – 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.
Engage in interactive art-making with BOX MACHINE! at Abbotsford Convent. Designed for ages 12 and under, activities include costume creation and dance workshops. Running from January 4-25, 2025, this sensory experience invites creativity and play, with entry priced at only $5!
Convent Kids, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
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.
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.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria 7:30 am – 7:30 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
ACMI is the perfect summer destination for families, offering interactive exhibitions that will captivate kids and parents alike. Step into the playful world of Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition, a free showcase exploring the quirky charm of the global hit video game Untitled Goose Game. Discover original concept art, sketches, and early game versions while learning how this mischievous masterpiece came to life.
For older kids and teens, The Future & Other Fictions presents awe-inspiring Afrofuturist creations, film concept art, and dazzling fashion from icons like Ruth E. Carter and Björk. Open daily, it’s a creative escape the whole family will enjoy.
To complete 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.
ACMI Fed Square, Open Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
26 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.
27 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.
28 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
29 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.
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
