This week is the start of Melbourne Fringe Festival – check out the best fringe shows for families, many of which run during the Spring school holidays (which are starting next week – eek!).
This weekend I will be heading to watch the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular, exploring the new Keeper Care Hub at Melbourne Zoo, attending a sensory-friendly chamber music concert by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and browsing through One Fine Baby.
With the school holidays starting this week for some schools check out some of my most popular posts – 27 free activities and events for the Spring school holidays and 100 free things to do in Melbourne with kids.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE CBD/DOCKLANDS
- Children’s Garden Royal Botanic Gardens (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden is the perfect place for kids who love getting their hands dirty in the garden. Read my review.
- Flinders Quarter Augmented Art Walk (Fri 13 Sep – Sat 14 Sep) – Take an immersive self-guided journey through the streets, laneways, heritage buildings and local businesses of Flinders Quarter as a collection of new and existing art is brought to life with augmented reality (AR). Read my review.
- Happy Days QV (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 22 Sep) – enjoy a glowing neon room, FREE rainbow treats, an exclusive mobile gaming experience and more!
- Marvel: Journey of Heroes (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 29 Sep) – free exhibition showcasing each of Marvel’s eight decades, starting with its origins as Timely Comics. Read my review.
- Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 13 Oct) – Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality is a large-scale presentation of the Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Warriors. Presented in parallel, Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape, will see contemporary artist, Cai Guo-Qiang, create all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions. Read my review and Buy discount tickets to the Terracotta Warriors here.
- A Fairy Tale in Red Times NGV (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – free exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Read my review.
- Wonka Bar (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 31 Jan) – Enjoy scrumdiddlyumptious desserts, candylicious cocktails and a Wonkariffic kids high tea for kids inspired by the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Read my review.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 1 Dec) – musical of Roald Dahl’s iconic book. Read my review.
- LEGO Sea Explorers SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium (Fri 13 Sep – Fri 19 Sep) – Build, draw, colour and create with LEGO bricks. Read my review.
- The Winter Village (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 29 Sep) – ice rink, food & drink pop up bars, a mega igloo dining hall and an Igloo Village of 21 cosy igloos. Read my review.
- MSO Relaxed (Sat 14 Sep) – relaxed, sensory-friendly performance specifically designed for audience members with autism, a disability or sensory sensitivity.
- The Fairy Wonderland Show (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – Come along on a magical journey with Fairy Jasmine, and her best friend Fairy Jack, as they show you all the things fairies get up to in Fairyland and explore what it means to be a true fairy.
- Terracotta Warriors High Tea (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – luxurious Chinese-themed high tea where you can paint your own chocolate terracotta warrior. Read my review
- Artplay Inside Out (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – inspiring materials on hand for you to create artwork or build a play space together. Read my review.
- Riverslide Skate Park Learn2Ride (Sun 15 Sep) – Riverslide Skate Park runs regular skateboard, BMX and scooter lessons for beginners as well as more experienced riders.
- Under 8s Ice Fun at Medibank Icehouse (Sun 15 Sep) – unique toddler experience in shoes or skates.
- Queen Street Plaza (Sun 15 Sep) – A place to sit, eat, have a drink and enjoy free family entertainment right in the heart of the city.
- Ned Kelly Tour (Wed 18 Sep) – Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, read pages from the Jerilderie letter and see photos and historic objects related to his life.
- Hawker88 Night Market (Wed 18 Sep – Wed 23 Oct) –Every Wednesday night from 19 September to 24 October, Hawker 88 Night Market will bring the tastes, sights and sounds of the Orient to Melbourne’s favourite market.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- One Fine Baby (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – A FREE fun day out for the whole family. With something for everyone at any stage of their parenthood journey.
- Keeper Care Hub Melbourne Zoo (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 10 Nov) – Visit Melbourne Zoo’s all new Keeper Care Hub to witness macaws in full flight and find out how our carnivores take part in health care and enrichment programs.
- Sundays Fun Day Preston Market (Sun 15 Sep) – free kids activities every Sunday.
- Diamond Valley Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – miniature railway with a playground next door. Read my review
- Playbox Melbourne Museum (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – special sensory program for kids 1-3 years an hour before museum opens. Read the review.
- Pacific Kids (Wed 18Sep) – Free kids activities every Wednesday.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Sustainable September South Melbourne Market (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 29 Sep) – festival packed with fun for the kids, learning for adults and ideas to inspire your family to shop and live more sustainably.
- Gruffalo Trail Rippon Lea (Fri 13 Sep – June 2020) – Journey through the winding paths and gardens into a deep dark wood, and spot your favourite characters using the new augmented reality app.
- Prahran Market Kids’ Activities (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – every market day Prahran Market offers face painting, an animal farm, kids dance classes and music – most activities are free and no bookings necessary.
- DUPLO Kids Club Legoland (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – special activities every weekday for kids 2-5 years at the DUPLO Farm Adventure inside Legoland. Read the review.
- Immerse Knox (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 29 Sep) – arts festival with talks, presentations and events.
- Rain Room (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 27 Oct) – art installation in bespoke pavilion that is a 100 square metre field of continuous rainfall. Read my review.
- Hank Marvin Market (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep) – launch of weekly markets at Elsternwick Primary School and Ripponlea Primary School.
- Bumblee Baby Market Berwick (Sun 15 Sep) – high quality pre loved, handmade, and new goods at reasonable prices.
- Mornington Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – Climb aboard the Mornington Railway steam train for a fun-filled outing.
- Kids Mornings Westfield Southland (Wed 18 Sep) – Every Wednesday a different activity where your mini me’s can play, learn and be entertained.
- Circus Oz Aurora (Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct) – an exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment and the flying, swinging and trapezing will take you out of this world!
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S EAST
- Lake Mountain (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – toboggan, cross country skiing and snow play 2 hours from Melbourne. Read my tips on visiting Lake Mountain with kids
- Mt Baw Baw (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort open for winter season. Read my tips on visiting Mt Baw Baw with kids
- Victorian State Schools Spectacular (Sat 14 Sep) – Across the two shows, over 10,000 people will have the chance to see some of the rising stars of today.
- Tesselaar Tulip Festival (Sat 14 Sep – Sun 13 Oct) – tulip fields, live entertainment, market stalls and tempting foods. Read my review.
- Yarra Valley Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – take a trip on the historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. Read my review.
- Lynley Dodd Story (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 26 Jan 2020) – free exhibition of original illustrations from the world-renowned author and illustrator of the Hairy Maclary and Friends™ book series.
- Auburn Kids Sunday Funday (Sun 15 Sep) – Petting zoo, Fairies, mermaids, superheroes, face painting and balloon animals galore! Read my review.
- Box Hill Miniature Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this wonderful Miniature Railway, the track winds through the picturesque surrounds of Elgar Park. READ THE REVIEW.
- Schwerkolt Cottage Heritage Family Day (Sun 15 Sep) – Pack a picnic and have a wonderful FREE day out with friends and family enjoying old-fashioned sack races, pony rides, an animal farm, face painting, live music along with demonstrations of spinning, weaving, woodturning and blacksmithing.
- Heide Art Babies (Tue 17 Sep) – 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art. Read the review.
- Wallaby Wednesdays Healesville Sanctuary (Wed 18 Sep) – Dress up as wallabies with wallaby face painting, wallaby ears and wallaby tails for pouch races, hopping games and wallaby trails. Bring your favourite soft toy animal to join in the fun. Wallaby tails and wallaby ears are provided for dress up fun. Also don’t forget Future Vets and Pouch House indoor play.
- Sesame Street Circus (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 13 Oct) – 90-minute circus show with all your favourite Sesame Street characters.
- Possum Play Thursdays Healesville Sanctuary (Thu 19 Sep) – Join our play makers for stories, activities and possum-themed face painting. Every Thursday during school term at 11am.
WHAT’S ON – MELBOURNE’S WEST
- Brickman Cities Scienceworks (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 3 Oct) – Discover the world’s most iconic cities and build your own creations at this brand-new interactive LEGO® experience. Read my review.
- Dingo Puppy Encounter (Fri 13 Sep – Sun 25 Sep) – Cuddle and photograph cute fluffy cubs and meet friendly dingo adults at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre. Full review.
- Essendon Traffic School (Sat 14 Sep) – mini road set up for kids aged two to ten years, complete with road signs, railway bells and traffic lights. Full review.
- Mini Zoo Keepers Werribee Zoo (Sat 14 Sep, Thu 19 Sep) – Children aged 2-5 years and their adults can go on an intimate guided tour with a Zookeeper to help look after some of the special animals in the zoo.
- Altona Miniature Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – Every third Sunday of the month the Altona Miniature Railway is opened to members of the public and members take kids and adults on rides on the mini steam and diesel engines. READ THE REVIEW.
- Kensington Market (Sun 15 Sep) – monthly market showcase of talented local artisans and crafters.
- Bulla Hill Railway (Sun 15 Sep) – Every 3rd Sunday the ride this the dinosaur trail on the miniature railway. FULL REVIEW.
- STEM Sundays Scienceworks (Sun 15 Sep) – robotics and coding workshops for kids every Sunday. Read my review.
- Pet and Animal Expo (Sun 15 Sep) – Fun, ‘family and pet’ friendly day with free activities and entertainment, Dog obedience displays and educational demonstration, face painting, reptile/ animal displays, exotic cats, dogs, budgerigars, ferrets and rabbits, food trucks and more.
- Gardens of Tieve Tara (Fri 13 Sep – Thu 19 Sep) – Explore 7.5 acres of sweeping lawns, lakes & trees, with vibrant seasonal colours. Read my review.
- Little Sparks Scienceworks (Mon 16 Sep) – 50 minute, fun-filled workshops for children 3-5 years led by a Scienceworks educator according to themes that change throughout the year. Full review.
- Pacific Werribee Kids Club (Tue 17 Sep) – free activities every Tuesday in the Kids Mall, near Target
- Mini Makers Highpoint (Wed 18 Sep) – free kids activities every Wednesday.
- Toddler Thursdays Werribee Zoo (Thu 19 Sep) – special program for 1-5 yo and their carers.
I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
