The best things to do in Melbourne with kids in 2026 are Melbourne Zoo, Scienceworks and Melbourne Museum, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Luna Park in St Kilda, the free Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden, and a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train in the Dandenong Ranges.
Melbourne is a great city for families, with free trams in the CBD, big parks and some excellent museums. Children under 16 go free to Zoos Victoria's zoos on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays. Pack layers: Melbourne's weather can change several times in a day. See also our best attractions in Melbourne.
Australia's oldest zoo, a tram ride from the city.
Melbourne Zoo has gorillas, elephants, lions and a big Australian bush area, plus a butterfly house where butterflies land on visitors. It is in Parkville, a short tram or train ride from the CBD.
Children under 16 go free on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays.
Good to know: Visit on a weekend or school holiday, when children go free.
Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052
A hands-on science museum with a planetarium and lightning shows.
Scienceworks has interactive science exhibits, the Melbourne Planetarium and the Lightning Room's dramatic shows, in and around a historic pumping station.
It suits children from preschool age to early teens.
Good to know: Book planetarium and Lightning Room sessions on arrival; they fill up.
2 Booker St, Spotswood VIC 3015
Dinosaurs, a living forest and a children's gallery.
Melbourne Museum has dinosaur skeletons, the Forest Gallery (a living forest with birds and animals inside the museum) and the Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery for under-fives.
Children enter free. It's next to the Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens.
Good to know: Under-fives will love the Children's Gallery; check session times on arrival.
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
Penguins, sharks and a giant crocodile on the Yarra.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium on the Yarra has king and gentoo penguins, sharks, rays and a big saltwater crocodile.
It's an easy stop in the city and good on a rainy day.
Good to know: Book online for cheaper tickets and timed entry.
King St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A historic amusement park by the beach in St Kilda.
Luna Park has been entertaining children since 1912, behind its famous giant face entrance. Its rides include the heritage Scenic Railway, one of the oldest operating roller coasters in the world.
Combine it with St Kilda beach, the pier and the cake shops of Acland Street.
Good to know: Visit the St Kilda pier at dusk to look for the little penguins.
18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
A free garden made for children to explore, in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has a bamboo forest, water play, rock pools, a kitchen garden and tunnels through plants.
It is free and suits children up to about 12. It closes for a rest period each winter, so check before you go.
Good to know: Bring spare clothes; the water play area is irresistible.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
A century-old steam train through the Dandenong Ranges' forests.
Puffing Billy is a heritage steam train running from Belgrave through tall mountain ash forest and fern gullies, with children sitting on the window sills with their legs dangling out.
Belgrave is about an hour from the city by train or car.
Good to know: Book ahead in school holidays, and ride at least to Lakeside.
1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave VIC 3160
The best place near Melbourne to see platypus, koalas and wombats.
Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley focuses on Australian wildlife, with platypus, koalas, kangaroos and wombats, and a free-flight birds of prey show.
It's about an hour from the city; children under 16 go free on weekends and school holidays.
Good to know: Don't miss the Spirits of the Sky birds of prey show.
Badger Creek Rd, Healesville VIC 3777
A working farm by the Yarra, minutes from the city.
Collingwood Children's Farm is a small working farm on the Yarra with cows, pigs, goats, guinea pigs and chickens, and a farm café. Children can help with animal feeding at set times.
It's next to the Abbotsford Convent, which has cafés and a weekend market.
Good to know: Arrive for the morning animal feeding sessions.
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
City and bay views from the 88th floor of Eureka Tower.
Melbourne Skydeck, on level 88 of the Eureka Tower, has views across the city and bay.
Children love it, and it's a good orientation on the first day.
Good to know: Go at dusk to see the city lights come on.
7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006
Melbourne Zoo, in Parkville a short tram ride from the city, with gorillas, elephants, a butterfly house and Australian animals. Children under 16 go free on weekends and school holidays.
The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens, the free City Circle tram, ACMI's main exhibition, the State Library and the city's beaches and playgrounds.
Yes. The century-old steam train winds through the forests of the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour from the city, and children can sit with their legs over the side. Book ahead in school holidays.
Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, ACMI and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium are all indoors.
Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley is the best for Australian wildlife, with platypus, koalas and a birds of prey show. Melbourne Zoo also has a big Australian bush area.