Kid-Friendly Things To Do In Melbourne This Summer

There’s an endless amount of kid-friendly activities in Melbourne. Arriving in the summertime? From a beach festival to a snow expedition (beat the heat!), be sure to mark down these unmissable summer events and activities for the whole family.

 

Discover Chinese New Year

Drums, firecrackers and food – lots of food! Also known as ‘Lunar New Year,’ held annually around February, venture into the Melbourne CBD for an explosion of exciting cultural things to do; watch an acrobatic lion dance or sample exotic flavours. The tradition itself has been around for thousands of years. In Melbourne, it showcases the many beautiful faces of the city.

 

Hit up St Kilda Beach Festival

Also around February is this free and festive shoreside gathering. Bring your cozzies and take an invigorating New Year dip, devour market stall goods (Melbourne is arguably the

country’s foodie capital!) or see who in the family has the sharpest dance skills. It’s one of the coolest things to do in the city. And did we mention entrance is free? Summer is lookin’ good.

 

Find Evening Treasures

Every Summer, Queen Victoria Markets come alive at night on Wednesdays. Bring the kids and hold them tight – it does get busy but oh-so vibrant. There are hundreds of stalls offering tasty treats (gelato in the summer, anyone?), quirky local threads, interactive kids’ activities and of course – what would a night market be without live music?

 

Explore the Underwater World

All without getting wet! When locals think of kid-friendly things to do in Melbourne, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium in the heart of the city is quite the institution. Sweltering outside in the summer? Now’s a great time to come in and enjoy the fully air-conned space.

 

Delight the senses at Coral Atoll, where you’ll see hundreds of multi-coloured fishies. Brave the Crocodile Lair; meet Pinjarra – one of Australia’s largest saltwater crocs! Or be enthralled beneath the paradisal 2.2 million litre Oceanarium as you watch the twinkling stars of the sea swim past.

 

You probably didn’t guess you could embark on an ice adventure to see striking penguins within arm’s reach. Stamp your Penguin Passport, put on your snow gear (it’s provided!), and witness the surreal beauty of penguins slipping and sliding all around you.

 

If you’re parents to some thrill-seekers, at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, you can even go cageless diving with sharks – even if you’re a first-time diver. There are only a handful of places worldwide where you’re guaranteed an encounter with the king of the deep.

 

Check out SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium’s What’s On page for a rotating calendar of special events, especially during the school holidays.