School Holidays
Melbourne has really kicked it up a gear for the holidays, there's just too much to do!
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Various Locations
25th March - 19th April
I love to laugh. Before we had kids we would frequently catch shows with some great Australian and International comedians and have walked away in tears of laughter, reliving the best moments of the shows. Then we had kids!
Well this year we are heading to the comedy festival with the kids in tow to see magnificent Ali McGregor’s CabHOORAY! We were fortunate enough to see Ali at Playfest last year and Mr 2 absolutely loved every minute. He was shaking his little booty to her wonderful tunes and I’m sure that this show, with guest comedians and circus performers will be just as spectacular! Suitable for all ages.
For the bigger kids (6-12) they can join in at the Comedy Club for Kids show. This 1 hour show promises ‘gags, games and great laughs’
28th March – 12th April
The list of shows I’d like to see is LONG! But if you head to the comedy festival website, you can filter it to show you the kids shows, the family shows, Australian Acts, International Acts and Special Events. But make sure you keep an eye on the suggested age before you hit that purchase button if you plan on bringing the kids along!
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Carlton Gardens
25th March - 29th March
The Carlton Gardens are so absolutely beautiful that I think I could sit an enjoy the beautiful landscaped gardens all day while the kids play in the playground, But once a year, the Gardens are transformed into the Melbourne Flower & Garden show, showcasing gardens that will mesmirise and inspire. If you decide to head down with the kids, there is the Disney Princess Fairy & Pirates Children’s Garden where there will be face painting, kids entertainment, colouring and much more. My favourite has always been to admire the innovations on display in the Boutique Garden Display. Congratulations to this year’s winner Lisa Ellis. I wish I could pick it up and move it to my house!
Adults are $27, a family for $60, kids 6-16 $10, kids 5 and under are free
Diggers Rest Country Fair
Animal Land Children's Farm
Sunday 29th March
10am - 4pm
This Sunday 29th March 10:00 am till 4:00 PM Over 70 stalls will be filled on the day. Easter egg Hunts, Pony Rides, Tractor rides, Free entertainment, Rampant Rock band rocking the stage, Food stalls, Bar facilities available, Tug 'o' war comps. Guess the weight of Dolly, Sean, and Henry the sheep, Chocolate throws, Hole in 1, Jumping castles, Face painters, Don't forget coffee van, (need 1 now)_ Art Show. (enter your art) Baking contests, Pumpkin growing comp (bring your heaviest along). Animal nursery. Cars & 4WD on display. (enter your classic No plastic to win) Lots lots more www.facebook.com/diggersrestcountryfair
Peninsula Picnic
Sunday 29th March
12pm - 7.30pm
An incredible meeting of food, wine and music in the Mornington Peninsula
Under 17s are to be supervised by a responsible parent or guardian at all times
Adults $74
Children 5-17 $12
Children under 5 FREE
Discounts for MRC members
Tickets available from Ticketek
For more info head to: http://peninsulapicnic.com.au
Childrens Festival at Sky High Mt Dandenong
From Monday 30th March – Sunday 12th April, Sky High Mt Dandenong will be hosting a Children’s Festival. There will be various activities that will change each day.
There will be treasure hunts, jumping castles, mini golf, reptile display & handling (3pm – 5pm Saturday 4th April) an Easter Egg Hunt at 10am on Easter Sunday and I know my boys would go crazy over the Formula One cars (Thursday 9th April 11am – 4pm)
For the events on each day of the holidays, see their website http://skyhighmtdandenong.com.au/childrens-festival-april.aspx
The festival is FREE, but you must pay a gate fee to enter. There is also Fairy Floss and Snow Cones available for purchase.
While you are there you can also enjoy the absolutely breathtaking view of Melbourne, the sky high maze, pose in the giants chair and take a stroll around the secret garden. There are BBQ and picnic facilities and the restaurant.
Backyard Spiders at Melbourne Museum
Carlton Gardens
28th March - 12th April (Closed Good Friday)
Usually the words ‘Live Tarantulas’ appear to me as ‘Run the Other way’ but the boys…. Well the creepier and crawlier, the better!
Opening on Saturday 28th March, there will be over 100 species of live insects and spiders. Free with your entry to the Museum
http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whatson/school-holiday-activities/
Alice’s Wonderland & Deep Oceans at Scienceworks
3 Booker St, Spotswood
10am-4.30pm Every day
As well as the permanent exhibits, like our favourite, the Nitty Gritty City, you can also enjoy the Alice’s Wonderland exhibit which was a hit with our boys and free with your entry.
For an additional cost, you can also visit the Deep Oceans exhibit featuring the Octonauts.
http://museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/
Happy Travels at the Immigration Museum
Flinders Street, Melbourne
10am-5pm 28th March – 12th April (Closed Good Friday)
If like us, you love to travel and experience different cultures, head to the Immigration Museum over the holidays to be inspired by the way people in different countries decorate their rides!
http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/whatson/school-holiday-activities/
Gorilla Rangers on Patrol at Werribee Open Range Zoo
K Rd, Werribee
28th March – 31st May
Daily 1.30pm - 2.30 pm for the Guided Gorilla Tour & Keeper Talk
Kids under 16 free during school holidays. No bookings required.
A tour by an experienced head ranger begins at Ranger Kids, the gorgeous indoor playspace at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Kids can look for injured gorillas and help transport them back to the hospital for bandaging and treatment.
The guided gorilla tour leaves at 1.30pm where the kids will have an opportunity to explore different habitats and learn about gorillas and what rangers and vets do to try and protect them in the wild.
The Ranger Kids area has been transformed to the Gorilla Ranger Hut, and kids can enjoy a self guided tour outside of the guided tour times.
http://www.zoo.org.au/werribee/whats-on/gorilla-rangers-on-patrol
Melbourne Zoo
Royal Park, Parkville
28th March – 31st May
Well, there is a brand new maze at Melbourne Zoo and it sounds fantastic, but we were there recently to see the brand new baby gorilla and it is SO absolutely beautiful, so make sure that’s your first stop! There can be a bit of a wait, but to see the beautiful mamma nursing her baby… well, its worth the wait!
Kids under 16 free during school holidays.
http://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/whats-on/wombats-secret-maze
CPR Challenge Family Fun Day
Good Friday, April 3rd 10am – 4pm
Crown Palladium
Help set a world record for paediatric CPR
There is Free Entry, but $5 per person or $15 per family for the CPR training with all proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Training sessions will be run continuously throughout the day.
With Princesses & Superheroes
Jumping Castles
Celebrity Challenges
Gaming Station
Toddler Play Zone
Live Entertainment
Discount Pop Up Shop it will be an amazing event. Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favourite superhero
The Premier's Active April
Various Locations
Throughout April
There will be many free events over the state in April to promote healthy and active lifestyles.
We have added some of these events to our events page, but you can see the full list here https://www.activeapril.vic.gov.au/events/
Luna Park Easter Egg Hunt
18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
3rd – 6th April Open 11am – 11pm each day
Easter Egg Hunt 12pm Easter Sunday only at the Garden Terrace. There will be different times for different ages. Free for unlimited pass holders (or a gold coin donation)
Each day the Easter Bunny will be hopping around, there will be Face painting, stilt walkers, and a bunny and chick animal farm for the little ones (and ME, and ME!!!!)
Wile you are there, you can also experience CLIMBZILLA, the newest attraction for the Easter Holidays (must be 100cm + to climb)
http://lunapark.com.au/kids-easter-activities/
Kids Day Out
Good Friday, April 3rd 10am – 6pm
The Melbourne Convention Centre
Last year we attended the Kids Day Out, the highlight for us was definitely the Teddy Bear Hospital, where we were able to bring our poor injured teddy who had a sore leg. He was seen by a doctor and taken for an X-Ray after his examination. There were so many activities. Entry is free, with proceeds from all
activities going to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
There will be roller-skating
Laser skirmish
Sports Clinics
Teddy Bear Hospital (BYO teddy)
Kids Cooking Classes
Rides, Music, Dancing and more
Head to Polly Woodside to Walk the Plank and meet the pirates
Meet some Chanel 7 Stars
Steamtrain Rides
Good Friday, April 3rd 10am – 1pm and 3pm – 5pm
Departing Flinders Street Station
Hop aboard a historical steam train leaving from the CBD! The morning train will travel from Flinders St – Sandringham and back and the afternoon train will travel from Flinders St – Watergardens and back
Tickets are $65 per Adult, $45 for under 17s, children under 3 are free. All proceeds will be going to Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
Animatronic Animals at Watergardens Town Centre
Melton Hwy, Taylors Lakes
For their first time in Australia, you can see life size animatronic animals. Check out our experience here
http://www.eatplaydiscover.com.au/#!animatronic-display-watergardens/cudv
Chocolate Easter Bunny Decorating
Highpoint Shopping Centre
Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April
11am – 2pm
Level 2, outside Ted’s Cameras
Kids can decorate chocolate Easter Bunny Cookies
Crayola Creative Centre
Highpoint Shopping Centre
Monday 6th April – Friday 10th April
11am – 2pm
Level 2, Outside Ted’s Camera House
Kids can practice their design skills at the Creative Crayola Centre. With virtual craft on IPads, to colouring Frisbees and letting their imagination run wild with 3D chalk
What Else is On:
School Holiday Inspiration
Easter Egg Hunts
Easter Events
Parks & Playgrounds
Cafes & Restaurants
Free Activities