Top Things to do in Melbourne CBD with Kids
Note: We recently gave this popular post a refresh in June 2023 - enjoy!
Our Top Things to do in Melbourne CBD with Kids
We always love exploring Melbourne CBD - here’s our list of top things to do with kids and families!
1. ACMI Melbourne
The ACMI Melbourne is the Australian Centre for the Moving Image which celebrates the art of screen culture. It has permanent exhibitions such as The Story of the Moving Image and Games Lab exhibition. It also holds workshops, activities throughout the year and school holidays. Fee paying and free.
The Story of the Moving Image - photo credit: ACMI Melbourne
2. NGV International
The NGV International is one of our favourite art galleries in Melbourne. I have referred to it as my art temple and sometimes it feels like so much more and it is definitely a fun place for kids to visit and enjoy. Fee paying and Free.
NGV International Melbourne Water Trail - photo credit: NGV International
An example of a current exhibition is Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi - what a gorgeous exhibition!
Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi June 2023 - photo credit: NGV International
The NGV always makes a conscious effort to create kids installations throughout the year to coincide with major installations.
A current kids installation is the beautifully designed Up, Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids installation shown below which inspires young imaginations and engages children’s problem-solving skills. Think sushi train for little designers! And the best thing it’s free!
Up, Down and All Around: Daniel Emma for Kids June 2023 - photo credit: NGV International
They also do a great job with kids activities and installations during school holidays as well as major periodic installations such as Melbourne Now and NGV Triennial.
NGV Triennial 2021 - photo credit: NGV International
While you're visiting, relax in the NGV Great Hall - famous for its stunning stained glass ceiling by Leonard French. Look up and admire the stained glass ceiling, chat with friends or enjoy a break.
NGV Hall with Helen Kontouris furniture 2022 - photo credit: Kvadrat Maharam
Enjoy the NGV gardens and let the kids explore the lawns. The NGV Architecture Commission changes regularly so the garden is ever changing. Currently as we write this, it is the gorgeous Temple of Boom on display. Free.
Temple of Boom NGV Melbourne November 2022 - photo credit: NGV International
3. NGV Australia
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is located at Fed Square and is another great NGV site to explore, throughout the year as it also hosts several free kid friendly exhibitions, activities and installations. Fee paying and free.
NGV Australia - photo credit: NGV Melbourne
4. State Library of Victoria
The Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter at the State Library of Victoria is a fantastic space where weekly story times, activities and holiday events take place for children and their families.
It is a purpose-built space for children aged up to 12 years. It spans two floors and features a two-storey children's castle: the top floor is designed for kids aged 8 to 12 years, and the lower level caters for younger children. Free. Read our review.
Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter State Library of Victoria - photo credit: Busy City Kids
5. ArtPlay & ArtPlay Playground
ArtPlay is a creative space for children and families located in Birrarung Marr next to Federation Square. They hold various activities and workshops as well as exhibitions throughout the year. Fee paying and free.
The ArtPlay playground is a great place for kids and families to play and meet. Free
ArtPlay Melbourne and its playground - photo credit: ArtPlay
6. Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are a great place to walk, relax and enjoy the outdoors with plenty of walking trails and gardens to explore.
Kids will love visiting the Ian Potter Children's Garden especially during summer with water elements and a great patch of grass for picnics. The garden also holds free nature play experiences days during school holidays. It is closed in winter. Free. Read our review.
The Ian Potter Children's Garden - photo credit: Busy City Kids
7. ArtVo Melbourne
ArtVo Melbourne is a trick art gallery where children and their parents/carers can touch paintings and become part of the action by taking photos from special points on the floor close to the paintings. Fee paying. Read our review.
ArtVo Melbourne - photo credit: Busy City Kids
8. Risk Playground
Kids might like the Risk Playground on the corner of Southbank Boulevard and Kavanagh Street in Southbank. The nature inspired play equipment includes climbable bluestone boulders, fake pavers, and a slide that gives the illusion of being held down by a rope. Although appearing risky, the playground is actually very safe. Free.
Risk Playground Melbourne - photo credit: City of Melbourne
9. Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is Victoria's national memorial honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping. Discover the real-life stories of Australians in wartime, find peaceful reflection and view breathtaking vistas of the memorial gardens and Melbourne. Free.
Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne - photo credit: Shrine of Remembrance
10. Australian Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The Australian Sports Museum is a great place to visit before or after an MCG Tour. Sports lovers will enjoy exploring the world of sports. From the AFL Gallery, Sporting Nation Gallery, Cricket Gallery, Olympic Gallery, MCG Museum and more!
Kids will also love playing sports in the Game On! space. From racing, pedalling, surfing, basketball, soccer, cricket, AFL to rock climbing and more, there’s lots of touchscreens to help sports fans along the way. There are also many areas for kids to play sports and put their skills to test too. Fee paying. Read our review.
Australian Sports Museum Melbourne: Play On space - photo credit: Busy City Kids
11. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Tour
Sports fans will love a tour of the MCG. Children and families will love the experience and getting facts from their knowledgeable MCC volunteer tour guide. They will explore the inner sanctum of the MCG, walk on the hallowed arena and in the footsteps of where legends have walked by taking a guided 75-minute MCG Tour. Fee paying. Read our review.
MCG Tour - photo credit: Busy City Kids
12. GoBoat Melbourne
The GoBoat Melbourne offers a new way to explore Melbourne’s beautiful city and a unique experience suitable for the whole family. You can book your own private cruise and explore Melbourne and the best part, YOU captain the boat! The nominated skipper doesn't require a boat licence but they do need to be 18 years old to sail the boat. Fee paying. Read our review.
GoBoat Melbourne - photo credit: Busy City Kids
13. Old Melbourne Gaol
The Old Melbourne Gaol is a former jail and current museum. The museum tells the story of the gaol's history, from its construction to its closure. The Old Melbourne Gaol holds a school holiday mystery trail for kids. Fee paying.
Old Melbourne Gaol - photo credit: Old Melbourne Gaol
14. Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum has a collection of over 20 million objects, including fossils, animals, minerals, and cultural artifacts. Kids will love the Dinosaur Walk area with 17 large prehistoric skeletons and they will love Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs features the most complete Triceratops skeleton in the world, named Horridus.
Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs - photo credit: Melbourne Museum
The Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery and its garden is a fantastic place for kids to explore their own kid-friendly space within the museum. Read our review.
Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery - photo credit: Busy City Kids
The Gandel Gondwana Garden is a new garden as well as an outdoor and interactive gallery where kids and families can step into the ecosystems of the past. Read our review.
Gandel Gondwana Garden - photo credit: Busy City Kids
The museum holds regular exhibitions as well as term and school holiday activities. Fee paying. Interstate visitors may benefit from reciprocal rights.
15. Melbourne Zoo
The Melbourne Zoo is within reach of the CBD. Grab a tram from the city and the tram will stop directly outside Melbourne Zoo. The Melbourne Zoo is home to over 300 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Fee paying. Interstate visitors may benefit from reciprocal rights.
Melbourne Zoo - photo credit: Melbourne Zoo
Kids love the Keeper Kids area where they can enjoy a range of activities for children aged 0-8. It is currently undergoing some renovations (June 2023) so check their website for re-opening dates.
Keeper Kids Melbourne Zoo - photo credit: Melbourne Zoo
We’ll keep adding new places to visit in Melbourne CBD so keep coming back for more ideas!
If you need a place to feed or change while you're out exploring, checkout our popular list of parents rooms.
For more every day activities to do with the kids in Melbourne, head to our Daily Spots page. For the latest and upcoming events in Melbourne, head to our popular What’s On Melbourne page.