Melbourne school holidays: what to do with the kids

The summer break is the long one, six weeks of it, and a Melbourne summer can do all four seasons in a week. Water play and shade for the hot days, somewhere indoors for the wet ones, and plenty that costs nothing in between.

Holiday programs and events

Dated events running during the break. Always confirm with the organiser before you drive over.

🎄 Everything on for Christmas around Melbourne: pageants, carols, Santa photos and lights.

Water play, for the hot days

Splash pads, pumps and creeks. Free, and the most reliable way to make a hot day work.

Playgrounds with real shade

An unshaded playground is unusable from mid morning in summer. These have shade sails or mature trees over the equipment.

Indoors, for the wet days and the hottest ones

Air conditioning and somewhere to burn energy. Play centres are spread across the suburbs, and the free museums and libraries are the cheapest cool room in town.

Big days out

When you need one proper outing to break the week up. Book ahead for the ticketed ones.

More ways to choose

Common questions