April School Holiday Activities in Melbourne
Wondering what to do with the kids over the April school holidays? Melbourne is bursting with activities and attractions to keep children busy and happy.
As seen on Channel 7 News there are plenty of ways to entertain the kids these School Holidays using Small Ideas.
Check out our Guide below:
The Lume
Small Ideas members receive 20% off
Australia’s first digital art gallery, THE LUME Melbourne is an epic adventure into art.
See the world’s finest art transform into an awe-inspiring, 360-degree experience.
Stepping into THE LUME Melbourne is an epic adventure into art. Australia’s and the Southern Hemisphere’s first permanent digital gallery transforms the world’s finest art into fully immersive sensory encounters. The walls come alive as light ripples across every surface and masterpieces come to life. Curated tastes, aromas and a choreographed soundtrack add thrilling new dimensions to this 360-degree experience.
Discount live under our Attractions category; adults come down to $31 each and Children between 4 and 17 years come down to $23. Keep your receipts and then be sure to claim a further 25% with the Melbourne Entertainment rebate initiative.
Gold Class Cinemas
Small Ideas members receive $22 tickets.
Big savings for gold class cinema experience valid till end of 30 April 2022.
This means you can either treat yourself with your friends to a kid-free movie like the new Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s new movie called The Lost City (release date 14 April) or use them during the school holidays with your kids for Sonic 2!
Small Ideas members can enjoy Gold Class tickets for just $22 per person valid weekends and weekdays and you can pre book online with booking fee.
Geelong & Bellarine
Small ideas Members get discounted family pass on ferry and other discounts in Geelong
Here’s a fun idea! Take Port Phillip ferry (25% discount) to Geelong where we have 2 for 1 tickets on Carousel, MoPA (kids museum where we offer free coffee), Thomas inspired train along the Eastern foreshore (2 for 1 tickets) or just hang at the beach where there is a playground, swimming pool and plenty of open space for picnic, bbq and frisbie throwing! If driving out that way stop at Little Teapot Cafe & Play for yummy food and where we offer 20% discount (check their Facebook for opening hours). In Bellarine we include 2 for 1 trips on The Bellarine Railway.
Sea Life Melbourne
Small ideas Members get 25% off your family entry
From 1 April to 20th May.
Small Ideas members can access FREE kids admission or 25% off tickets valid anytime!
BONUS – Keep the receipt if you spend over $40 on this activity as you can claim the Melbourne city entertainment rebate of 25%
What’s included:
Meet and greets with Peppa will be hosted daily from 11:00am – 2:00pm, 1 April – 20 May.
Peppa’s aquarium adventure will lead you to various interactive stations where you can help Peppa count all the starfish, find all the hidden seahorses, and help the clownfish find its way back home. Along the way, you will meet some incredible creatures and discover how to keep them safe in our oceans.
ALSO – Sea Life Melbourne have welcome not one, not two, not three, but SIX baby Penguins!
Ninjargo at Legoland Chadsone
Small Ideas members receive 25% off your family entry
This school holiday 7 April to 2 May the theme is Ninjargo at Legoland and everyone walks away with a certificate and other goodies!
Small Ideas members can pre book with 25% off the whole family valid anytime including weekends and school holidays.
BONUS – Keep the receipt if you spend over $40 on this activity as you can claim the Melbourne city entertainment rebate of 25%
There’s a new 4D movie, Ninjargo challenges and interactive play, definitely worth visiting!
Drop-off Programs
If you’re like me and have to work over the school holidays a short drop off program maybe an idea. I do it more because my children love it. My kids have a 4 year age gap and now more than ever their interests are different so that’s why I have a variety of different school holiday programs available.
For example; cooking classes, art classes, science, coding.
Small Ideas members receive 20% off
The Art Factory
With 16 awesome, super artsy and crafty sessions planned this is a great 2.5 hour drop off program.
This holiday program includes a great mix of usual favourites like super slime sessions, clay play, and also lots of crafty creations.
There’s a morning and afternoon session and full schedule on website. Small Ideas members can contact your nearest location and receive 20% discount.
Code Camp
Small Ideas members receive $20 off
With over 90 locations around Australia and online camps available, there really is something for everyone at Code Camp.
Choose from:
– Drone Camp
– Code Your Own DC Super Hero Game
– YouTube Creators
– Animation Camp
– DJ Camp
– Coding Camps (available for ages 5-13!)
Our camps are targeted at different ages and ability levels. More information on each camp, and venues, can be found on our website.
Camps run over the Autumn Holidays: 11th 22nd April
Code Camp commences at 9:00 am and finishes at 3:30 pm.
Drop-off starts from 8:30 am and pick-up ends at 4:00 pm.
At selected venues we offer extended hours from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm – this availability will be visible at the booking page.
Small Ideas members enjoy $20 off your booking.
Allsportz
Small Ideas members receive 20% off your booking
Join Allsportz these holidays and trust that your child will get to experience the fun of over 20 different activities and sports on EVERYDAY!
With activities like jumping castles, quad bike racing, hoverboard obstacles, giant frisbee games and of course – All the sports! We’re ready for action.
No matter their age or skill level, your child will have the best time learning new skills, discovering new interests and making new friends.
Small Ideas members enjoy 20% off your booking
Lollipops Play centre, Bundoora
Small Ideas members receive discounted entry each month.
See timetable for daily activities at Lollipops including Easter egg hunt and Nerf wars!
Lollipops Play centre, Carrum Downs
Small Ideas members receive discounted entry each month.
Every day at Lollipops there’s an activity to enjoy with meet and greet of Elsa and Spiderman to face painting day.
Lollipops Play centre & Crazy Climb, Noble Park
Small Ideas members receive discounted entry each month.
Lollipops Playland Noble Park North and Crazy Climb Indoor Rock Climbing Centre is the best entertainment venue for your school holiday activities. Kicking off school holidays with our end of term Superhero disco with “Spiderman” as our DJ!!! All plans are in place for our annual Good Friday Appeal Family Fun Day on the 15th April 2022
Funtopia Carrum
Small Ideas members receive 30% off
Easter Egg-citement
We’re egg-cited to announce that the Easter Bunny and Alice in Wonderland will be joining us in store (Carrum Downs) on Saturday the 9th of April for some Easter fun. Bring your kiddies down to meet our special guests who will be roaming around and handing out some special treats. Quick get a selfie and tag us before they disappear back to Wonderland.
Cinemas
Small Ideas members receive discounted Movie tickets & candy bar
We include discounted admission as low as $8.80 at pretty much ALL of the cinemas plus IMAX!
Great children movies to see these school holidays are Sonic 2, The Bad Guys, Batman or The Dog depending on your children’s age of course.
Luna Park St Kilda
Small Ideas members get 25% off unlimited ride pass
From the start of school holidays 9th April, the Park will open at 11am each day. There are back-to-back Giant Easter Egg Hunts on Easter Saturday and Sunday, with over 30,000 Chocolatier eggs for kids of all ages to collect. Make sure to watch out for our resident mad-as-mad Mad Hatter and the energetic Easter Bunny Acrobats bouncing and balancing their way around the hunts. It’s high energy entertainment for all!
Small Ideas members enjoy 25% off unlimited ride pass however, the egg hunt tickets are not available with this discount so if you wish to participate in their annual egg hunt purchase your full price tickets directly from their website. REMEMBER to keep your receipt and if it’s over $40 whether you use Small Ideas or not you can claim back the Melbourne Entertainment rebate for 25% of your spend.
NOTE: Remember that Cute & Cuddly pony rides are nearby on the St Kilda foreshore.
Ninja activities
Small Ideas members check out Indoor activities category for Ninja inclusions
Small Ideas members can enjoy discounted casual entry at
Ninja Parc in Bayswater
Jump in Marybynong
Ninja Nation in Ferntree Gully
Australia Ninja HQ in Keilor
Gumbuya World
Small Ideas members get 10% discount
Water Park Oasis is closing soon! There’s not much time left for water park fun with less than 1 month until Oasis Springs closes for the winter months from 24th April.
The ULTIMATE Easter school holidays this year with unlimited water, wildlife and rides EVERY DAY! PLUS join us on Easter Sunday 17th April for the Ultimate Easter Egg hunt with 50,000 eggs.
Purchase your discounted tickets directly through Small Ideas and no need to pre book. When you present them at the gate for entry you will also get a FREE photo experience only to Small Ideas members.
Funfields theme park
Small Ideas members get $39 tickets!!
Small Ideas members receive entry for just $39 per person that’s a HUGE saving. I personally recommend Funfields as they have the greatest variety of rides and attractions for toddlers as well as older children and adults.
- April School Holidays, open every day from the 9th– 24th April 2022; open from 10am – 5pm
- Easter Egg hunt on Saturday 16thApril 2022
- Separate Easter Egg Hunts for varying aged groups; timetable on website
- Total of 50,000 Cadbury Chocolate eggs in the egg hunts
- Easter Egg Hunt tickets available for purchase only on the day at Funfields
- Season closes on 24thApril 2022
Uncle Nev’s Trail Ride
Small Ideas members get $5 off each ticket.
Horse riding at Uncle Nev’s in Upper Plenty
Runs daily 10.30am and 1.30pm session. 2.5 hour trail ride through bushland with a picturesque stop where you can enjoy a biscuit and cuppa. 100% recommend this one for adults or if you have older children like my son aged 10. They recommend for ages 8 plus.
Small Ideas members receive $5 off each rider
Winston Park Equestrian Centre in Broadford
Small Ideas members get $20 off.
$20 off School holiday program but Winston also caters for private lessons, kids club, birthday parties and NDIS sessions.
$120 per person
Hot Lunch and Snacks Provided
8:30am to 2pm
Fun filled day with lots of activities on and around the horses.
Children will be grouped for ridden lessons based on their abilities.
There is a maximum of 15 students per day, using our school horses.
Wet Weather Activities will also be provided if it rains, including movie afternoon, games and of course riding in the rain!!
To register: Email winstonparkequestriancentre@outlook.com or SMS 0403209811
Please provide the following:
Date/s you would like to attend
Parent full name
Email and mobile
Childs full name and age
Any riding history
Any dietary requirements, allergies or disabilities
Archery
Small Ideas members get discounts at the following archery venues valid every month
Archery is a great activity for kids aged 7+
Archery Attack in Reservoir 20% off
Eliza Archery in Seaford $5 off each
Ambrose Archery in Heidelberg 20% off total
Melbourne Museum & IMAX
Small Ideas members get discounted General Admission
Kids are FREE to Melbourne Museum and we include discounted Adult General Admission.
Scienceworks & Grazeland
Small Ideas members get discounted General Admission
Kids are FREE to Scienceworks for General Admission but we include discounted Adult Admission and you can use this unlimited times throughout the year.
We now include Grazeland which is right near Scienceworks so you could stop for lunch or dinner and enjoy their live entertainment plus over 50 food trucks! It’s $3.80 to enter Grazeland per adult for our members and kids are always free.
Kids go FREE to Zoos Victoria
Small Ideas members receive discounted Adult General Admission
Don’t forget that Small Ideas members do not need to pre book your Zoo visit. Small Ideas members receive discounted Adult admission and kids are FREE during school holidays and weekends. Why not visit a different Zoo these school holidays, perhaps Healesville Sanctuary?
Animal Farms & Sanctuaries
Small Ideas members receive discounted admission
Everyone is used to visiting their local animal farm which is great but why not use the school holidays or weekends to explore one that is a bit further out and make a day of it.
Our recommendations for those further out include:
Ballarat Wildlife
Moonlit Sanctuary in the morning ton peninsula
Healesville Sanctuary
The Big Goose which is near Dinosaur World so great to do both.
Rayne Hayne and Shine which is a working farm
The Funky Farm which is a boutique Zoo. I’ve posted about this before it’s where you get to brush the hair of a bull and hold a wombat. It is the most interactive Zoo experience you will ever get and I highly recommend (pictured is my son).
Bowling & Golf
Small Ideas members receive 9 holes for $9
Holey Moley and Strike are one of our most popular vouchers with ALL ages. Its affordable family fun and we now include a voucher where you can pre book Holey Moley with 9 holes for $9 and can use as many times as you like through your membership!
Be sure to check out our Outdoor Activities category for discounts at outdoor mini golf venues!
Docklands
Small Ideas members receive discounted tickets
If you’re headed to Docklands be sure to check out our discounts including
Artvo, Hoyts cinema and our favourite O’Brien Ice House arena!
You could also take one of the FREE green trams over to the city and if you’re game why not visit the Old Melbourne Gaol. It’s listed under our Attractions category.
Day Trips
Mornington Peninsula
Small Ideas members receive HUGE discounts in this area.
Mornington peninsula is a popular destination for family day trips or weekenders as we have a huge variety of activities including;
Arthurs Sea Eagle 20% discount
Enchanted Adventure 1 Free Child saving $25
Boneo Maze 2 for 1 admission
Peninsula Cinemas 2 for 1 admission
Ashcombe Maze 2 for 1 admission
The Big Goose 1 Free child entry or family upgrade
Dinosaur World 15% discount
Top Shak Fun Rosebud discounted mini golf
Phillip Island? Wildlife Coast Cruises
Small Ideas members receive 20% off under our Attractions category
This experience comes highly recommended by many Small Ideas members. Sensational two-hour cruise witnessing one of Australias largest wild Fur Seal colonies at Seal Rocks, Phillip Island. We also include the Phillip Island Penguin viewing through our third party Klook valid for you to use anytime of the year.
Puffing Billy Railway & Tree Top Adventures
Small Ideas members receive 20% off Puffing Billy and 15% off treetops.
Now that Puffing Billy Railway allow you to sit on the edge with feet dangling down we have seen a surge of families re visit! Small Ideas members can enjoy 20% off valid any time except for public holidays and on special events.
Why not team it up with a visit to Tree top adventures as there’s a location right near Puffing Billy. Tree adventures have different courses for different ages so even our little one was able to enjoy! Small Ideas members can book treetop adventure and receive 15% off total booking for your family
Sovereign Hill
Small Ideas members receive over 10% off
We are glad to have Sovereign Hill back on Small Ideas through our third party Klook. You will receive discounted entry on the family pass or individual tickets. I’ve been told that it’s an expensive outing so I’m glad that I can now bring you a discount. If you are in Ballarat for a weekend, don’t forget our other activities including: Ballarat Wildlife Reserve, Kryal Castle, Go karting and Gold rush mini golf.
Kryal Castle
Small Ideas members receive over 40% off.
Kryal Castle presents Alice in Wonderland these school holidays.
Just 15min from Ballarat this makes for a great day out over the Easter school holidays 🐇🍄
Date: 9 to 25 April
Location: 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek
Small Ideas members can pre book now and save big with a family ticket just $65 normally $99.
All of Wonderland’s most magical characters will be here – including The Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and of course, Alice herself! Enjoy Alice in Wonderland themed festivities throughout the day, dress up and take part in the Mad Hatter’s Hat Parade on the Arena – Prizes for best hat!
Bendigo Discovery Centre
Small Ideas members receive over 15% off.
This is truly under rated entertainment! With over 100 interactive exhibits to explore, you won’t know what to try first at Discovery. Be sure to look out for the whacky mirrors that make you look really strange, or the echoing chamber that repeats your words a thousand times over, and don’t forget to play a tune on the thong-a-phone!
Headed Outta-town?
Discovery Holiday Parks
Discovery Parks has 70+ caravan parks, high quality holiday cabin and safari tents like the one I stayed in Byron Bay. They are located in Australia’s most beautiful and iconic places so whether you wish to stay in VIC or somewhere else in Aus there’s a spot for you.
Small Idea members receive 10% discount Mon to Thu and this includes school holidays so I’d love for you to enjoy!
Bali or Fiji?
Small Ideas members get over 10% off overseas activities
As the world starts opening up and things are getting very expensive in Aus I want to arm you with discounts for popular holiday destinations.
For overseas accommodation and activities I now use a third party called Klook which will give you the best discounts on activities and if you have shop back set up you will likely get cashback from there also!
For Bali there are popular activities like Waterbomb, the Zoo and many others.
For Fiji there are: mud pools, tubing, island day out, snorkelling and more.
Gold Coast
Small Ideas members receive theme park discounts plus more
So many families headed to QLD and the theme parks are always the first activity they think of. There are MANY other activities to do some of which include;
Holey Moley golf
Sea life Sunshine Coast
Aquaduck
Mini golf
Surf lessons
Cruises
Currumbin wildlife sanctuary
Butterfly sanctuary
Hartley Crocodile
Australia Zoo
I currently offer the BEST theme park tickets around. 3 day pass to Village Roadshow and 12 months unlimited general entry. These tickets are only while stocks last unfortunately I will not be replenishing these anymore once they are finished so if you know that you will be visiting this year I recommend purchasing now to avoid missing out.
Dreamworld I have ample stock and these are currently $115 per person for 6 months unlimited entry to Dreamworld, White water world and skypoint.
Note: White Water World is seasonal and not open all year round.
As the rest of the world re opens up to Australia and we feel more comfortable about traveling it is considered a more affordable family trip to head to Fiji or Bali for example. Everyone has their own opinion which is why I choose to offer everything and allow you to choose what’s best for your family holiday.
Melbourne Playgrounds
Playgrounds all over Melbourne & Victoria
Above link is to my buddy at Melbourne Playgrounds who provides the most comprehensive
Small Ideas provides free entry and discounts to over 900 indoor and outdoor deals. All vouchers are ACCESSIBLE & REDEEMABLE through your mobile phone. Valid 12 months from time of sign up so you can sign up at any time!