Melbourne Easter School Holiday Activities 2026 (Best Family-Friendly Things to Do)

Melbourne Easter School Holiday Activities 2026 (Best Things to Do with Kids)

Looking for the best Easter school holiday activities in Melbourne? This guide includes family-friendly attractions, indoor ideas, day trips and budget-friendly things to do across the city.

With 900+ activities and exclusive Small Ideas discounts, this is your go-to for planning the holidays without blowing the budget.

Before we get into it — I just want to say thank you 💛

So many of you are out there supporting Small Ideas in ways you probably don’t even realise…
I’ve had businesses tell me families are walking in asking “have you heard of Small Ideas?” — and honestly, that helps me more than you know.

Because of that, I want to start giving back to my members even more.

👉 From now on I’ll be running monthly giveaways over on Facebook — exclusively just for Small Ideas members

This is my way of rewarding you for continuing to support Small Ideas and helping it grow.

👉 So make sure you’re following me on Facebook and liking all posts so you don’t miss it  👀

Now… onto the good stuff 👇

I’ve pulled together the BEST of what’s inside Small Ideas right now — think 900+ things to do across Melbourne to keep them busy (without blowing the budget).

👉 If you’re a member — this is your game plan
👉 If you’re not — this is exactly what you get access to

💸 Best Easter School Holiday Activities in Melbourne (Hot Right Now)

MoPA (Museum of Play & Art)
🚨 FLASH OFFER ends April 17
✔️ $10 OFF casual entry
✔️ Easter-themed craft rooms included

Such an easy win for younger kids — you can easily spend hours here.

🎪 ELMO’S CIRCUS
✔️ $10 OFF per ticket (Silver seating)
📞 Book via: 0427 737 263

📍 Dingley Village — until March 29
📍 Bayswater — April 3–26
📍 Craigieburn — May 1–17

Classic circus vibes — kids absolutely LOVE this.

🔥  MORE THAN DOUBLE DOLLARS – ARCHIE BROTHERS

For the next 4 weeks receive more value for Archie Bros Game Cards 🙌

✔️ $35 game card = $70 in credit & Small Ideas members buy for just $25
✔️ $50 game card = $100 in credit & Small Ideas members buy for just $40
✔️ Located at Chadstone, Docklands, Glen Waverley, Moorabbin, QV.

🔥 NEW & BACK — BOUNCE

By 6 April our Bounce voucher will be back baby… so let’s BOUNCE 🙌

This is one I get asked about ALL the time — and I know how much families love it, especially over the holidays.

✔️ Multiple locations across Melbourne
✔️ Each venue is completely different (so it never gets old)
✔️ Perfect for burning energy when you need them OFF screens

👉 My tip: don’t just go to your usual — try a different location these holidays and make it feel like a whole new experience.

(I’ll be showing different centres on my socials over the next few weeks 👀)

🎡 Top Things to Do in Melbourne These School Holidays

Met Art World (Port Melbourne)
If you haven’t been — it’s a MUST
✔️ Huge indoor scrap metal art space
✔️ VR section (my kids LOVED this)
✔️ School holiday program included

Blender Studios (West Melbourne)
A real working art studio — and they open it up to families
✔️ 10% off for members
✔️ Such a cool, different experience

Royal Botanic Gardens
✔️ FREE entry
✔️ 2-for-1 Explorer Bus for members
✔️ Perfect for all ages (and grandparents)

👉 Same offer also available at Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Melbourne Zoo
✔️ Kids FREE
✔️ Adult discount with Small Ideas
🦖 Dino Trail running April 3 – July 12

🎢 BIG DAYS OUT (WHEN YOU WANT A “PROPER” DAY OUT)

Luna Park (St Kilda)
✔️ 25% off unlimited rides
✔️ Easter Egg Hunt

Gumbuya World
✔️ Discounted entry
✔️ Easter activities + full day of rides

Funfields
I’ve removed our voucher as they currently running $49 tickets direct on their website – can’t get cheaper than that!

Day out with Thomas (Bellarine Railways), Queenscliff Station
✔️ 11 & 12 April Day out with Thomas, book now with our 10% discount code SM-mt2026
✔️ 3, 4 & 5 April Good Friday & Easter weekend specials and loads of activities on offer. Enjoy a return steam train journey from Queenscliff. The Easter Bunny will welcome everyone at the half way point of the trip and pose for photos with your own camera.

🐘 ANIMAL FARMS (ALWAYS A WIN)

This is one of the most loved categories for parents as it’s so affordable — and honestly the little kids love it, such a wholesome day out 🐐

👉 My tip: use this time to try one that’s NOT your local which for me are;

• The Funky Farm (Hastings)
  • Little Farm Plays (Pakenham)
  • Chesterfield Farm (Scoresby)

During school holidays they usually increase feeding times, tractor rides & demos — so you get more value from your visit but it will be busier.

🎬 CINEMA NIGHT (EASY + LOW EFFORT)

Coburg Drive-In
✔️ Kids up to 14 FREE you don’t need to pre book
✔️ Use your discounted adult Village standard tickets in Small Ideas. Just be sure to select Unrestricted if you’re going Fri or Sat night but all other nights are Unrestricted and they’re open every night weather permitting.

👉 Pack blankets, pillows, takeaway
👉 Or bring camp chairs and sit outside

Such an easy but get creative and this becomes a really memorable night

🌧 Indoor Activities Melbourne (Rainy Day Ideas for Kids)

These are your go-to when the weather turns:

• Met Art World
  • Archie Brothers / Holey Moley / Strike
  • Ice skating
  • Museums
  • Play centres / Climbing (activate by Hardrock pictured) / Bounce
  • Escape rooms / VR

🎮 OLDER KIDS (THIS IS GOLD)

If you’ve got older kids — this section alone will save you

• 
• Escape Rooms (Prison Island, Escape Hunt, Hijinx (for under 12 years)
• The Smash Room (two locations and 15% off. My friend did this one with a group of kids for a 14 year old bday and it was a ‘smashing’ success. Why? they allow BYO smash items, so she collected free old metals and scraps from marketplace like TVs, play stations and keyboards and he said it was his best party yet!
• Archie Brothers  — double arcade credits = way more play time
• NEW VR Latency (very cool, bit different)
• Go karting (multiple locations across Melbourne including Power Play, Aus karts and oz ekarts) Normally a very expensive activity so you’re welcome for the discounts here!

🧸 PLAY CENTRES (80+ NOW!)

There are SO many good new ones right now

• Imaginationation (Chadstone) — sensory + activities included
  • Little Amigos (Southland) — perfect for toddlers
  • SuperPark (Highpoint)
  • Funtopia / Lollipop’s / Hoopla

Crocs play centre in Craigieburn opening this April!

👉 A lot of these run extra holiday programs — check their socials before you go

💦 LEISURE CENTRES (SO UNDERRATED)

Don’t overlook these — they’re often the easiest, best value days

Example: PARC Frankston
✔️ Splash Island inflatable course
✔️ Easter activities, face painting, scavenger hunts

👉 It turns a “quick swim” into a full day out

My tip? Try a different one — it feels brand new for the kids

🎯 DROP-OFF PROGRAMS (YOUR SANITY SAVERS)

Code Camp save $25 multiple locations
Allsports 20% discount
Fizz Kidz 15% discount (suitable for younger children, multiple locations)
Ninja Parc Bayswater 15% discount
Art Factory 20% discount
Junior Footy Stars 15% discount multiple locations
Sossy & Canvas in Elsternwick 15% discount

👉 These are GOLD when you need a break

🚗 DAY TRIPS (WORTH THE DRIVE — TRUST ME)

These are the ones where it actually feels like you’ve gone away for the day

Melbourne Cable Park
We did this recently and it’s about an hour from home — but SO worth it
It’s basically like Wipeout… but funnier because it’s your own family falling in 😂

✔️ Climb, bounce, slip around
✔️ You’ll accidentally get a workout
✔️ Great for older kids

Enchanted Adventure + Arthurs Seat Eagle
One of the BEST full day combos

✔️ Tree surfing, mazes, slides
✔️ Then the gondola just around the corner
✔️ Enchanted is one free child saving $30 and Arthurs Seat is 20% off with Small Ideas

👉 Feels like a proper “we did something big today” outing

Phillip Island
So many options — but if you want something different:
👉 Wildlife Cruise (so underrated)

 

Kryal Castle (Ballarat)
Especially good from 7 – 19 April with Alice in Wonderland theme running. Small Ideas members receive massive family discount here, simply show your voucher at counter no need to pre book.

👉 Make a full day of it — Ballarat has heaps to do including we have discounts for

Sovereign Hill, Silvers Circus, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Indoor go karting, Ballarat Ninjas and Flip Out.

Port Phillip Ferry → Portarlington
Such an easy, relaxed day

✔️ Ferry over
✔️ Lunch, wander, back home

👉 Feels like a mini holiday and you receive discount for the return ferry.

Puffing Billy
Bucket list one — books out FAST
👉 If you can get tickets, do it with our 10% off.

✈️ PLANNING A GOLD COAST TRIP?

👉 Buy tickets now for theme parks or Aus Zoo, use later (12 months validity)

✔️ Lock in current pricing
✔️ Use in peak season

Such a smart move before prices go up

💡 FROM ME

Don’t overplan.

Pick a few great outings, mix in easy days — and you’ll actually enjoy it too 💛

Easter School Holiday Activities Melbourne – FAQs

❓ What are the best Easter school holiday activities in Melbourne for families?

Melbourne is packed with family-friendly school holiday activities including indoor play centres, animal farms, theme parks, museums, zoos and hands-on experiences like art studios and adventure parks. This guide pulls together the best options across Melbourne so you don’t have to spend hours researching.

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❓ What can I do with kids in Melbourne during Easter school holidays on a budget?

There are plenty of affordable and even free things to do with kids in Melbourne during the school holidays. Think parks, gardens, walking trails, playgrounds, beaches and low-cost attractions. Small Ideas members also get access to exclusive discounts across 900+ activities to help families save.

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❓ What are good indoor activities for kids in Melbourne when it rains?

Melbourne weather can be unpredictable, so indoor activities are a must. Popular options include play centres, trampoline parks, VR experiences, escape rooms, museums and art spaces. Many venues also run special school holiday programs to keep kids entertained for hours.

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❓ Are there school holiday programs in Melbourne worth booking?

Yes — and they book out quickly. Programs like Code Camp, Ninja Parc, art workshops and sports clinics are great for keeping kids active and giving parents a break. Many offer multi-day options and are available across different Melbourne suburbs.

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❓ What are the best day trips from Melbourne for families?

If you want to make a full day of it, there are amazing family-friendly day trips just outside Melbourne including the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, Ballarat and adventure parks like Enchanted Adventure. These are perfect when you want something a bit more memorable than a local outing.

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❓ How do I save money on school holiday activities in Melbourne?
The easiest way to save is by planning ahead and using platforms like Small Ideas, which give families access to exclusive member-only discounts across 900+ activities in Melbourne. From theme parks and zoos to play centres and day trips, even a couple of bookings can easily cover the cost of membership.

 

👉 Jump into the app, pick your spots & start planning
(Save this — you’ll come back to it 😅)