Winter School Holiday Activities in Melbourne
Wondering what to do with the kids over the winter school holidays? We have hundreds of activities to keep the kids entertained for free or at a fraction of the cost. Rainy days are our busiest season as many of our parents enjoy the hundreds of indoor activities we have included.
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:
Kryal Castle, Ballarat
Small Ideas members receive family ticket for $65
Knights of Fire – Ballarat Winter Festival
Visit Kryal Castle this winter school holidays to see fiery feats, wizards, Knights and Snow Queens in our Knights of Fire program! Create magical potions, learn to sword fight, see live performances in our Theatre and be amazed by our incredible Knights, Wizards and horses as they battle to save the kingdom.
Small Ideas members receive 2 adults and up to 4 kids for $65 until the end of the school holidays then it will revert to 2 adults and 2 kids for $65 after school holidays end. You can pre book your tickets following the instructions on our deal found under the Attractions category.
O’Brien Icehouse, Docklands
Small Ideas members receive 20% discount
Cactus Country, Strathmerton
Small Ideas members receive discounted Garden entry
Have you heard of Cactus Country?
I hadn’t but now looking at the photos I want to go and take a photo with a field of cactuses!
We include discounted entry under our Attractions category and you can wander through the gardens. It’s located in Strathmerton so I’ll tee it up with some lunch out also but definitely a great activity for the family maybe even grandparents to enjoy also.
Location 4986 Murray Valley Hwy, Strathmerton
Holey Moley & Strike
Small Ideas members receive 9 holes for $9
Best indoor fun!!! You can pre book your space & enjoy this deal every day including school holidays before 5pm. See Small Ideas ‘indoor activities’ for Strike deal.
Tiny Houses
Small Ideas members receive discounted stay
COOL COOL COOL
I love finding something unique like this. Live now under our Accommodation category is Tiny Away. They offers ‘tiny homes’ and cabins in the many different locations in Melbourne including the Great Ocean Road, Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Tallarook. If you are wanting to go beyond Vic there’s a very beautiful Tiny House in Hunter Valley in NSW with a pool, jacuzzi as pictured.
Fully stocked with comfy beds, equipped kitchens, secluded locations and uninterrupted views for days – tiny houses are the perfect getaway for a quick city escape within an average budget of only $200 per night and my members get a discount don’t forget to apply the code at checkout my one came down to $180!
Go Boat Melbourne
Small Ideas members receive 20% discount
Who knows what sort of weather Melbourne will give us so if you fancy going along the Yarra Go Boat is a wonderful activity. New Winter pricing has been announced and Small Ideas members still receive 20% off!
Cinemas
Small Ideas members receive discounts at cinemas state wide!
Minions, Jurassic, Top Gun, Lightyear are but a few of the movies playing at the cinemas these school holidays. Take advantage of the Hoyts Monday to Thursday deal we include which is just $11.50 per person that is same price for Adult and Children tickets.
I absolutely loved the Top Gun movie and my only regret was not watching it at IMAX Melbourne. If you haven’t seen it yet I recommend purchasing our unrestricted tickets for IMAX and watch it on the BIG screen.
Small Ideas members can enjoy cinema discounts of up to 50% off RRP depending which cinema you choose as we have many of the independent offering more value like Suntheatre, Lido, Palace, Reading, United, Waverley Cinemas, Peninsula Cinemas. .
Scienceworks & Melbourne Museum
Small Ideas members get discounted General Admission
There are many ‘add on’ exhibitions running over these school holidays. Please note that they book up quickly and if you wish to book them you need to do it directly with Scienceworks or Melbourne Museum.
Scienceworks includes Planetarium shows, Lightning Room Shows and the Illuminate Exhibition.
Melbourne Museum includes The Children’s Gallery and Triceratops. After the 17/07 the Triceratops exhibition will not need to be pre booked you can simply show up and wander through the exhibit.
If you are planning to go for General Entry you can use Small Ideas to purchase your tickets and present at counter without the need to pre book.
The Lume Melbourne
Small Ideas members receive 20% off Mon to Thu
The popular Van Gogh experience is extending through to end of August so take advantage of Small Ideas 20% discount valid Monday to Thursday including school holidays. If you visit in June be sure to keep receipt and claim it on the Entertainment Vic rebate to get a further 25% off but you need to claim before 30 June.
Legoland Chadstone & Sea Life Melbourne
Small Ideas members receive BIG discounts!
Escape the chilly winter and experience a day at Legoland in Chadstone or Sea Life in Melbourne CBD.
Small Ideas members receive BIG discounts on either experience and you can pre book your time slot as the school holidays book up fast!
TIP: it’s easier to book using our discount code from desktop or laptop following the instructions on our deal which are both found under Attractions category.
ATTRACTION PASS FOR BOTH – If you are keen on doing BOTH venues same day we now have the Attraction Pass and it is fixed date booking, you get 2 hours at each Legoland and Sea Life Melbourne, Kids under 3 are free and there are prices for Peak or non-peak. Be sure to enter our discount code at checkout to SAVE!
Play Centre’s
Small Ideas members receive Free or 50% off at 80+ play centres
Small Ideas includes the largest up to date listing for Play Centres in Melbourne. Discounts vary including freebies, 2 for 1s and 20% off. Some vouchers are valid once per month and some are valid once per year. Why not take advantage of these school holidays and try somewhere outside your ‘hood’ that you wouldn’t normally be able to during school term.
Gumbuya World
Small Ideas members discounted Winter entry + KIDS GO FREE
Kids go completely FREE during school holidays at Gumbuya as long as they are accompanied by 1 adult. Small Ideas members can simply pre purchase their discounted Adult ticket through our app and present when you get there no need to pre book all your kids will be free. If you are NOT a Small Ideas member head to Gumbuya website for their terms of use.
2 weeks packed with WILD fun ahead to keep the kids entertained!
On weekdays, join us for scavenger hunts, movie screenings, dingo walks & more! There’s something different happening every day for the kids to explore and enjoy.
Then get LOUD on the weekend with our two worlds of rides that’ll make the kids scream with excitement! Note rides are not open on weekdays.
Boost Juice
Tiny Chef, Essendon
Small Ideas members get 20% off school holiday cooking programs.
There are a variety of different cuisines happening this Winter school holidays and kids can take part in cooking classes, eat their creations and parents can watch nearby. Small Ideas members can enjoy 20% off these prices and full time table found here
https://www.thetinychef.com.au/school-holiday-workshops
The Art Factory
Small Ideas members receive 20% off school holiday classes.
You can drop kids off for a half day school holiday art class. There are options that are popular with both girls and boys to take a look at their website you could be going home with a stunning mosaic or other masterpieces.
Small Ideas members can enjoy 20% off these prices and full time table found here www.theartfactory.com.au/holiday-workshop
Little Kickers Holiday Club
Each day will run for 3.5 hours (9:30am – 1pm) with a variety of activities packed with loads of fun and educational experiences. Children are to pack their own snacks & lunch. Each child will receive a FREE Little Kickers Drink Bottle included in their registration. For children 3.5 – 8 years only.
Locations include Brunswick, Canterbury, Albert Par & Williamstown.
More info & booking here
Ninja Parc Bayswater
Small Ideas members receive 20% off casual sessions & 15% off holiday program
Ninja Parc Bayswater school holiday program is suitable for school aged children is one of the best holiday programs for active kids! Small Ideas members receive 15% discount whether you book now or last minute. It’s three hours of running, climbing and balancing through our 20+ obstacles. Games, obstacle training, your very own headband and snack provided.
If you would like to enjoy a casual session this is suitable for all ages and you can pre book using our discount code to receive 20% off.
Allsportz
Small Ideas members receive 20% off school holiday program.
Many families tell me the travel from far to attend Allsports in Prahan because their kids have so much fun with the variety of activities on offer. Live under our School Holidays category with both half day and full day drop offs available.
Funtopia
Small Ideas members receive 30%
Funtopia NEW location!
Sadly Chipmunks Cranbourne closed its doors but I’m happy to announce that Funtopia Cranbourne have taken over this space. It’s now a play centre that includes a large area for Messy Play and has opened now!
Small Ideas can pre book and receive 30% off General Admission.
Funtopia Carrum & Knox
Climbing was not on during school term at these centres but it is back every day during school holidays. Remember Small Ideas members receive 30% discount on play OR climb!
Inflatable World Pakenham & Ringwood
Small Ideas members receive discounted entry
Inflatable World in both Pakenham and Ringwood are open every day during the school holidays and our vouchers are under the Indoor Activities category.
For the little ones Playdays Lite is open at Playdays Doncaster East during the school holidays and Small Ideas members 50% off entry after midday.
Lollipops Play & Cafe
Small Ideas members receive discounted entry at multiple Lollipops locations
Lollipops – these play centres always have different daily activities on over the school holidays from face painting, to Build-a-bear workshops so be sure to checkout their facebook page to see what’s on!
Our locations include; Carrum Downs, Clyde North, Forrest Hill, Noble Park, Preston, Bundoora, Fountain Gate, Pakenham & Knox.
CROCS Play centres
Small Ideas members receive discounts at all VIC locations
Ready, Set, PLAY!
We include ALL Crocs locations in Small Ideas and love that they have welcomed Small Ideas members since we began! Some locations offer monthly and others annually depending on what they are happy to give and we welcome all of them gratefully!
Notel Melbourne
Small Ideas members receive discounts at all VIC locations
GO FOR GOLD IN THE PARC GAMES!
On your marks, get set, go!! Who wants to join the PARC Games? As we gear up for the Commonwealth Games in July, PARC is the place to be these winter school holidays!
Join Hydro’s Commonwealth Games team and become a PARC Champion while enjoying our fun activities which include:
?Our award winning Aquatic Playground
?Face painting and balloon entertainment
?The green Constrictor waterslide 11am – 3pm
?PARC Games baton relay Scavenger Hunt
?Prizes and giveaways
Our holiday program will run on weekdays from 11am-3pm, with all activities included in the price of your entry fee.
Grab your team colours and make your way to warm PARC these holidays for some Commonwealth Games themed fun!!
Gifts
Small Ideas members receive discounts on Products/Services
So many people miss our Products category and so this is a reminder that there are some GREAT local businesses in there which give you ideas for birthdays, celebrations and my fav ‘gift to thy self’.
Oh Flossy Kids natural makeup perfect gift idea and save 10%
Bambino Love 15% off entire range including the end of fin year sale items use code
Little Woods 20% discount store wide. Owned by local mum and Small Ideas member herself I highly recommend her range for your own children or perfect for toddler gifts! My fav are the star silicon plates, twirly straws and check out their latest addition for making fruity icy-poles.
Get Them This 15% off and is one of my fav shops for personalised products. The night lamps are my pick!
Petals Florist Network– for anyone needing to send flowers our discount is 20% (who said Small Ideas is just for children!!!)
Goldelucks – save 10% – if you’re not sending flowers then maybe you’re sending donuts! I’ve ‘wowed’ many friends with the ‘nutella boquet’ check it out!
Bali baby!
Small Ideas members receive discounts on Activities in Bali
This category is through our third party Klook so remember to apply the discount code listed on the voucher at your checkout to receive a further discount on the total price!
My family and I are are visiting on 1 July and we will use the discounts to book driver, Waterbom waterpark, Bali Zoo Safari, Instagram Photo tour, Jimbaran seafood dinner and maybe Finns. I’ll be working whilst on holidays so I’ll share with you some of my finds!
New App Features
Recent upgrades to app include:
Member Reviews – Star ‘reviews’ tab found above image so you can check out what other members think about the deal. This is a brand new feature so would love for you to leave some reviews of your fav places to help parents decide whether it’s right for their children’s age and interest. You can leave star review or include a comment also.
New Vouchers Badge
On home screen there is a tab with the most recently added vouchers.
Search Button
Don’t forget the search by suburb or postcode if you’re headed somewhere new during the school holidays or ever.
History Tab
When you purchase tickets through Small Ideas you have to wait for them to be emailed to you. You will now find a copy of them under the ‘history’ tab.
How to Save App
To new members: If you don’t know how to save the app to your phone I recommend watching the short video here because once you do it once you’ll never have to login every time it will appear as an S icon on your phone!
Update – Previously when purchasing tickets on the Small Ideas app you may have encountered a blank screen. This could appear if you mistyped your details or if there were too many members buying at the same time. The update undertaken this month has improved this so it should not happen anymore.
Last chance to submit payment for vic gov rebate
Reminder that if you havne’t booked a birthday party yet or are doing any activities that are more than $40 be sure to claim the government entertainment rebate which ends at the end of June 2022. This is valid for most of the Small Ideas activities which give you a receipt directly from the merchant. Not valid for some of our deals however where the receipt is from Small Ideas such as the Zoos, Museum and Scienceworks
Free entry and discounts to over 305 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!