Melbourne packs an impressive range of family activities into a fairly compact city footprint, from an aquarium in the heart of the CBD to a steam train winding through the Dandenong Ranges. This list of the best things to do in Melbourne with kids covers everything from full-day outings to quick afternoon stops, with current, up-to-date prices listed for every single attraction. Booking flights into Melbourne puts most of these attractions within a comfortable 30-minute drive of the airport itself.

This CBD aquarium houses more than 10,000 sea creatures across exhibits including a Penguin Playground and a Coral Atoll display. Adult tickets run from around 30.60 to 39 dollars, with children priced from 22.50 dollars, and prices can climb toward 53 dollars during peak school holiday periods. The main Oceanarium display is temporarily closed for renovation in 2026, so shark and ray sightings may be limited during that period, though the rest of the aquarium remains fully open.

Located at Chadstone, this indoor attraction combines the Kingdom Quest laser ride with LEGO-guided building workshops, priced at 32.50 dollars for both adults and children, with a concession rate of 27.50 dollars. Regular building competitions and a dedicated cinema showing LEGO-themed shorts round out the visit for families staying for a few hours. It works well as a rainy-day option given its fully indoor setting.

The Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery at Melbourne Museum offers a dedicated, hands-on space for younger visitors, with general museum admission priced at 15 dollars for adults and free for anyone under 16. The Children's Gallery itself runs on free timed 50-minute entry slots, so booking a specific session ahead of arrival is worth doing. The museum's major 2026 exhibition on ancient American civilisations adds an extra draw for older kids during the same visit.

A steam train ride through the Dandenong Ranges on the historic Puffing Billy Railway pairs naturally with a stop at Healesville Sanctuary, home to Australian wildlife including koalas and platypuses. The Belgrave to Menzies Creek return trip runs around 42 dollars, with longer routes to Lakeside or Gembrook priced higher for families wanting a fuller day on the rails. Healesville Sanctuary charges adults from around 45 dollars, with children admitted free on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays, and a family pass covering two adults and two children priced at 118 dollars.

This former prison, operating from the 1850s through 1929, now runs audio-guided tours through its original cell blocks. Adult admission costs 38 dollars, with a family pass for two adults and two children priced at 85 dollars, making it a solid value option for a group outing with an educational angle.

This Docklands ice rink caters well to first-time skaters, with penguin-shaped skate aids available for younger children still finding their balance. Standard admission including skate hire runs 24 to 28 dollars for adults and 20 to 24 dollars for kids, with a Tuesday special bringing the price down to around 13.50 dollars per person.

St Kilda's popular beachfront amusement park remains completely free for children aged three and under, with admission for ages four to twelve priced at 47 dollars and anyone thirteen and older at 57 dollars. A family pass covering four people runs 175 dollars, offering a modest saving over individual tickets for a typical family group. The park's heritage-listed Scenic Railway, one of the oldest continuously operating wooden roller coasters anywhere in the world, remains the clear standout ride for older kids.

This interactive science museum in Spotswood charges adults 15 dollars, with free entry for anyone under 16 and reduced pricing for seniors. The current "Colour" exhibit, aimed at ages five to fourteen, adds a rotating hands-on element worth checking before planning the visit.

Melbourne Zoo remains one of the city's most consistently well-reviewed family attractions, with adult admission priced at around 43 dollars. Its mix of Australian and international wildlife exhibits makes it an easy full-morning or full-afternoon outing on its own.

A day trip to Phillip Island for the nightly Penguin Parade, where little penguins come ashore at dusk each evening, costs 34 dollars for adults and 17 dollars for children at the general viewing level, with upgraded viewing platforms available at a higher price for those who book ahead. Brighton Beach's colourful bathing boxes make for an easy, free stop on the way back into the city, and arriving a little before sunset gives the best possible light for photos.

Arranging an airport transfer straight from Melbourne's airport to a family-friendly hotel avoids the hassle of managing luggage, tired kids, and unfamiliar public transport all at once on arrival day. Checking Traveloka promotions before booking flights and attraction tickets can meaningfully reduce the cost of a family trip built around several paid activities like these.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users planning trips across the region and to destinations like Australia. Through the Traveloka app, travellers can compare flights into Melbourne, book family-friendly hotels across the city, and reserve activities like zoo and aquarium tickets ahead of a busy day out. A car rental makes reaching Healesville Sanctuary and Phillip Island considerably easier than relying on public transport with young kids in tow. Download the app to start planning a Melbourne trip built around the attractions your family will enjoy most.