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Free things to do in Melbourne with kids and the whole family: playgrounds, gardens and free family-friendly spots, plus this week's free family events. Under-18s also ride public transport free with a Youth myki. Each one is listed with the date we checked it and a link to its source.
Hours Daily 10am–5pm
Where 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Price Free entry to the collection (some special exhibitions are ticketed)
Walk straight in to see the permanent collection for free, and stay dry while you do.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours Daily 10am–5pm
Where Fed Square, Melbourne
Price Free entry (some events are ticketed)
ACMI's free, family-friendly exhibition about the moving image.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours Daily 9am–5pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Where 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Price Free for children up to 16 and concession card holders. Adults $18. Some temporary exhibitions cost extra.
Kids up to 16 get in free, but adults pay, so it isn't a fully free day out.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours Gardens daily 7:30am–7:30pm. Children's Garden 10am–7:30pm, Wed–Sun, and every day in Victorian school holidays.
Where Birdwood Ave, Melbourne
Price Free entry
Free gardens in the middle of the city, plus a dedicated children's garden. Bring a picnic.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours City of Melbourne playgrounds are closed between dusk and dawn
Where Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Price Free
Playground with a slide, carousel, sandpit and five-way swing, plus free BBQs, the Blowhole sculpture, grassy hills and the Capital City Trail. Trams 11 and 48 (Collins St) or 35, 70 and 75 (Harbour Esplanade).
Hours Closed between dusk and dawn
Where 894–910 Collins St, Docklands
Price Free
A playground for younger kids, with water play. Toilets are in the library next door.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours Closed between dusk and dawn
Where Point Park Cres, Docklands
Price Free
A waterside playground with musical play, water play and BBQs.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours Closed between dusk and dawn
Where Docklands Drive (under the Bolte Bridge), Docklands
Price Free
A rocket-ship slide, a sandpit with a digger, and water play.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
Hours See the library page for today's hours. Songbirds runs Wednesdays 10:30–11am during Term 4 (5 Oct–11 Dec 2026).
Where 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
Price Free (Songbirds is a free session for newborns to 18 months)
A waterfront library with free wi-fi and harbour views. Trams 11 and 48.
Hours Nightly. Session 1 starts about 30 min after sunset, Session 2 about 1 hr 30 min after sunset. 150 people per session.
Where End of St Kilda Pier (about 450 m along), Pier Rd, St Kilda
Price Free, but a ticket is essential
Wild little penguins on the breakwater, seen from Parks Victoria's new viewing boardwalk. Tickets for the following week are released every Tuesday from 10am AEDT and book out fast.
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 2pm–10pm (lighting ceremony at dusk)
Where Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands
Price Free, no ticket needed
45+ live acts, 60+ stalls, henna and rangoli stations, kids zone, all undercover so it's on rain or shine.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm–7pm both days
Where Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Price Free, booking not required
Waterfront Halloween weekend with food trucks, live entertainment and spooky surprises for kids.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–7pm
Where Boroondara Cemetery (under the Clock Tower), 430 High St, Kew
Price Free (reserve a free ticket via Eventbrite link on the page)
A costume dance party in a heritage cemetery, with prizes for best costume and dance moves. Dogs welcome.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am–2pm; dog parade 11am from Olive's Corner
Where Bay St, Port Melbourne (Olive's Corner, Bay/Liardet St)
Price Free ($0 parade registration on TryBooking)
Dogs in costume, free professional dog photos, giveaways and a kids' trick-or-treat scavenger hunt.
When Sat 31 Oct 2026, 5pm–8pm (popcorn from 5pm, movie at 6pm)
Where Powell Reserve, Hoppers Junction, Hoppers Crossing
Price FREE ($0)
Wyndham City's free costume movie night, a short walk from Hoppers Crossing station.
Checked Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Source
