From dance parties and inspiring exhibitions to robotic lego and DJing, these school holidays Victoria has plenty of free and low-cost creative activities keep kids entertained without breaking the bank.
Fed Square will host free dance parties and costume and craft workshops led by colourful performers All The Queens Men, a Victorian creative kids-only act. From 10-11 April the Square will also play host to the Little Food Festival, Australia’s first and only food festival for kids, and on 11-14 April will be the free ticketed performance, The Flying Canoe, which explores the dynamic stories of Kiribati.
Also at Fed Square junior art lovers are invited to NGV Australia to see the free Top Arts 2024 exhibition or catch the final days of ACMI’s awe-inspiring Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature exhibition which runs throughout the school holidays.
The rest of the Melbourne Arts Precinct is bustling with silent disco walking tours, free music making and performance workshops at Arts Centre Melbourne, Melboune Recital Centre is hosting a kid’s music festival Music Play and it’s the last chance to catch the massive free NGV Triennialwhich is in its final week at NGV International.
Over at State Library Victoria school holiday programs include illustration and robotic Lego workshops and Storytime events. Melbourne Museum is bringing the laughs with a family friendly program of Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows and Immigration Museum’s new colourful exhibition Joy is a must-see.
Highlights across regional Victoria include Geelong Arts Centre’s live stage adaptation of the beloved book Possum Magic, and workshops at Art Gallery of Ballarat, Geelong Art Gallery and Bendigo Art Gallery which will see budding artists learn new skills in painting, animation, clay and more.
For more information on what’s on in your area, check your local listings. To kickstart your creative adventures these school holidays here are some examples of what’s on:
- Fed Square: from 4-6 April will host Play Date free dance parties and creative workshops led by All The Queens Men, from 10-11 April the Square will host a free Little Food Festival for budding foodies and on 11-14 April will be the free ticketed performance, The Flying Canoe, which explores the dynamic stories of Kiribati, hosted by comedian Bobby Macumber.
- At ACMI The Story of the Moving Image exhibition is a year-round free favourite for all ages and the immersive art exhibition Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature is a must see that uses the latest digital technology to explore the wonder of nature. It offers something to enthral visitors from tiny tots to teenagers and beyond.
- At Koorie Heritage Trust the bright and colourful, free JXSH MVIR FOREVER I LIVE exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara and Barkindji artist Josh Muir.
- At NGV Australia at Fed Square, the Top Arts 2024 exhibition is on and over at NGV International, the blockbuster exhibition NGV Triennial is in its final week. Triennial is huge, free and features a special kids exhibition with daily free activities.
- State Library Victoria has a jam-packed program of workshops and activities covering everything from story time sessions to robotic Lego workshops.
- Melbourne Recital Centre is throwing open its doors to junior music lovers for activities, workshops and performances during the kids music festival Music Play.
- Arts Centre Melbourne offers an incredible, free program of workshops that pair young aspiring creatives with major talent such as Wicked star Lucy Durack.
- Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks have daily activities on offer that bring their exhibitions to life and Immigration Museum has recently open its latest exhibition Joy, which explores the theme of joy through colourful, interactive installations for all ages.
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival has an exciting program just for kids and families
- In our regions, Geelong Gallery, Art Gallery of Ballarat and Bendigo Art Gallery are running free kid’s workshops exploring art, craft, animation and more.