There’s only so much you can do with your toddlers at home, but if you want to get out of the house with your wee ones, you’re in luck. Melbourne has so much to offer even the littlest and busiest people in your family.
Here is a list of the best toddler activities in Melbourne.
Play Pod at the State Library of Victoria
We start the toddler activities in Melbourne list with the State Library of Victoria’s Play Pod. The Play Pod is a reading and creative nook set up for children under 8yrs. Each season brings forth a new book theme to the Pod and children are invited to participate in related craft activities, play with toys, dress-up or simply explore the library’s extensive book collection. There’s plenty of room for toddlers to move around and the Play Pod is pram friendly. Open 10am – 4pm every day with story-time sessions on select days.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
Next up on the toddler activities in Melbourne list is the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). There are two separate NGV art galleries; NGV Australia (The Ian Potter Centre) in Federation Square and NGV International, St Kilda Road. Take your busy toddlers to the latter; NGV International.
Once you’ve wrangled your wee ones past the water wall at the front entrance, head to the beautiful Great Hall on the ground level for a run around under the stunning stained glass ceiling, or enjoy a picnic in the outdoor gardens. There’s plenty of art to see of course, with a dedicated kid’s gallery plus three floors of ever-changing drawings, paintings, photography displays, sculptures and more. Free entry (except some of the big name touring art exhibits) open 10am – 5pm daily.
The Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum received a new multi-million-dollar upgrade to the Children’s Gallery in 2016, in what is now called the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery. This gallery space, designed for the 0 – 5yr olds, is a toddler’s dream. There’s a huge climbing net, camouflage disco, dinosaur dig, blocks, puzzles plus plenty of tunnels and mirrored play spaces to explore. Don’t be surprised if you leave Melbourne Museum without seeing anything other than the children’s gallery! As far as toddler activities in Melbourne go, the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery is one of the best.
If you’re looking for year-round toddler activities in Melbourne, the heart of the city’s galleries and museums are the places to go. That said, if you head out to the ‘burbs there’s even more to explore. Other worthy mentions include the Collingwood Children’s Farm, Melbourne Zoo, SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne and the Rabbit Hole Kids Playcentre.