School holidays are finally here! After a busy start to the school year, the kids will be looking forward to relaxing at home and doing some fun activities. But with the cost of living on the rise, many parents are looking for cheap or free ways to keep their children occupied over the Easter holidays.
We’ve done the research for you and found some fantastic things you can do with the kids this Easter, without spending a cent.
In the Melbourne CBD
-Rally4Ever are holding free tennis sessions on Thursday 13 and 20 April from 11.30am – 12.30 pm at Powlett Reserve Tennis Centre in East Melbourne. No bookings are required, and more information is available here.
-The Melbourne Now art exhibition at NGV’s Ian Potter Centre is a must-see for creative kids. It’s open daily from 10am to 5pm until Monday 10 April, and you don’t need to book. Find out more here.
-Easter Fun at the Queen Vic Market is running throughout the holidays, with cooking workshops for kids and a fun Kids Passport adventure around the market to complete. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April. All the workshops are free, but online bookings are essential. Head here to book.
In the suburbs
-Edendale Farm in Eltham is open every day during the holidays, with free entry for everyone. Take the kids for a picnic lunch, walk around the farm to meet and feed all the beautiful animals, then walk over to the awesome “shed park” for a play. You can read more about what’s on at Edendale Farm on their website.
-If your kids love cubby houses, why not pop down to Bunjil Place in Narre Warren to explore the famous Cubby Village? It’s open from 10am to 4pm daily right through the holidays, and there’s no need to book. More information can be found here.
In Bendigo and surrounds
-Head to the Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat or Bendigo Library during the holidays for all sorts of fun activities. There are sessions dedicated to writing in Egyptian hieroglyphs, making a marble run, creating pipe cleaner jewellery, and even coding! The full program is available here, and bookings can be made online.
-Goldfields Libraries are also hosting their amazing StoryWalks throughout the holidays, with walks set up at Castlemaine, Eaglehawk, Heathcote, Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton and Long Gully. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to explore a much-loved children’s story in a new and exciting way. Find out more here.
In Geelong and surrounds
-Geelong Regional Libraries are running a range of great activities during the Easter holidays, from a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to painting, creating illusions, and learning about unique and unusual animals. Check out the full program here and be sure to book online in advance to secure a spot for your kids.
-Pack a picnic and take the kids to Serendip Sanctuary for some fresh air and exercise. With four different trails to walk, an abundance of Aussie animals and birds to see, and free barbeque facilities, it’s a great place to spend the day.
In Traralgon and surrounds
-Latrobe City Libraries have some fun events planned, including coding workshops, family movie days and painting. There are a range of activities to choose from at the Moe, Morwell, Churchill and Traralgon branches, and you can find more information or book your spot here.
-Latrobe Regional Gallery is the place to be if your kids are into arts and crafts. Their free activities this Easter include making pipe cleaner creatures and leaves from mixed materials. The kids can also make Ukrainian decorated eggs and folk dolls, and all the materials are supplied free of charge. For dates and times, check here.
Around Victoria
-Parks Victoria’s Junior Rangers program is free to join, but bookings are essential. The kids will learn all about biodiversity, bushfire management, culture and more! Parks Victoria have also produced some great activities that you can download for the kids if you’re not able to get to a session. Find out more here.
-Check out what’s on at your local library. Libraries are bustling hives of activity these days, with everything from toddler story time through to art, crafts and music on offer. Many activities at council-run libraries are free, but some may charge a small fee to cover materials. Make sure you follow the libraries in your area on social media to find out what programs they’ll be running during the next school holidays.
-Geocaching is a fun treasure hunt which uses the GPS on your mobile phone to help you find hidden items around Victoria – and even right around the world! Search online for geocaches near you, put on your most comfy walking shoes, and start searching! The kids will be over the moon when they find their first geocache, so make sure you take a photo of their happy faces!
