Winter school holiday fun in VIC: what's on for kids this July
The July school holidays (7–18 July 2025) are nearly here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already looking for fun things to do in Melbourne and across Victoria with the kids during winter. I’ve pulled together a huge list of family-friendly activities, school holiday events, indoor play centres, and budget-friendly ideas to help you get through the break without losing your mind.
Whether your little ones love climbing, crafting, exploring or just need to burn energy indoors, I’ve found the best things happening these winter school holidays. From snow days to epic playgrounds, live shows, hands-on workshops, and the top places to visit with kids around Victoria – this guide has it all.
I’ve included free events, cheap activities, and spots that are actually worth the drive. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Geelong, Gippsland, the Dandenongs or anywhere in between – save this post so you’re never stuck when the “I’m bored” kicks in.
Hot tip!
Don’t forget to check out your local council’s website – they often run free or low-cost school holiday programs, from craft workshops to movie days. Your local shopping centre is also worth a look, with many offering free pop-up activities, shows or themed zones to keep the kids entertained while you grab a coffee.
Want more?
Check out my full curated lists below for even more ideas – from fenced playgrounds and animal encounters to indoor play centres or use my interactive map to plan your day out!
Ready to explore?
Now that you know what’s out there, scroll down to see our favourite indoor places across each part of Melbourne – complete with addresses, highlights and helpful tips. Save this post for rainy days and keep it handy for your next school holiday game plan.
For daily inspiration, new activity ideas, and behind-the-scenes fun, follow Melbourne With Siri on Instagram and TikTok.
Find places near you or plan a trip
Planning made easy! Use the “Legend” side panel (top left next to my profile pic) to tick or untick categories to find my fave spots near you.
It’s raining? Tick “Indoor” or “Playcentres”.
Want to head over to a playground and find a spot to have lunch (with a play area) – tick “Playgrounds” and “Eateries”.
Or use it on your phone to navigate from your place to the next.
Discounts and deals
Don’t pay full price these school holidays – I’ve found some great discounts on Melbourne attractions, play centres, and indoor activities for kids. From trampoline parks to family passes at the movies, there are heaps of ways to save while still making memories.
I’m always hunting for school holiday deals in Victoria to keep days out fun but affordable – especially when you’ve got more than one kid to entertain. Keep an eye out for promo codes, free-entry offers, multi-pass tickets and midweek specials.
Here are a few of my fave school holiday deals this July – perfect for busy families wanting fun on a budget.
Struggling with meal prep? As a busy mum I got you covered!
Between school runs, activities, and finding fun things to do with the kids, who has time to think about what’s for dinner every night? If you’re tired of scrambling for meal ideas, our 75 Days of Meal Prep Guide is here to save your sanity!
✅ 75+ easy & family-friendly meal ideas – no more last-minute stress.
✅ Quick recipes & meal planning hacks to save time in the kitchen.
✅ Balanced meals kids actually love – without the fuss.
✅ A ready-to-use meal rotation so you never run out of ideas.
Pair your next family adventure with stress-free meals! Whether you’re heading out to Melbourne’s best water parks, playgrounds, or day trips, you’ll have breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks sorted!
Grab your copy now & simplify mealtime!