Free indoor activities are spaces and programs you can take your kids to without paying an admission fee. It might be a creative workshop, a public exhibition, a kids’ zone in a library, or even an unexpected museum that’s secretly amazing for children.
It does not include:
- Play centres or trampoline parks (they cost money)
- Events that say “free entry” but charge for every activity inside
- Outdoor spaces, even if they’re partly covered
Contents
Key Takeaways
| Venue | Why Families Love It | Address |
|---|---|---|
| State Library Victoria | Stunning kids’ zone with books, cubbies, and activities | 328 Swanston St, Melbourne |
| Scienceworks | Under-16s free, hands-on science play | 2 Booker St, Spotswood |
| ArtPlay | Bookable creative workshops by real artists | Birrarung Marr, behind Fed Square |
| Australian Music Vault | Free music museum with interactive exhibits | 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne |
| ACMI | Movie + game exhibits kids can touch and create in | Federation Square |
| Local Libraries | Weekly craft, LEGO, coding, and Storytimes | Multiple locations |
| NGV Children’s Gallery | Free art space made just for kids | 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne |
| Community Centres | School holiday activities & more | Council-run across suburbs |
State Library Victoria
State Library Victoria is a public library in Melbourne featuring a dedicated children’s area with free reading zones, cubbies, and interactive play spaces.
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne
If your kids haven’t crawled into the giant storybook tunnel at the State Library yet, you’re missing one of the best no-cost mornings in the city.
The Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter is full of books, puzzles, touchscreens, and floor cushions that make reading feel like play.
My tip: Bring snacks. You can’t eat in the kids’ area, but the cafe downstairs is kid-friendly. Take the tram to Melbourne Central, you’ll be inside within 5 minutes of getting off.
Scienceworks
Scienceworks is a science and technology museum in Melbourne with hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and free entry for kids under 16.
Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood
Scienceworks is free for kids under 16, and it’s not just “look and read”, it’s “touch everything.” The air tunnel, sports speed tests, and light & sound exhibits are always a hit.
Skip the car and catch the Werribee line train to Spotswood Station, it’s a 10-minute walk. Great option for a rainy school holiday day.
💡 Heads up: Weekdays before lunch can be packed with school excursions. Afternoons are quieter.
ArtPlay
ArtPlay is a creative arts studio in Melbourne that offers free workshops and art experiences for children, run by professional artists and hosted by the City of Melbourne.
Address: Birrarung Marr, behind Federation Square
This place is a hidden gem. My youngest still talks about the time she made “noodle robots” out of recycled junk here. ArtPlay hosts artist-led creative sessions, often for free. They’re usually age-specific and require booking online.
📸 You can make a whole day of it: ACMI, the river walk, or the NGV are right next door.
Australian Music Vault
Australian Music Vault is a free museum inside Arts Centre Melbourne showcasing Australia’s music history through interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and listening stations.
Address: 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Don’t let the grown-up exterior fool you. This place is surprisingly kid-friendly. Think touchscreens, audio zones, stage outfits, and mini-music booths.
🎧 My kids loved pretending to DJ on the mixing desk. It’s all indoors, no tickets needed, and located inside the Arts Centre. Perfect add-on after ArtPlay or NGV.
ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image
ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is a free museum at Federation Square featuring interactive exhibits on film, TV, video games, and digital culture, including hands-on experiences for kids.
Address: Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
I used to think ACMI was just for adults. Nope. The “Story of the Moving Image” exhibit is packed with stuff kids can touch, build, play and animate.
🎮 There’s even a zone where they can make their own stop-motion movies. We once spent 2 hours there and didn’t get through half.
NGV Children’s Gallery
NGV Children’s Gallery is a dedicated kids’ space inside the National Gallery of Victoria, offering free, hands-on art installations and creative activities designed for children.
Address: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Tucked inside the NGV is a rotating children’s space with hands-on art, from textile tunnels to colour walls and drawing stations. It is always creative and fresh.
🎟️ Entry is free and no bookings needed. You can also do a quick loop of the main galleries — even little ones get curious seeing giant sculptures.
Local Libraries
Local libraries in Melbourne offer free kids’ programs, including Storytime, craft sessions, LEGO clubs, and coding workshops, with welcoming spaces for all ages.
Across Melbourne’s suburbs, its libraries are excelling in offering free programs.
- Library at the Dock (Docklands)
- Kathleen Syme Library (Carlton)
- Bargoonga Nganjin (Fitzroy North)
🧱 Expect LEGO clubs, baby bounce, craft corners, and coding workshops. Best part? Most are drop-in. Just check the local council site first.
Community Centre Programs
Community centre programs in Melbourne offer free indoor activities for kids, including school holiday workshops, art classes, and games, often run by local councils.
Every school holiday, I check the Moreland and Darebin council sites for free indoor events. Think circus play, slime labs, mini discos and STEAM workshops – all indoors, all free.
💻 You’ll need to book online, but most spots don’t fill up too fast unless they involve food or giveaways.
FAQs
Are all these places truly free?
Yes. Everything listed is free to enter. A few places like Scienceworks may charge for adult tickets, but kids get in free.
Do I need to book in advance?
For some programs like ArtPlay and council-run workshops — yes. Libraries and museums are mostly walk-in friendly.
What’s best for rainy days with toddlers?
The State Library kids’ zone, NGV Children’s Gallery, and your local library are all great for under 5s.
Is everything in the city or are there suburban options too?
Suburban libraries and community centres offer excellent indoor activities. Each council has a list on its website.
How long should I plan to stay at each place?
Most venues are good for 1–2 hours. I usually stack 2–3 together if I’m doing a city day.
Are there any food-friendly spots?
Yes. State Library has a cafe, NGV has a kid-friendly cafe, and Fed Square has food courts. Just check each venue’s snack policy.
Final Tips
- Best combo day: ArtPlay → ACMI → NGV → Federation Square Picnic
- Bring a fold-up umbrella: even if you’re indoors, you’ll walk between venues
- Snacks save you: not everywhere sells food, and tired kids = chaos
- Use council newsletters: sign up for your local one to stay ahead of school holiday sessions
Paid Indoor Activities for Kids
🎟️ Want to explore more premium experiences?
While free fun is always welcome, some of Melbourne’s best indoor adventures are worth the ticket, especially for birthdays, weekends, or a school holiday treat.
Check out our full list of paid indoor activities for kids in Melbourne, featuring immersive exhibits, indoor play centres, and creative workshops that kids will talk about for weeks.
Whether you mix and match or save the paid ones for special days, both lists work beautifully together.
