Free Kids' Activities in Melbourne: What's On, Libraries, Free Trials
Live listings refreshed 24 Sept 2026 · Last updated 24 Sept 2026
There are 5 free events listed in and around Melbourne for the next month, 1,491 libraries, parks and community spaces we hold inside the city, and no kids' activity providers listed yet offering a free class or trial. This page is kept, not posted: the lists below come straight from the AroundSchools directory and refresh twice a day, and the writing is reviewed on a schedule — the dates at the top of the page say when.
Key takeaways
- The reliable free things in Melbourne are run by councils: library storytimes and holiday programs, playgrounds and pools with free entry, and council-run events. Membership of a council library is free.
- One-off free events come and go. The sections below only show what is listed for the coming weekend, the next month and the next school holidays — if a section is missing, nothing is listed yet for that window.
- "Free" here means the organiser marked the event free. Where no price is listed, the table says so; check with the organiser before you go.
Free this weekend in Melbourne
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 July – 20 Nov | EFA: Free Sat Match Development Program · Ages 10–14 | Kew East | Free |
| 23 Aug – 8 Dec | Persian Playgroup - Facilitated · Ages 3–6 · Council event | Blackburn North | Free |
| 31 Aug – 3 Dec | Keon Park Children's Hub Monthly Drop-in Gardening Group · Council event | Keon Park | Free |
| 17 Sept – 29 Oct | Shire of Yarra Ranges Over-50s Festival · Ages 0–18 | Upwey | Free |
| 23 Sept – 29 Sept | Coburg Cycling Club School Holiday Program · Ages 5–14 · Council event | Coburg North | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 5 of 19 upcoming events in Melbourne are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
How free works in Melbourne
Council libraries. Every council in the Melbourne area runs a library service, and membership is free for anyone who lives, works or studies in the area. Libraries run rhyme time and storytime for babies and preschoolers most weeks in term time, and most add school-holiday sessions — craft, Lego, coding and author visits — that are free but often need a booking. The council pages below list what we hold for each council.
Council programs and venues. Councils run the playgrounds, skate parks, ovals and many of the pools. Entry to playgrounds and parks is free; pools usually charge, but many councils run free or low-cost school-holiday activities at their leisure centres. The council's own events calendar is the primary source; where we track a council's calendar, its events appear on this page with a "Council event" tag.
Free trials at providers. Many swim schools, dance studios, martial-arts clubs and sports clubs offer a free first class or a trial week so a child can try before a term is paid for. Ask before you enrol — and where a provider in our directory has listed a free class or trial, it appears in a table below.
The state voucher. Victoria runs the Get Active Kids Voucher Program in rounds during the year for eligible families — it pays towards sport and recreation costs, not one-off events, so it suits a term of classes. Victoria voucher program. Our guide to school cost help by state covers the other schemes.
Council libraries in Melbourne
| Place | Suburb | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Park Library | Malvern East | Library · Playground, Fully fenced, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables, Wheelchair accessible |
| Phoenix Park Public Library | Malvern East | Library · Playground, Fully fenced, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables, Wheelchair accessible |
| Canterbury Area Toy Library | Canterbury | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Croydon Library | Croydon | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Lilydale Library | Croydon | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Casey Cardinia Libraries | Endeavour Hills | Library · Playground, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Collingwood Library | Abbotsford | Library · Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Fawkner Library | Fawkner | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities |
| Hargrave-Andrew | Clayton | Library · Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Mornington Peninsula Libraries | Mornington | Library · Café nearby, Toilets, Parking, Picnic tables |
| South Yarra Public Library | South Yarra | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, Picnic tables |
| Yarra Glen Toy Library | Yarra Glen | Library · Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 160 libraries, 1331 parks and 0 community spaces we hold inside Melbourne · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Playgrounds and parks with verified facilities
| Place | Suburb | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Ak Lines Reserve | Watsonia | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| ATC Cook Reserve | Glenroy | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Charles Mutton Reserve | Fawkner | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Deep Creek Reserve | Doncaster East | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Deepdene Park | Deepdene | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Eltham Lower Park | Eltham | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Fully fenced, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities |
| GH Ransom Reserve | Altona | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Howard Dawson Reserve | Glen Iris | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Jack Roper Reserve | Broadmeadows | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Kelly Park | Werribee | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Newmarket Plaza Playground | Flemington | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
| Outer Circle Linear Park Playground | Deepdene | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields, Playground, Toilets, Parking, BBQ facilities, Picnic tables |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 160 libraries, 1331 parks and 0 community spaces we hold inside Melbourne · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Free by age
Ages 3–5
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug – 8 Dec | Persian Playgroup - Facilitated · Ages 3–6 · Council event | Blackburn North | Free |
| 17 Sept – 29 Oct | Shire of Yarra Ranges Over-50s Festival · Ages 0–18 | Upwey | Free |
| 23 Sept – 29 Sept | Coburg Cycling Club School Holiday Program · Ages 5–14 · Council event | Coburg North | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 3 of 19 upcoming events in Melbourne are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Ages 6–9
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug – 8 Dec | Persian Playgroup - Facilitated · Ages 3–6 · Council event | Blackburn North | Free |
| 17 Sept – 29 Oct | Shire of Yarra Ranges Over-50s Festival · Ages 0–18 | Upwey | Free |
| 23 Sept – 29 Sept | Coburg Cycling Club School Holiday Program · Ages 5–14 · Council event | Coburg North | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 3 of 19 upcoming events in Melbourne are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Ages 10 and up
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 July – 20 Nov | EFA: Free Sat Match Development Program · Ages 10–14 | Kew East | Free |
| 17 Sept – 29 Oct | Shire of Yarra Ranges Over-50s Festival · Ages 0–18 | Upwey | Free |
| 23 Sept – 29 Sept | Coburg Cycling Club School Holiday Program · Ages 5–14 · Council event | Coburg North | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 3 of 19 upcoming events in Melbourne are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Events that do not state an age range appear in the lists above but not in the age sections.
Councils in the Melbourne area
Council pages for Victoria
| Council | Kids' activity providers | Schools | What's on |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Melbourne | 50 | 20 | See the council's site |
| City of Monash | 46 | 52 | 6 events |
| City of Whitehorse | 43 | 45 | 3 events |
| City of Casey | 39 | 85 | See the council's site |
| Merri-bek City Council | 37 | 42 | 1 event |
| Yarra Ranges Council | 37 | 77 | 1 event |
| Knox City Council | 35 | 45 | 2 events |
| City of Greater Geelong | 34 | 84 | 1 event |
| City of Kingston | 34 | 43 | See the council's site |
| Frankston City Council | 31 | 41 | See the council's site |
| Brimbank City Council | 30 | 55 | See the council's site |
| City of Wyndham | 30 | 54 | 1 event |
See all 56 Victoria councils with a page
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 56 Victoria councils currently have a page · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is library membership really free? Yes — council libraries in Victoria do not charge for membership, and most programs for children are free, though holiday sessions often need a booking because places are limited.
How do I know an event is free? The organiser marked it free when it was listed. If the price column says "Price not listed", the organiser did not state one — check their page or ask before you go.
When are the next school holidays in Victoria? The next break starts 19 Sept 2026 and ends 4 Oct 2026 (government school dates; individual schools can vary by a few days). See our school holidays page for the full program.
Can I use the Victoria voucher on these? Vouchers are for registered clubs and providers, not for one-off events. Ask the provider whether it is registered before you enrol.
