Melbourne Zoo, the city's own zoo just north of the centre, open every day of the year. In school term the Keeper Kids team runs daily storytime and hands-on play sessions included with entry.
Heritage-listed gardens in St Kilda with an ornamental pond and fountain, a giant chessboard, the Alister Clark rose garden and a subtropical rainforest conservatory. A calm place for a picnic and a run-around.
The historic seaside amusement park at St Kilda, entered through a giant laughing face, with rides from gentle carousels to thrill rides beside the beach.
Melbourne's botanic gardens beside the Yarra, with rolling lawns, Ornamental Lake and the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden, a garden made for children to explore.
A garden in Balwyn devoted entirely to Australian native plants, with woodland, heathland, rockery and rainforest sections. Good for a quiet walk among thousands of native plants.
Melbourne's hands-on science museum in a historic pumping station at Spotswood, with interactive galleries, a planetarium, the Lightning Room's live electricity shows and Ground Up, a play space for under-5s.
An Aboriginal-owned cultural centre at Federation Square with free exhibitions of Victorian Aboriginal art, objects and stories, a permanent collection display and a shop of First Nations art and design.
Indoor LEGO attraction inside Chadstone Shopping Centre with build zones, rides and a Miniland of Melbourne, designed for children aged 3 to 10.
Open-range zoo in Melbourne's west with a free safari bus through the savannah habitats; a half to full day outing about 30 km from the CBD.
Zoos Victoria's native-wildlife sanctuary in the Yarra Valley, with platypus, Tasmanian devils and a daily Spirits of the Sky bird presentation; kids visit free.