Free (or really cheap) things to do on the holidays in Melbourne

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for good 'stuff' to entertain the kids and that is free or really cheap to do on the holidays with the kids.  So, I have had a bit of a think about the things that I like to do and have made a list for you below.  Have a great time!

- Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Children's Garden:  Opened today for Spring this is a great space for the kids to explore with the knowledge that it is completely fenced (and not too far from coffee shop).

- Melbourne Museum - Unwrapping the Mummy and Treasures of the Tomb- both of these displays/activities are included in the small entrance fee to the museum and add to the already wonderful attractions available for kids.

- Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary - The cost of visiting these icons of Melbourne has got much cheaper with kids being free on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays.

- Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and Australian Garden - I love this garden and so do the kids.  At the Australian Garden site, they have a water course that kids can paddle in, and a 'hortasaurus', the bushland parts of the gardens are all flowering this time of year, and they have a lookout, as well as a big playground and picnic/BBQ area that the kids love too - well worth the drive for the adults and the kids and it has become completely free entry this year.

- Art Play - Free events -  A wonderful space for kids and adults alike to be creative.

- Immigration Museum - This School Holidays, the kids program sounds great with Detective activities.  The kids are free as are the activities, and adults are only $10 entry.

- World Animal Day at Edgar's Mission - We've never been here, but it looks great.  I'm sure the kids would love to see and touch the farm animals and hear their stories.

- CERES - We love CERES.  It has lots of events on too, but we just love going there and exploring!  Free entry too.

-  Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), free events and films include:
Kids in the Studio
Animated Kitty Cat Kid's Flicks

Well, I hope this has given  you some ideas!!  Have a great time.

Ash.