5 free, fun Christmassy things to do in Melbourne with kids!

We set out on a quest to find some Christmas fun in Melbourne – and found that there are some magical family Christmas experiences that you shouldn’t miss – and don’t cost a cent!

Melbourne is the perfect place to be in at Christmas-time. Now that the kids are on school holidays, it’s time to head into the city to experience some of the wonderful Christmas fun and magic that only Melbourne has to offer. With the free city circle trams, there really is no excuse not to go and spend a very Christmassy day in the city with the kids!

The Federation Square Lego Christmas Tree

The Federation Square Lego Christmas Tree is really just a massive toy!

If your children love Lego (and even if they don’t!), they’re going to love the giant Lego Christmas Tree which is currently taking pride-of-place in Federation Square in the city.

Standing at 10 metres tall, this is actually the biggest Lego Christmas Tree in the whole Southern Hemisphere – now that’s big! With a distinctly beachy-theme, there’s even a Lego Santa with his surfboard – plus Santa’s sleigh of course!

This is one Lego sculpture that your little Lego fans really shouldn’t miss!

The Myer Christmas Windows

The Bourke Street Mall Myer Christmas Window queues can be long but are worth it!

A right of passage for every Melbourne child, the Bourke Street Mall Myer Christmas Windows won’t disappoint this year, their 60th, with the tale of Little Dog And The Christmas Wish. We won’t spoil the story for you except to say that the story and windows are just as charming as ever, and of course has a happy ending.

One of the charming scenes from the Myer Christmas Windows

As always, give yourself some time to queue up if you’re visiting in peak times. We were there at around lunchtime on a weekday and needed to queue for about twenty minutes – but it was well-worth the wait!

The Myer Toy Department

Dinosaurs roar in the Myer toy department!

Let’s face it – Myer in the city have Christmas magic nailed – as if the Christmas windows outside weren’t good enough, there’s the amazing Toy department inside. They sell just about every toy you can think of, all in their own specially decorated areas.

Brooke models a giant shoe in the Barbie section of the Myer toy department

Thomas toys surround a Thomas Train which the kids can sit in, Barbie toys are in a bright pink blinged-out area of their own, as are the Disney Princess toys – which even have a magical tree to sit under! Giant robotic dinosaurs preside here too, and there are more life-sized character Lego sculptures than you can point a pogo-stick at.

The girls couldn’t believe that Cinderella was made out of Lego at first!

Give yourself some time for the kids to run screaming from one area to another here – don’t miss it!

The David Jones Magic Cave

The David Jones Christmas Magic Cave

David Jones have a slightly different approach to their Christmas decorations with a Magic Cave in their toy department. Once the kids see the signs and footprints leading there, all mum-shopping-hope is lost – you’re going there first! After all, what kid can resist a Magic Cave?

Santa’s reindeer in the Magic Cave

It also happens to be where a truly fabulous Santa lives. In a cute twist, you enter through Santa’s “house” which has the kids absolutely spellbound. Although Santa sits in a rather small room, I swear that he looks and sounds so authentic that he really must be the real thing! Although the usual Santa pics are on offer you don’t have to buy any photos at all if you don’t want to, so this still remains a free activity.

Once you leave Santa you emerge into the Magic Cave, a world of twinkle lights, toys, window-display elves, and even a fabulous talking tree. It truly does seem magic to the little ones!

Samantha loved the moving elves window displays

Make the time to take a look at the David Jones Magic Cave for a great Christmas experience with the family.

Go for a walk around

A beautifully decorated Flinders Street Station

Make sure you spend some of your day in the city centre on foot. Drift from street to street to see the huge, beautiful public buildings of Melbourne dressed in their finest Christmas gift-bows and lights.

The Bourke Street Mall decorations are worth seeing too!

The streets are adorned with beautiful decorations, the Bourke Street Mall flies Christmas flags and is strung with suspended bells and stars. The city of Melbourne is dressed in its best Christmas finery right now – don’t miss it!

So why not grab the kids and make a day of it in the city for your dose of Christmas spirit? Your family is going to have a magical day – and with any luck, you may even fit in a bit of Christmas shopping on the side – enjoy!

Have you ever visited Melbourne at Christmas? What was your favourite thing to do with the kids? Tell us in the comments below…