My wife really wants to go on a family trip.
So we're thinking of going to Melbourne with our 22 month old (he flys free! YAY!) for a 4 day long weekend.
Since our toddler is very active, he starts screaming for freedom after 10mins in the stroller. So everywhere we go has to be toddler friendly.
Anyone have any recommendations apart from the Zoo and museums?
We won't have a car.
Cheap and Free Things to Do with a 2 Year Old in Melbourne
talismansa on 06/03/2019 - 11:44
Last edited 06/03/2019 - 11:45
Last edited 06/03/2019 - 11:45
Comments
Come on. Sydney to Melbourne with an infant on your lap is easy.
We've flown to Europe with an infant on our laps and also to Asia a couple of times.
It's much easier with a seat. Why inflict the pain on yourselves, your co-passengers or your child. Everyone has more fun without a 12-18kg child on someone's lap.
It's only a 1 hr flight to Melbourne. People are so soft these days.
@tranter: It's nothing to do with being soft. The cost of the flight is nothing - pay for the child to have a seat. The parents have more fun, the child has more fun (give them the window) and your fellow passengers too. Nothing worse than trying to keep a child on your lap for an hour when they're active.
@o53djz7qTPY4der: It does cost something. When our child was younger if we always paid for an extra seat we wouldn't have been able to afford to go.
Everyone has more fun without a 12-18kg child on someone's lap.
The parents have more fun, the child has more fun (give them the window) and your fellow passengers too.
Funny you say that. Just got back from Melbourne last night on 2.5 hour flight. Our 2 year old had a seat but there were 2 infants on laps in the 2 rows behind us. The infants became upset at various times but you know what? It was actually a conversation piece between neighbouring passengers and mothers and everyone was getting on very well. In fact a woman behind us who was seated next to one of the mothers offered to care for the infant for a while and carried her down the back of the aircraft. She did the same with the other infant as well. It was a great atmosphere all round and wouldn't have happened if the infants had their own seats.
@o53djz7qTPY4der: It is minimum $150 return isn't it? That is enough for lots of "under the regular earning of 150k per OZBer" people.
@tranter: It really depends on the child.
My kid is way too active, so he's not going to sit regardless. We went to Japan last year and he refuses to sit, and we had to walk him up and down the aisles throughout the 8 hour flight. Lucky we had a red eye on the way back.
I think a 1.5 hour flight will be a breeze in comparison.@talismansa: Exactly, a flight to Japan is understandable. But Sydney to Melbourne, I don't know what the fuss is about.
I'd rather spend the money on a nice hotel or dinner out.
Agreed, we have flown to Japan many times with different kids on our laps (all my own kids!) and it wasn't too bad so a 1 hour flight would be really easy, especially if you will be standing/walking with them a lot during the flight.
Thanks for your suggestions!
We'll give the Maribynong river walk and Scienceworks a go.
The rest is a bit too far for public transport.
One word…..
Collingwood children's farm.Looks awesome!!
How long do we reckon we can spend here? Half a day?Easy. From memory Sundays are free entry cos of markets. Abbotsford convent next door with great gardens and food. Just catch train to Vietnamese area in Richmond and then 10 min walk.
Was going to point out the obvious, but assume you are a Collingwood fan so won't waste my time.
Oh yes, good suggestion this
Since our toddler is very active, he starts screaming for freedom after 10mins in the stroller.
God I hope he's better in a plane seat…
He's not. So we walk him around the plane to keep him quiet.
Omg that'd be adorable!
Not for me when I always have to stop him from grabbing at people.
@talismansa: He's 2! Can't do any (that much?) damage surely? (No, I'm not a parent, how could you tell?)
But no, thanks for making an effort - that's all you can do and all I ask. Other than that, kids will be kids.
He's 2 and has you whipped already.
Are you an adult in title only? How will your child go at school when paying attention for 6hrs is required?
Time to gain control of the situation
Clearly you're a better parent than I am. Please take my child senpai!
Haha, anyone want to guess how many kids chumlee has?
0
not cheap
NGV always has fun things for kids to do
Melbourne has some good breweries. Get the kid started with some good beer
Most kids that age love red open-top double-decker buses.
The Melbourne Sightseeing Bus is pretty good if you purchase half-price tickets on Groupon (less with discount).
Ticket is valid for 48 hrs and stops at places like Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Museum, MCG, Royal Botanic Gardens, St Kilda, Port of Melbourne and plenty of other place in the CBD and nearby.
Only problem is you have to fold the pram to get on the bus.
May as well catch a tram. The timetable of those buses isn't as regular.
Yes, every 40 mins I believe. But you can make it work if you plan. Very few people on the bus when we used it a couple days ago so that was a bonus.
Melbourne Aquarium.
ACMI is good - especially on family weekend (first of the month i think…?)
OP: The Melbourne Museum in Carlton (on edge of CBD) is great for toddlers and has a whole childrens section. Recommend to go at opening in the morning though, it is very popular.
Search online for a some cheap deals to get in.
Thanks!
Federation bells at Birrarung Marr
ACMI
City circle tram
Royal Botanic Gardens
Birrarung Marr Playground
Stomping ground brewery & beer hall, collingwood - it has a playground.
Irrespective of cost, make sure your 22 month old has a seat. With ours we did it once with her on our laps - never again.
Melbourne Zoo is amazing. Scienceworks too.
Werribee zoo is, in my opinion, better than Melbourne's.
Otherwise, an amazing park in Braybrook that is modelled around an airplane. The Maribynong river is a great walk too. Eastern side is great, with Edithvale having a cracking park.
Our daughter loves watching the level crossings and trams in Melbourne.