The best kids events and attractions across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in June

From train displays to science shows, June is packed with family-friendly fun.

Here are some of the best family-friendly events and activities to burn up excess energy in June.

Did we forget any upcoming events for kids in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs? Let us know by reaching out via [email protected]

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration often involving boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings called zongzi.

This Box Hill event will include egg waffles and other themed treats alongside performances, games and local Hong Kong vendors and producers.

When: Saturday June 6, 10.30am-8pm

Where: Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill

Cost: Free

Waverley Model Railway Club Exhibition

Young train enthusiasts can try out their driving skills on some model trains or check out the diverse displays of modern and historic pieces.

When: Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 10am-5pm; Monday June 8, 10am-4pm

Where: Brandon Park Community Centre, 649 Ferntree Gully Road, Glen Waverley

Cost: $15 adults, $6 children (5-16)

The Witch Market

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The Witch Market will have a range of wares across the spiritual and magical spectrum, including crystals, gemstones, talismans, tarot decks, herbs and witchcraft tools.

Or if you’re up for a peek into your future, you can also receive a psychic reading.

When: Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7

Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn

Cost: Free

International Tabletop Day

Celebrating board, card and role-playing games, Ringwood tabletop game players of all levels can take part in competitions or receive tutorials in a new game or two.

When: Saturday June 6, 10.30am-4.30pm

Where: Realm Library, Ringwood Town Square, 179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood

Cost: Free

The Alphabet of Awesome Science

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Presenters Lexi Con and Noel Edge teach young and curious minds more about the world of words and science in this hour-long performance.

When: Friday June 19, 10-11am and 1-2pm (Nunawading) and Tuesday June 30, 11am-12 noon and 2-3pm (Ringwood East)

Where: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading and Karralyka Centre, 22A Mines Road, Ringwood East

Cost: $28

More Info Here – Nunawading and Ringwood East

Sky Country Tours

Gomeroi woman and astrophysicist Krystal De Napoli hosts a stargazing tour focused on lessons we have taken from how First Peoples read the skies, the significance of “Sky Country” to Indigenous culture and how reducing light pollution can sustain normal native wildlife behaviour.

When: June 4-6, 11-13, 18 and 20, 5.30-7.30pm

Where: Healesville Sanctuary, Badger Creek Road, Healesville

Cost: $110 for adults, $55 for children

Melbourne Magic Festival

Hosted by the Australian Institute of Magic, the Melbourne Magic Festival features a range of shows from international and local performers, as well as workshops to train the next generation of illusionists.

When: Multiple dates from Saturday June 27 to Saturday July 11

Where: Multiple locations across Melbourne

Glenroy Festival

This year’s Glenroy Festival will feature a full schedule of live performances from up-and-coming bands and artists, as well as arts and crafts workshops, an inflatable mushroom forest, community stalls and food trucks.

When: Sunday May 3, 11am-3pm

Where: Glenroy Community Hub and Bridget Shortell Reserve, 50 Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy

Cost: Free

Kalorama Chestnut Festival

For more than 40 years, the Kalorama Chestnut Festival has seen families from across the Dandenong Ranges pick chestnuts to bring along to roast and eat.

About 60 stalls will include information displays from community groups, as well as local traders offering produce, food options, coffee, homemade jewellery, clothing, handmade toys and arts and crafts gifts.

Funds raised will contribute to the ongoing management of Mount Dandenong Preschool and Mount Dandenong Primary School.

When: Sunday May 3, 10am-4pm

Where: Kalorama Memorial Reserve, 1190-1196 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Kalorama

Cost: Free

Healesville Festival

Rufous Whistler and Joshua Batten will be among the performers.

This two-day event will include music acts, guitar-making workshops, group singing classes, and spans throughout the main part of town.

Singer-songwriters Tessa Devine and Rufous Whistler will be the headline act at The Memo from 6.30 to 10.30pm on Saturday night.

On Sunday, free family entertainment will be available at Queens Park for Mother’s Day.

When: Saturday May 9, 10am-10.30pm and Sunday May 10, 10am-5pm

Where: Various locations (Saturday) and Queens Park, 36 Don Road, Healesville (Sunday)

Cost: Free except for headline show – $38

Mother’s Day Classic

Image Credit: Botanic Gardens of Sydney

Kids, parents and loved ones will lace up on Mother’s Day at running and walking events across the country as part of the 29th annual Mother’s Day Classic.

Local events will be held at Lillydale Lake – including a 5.1-kilometre course – and Lysterfield Lake – a 6.2-kilometre course.

Funds raised will support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

When: Sunday May 10, 8-11am

Where: Lillydale Lake, 435 Swansea Road, Lilydale and Lysterfield Lake, Horswood Road, Lysterfield

Cost: $45 adults, $39 concession, $33 children aged 3-12

Play School: Come and Play!

Marking the 60th anniversary of one of Australia’s most iconic children’s television shows, this exhibition is centred around allowing visitors aged two to five to go behind the scenes in interactive activities where they can become the director, actor or camera operator.

When: Every day from 10am-5pm

Where: ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne

Cost: Free, bookings essential

Museum of Play and Art

Kids of all ages are welcome here, with experiences and interactive activities available across a range of comfort levels, including trampolines and a flying fox.

For the more artistic or tactile children, there is a Volkswagen Beetle painting experience or a water play area.

When: 9.30am-4pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am-5pm, Friday to Sunday

When: Level 1/372 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading

Cost: $25 children, $18 adults