Dinosaurs, puppets and BMX: The best kids’ attractions and events across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in July
From enjoying a day out with life-sized dinosaurs to drifting on a dirt track, there is plenty to keep young eastern Melburnians entertained in July.
Matthew Sims
June 30, 2025
With the chilly weather well and truly here to stay for the next couple of months, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get outside and get active. But there’s always something new to check out.
Here is our list of some of the best events and activities in July.
South East Winter Festival
Melbourne’s newest family-favourite winter event, transforming the iconic Caribbean Gardens into a non-stop indoor playground of fun, food, and adventure.
Running from 28 June to 20 July 2025, the festival offers an unforgettable school holiday experience featuring The Monster – a jaw-dropping 300m+ inflatable obstacle course, gourmet food trucks and winter-themed market stalls, rides and amusements for all ages, roaming performers, DJ nights, and glow-light sessions and ay and night sessions – come rain, hail, or shine!
When: Running to Sunday July 20
Where: Carribean Gardens, 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby
Cost: $12.50 for adults, $7 for children
Hologram Zoo
Using projections, step into the world of life-sized and three-dimensional animals and their homes.
Aimed at educating people about the life of animals, the experience hopes to evolve the idea of zoos into the modern world - showcasing the beauty of the natural world without the need to keep animals in captivity.
When: Every day from Saturday July 5 to Friday September 19
Where: 24 Charter Street, Ringwood
Cost: $33 plus $17.50 for the dinosaur experience
DinoFest
Check out the 30 realistic dinosaurs walking around Nortons Park, including a walking Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurus, Pachycephalosaurs and lots of cute baby dinosaurs.
When: Saturday July 5 to Sunday July 20, multiple times and dates
Where: Nortons Park, Nortons Lane, Wantirna South
Cost: $28 adults, $26 children, children under 2 free
Imagine Live
Leopards, dolphins and dinosaurs don’t usually have much in common, but in the world of Imagine Live, they will be coming together in this interactive experience mixing real-world performance and animations.
When: Tuesday July 15, 11am and 2pm
Where: Karralyka Centre, 22A Mines Road, Ringwood East
Cost: $25 or $88 for a family pass
Family Fiesta
Have you ever seen an instrument made of ice? Or heard of a tap-dancing krill?
Running across four days during the school holidays at Monash University’s Clayton campus, Family Fiesta is an extravaganza of wintry fun.
Performances include The Rockstar and the Krill from award-winning theatre company Finucane & Smith and The Very Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra with comedian Sammy J.
When: Wednesday July 9 to Saturday July 12
Where: Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Monash University Clayton campus
Cost: Events up to $20
The Owl’s Apprentice
With more than 20 years of puppetry experience, Jenny Ellis from Little Wing Puppets is bringing the tale of a young owl named Poot Poot and his journey to discover his wisdom.
Mixing shadow puppetry and a fun cast of characters, the performance is a showcase of unique Australian animals.
When: Monday July 14 from 10am to 11am
Where: Montrose Town Centre, Unit 2/935 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose
Cost: $16 plus $10 for the workshop
Annemieke Mein: Nature Revealed
Renowned local textile artist Annemieke Mein is bringing her new exhibition back to her former haunt, on loan from the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale.
She attended both Mitcham State School and Nunawading High School after emigrating to Australia from Holland with her family in 1951.
Come along to see Mein’s unique perspective on the microscopic world of insects and often ignored parts of the natural world.
When: Friday July 11 to Saturday August 30
Where: Whitehorse Artspace, Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Cost: Free, booking required
Check out a local BMX track
With locations including Lilydale, Knoxfield and Croydon Hills, there are plenty of local BMX parks to let them get comfortable on a bike in looser and bumpier terrain.
