Fun things for a 3.5yr old girl to see/do in Melbourne

[EmsMum72]

We live in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and rarely head into the City, but now that DD is getting older we'd like to start taking her in to town to see/do different things.

So far I've thought of:-

- Museum
- ScienceWorks
- Botanical Gardens
- Birrarung Marr (anyone been there, would love some feedback if you have?)
- Healesville Sanctuary (not in the City, I know, but somewhere she'd love to go)

If anyone has been to any of the above mentioned places I'd love your feedback. Was it good or bad? Suitable for a 3.5yr old girl? Expensive or inexpensive? Easily accesible by train (we have 2 cars, but DD likes going on the train).

Can anyone else recommend anywhere in Melbourne (doesn't have to be in the City, just anywhere fun for a 3.5yr old). What about the children's park in Warrnambool, anyone been there??

Thanks, would appreciate your thoughts/comments/ideas.

[punkbaby]

The fairy garden is soo cute at the botanical gardens dd loves it there and shes 2 and a half. Also i found my kids loved walking along southbank on the warmer days and playing in the water thingy, the ones that come up from the ground, they thought it was so much fun! Down near the exhibition building there are usually ducks along the river near the big old boat so you can feed ducks etc umm thinking thinking thinking i am thinking cheap and cost free

[Chelle123]

We're going to ScienceWorks on Sunday.

Museum was good for both DS's, so was the Melbourne Zoo & Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Free stuff: City Circle Tram, Botanical Gardens (children's garden there is good but not open all the time).

Out of the city, Coal Creek in Korumburra is quite good and pretty cheap and there's a train to ride on.

Can't think of anything else right now.

[Chickadee]

- ScienceWorks I took DD when she was around 3.5 years, she loved it. Upstairs are lots of hands on stuff for pre-schoolers, though she liked downstairs too. We went to the lightning show too, but that might be a bit boring for some kids (till the end). Bring a lunch, the cafe is expensive and the line up was ridiculous .


- Healesville Sanctuary Again, I took DD a few months ago and she loved it. It's not huge, you can comfortably see everything in a few hours, or stretch it out to half a day.

Also i found my kids loved walking along southbank on the warmer days and playing in the water thingy, the ones that come up from the ground, they thought it was so much fun!

Unfortunately all the fountains have been turned off for the winter, and they were off last summer too due to the water restrictions. But DD still loves walking along here. Stop for lunch somewhere, look for small jellyfish in the river, take a boat ride.

Aquarium - very good, but expensive. You might get a discount through special promotions, or if you are a member of the RACV I think.

Miniature steam train at Eltham - not easily accessible by public transport, and only runs sunday mornings, but is relatively cheap and something different.

Take the free circle route tram around the city.

Victoria market - there may be buskers and music there on the weekends too, especially in the summer.