If you’re a Camberwell parent staring down the winter school holidays (27 June to 12 July 2026), you already know the problem: the days are short, the weather is grey, and “I’m bored” arrives by 9am. Two and a bit weeks is a long stretch to fill when it’s too cold to just send everyone to the park all day.
So here are 11 things to actually do with the kids these holidays - a mix of warm rainy-day options, free outings, real spots right here around Camberwell Junction, and a few bigger city and snow adventures when you want to make a day of it. Where a program’s exact winter 2026 dates or prices aren’t out yet, I’ve said so and pointed you to where to check.
1. Catch a family film at the Rivoli Cinemas
The art-deco Rivoli sits right at Camberwell Junction (200 Camberwell Rd), a short walk from Camberwell Station. With six screens running everything from kids’ releases to arthouse, it’s the most reliable warm, dry, sit-still option on a wet morning. Tip: check the school-holiday session times online and book ahead for popular family titles - matinees are usually the calmest with little ones.
2. Hunt for treasure at Camberwell Sunday Market
Running since 1976, the Camberwell Sunday Market fills the Station St car park with up to around 350 stalls of vintage gear, books, clothes and bric-a-brac. Rug everyone up, hand the kids a few coins, and let them hunt for their own “treasure” while you browse. Tip: free to wander, it’s a budget morning out - grab a hot chocolate to keep little hands warm and go early before the good stuff sells.
3. Warm up with a session at Camberwell Library
Boroondara Libraries run free and low-cost kids’ holiday sessions at Camberwell Library - think craft workshops, STEAM and coding, and board-game afternoons. It’s a genuine go-to on a rainy day, and a lot of it costs nothing. Tip: the exact winter 2026 line-up publishes close to the holidays, so check the Boroondara school-holiday-activities page or the Boroondara Libraries Eventbrite, or just call the branch. Popular sessions book out, so register early.
4. Splash indoors at Boroondara Sportlink
A short drive from the Junction, the council-owned, YMCA-run Boroondara Sports Complex (Sportlink) has three indoor pools - a brilliant way to burn off energy in the warm while it’s freezing outside - plus indoor courts. The YMCA School Holiday Program (ages 5-12) runs in-house activities and excursions. Tip: the schedule usually drops about four weeks before the holidays, so confirm the winter 2026 sessions and prices before you book.
5. Take on the all-abilities playground at Wattle Park
On the Camberwell/Burwood boundary, Wattle Park is 137 acres reachable by the tram 70 along Riversdale Rd. The 2025-upgraded all-abilities playscape has a double-storey tram-shaped fort, swings, spinners, slides and a sensory garden, plus a 3.25km walking track. Tip: bundle up for a winter picnic - some shelters are inside historic W-class trams - and warm up afterwards near the heritage 1928 Chalet. Free, and a proper outdoor reset between rainy days.
6. Go birdwatching at Maranoa Botanic Gardens
Just over in Balwyn, Maranoa Botanic Gardens packs more than 4,000 native species into 2.6 hectares of winding paths - a calm, leafy winter walk where kids can spot birds. Tip: free entry, so bring warm layers and a thermos, and pair it with the neighbouring Beckett Park. It’s a genuine nearby option rather than a Camberwell-specific venue, but it’s an easy short drive.
7. Try a council holiday workshop near home
Beyond the library, the City of Boroondara runs extra kids’ holiday events across the municipality - craft, STEAM, and performances - most of them free or low-cost and indoors. Tip: programs change every holidays, so check the council’s events listing for the confirmed winter 2026 line-up near Camberwell before you make plans, and book the moment registrations open.
8. Head into the city for Firelight Festival, Docklands
From 3-5 July 2026, Firelight Festival lights up Harbour Esplanade at Docklands with 130+ performers - fire artists, a laser and light show, live music, fire pits, glow pickleball and food trucks. It’s free (you only pay for food) and no booking is needed. It’s about 20-25 minutes by train from Camberwell into the city, then a short walk or tram. Tip: it’s an outdoor night event, so dress everyone very warmly - beanies, gloves, the lot.
9. Make an indoor day of it at the NGV
The NGV’s winter blockbuster, CARTIER: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces, runs through the holidays at NGV International on St Kilda Rd, and the gallery puts on free kids’ holiday workshops - with ACMI’s behind-the-camera activities next door at Fed Square. It’s a warm, indoor city day out, roughly 20 minutes by train from Camberwell to Flinders St. Tip: check ticket prices and any timed kids’ sessions before you go, as the headline exhibition is ticketed even when the kids’ workshops are free.
10. Go ice skating at O’Brien Icehouse, Docklands
One of Melbourne’s biggest indoor rinks, O’Brien Icehouse at Docklands has two Olympic-size rinks and a dedicated area for under-8s with skating aids (kangas and seals) to push along. It’s the classic warm-up-by-moving-around winter outing, about 25 minutes from Camberwell by city train and tram. Tip: confirm current session times and prices before you head in, and arrive early to grab hire skates in the kids’ sizes.
11. Plan a snow day-trip to Lake Mountain or Mt Buller
For one big winter adventure, Lake Mountain (near Marysville, the closest snowfield, around 2.5 hours’ drive) has toboggan runs and snow play, while Mt Buller (around 3 hours each way) offers full skiing and snow play. Tip: these are long days for little ones - you’ll need warm gear, wheel chains and pre-checked road and snow conditions, so treat it as a planned outing rather than a spur-of-the-moment one. Honestly far from Camberwell, but absolutely doable as a day trip if you start early.
A quick planning tip
You don’t need to fill every day. Sketch out the two weeks with a rough rhythm - one warm indoor option (the Rivoli, the library, Sportlink, the NGV) for the wettest days, one free outdoor reset (Wattle Park, Maranoa, the Sunday market) when there’s a break in the clouds, and one or two “big” outings (Firelight, the snow) to look forward to. Lock in the ticketed and bookable ones (cinema sessions, YMCA program, snow conditions) first, and leave the free local stuff flexible to slot in around the weather. It’s also worth checking whether any reduced or half-price public transport fares are running across Victoria during your trip, as that can make the city outings a little kinder on the budget too.
Stay warm, Camberwell - you’ve got this.
