The problem with Mentone in the July school holidays is not the cold itself — it is the cold plus two weeks of “what do we do today?” with kids who have exhausted the beach walk by day three. The bay is grey, darkness falls before five, and the living room slowly becomes a battleground. These are eleven ideas that actually work, ranging from free local sessions you can walk to through to full-day city and mountain trips that need a bit of planning.
Victorian school holidays run 27 June – 12 July 2026.
1. FREE school-holiday sessions at your local library
Kingston Libraries run free craft, storytime and school-holiday programs across their branches during every holiday period. They fill fast — book on the council Eventbrite page as soon as the program drops. This is genuinely the easiest win for families with younger kids: free, weatherproof, close to home.
2. Council vacation care (paid, full-day)
If you need cover or simply want structure, Kingston Council and local YMCA services run vacation care from around 8am to 6pm across the fortnight. Book ahead — spots in the first week go quickly. A paid but practical lifeline when you need a full day.
3. Hot chocolate and a slow morning at a Mentone cafe
Mentone’s cafe strip on Como Parade is genuinely suited to slow winter mornings. Sit in, order hot chocolates and something warm from the cabinet, and let the kids decompress. The Cafes and Brunch Tips listings on our site give you a starting point for what is open and what suits groups with children. No cost commitment — come for one round and go when you are ready.
4. FREE: Booker Street Reserve and Doris Stockton Park (with the right kit)
On the dry and cold days — and there will be some — both Booker Street Reserve and Doris Stockton Park work well for kids who need to run. Pack properly: puffer jackets, gloves, a thermos. Brownfield Street Reserve is another quiet local option. The bay foreshore is still beautiful in winter if you dress for it; a blustery walk from Mentone Beach toward Parkdale costs nothing and tires out kids who have been inside for two days straight. Free.
5. FREE: NGV free permanent galleries (city day trip)
The National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road has free entry to its permanent collection. For a rainy Wednesday when you want something genuinely stimulating for kids of all ages, this is hard to beat. The NGV is about 30–35 minutes from Mentone by train (Frankston line direct to Flinders Street, then a short walk or tram). Go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds. Free entry; train fares apply.
If your older kids or teens are interested in jewellery, craft and design history, the ticketed NGV Winter Masterpieces: Cartier exhibition runs 12 June – 4 October. Budget for tickets separately if you want to see it.
6. Ice skating at O’Brien Icehouse, Docklands (city day trip, paid)
O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands has a dedicated under-8s area and skate aids for beginners, which makes it genuinely accessible for families rather than just confident skaters. From Mentone it is around 35–40 minutes by train (Frankston line to Southern Cross or Flinders Street, then tram or a short walk). Book a session time in advance online — popular slots fill during school holidays. Sessions are paid; factor in skate hire on top of admission.
7. FREE: Firelight Festival, Docklands (3–5 July, evenings)
Three nights only: 3, 4 and 5 July 2026 at Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. Free nightly light and water shows at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, food trucks on site. Mentone is about 35–40 minutes by train. This is one of the genuinely special free events of the winter holidays — wrap the kids up, take the train in, grab dinner from a food truck and catch the 6:30pm show so you are home before it gets too late. Free entry; food and transport costs apply.
8. FREE: Queen Victoria Night Market (Wednesdays, city trip)
Every Wednesday from 5–10pm through to 26 August, the Queen Vic Market runs its Winter Night Market — fire pits, street food, warm drinks, buskers. Admission is free. From Mentone it is a straightforward Frankston line train to the city. Wednesday evenings during the holiday fortnight (1 July and 8 July fall in range) work well for older kids and teens who can handle a later night. Free entry; food costs apply.
9. Nearest heated indoor pool and leisure centre (paid)
Kingston Leisure Centre in Moorabbin (a short drive from Mentone) has a heated indoor pool. On the truly miserable days when no outdoor option appeals, a swim session burns energy efficiently and is predictably warm. Check the leisure centre website for school-holiday hours and pricing. Paid.
10. Nearest indoor play centre or trampoline park
There are several indoor play and trampoline facilities within a 15–20 minute drive of Mentone (Cheltenham, Moorabbin and surrounding suburbs). These are not venues we can verify individually, but a quick search for “indoor play centre near Mentone” or “trampoline park Cheltenham” will surface current options. Book a session time for school holidays — walk-in capacity is limited. Paid.
11. Snow day trip to Lake Mountain (full-day commitment, 2–2.5 hours each way)
For one genuinely memorable day out, Lake Mountain near Marysville is the closest snow-play area to Melbourne and sits around 2 to 2.5 hours from Mentone depending on traffic. The snow season runs 6 June – 6 September. There is a designated snow-play area, and toboggan hire runs approximately $33 for ages 6 and up. Be honest with yourself about the commitment: this is a full day, an early start, and you should check snow conditions and road status before you go. Take chains if advised. For families who have not done it before, it is worth the effort at least once. Paid: park entry, toboggan hire, fuel.
Planning note
Book council and library holiday sessions as soon as the program is listed — they fill in the first day or two. Ice skating sessions also book out in the first week of holidays. For the Firelight Festival, take the train: parking at Docklands on event nights is not worth it. Check road and snow conditions before Lake Mountain. Everything else is flexible enough to decide the morning of.
Stay warm out there.