Victorian school holidays

School Holiday Activities in Melbourne

Open every day of the school holidays — rain, hail or heatwave.

Happy Hippos Playcentre and Cafe at 1924 Princes Hwy, Clayton is open every day of the Victorian school holidays. Children from babies to 14 play in the slides, ball pit, climbing zone and toddler soft play, entry covers the whole day, and adults are free.

  • All-day entry

    Leave for lunch and come back — one ticket covers the day.

  • Every age

    Soft play for under-3s, big frame for older kids up to 14.

  • Food on site

    Kids Happy Meals from $9.95, breakfast, wraps and coffee.

  • Book ahead

    Buy tickets online to skip the queue on busy days.

Why an indoor play centre works for the holidays

Melbourne school holidays land in every kind of weather — wet and cold in winter, hot in January. An indoor playground gives children somewhere to burn energy no matter what, and gives parents a comfortable place to sit, work on a laptop or catch up with friends.

Families come from Clayton, Oakleigh, Springvale, Glen Waverley, Mulgrave, Dandenong and further across the south-east because it is central, affordable and has free parking.

Holiday prices and hours

Weekday entry is $9.99 for children 1–2 years and $11.99 for children 2–14 years. On weekends and public holidays it is $11.49 and $13.49, with a mothers group rate of $8.99. Crawlers 12 months and under play free, adults are always free, and grip socks are compulsory at $5.50 a pair.

We are open 7 days: Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am–4:30pm, and public holidays 10am–3pm (please check availability).

Public holidays inside the school holidays run 10am–3pm.

Tips for a busy holiday day

Arrive before 10:30am for the calmest play. Bring or buy grip socks. Pack a water bottle and name every jumper. If you are meeting another family, book tickets online so everyone gets in quickly. Lunch rush at the cafe is 12–1pm, so order a little earlier if you can.

Holiday birthday parties

Our most popular party rooms — Princess, Dinosaur and Under Water — are $279 for eight children and include full-day play, a 1.5-hour private room, a dedicated host, three kids menu food items, fries, chips, cordial and water, and complimentary small coffees for the birthday child's parents. Premium Disco and Baking rooms are $369 with two hosts. Extra children are $27.90 each including food and entry, and there is no limit on adults.

Holiday weekdays are a great option for birthdays when friends are free — they are usually easier to book than Saturdays.

Other holiday ideas near Clayton

Combine a morning at Happy Hippos with a picnic at Jells Park, a visit to Monash Gallery or a walk around Clayton Road for lunch. Our blog has a full list of things to do near Clayton with kids.

How to get here

  • 1924 Princes Hwy, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
  • Free on-site parking directly in front of the centre.
  • Clayton Station is a short drive away; buses stop on the Princes Highway.
  • +61 414 571 351
Get directionsCall us

Opening hours

  • Monday — 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Tuesday — 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Wednesday — 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Thursday — 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Friday — 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Saturday — 9:00am – 4:30pm
  • Sunday — 9:00am – 4:30pm
  • Public holidays — 10:00am – 3:00pm (check availability)

Parent questions

  • Happy Hippos Playcentre and Cafe in Clayton is open every day of the school holidays from 9am, with slides, a ball pit, climbing zone and toddler soft play, plus a cafe for parents.

  • Casual play is walk-in, but you can buy tickets online to skip the queue on busy days.

  • Yes. Adults are always free, and every child must be supervised by an adult.

  • Yes — breakfast, wraps, Turkish rolls, adult meals, Kids Happy Meals from $9.95, coffee, shakes and frappes.

Plan your visit

Nearby suburbs we welcome families from

Find opening hours, directions and party details for your suburb.

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