Heide's gardens and sculpture park in Bulleen are free, and kids can count the sculptures on the way down to the Yarra. Under-16s get into the galleries free too; they open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am, closing at 4pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends. North East Link works affect Bulleen Road, so check your route first.

Jells Park in Wheelers Hill has a lake, bird hides and two new nature playspaces, Yabbie Hill and Jells Park East. Wide paths, chosen ground covers and a Changing Places toilet make them work for kids of all abilities. The Koomba Boardwalk is closed until further notice.

The Pound Bend River Walk follows the Yarra upstream from the picnic area in Warrandyte State Park. It is a gentle 2.4km return, about an hour, under tall manna gums. Eastern grey kangaroos are often seen in the grassland at the turnaround, and the picnic area has toilets and tables.

Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster has a lake circuit, three picnic areas and a Ninja Warrior course by the Boulevarde Hill lookout. The new Steps Trail climbs 115 rock steps with lookout landings on the way. Dogs are welcome, with both on-lead and off-lead areas.

Wattle Park in Burwood has an all-abilities playscape with a two-storey tram fort, play domes and sensory play. A 3.25km track loops under gums and wattles. The Chalet area and barbecues are closed after a fire, so pack a picnic.

Westerfolds Park in Templestowe spreads over 120 hectares beside the Yarra. Its adventure playground is at Westerfolds Ridge Picnic Area, with electric barbecues, a shelter and a toilet. The gentle Loop Track takes about 90 minutes, and kangaroos and wombats graze the open areas early in the morning.

Beckett Park in Balwyn has ramps, swings, slides, monkey bars, an in-ground trampoline and a big sandpit with mechanical scoops. The park also has a wooden maze to get lost in. Its stone tower looks across Melbourne to Mount Macedon, but it only opens when Maranoa Gardens is staffed and the weather is fair.

Volunteers run steam, diesel and even solar-powered miniature trains through Elgar Park in Mont Albert North. Public running days are the third Sunday of each month, from 11am to 4pm, with December's on the second Sunday. Tickets can be booked through the railway's website.

This 27-hectare sanctuary is the biggest bushland park in Whitehorse, and the Lake Circuit takes about 30 minutes at an easy pace. The picnic area has barbecues, a playground, drinking taps and toilets. Volunteers open the Visitor Centre most Sundays from 2pm to 4pm, and the car park is off Central Road.

The museum fills a 1939 telephone exchange on Burwood Road in Hawthorn, and parts of it still work. In the Kids Hub on Level One, children follow overhead cables to see how messages travel around the world. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm; kids 6 and under are free and a family ticket is $60.