Sport & physical activity
Football (soccer), AFL, basketball, netball, tennis, swimming and martial arts. Beyond fitness, team sport builds confidence, discipline and friendships — and gives kids a healthy outlet away from screens.
Parent Guide · Melbourne's East
Kids activities in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
From sport to music to tutoring, families in Melbourne’s east are spoilt for choice. Here’s a simple guide to the main types of kids activities, how to choose the right one, and where football fits in.
The main types of after-school activities
Local directories such as AroundSchools group kids activities into a handful of categories. Here’s what each offers — and what to weigh up as a parent.
Academic & tutoring
Maths and English tutoring, reading programs and coding clubs. Popular for reinforcing school learning or extending a child who’s ahead — best kept balanced with active, social time.
Music
Instrument lessons and singing. Learning an instrument builds patience and focus, and pairs well with a physical activity for a rounded week.
Art & dance
Dance studios, drama and visual-art classes. Great for creative expression, coordination and self-confidence, especially for kids who prefer performance to competition.
Play centres & free play
For younger children, indoor play centres and unstructured park play matter just as much — they develop movement, imagination and social skills before structured programs begin.
How to choose the right activity
There’s no perfect formula, but a few things separate an activity your child sticks with from one they quietly drop:
- Follow their interest. The best activity is the one your child actually looks forward to — start there, not with what’s convenient.
- Look for small groups. Whatever the activity, smaller groups mean more attention, faster progress and more enjoyment.
- Value honest feedback. Good programs tell you how your child is really progressing, not just that they had fun.
- Keep it balanced. One active pursuit and one creative or academic one is plenty for most kids — protect their downtime too.
Curious how many Australian kids actually play sport, and why it matters so much at this age? See our guide to kids and sport in Australia.
Kids activities by suburb
We work with families right across Melbourne’s east. You can browse local schools and activities for each of these suburbs on the AroundSchools directory:
- Burwood East
- Box Hill
- Glen Waverley
- Mount Waverley
- Vermont
- Forest Hill
- Blackburn
- Nunawading
- Wantirna
Live in Glen Waverley? We’ve written a dedicated guide to kids football in Glen Waverley, with the nearest sessions and how to start.
Where football fits
Football (soccer) is one of the easiest activities to start and one of the most rewarding to stick with. It’s highly social, builds all-round fitness and coordination, and welcomes complete beginners.
Elevate Football Academy develops players aged 6–15 through small group coaching, real match experience and genuine mentorship — based in Burwood East and serving families across the eastern suburbs. If you’re weighing up options, read what good junior coaching looks like, or our guide to what age kids can start football. The easiest way to know if it’s right for your child is a free trial.
Parent FAQs
What are the most popular after-school activities for kids in Melbourne’s east?
Sport is the biggest category — football (soccer), AFL, basketball, netball and swimming — followed by music lessons, tutoring, and dance or drama. Most families combine one active pursuit with one creative or academic one.
How many activities should my child do?
For most primary-aged kids, one or two regular activities is plenty — enough to build a real skill and friendships without overloading the week. Quality and consistency matter more than quantity.
How do I find kids activities near me in the eastern suburbs?
Directories like AroundSchools list local schools and activities by suburb, so you can compare what’s near you. Then trial a couple — the right fit is the one your child actually looks forward to.
Is football a good first activity for a young child?
It’s one of the best. Football is easy to start at any level, highly social, and builds all-round fitness and coordination. With small groups and good coaching, even complete beginners settle in quickly.
More guides for parents
Kids Football Coaching in Melbourne
What good junior coaching looks like, and the eastern-suburbs areas we serve.
Read guide →Kids Football in Glen Waverley
Football and local activities for kids in Glen Waverley and nearby suburbs.
Read guide →What Age Can Kids Start Football?
A simple age-by-age guide for Melbourne parents, from first touches to match play.
Read guide →Kids & Sport in Australia: The Numbers
What the latest national data says about how many kids play sport — and why it matters.
Read guide →Give football a try
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