Cheap activities to do during Easter school holidays

If you're running out of ideas - or money - here is a list of some free or low cost options to keep your family occupied this autumn.

Australia has an incredible number of wonderful museums and galleries free to enter across the country.

Melbourne Now is an exhibition celebrating local art and design with installations across multiple disciplines from fashion and jewellery to sculpture and architecture.

The exhibition will feature more than 200 Victorian based artists and will run at the Ian Potter Centre during the school holidays and beyond.

While, the Art Gallery of New South Wales will be running a 90 minute kids holiday workshop exploring the importance of objects.

The program is completely free with all materials provided, and will run until Tuesday April 18.

But, for those looking for something a bit different, why not explore the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.

The Stupa, located in Bendigo, is the largest Budhist temple in the Western World, and a self guided tour costs only a donation.

Many other locations will be running fun and free holiday programs for kids, some of which include the National Museum Australia and Melbourne Museum.

Australia's capital cities have some of the best botanical gardens in the world, but if you're tired of roaming the lawns of Melbourne or Sydney, why not explore some of regional Australia's most beautiful gardens?

Take advantage of the new V/Line price cap, and travel to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the shores of the picturesque Lake Wendouree.

During the school holidays, it's possible to catch a ride on the historic 100-year-old tram that operates in the gardens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends.

For those near the ACT, a trip to the award winning POD Playground at the national Arboretum, could be the perfect way for kids to burn some of their excess energy.

The POD Playground is a unique and adventurous set-up, featuring a number of attractions including giant acorn cubbies, nest swings, banksia pods and music making instruments.

There are several great adventure playgrounds in every Australian state, so if exciting swings and giant flying foxes are your thing, look for your local playground.

But, some of the best around the country include the Lizard Log playground in Abbotsbury NSW, the all abilities playground in Hervey Bay QLD and the Saltwater Coast crocodile playground in Point Cook VIC.

Brisbane is counting down the final 100 days until the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup by hosting the Unity Pitch in King George Square.

The colourful playing field will hold a number of come-and-try programs, football clinics, exhibition matches and public participation sessions, and will be open until Sunday April 16.

In Melbourne, Australia's first and only food festival for kids will be taking place in Federation Square.

On Wednesday April 19 and Thursday April 20 the Little Food Festival will give children the chance to plant seedlings, learn about bush food and prepare meals among many other activities.

But, for kids who like to get through a couple of books on their holiday then libraries in the park could be the perfect event.

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Organised by the Eastern Sydney Libraries Co-operative, the Centennial Park event will combine books, games, crafts, and of course, storytime sessions from 10am to 3pm on Saturday April 15.

Libraries Tasmania will also be hosting free programs across the entirety of the school holidays, there are a large number of events and the full list can be found here.