The best school holiday activities in Canberra this summer

The spectacular science shows at Questacon will have the whole family enthralled by experiments run by the Questacon Excited Particles theatre troupe. Access to these amazing shows is included with your paid admission to Questacon. Ignite your sense of adventure as you bounce from one gallery to the next, each one tackling science concepts in an engaging way. The Mini Q area, specifically designed for ages 0–6, means the tiny tots in the family won’t have to miss out on the fun.

Dive into the immersive learning experience of CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO Bricks, a collaboration between renowned LEGO-certified professional Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught and Questacon. This hands-on exhibit breathes life into science and history, captivating visitors of all ages. LEGO braille bricks have been integrated throughout CURIOSITY, helping to make the exhibition accessible to visitors with low vision or blindness and their accompanying families and carers, thanks to a partnership with Vision Australia.

A day spent at the National Zoo & Aquarium with family and friends is a day well spent. With a wide variety of both native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia, there is something that will surprise and delight the whole family. The zoo also has an epic playground, known as AdventureLand, with 55 activities and various life-size fibreglass animal sculptures to capture memories of your visit.

During the school holidays, the zoo hosts  Zoocation, which offers a unique experience for primary aged children. Kids can get close to many of the zoo’s animals, play loads of games, and learn something new along the way.

Or make your own way to a self-guided adventure through Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where wallabies, emus, koalas, and even the elusive platypus wander free. You can make the most of the reserve’s Nature Discovery Playground and the idyllic picnic spots, BBQ areas, and many beautiful views, to keep those wiggly little ones well-exercised.

Go behind the scenes on a 90-minute tour of the Australian Institute of Sport, Australia’s premier elite sports precinct. Discover where Australia’s sporting champions are created and gain insight into the life of their leading athletes. You might even catch some of Australia’s top athletes in training.

Included is a visit to Sportex, one of Australia's leading interactive sports exhibits, set amongst a first-class collection of sporting memorabilia. Try wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing, rock climbing, football penalty shootouts and more. Great fun for all ages and athletic abilities.

Get a snapshot of our nation at the National Museum of Australia, which is home to more than 210,000 objects representing Australia’s history and cultural heritage.

Follow one of the National Museum of Australia’s family trails to discover the stories behind some of the amazing objects on show at the museum. Set your own pace on either of the two self-guided family trails (available for ages 2–5 and 5–8) and see what you can discover along the way.

Or hang with the smaller fam in the Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre (ages birth to 6 years), where young minds can discover five stories from Australian History that encourage different types of play (open daily, costs apply). General entry to the museum is free.

Uncover the inner workings of Canberra Glassworks with a hands-on workshop in one of the most exciting art facilities in Australia. With the help of an experienced artist, their School Holiday Program will teach children how to cut coloured glass to create a two-dimensional masterpiece in a tile-making workshop or try their hand at designing and creating a sculpture in clay. 

Take your little wizard to Australia’s most magical store, Quizzic Alley – which has the biggest range of official Harry Potter merchandise anywhere in the country – where the Potter-fans of the family can enjoy a wand-making workshop during the ACT school holiday period.

Discover more about the diverse floral life in Australia at the Australian National Botanic Gardens over the school holidays. Discover the amazing secrets of the plants that live in the Australian bush on a family-friendly tour on the magical Flora Explorer bus (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm). Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. While you’re there, wander through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden, and finish at the Paperbark Treehouse.