The best school holiday activities in Canberra this autumn

 The National Folk Festival (2-6 April) is set to delight families once again with a huge range of activities for kids. In 2026, families can explore FamilyFest, a dedicated space designed for children aged 6–12. Expect hands‑on arts and crafts, painting, puppet shows by Pico's Puppet Palace, storytelling sessions, circus workshops, and interactive music experiences like Saplings. It’s a colourful, creative world tailor‑made for curious young minds.

Step into the vibrant world of Korea at the National Museum of Australia’s K-Fest: Korean Cultural Festival (11 April). Coinciding with the museum’s Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition, the festival offers kids and families the chance to immerse themselves in everything from traditional folk performances and dance to modern K-pop and contemporary culture. Wander under glowing lanterns, explore hands‑on activities, and enjoy exclusive late-night access to the exhibition.

Canberra’s City Centre will come alive with Wonderful World (7-12 April), a brand-new festival celebrating creativity, curiosity, and community. Perfect for parents, grandparents, and children, this six‑day event transforms the City Centre and Braddon into a playground of discovery. Expect to see installations, performances, workshops, and surprises around every corner. It’s a vibrant celebration of the things that make our world extraordinary.

The Canberra and Region Heritage Festival(11 April-10 May) offers families a fun and interactive way to learn about the region’s rich history and culture. With dozens of events from guided walks and open days to hands‑on workshops, kids can explore stories of the past while discovering new favourite places.

Creative kids can get hands-on at Canberra Glassworks, one of Australia’s most exciting art facilities. Under the guidance of some of Australia's most acclaimed glass artists, learn how to work with glass and take your own art piece home (4-17 April).

Head to the National Arboretum Canberra for a range of hands-on activities for the whole family.  These include a Kite Making Workshop on 7 April, a 'Rock Art' experience with a National Rock Garden tour followed by painting your very own rock masterpiece on 10 April, a mushroom discovery trail on 14 April, and family orienteering sessions throughout April. 

Are you ready to conjure some magic and make your very own personalised wand? Will you pass the test and be granted an official wand license? For Harry Potter fans, a visit to Quizzic Alley is a must. Alongside the country’s largest range of official merchandise, the store offers wand-making workshops during the school holidays, allowing young wizards to craft their own magical wands.

Discover science at Questacon with spectacular shows, hands-on galleries, and exhibitions. Mini Q caters to little ones aged 0–6, so no one misses out.

Animal lovers will enjoy a day at the National Zoo & Aquarium, which is a great way to spend the day with the family, where they can encounter a wide variety of animals, both native and exotic. During the school holidays, the zoo also hosts Zoocation, which offers a unique experience for primary school aged children. Throughout a fun-filled day, children will get up close and personal with many of the zoo’s animals, play games, make toys for the animals, and learn something new along the way.

For a more natural encounter, make your own way to a self-guided adventure through Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to spot wallabies, emus, koalas, and maybe even a platypus.

The tracks at Power Kart Raceway are sure to get your heart racing. Take the whole family to try racing the world-class electric go-karts on a Formula One style indoor circuit. You’ll also find an indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, virtual escape rooms, and arcade machines to keep everyone entertained.

A short drive away, you’ll find BlocHaus within the Dairy Road precinct. This bouldering centre is perfect for kids to get a taste of rock climbing, with a section of the gym dedicated to families, featuring shorter walls and padded mats below.

Embark on a Treetops Adventure in the Majura Pines, just a short drive from the CBD. With over 90 aerial obstacles and 16 ziplines suspended 1–15m from the ground, the high ropes courses offer challenges for beginners and thrill-seekers alike.

Finally, the Canberra Centre offers a full day of indoor entertainment. Start at Hijinx Hotel , a quirky venue filled with challenge rooms designed to test teamwork and will keep everyone entertained. Next, test your mini-golf skills at Holey Moley, where each hole is uniquely themed. The fun doesn’t stop there – head over to Kingpin for an exciting mix of arcade games, bowling, karaoke, and immersive escape rooms that will keep the whole family engaged for hours.