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Three kids playing with autumn leaves

Family fun

Updated 11 Mar 2025

Make the most of the school holidays with these epic activities for children, teens, and kids at heart

From giant acorns to miniature villages, Canberra offers more than just the classics when it comes to family fun. Whether you like to entertain the family with something active, educational or both, your weekend and school holiday plans are sorted, with countless cool activities right at your doorstep. From lakeside e-scooters to interactive museums and a store dedicated to Harry Potter,  there’s no doubt the kids will be asking to come back every holiday.

Best things to do with the family

Aerial image of the Pod Playground at the National Arboretum Canberra with the arboretum and Black Mountain Tower in the background. | © Wunderman Thompson

10 cool things to do with the kids

A young girl wearing a pointed witches' hat and harry potter robes.

72 hours of family fun

The best school holiday activities in Canberra

National Dinosaur Museum

Canberra’s Ultimate Treasure Hunt

Three friends clinking glasses over share platters at a winery.

What’s on in Canberra this summer

A family enjoying the lakeside and cycling along a path in autumn.

Top ways to explore Lake Burley Griffin

Popular attractions for kids

20 metre long T-rex

National Dinosaur Museum

2 Guests and 2 zookeepers partaking in a Cheetah Encounter at the National Zoo and Aquarium

National Zoo & Aquarium

Family walks in front of a Tudor style architecture buidling

Cockington Green Gardens

Corin Forest as seen by a drone. There are 3 large patches of snow & a small dam surrounded by trees

Corin Forest

Three large oversized acorn cubbies

POD Playground at the National Arboretum

An aerial view of the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

National Museum of Australia

Aussie green tree pythons

Canberra Reptile Zoo

Canberra Walkin Aviary entrance

Canberra Walk In Aviary

Mist in rainforest

Australian National Botanic Gardens

Aerial photo

Yarralumla Play Station

Family entertainment and events

Diprotodon at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
1–31 Jul 2025

MEGAfauna: Look Alike

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on today from 8:30am to 5:00pm
A puppet of a rocket ship and Mr Squiggle
4 Jul – 13 Oct 2025

Mr Squiggle and Friends

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Gears exhibit in Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!
31 May 2025 – 1 Feb 2026

Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, Parkes
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
A group of people learning about the history of Mount Stromlo Observ
22 Nov 2024 – 16 Nov 2025

Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars

Canberra Museum + Gallery, Canberra
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Two glass birds in the Hotshop
17 May – 21 Dec 2025

Glass Blowing Experience at Canberra Glassworks: Make Your Own Bird

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on 26 Jul 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Glass blowing experience at Canberra Glassworks
13 Jan 2024 – 21 Dec 2025

Glass Blowing Experience at Canberra Glassworks: Make Your Own Vase or Tumbler

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on 26 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Morgan Smithies Running the Ball
27 Jul 2025

Raiders v Knights - NRL Round 21

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 27 Jul 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Gruffalo's Child
31 Jul 2025

The Gruffalo’s Child

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 31 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 10:55am
Platypus swimming in a river.
2 Aug 2025

Platy Party - Platypus Month Launch Event

Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Fyshwick
Next on 2 Aug 2025 from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Women with plant
2 Feb 2025 – 1 Feb 2026

Hartley Hall Markets

Hall Showground, Hall
Next on 3 Aug 2025 from 9:00am to 2:00pm
Animation of two dogs eating spaghetti together
8 Aug 2025

Pizza & Pyjamas at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 8 Aug 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Teeny Tiny Stevies – Brain Fart Tour
9 Aug 2025

Teeny Tiny Stevies – Brain Fart Tour

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 9 Aug 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am
SFC Films National Science Week Stall
9 Aug 2025

Science Filmmaking Workshop

Canberra Centre, Canberra
Next on 9 Aug 2025 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
NRLW Run Out
10 Aug 2025

Raiders v Broncos - NRLW Round 6

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 10 Aug 2025 from 1:45pm to 3:15pm
A graphic depicting various streams of AFP STEM activities
16 Aug 2025

AFP X Questacon

Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Parkes
Next on 16 Aug 2025 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Buffet lunch
13 Jul – 16 Nov 2025

Sunday Family Buffet Lunch

Pavilion on Northbourne, Dickson
Next on 17 Aug 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Ranger and children seated on rocks with mountain range in the background.
13 Apr – 16 Nov 2025

Young Rangers Program

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Office, Fyshwick
Next on 17 Aug 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Early sketch of Lanyon Homestead
30 Aug 2025

Turn Back Time at Lanyon Homestead

Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa
Next on 30 Aug 2025 from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Xavier Savage Line Break
30 Aug 2025

Raiders v Tigers - NRL Round 26

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 30 Aug 2025 from 12:45pm to 4:30pm
Night View of Lantern Street
5–7 Sep 2025

Canberra Moon Festival

City Walk & Petire Plaza, Canberra
Next on 5 Sep 2025 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Man holding Burger
7 Sep 2025

Father's Day GUY-Tea

Olims Bar and Bistro, Braddon
Next on 7 Sep 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Floriade
13 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

Floriade 2025

Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Next on 13 Sep 2025
A young female aerialist in denim overalls and a t-shirt hangs from aerial silks
26 Sep – 5 Oct 2025

Canberra Circus Festival

The May Wirth Big Top, Chifley Community Oval, Chifley
Next on 26 Sep 2025 from 9:00am to 10:00pm
Hand arranging glass for kilnformed snow flake
16 Apr – 12 Oct 2025

Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Program

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on 1 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
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