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Three kids playing with autumn leaves

Family fun

Updated 19 Feb 2026

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

Drone shot of the Pod Playground

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 Canberra

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

Family entertainment and events

Two glass birds in the Hotshop

28 Feb – 20 Dec 2026

Birds of a Feather: Glassblowing for Two

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston

Next on today from 2:50pm to 3:30pm

Glass blowing experience at Canberra Glassworks

28 Feb – 20 Dec 2026

Glass Blowing Experience: Make Your Own Vase or Tumbler

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston

Next on today from 2:00pm to 2:40pm

Women with plant

2 Feb 2025 – 7 Mar 2027

Hartley Hall Markets

Hall Showground, Hall

Next on 3 May 2026 from 9:00am to 2:00pm

Female child playing with building blocks next to her grandmother

4–16 May 2026

Questacon Science Time: Building and Engineering

Questacon, Parkes

Next on 4 May 2026 from 10:00am to 10:40am

A family having a picnic on a sunny day

9 May 2026

Family picnic day

National Archives of Australia, Parkes

Next on 9 May 2026 from 10:30am to 1:30pm

Ranger and children seated on rocks with mountain range in the background.

13 Apr 2025 – 15 Nov 2026

Young Rangers Program

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Office, Fyshwick

Next on 17 May 2026 from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Colorful hand-shaped cutouts decorated with various patterns, mounted on sticks on grass area

1 Jun 2026

Reconciliation Day

John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes

Next on 1 Jun 2026 from 10:00am to 3:00pm

Winners of the Royal Canberra Poultry Show

6–7 Jun 2026

Royal Canberra Poultry Show

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell

Next on 6 Jun 2026

A young boy and a Questacon facilitator play with dinosaurs at Science Time

11–24 Jun 2026

Science Time: Dinosaurs

Questacon, Parkes

Next on 11 Jun 2026 from 10:00am to 10:40am

Leafy Light Catchers WIP

7 Jan – 9 Oct 2026

Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Program

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston

Next on 4 Jul 2026 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Child throwing straw

17–18 Oct 2026

Murrumbateman Field Days

Murrumbateman Recreation Ground, Murrumbateman

Next on 17 Oct 2026 from 8:00am to 5:00pm

14–15 Nov 2026

Stromlo Running Festival

Stromlo Forest Park, Mount Stromlo

Next on 14 Nov 2026 from 5:30am to 10:00am

people sitting on a grass field watching Carols in Town Park Canberra

14 Dec 2025 – 13 Dec 2026

Carols in Town Park

Tuggeranong Town Park, Greenway

Next on 13 Dec 2026 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Dog jumping hurdles carrying a ball

19–21 Feb 2027

Royal Canberra Show

Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Mitchell

Next on 19 Feb 2027 from 8:30am to 6:00pm

27 Feb 2026 – 7 Mar 2027

Cyclonats Festival of Cycling Culture

Haig Park and venues across Canberra, Braddon

Next on 5 Mar 2027

6 Morris Dancers perform in Traditional Costume with a big-top tent in the background

25–29 Mar 2027

National Folk Festival

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Lyneham

Next on 25 Mar 2027 from 5:00pm to 11:59pm

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