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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

Two children completing an obstacle course in a forrest.

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

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 today from 10:00am to 4:00pm

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 14 Jun 2025 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm

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 14 Jun 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 14 Jun 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Prof Chris Ferrie presenting his story book There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe

28–29 Jun 2025

Story Time: There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe with Professor Chris Ferrie

Questacon, Parkes

Next on 28 Jun 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Diprotodon at the Australian National Botanic Gardens

1–31 Jul 2025

MEGAfauna: Look Alike

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton

Next on 1 Jul 2025 from 8:30am to 5:00pm

5 Jul 2025

Book launch: Peculiar Parents with Stephanie Owen Reeder and Ingrid Bartkowiak

National Library of Australia, Parkes

Next on 5 Jul 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Winter in the City

5–19 Jul 2025

Winter in the City

Grand Winter Stage | City Walk , Canberra, Canberra

Next on 5 Jul 2025 from 2:00pm to 7:45pm

Bronwyn Saunders

5–20 Jul 2025

Join children’s author Bronwyn Saunders for MEGAfauna fun!

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton

Next on 5 Jul 2025 from 10:30am to 1:00pm

Orienteering

12 Apr – 20 Jul 2025

School Holiday - Family Orienteering

National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo

Next on 5 Jul 2025 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Colourful plant growing music

6 Jul 2025

Children's Concert: Something Old, Something New

Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest

Next on 6 Jul 2025 from 3:00pm to 3:30pm

Women with plant

2 Feb 2025 – 1 Feb 2026

Hartley Hall Markets

Hall Showground, Hall

Next on 6 Jul 2025

Kids enjoying Mini-Minties activities at the Mint

7–18 Jul 2025

School Holiday Activity - Mini-Minties

Royal Australian Mint, Deakin

Next on 7 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am

The Warehouse Circus Performance Troupe presenting the final tableau from Elemental

7–18 Jul 2025

Warehouse Circus School Holiday Program

Warehouse Circus, Chifley & Kaleen, Chifley

Next on 7 Jul 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Coloured photograph of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus with crownds gathered outside the circus tent

7–18 Jul 2025

All aboard the circus train: school holiday program

National Archives of Australia, Parkes

Next on 7 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 11:30am

Kites in Sky

8 Jul 2025

Kite Making - Holiday program

National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo

Next on 8 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am

Tom - Artist

8–17 Jul 2025

MEGAfauna Makers Art Workshop

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton

Next on 8 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 2:30pm

9 Jul 2025

School holiday activity: Creative young adults workshop with Brooke Blurton and Dr Melanie Saward

National Library of Australia, Parkes

Next on 9 Jul 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

9 Jul 2025

Creative writing and drawing workshop with Ronojoy Ghosh at the National Library

National Library of Australia, Parkes

Next on 9 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am

Colourful gel print and various implements used for gel print making

9–10 Jul 2025

School Holiday Workshop - Botanical Gel Prints

National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo

Next on 9 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am

Hand arranging glass for kilnformed snow flake

16 Apr – 12 Oct 2025

Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Program

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston

Next on 9 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

A ballerina and nutcracker silhouetted against an opening of a Christmas tree surrounded by desserts

11–20 Jul 2025

The Nutcracker In July

Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, Phillip

Next on 11 Jul 2025

Image of artwork by Wiley Designs called Moving through country (detail)

12 Jul 2025

NAIDOC in the North

Belconnen Arts Centre, Belconnen

Next on 12 Jul 2025 from 11:00am to 2:00pm

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