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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

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

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

A child doing craft at a table
29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Crafternoons at the Mint

Royal Australian Mint, Deakin
Next on tomorrow from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Two teen boys smiling at camera while doing a creative activity
29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Spring School Holiday Program

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 12:30pm
The Warehouse Circus Performance Troupe presenting the final tableau from Elemental
29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Warehouse Circus School Holiday Program

Warehouse Circus, Chifley & Kaleen, Chifley
Next on tomorrow from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Floriade
13 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

Floriade 2025

Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Next on today
Animation of young girl with blonder hair, blue dress and bow in her hair, surrounded by animals
5 Sep – 29 Nov 2025

Family Friendly Screenings at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 31 Oct 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
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
glass bugs
16 Apr – 12 Oct 2025

Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Program

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 4:00pm
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
Performer holding a blue bowerbird puppet during a performance.
10 Oct 2025

A Little Bit of Blue

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on tomorrow from 10:30am to 11:10am
Adults and children on board the Flora Explorer electric bus
30 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Secrets of the Australian Bush - A Family Adventure

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on tomorrow from 10:30am to 11:30am
Three children with a guide and titan the robot pouring coins
29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Mintventures - Spies, codes and coins!

Royal Australian Mint, Deakin
Next on tomorrow from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Three children with a guide and titan the robot pouring coins
29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Mintventures - Unlikely heroes on Australia's coins

Royal Australian Mint, Deakin
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 11:00am
Emma Memma – Dance Island Party
11 Oct 2025

Emma Memma – Dance Island Party

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 11 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am
Emma Memma
11 Oct 2025

Emma Memma's Dance Island Party Tour

The Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 11 Oct 2025
Event Crowd at National Carillon
11 Oct 2025

Chime In: A Carillon Celebration

National Carillon, Parkes
Next on 11 Oct 2025
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 11 Oct 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 11 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Colour Frenzy
12 Oct 2025

Canberra Colour Frenzy 5k Fun Run

Weston Park (past the train cafe), Yarralumla
Next on 12 Oct 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am
Potion Making at Haig Park Village Markets
5–12 Oct 2025

Haig Park School Holidays Workshops and Activities

Haig Park, Braddon
Next on 12 Oct 2025 from 8:00am to 2:00pm
Buffet lunch
13 Jul – 16 Nov 2025

Sunday Family Buffet Lunch

Pavilion on Northbourne, Dickson
Next on 12 Oct 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Child throwing straw
18–19 Oct 2025

Murrumbateman Field Days

Murrumbateman Recreation Ground, Murrumbateman
Next on 18 Oct 2025 from 8:00am to 5:00pm
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 19 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
IMAGINE LIVE
24–25 Oct 2025

Imagine Live

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 24 Oct 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
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