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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

Image of two adult scientists in tye-dye lab coats that are glowing, blowing smoke out of a science experiment at Questacon. | © Martin Ollman

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

The Farnham Telescope at Outer Space exhibition
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
Room on the Broom
28–29 Mar 2025

Room on the Broom

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 28 Mar 2025 from 10:00am to 10:55am
Taiwanese man waving at the start
28–30 Mar 2025

Aussie Peace Walk

Albert Hall, Yarralumla
Next on 28 Mar 2025 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Glass blowing experience at Canberra Glassworks
13 Jan 2024 – 30 Nov 2025

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

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on 29 Mar 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
ladies smiling at African Festival in the Park
5 Apr 2025

African Festival in the Park

STAGE 88, Parkes
Next on 5 Apr 2025 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
A picture of Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
6 Apr 2025

Quarks, Sparks and Quantum Mysteries

Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Parkes
Next on 6 Apr 2025 from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Women with plant
2 Feb 2025 – 1 Feb 2026

Hartley Hall Markets

Hall Showground, Hall
Next on 6 Apr 2025
Image of the According to Us duo
12 Apr 2025

Italian Festa: Sotto le Stelle

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 12 Apr 2025 from 4:00pm to 8:30pm
Green frog with two mosquitos on his forehead. Black background.
14–24 Apr 2025

Animals reimagined holiday program

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 14 Apr 2025 from 10:00am to 11:30am
Illustration of geode fragment
14–24 Apr 2025

Autumn School Holiday Program

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 14 Apr 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am
A lone aerialist performs on an aerial silk
14–25 Apr 2025

Warehouse Circus School Holiday Programs

Warehouse Circus, Chifley & Kaleen, Chifley
Next on 14 Apr 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Ratburger
15–16 Apr 2025

Ratburger

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 15 Apr 2025 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
A cyanotype print photograph of three kids sitting on a ledge holding cameras up to their faces
16–17 Apr 2025

School Holidays: Autumn Photo Makers Workshop

PhotoAccess, Griffith
Next on 16 Apr 2025 from 9:00am to 4:00pm
School Holiday Program: Holiday Tiles
16 Apr – 12 Oct 2025

Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Program

Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
Next on 16 Apr 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
A street performer performs for a crowd at the Festival
17–21 Apr 2025

National Folk Festival

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Lyneham
Next on 17 Apr 2025 from 3:00pm to 11:59pm
Canberra Steam Train Rides
8 Mar – 20 Apr 2025

Canberra Steam Train Rides

Canberra Railway Station, Kingston
Next on 18 Apr 2025
Madagascar the Musical
22–23 Apr 2025

Madagascar the Musical

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Next on 22 Apr 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:15pm
A video still image of a pink clay character sitting in a pool float surrounded by green lily-ads
22–23 Apr 2025

School Holidays: Claymation Creations Workshop

PhotoAccess, Griffith
Next on 22 Apr 2025 from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Inflatable park canberra
25–27 Apr 2025

Tuff Nutterz Canberra

Parkes Place Lawns, Parkes
Next on 25 Apr 2025 from 9:00am to 4:45pm
Tommy Starling Passing Ball
27 Apr 2025

Raiders v Dolphins - NRL Round 8

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 27 Apr 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Tommy Starling Passing Ball
10 May 2025

Raiders v Bulldogs - NRL Round 10

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 10 May 2025 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Try Celebration
18 May 2025

Raiders v Titans - NRL Round 11

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 18 May 2025 from 4:05pm to 5:35pm
Fancy Crested Chicken
7–8 Jun 2025

Royal Canberra Poultry Show

Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell
Next on 7 Jun 2025
Tapine Running the Ball
8 Jun 2025

Raiders v Rabbitohs - NRL Round 14

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce
Next on 8 Jun 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
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