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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.

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Three glass bowls with faces

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 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 today from 10:00am to 4:00pm

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

GIANTS AFLW Players Celebrating

16 Aug 2025

AFLW - GIANTS v Essendon Bombers

Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka, Griffith

Next on 16 Aug 2025 from 5:35pm to 8:35pm

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 16 Aug 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 16 Aug 2025 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

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

Socceroos

5 Sep 2025

Socceroos vs New Zealand

GIO Stadium, Bruce

Next on 5 Sep 2025 from 7:45pm to 10:00pm

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

Women with plant

2 Feb 2025 – 1 Feb 2026

Hartley Hall Markets

Hall Showground, Hall

Next on 7 Sep 2025

GIANTS AFLW Players Celebrating

13 Sep 2025

AFLW - GIANTS v Western Bulldogs

Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka, Griffith

Next on 13 Sep 2025 from 4:35pm to 7:35pm

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

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

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

Child throwing straw

21 Oct 2023 – 19 Oct 2025

Murrumbateman Field Days

Murrumbateman Recreation Ground, Murrumbateman

Next on 18 Oct 2025 from 8:00am to 5:00pm

IMAGINE LIVE

22–25 Oct 2025

IMAGINE LIVE

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra

Next on 22 Oct 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Drag King with tophat

1–30 Nov 2025

Canberra SpringOUT Pride Festival

Canberra SpringOUT PRIDE Festival Canberra, Braddon

Next on 1 Nov 2025

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