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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

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 hand holding 2 traded coins at the Mint

9–16 Jul 2025

School Holiday Activity - Kids Coin Trade

Royal Australian Mint, Deakin

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

Illustration of shadow puppets

9–18 Jul 2025

Winter School Holiday Program

National Museum of Australia, Acton

Next on 9 Jul 2025

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

Young children in hats playing on picnic mats

11 Jul 2025

Nature Play at the Arboretum

National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo

Next on 11 Jul 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm

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

Al, Joel, Ava & Drums The Panda

13 Jul 2025

The Mik Maks Live in Canberra

Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden

Next on 13 Jul 2025 from 11:00am to 12:30pm

Hudson Young Running the Ball

19 Jul 2025

Raiders v Eels - NRL Round 20

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce

Next on 19 Jul 2025 from 12:45pm to 4:30pm

Hall setup with vintage computers

19 Jul 2025

Canberra Vintage Computer Exhibition

Daramalan College, Dickson

Next on 19 Jul 2025 from 10:00am 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 20 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Morgan Smithies Running the Ball

27 Jul 2025

Raiders v Knights - NRL Round 21

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce

Next on 27 Jul 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Gruffalo's Child

31 Jul 2025

The Gruffalo’s Child

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra

Next on 31 Jul 2025 from 10:00am to 10:55am

Animation of two dogs eating spaghetti together

8 Aug 2025

Pizza & Pyjamas at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton

Next on 8 Aug 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Teeny Tiny Stevies – Brain Fart Tour

9 Aug 2025

Teeny Tiny Stevies – Brain Fart Tour

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra

Next on 9 Aug 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am

NRLW Run Out

10 Aug 2025

Raiders v Broncos - NRLW Round 6

GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce

Next on 10 Aug 2025 from 1:45pm to 3:15pm

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

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

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

Floriade

13 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

Floriade 2025

Commonwealth Park, Canberra

Next on 13 Sep 2025

Winter Cyan, an acrobat, Spins on the Roue Cyr, a large Metal ring bigger than an adult

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

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

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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