Canberra is abundant with family-friendly activities for all ages to enjoy these school holidays. We have put our ultimate list of school holiday must-dos that the whole family will enjoy.
For the adventurer
Animal encounter at the National Zoo & Aquarium
Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing creatures including sharks, cheetahs, tigers, sun bears, and tree kangaroos.
The National Zoo & Aquarium offers a great school holiday Zoocation program, where primary aged children can enjoy a fun-filled day and get close and personal with many of the zoos animals, as well as play games and make toys for the animals.
For more information about these programs, visit the official National Zoo & Aquarium website here.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Immerse your little ones in a traditional bush experience at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Throughout the school holidays, the nature reserve runs ranger guided activities including boomerang throwing lessons with Indigenous rangers and an obstacle course through the bush. Join a tour and spot Koalas in the reserve’s canopy, explore the natural wonders of the Sanctuary, and feed the Pelicans with a wildlife officer. For a truly unique experience, join a Geo-journey walk to discover the amazing geology history of the Tidbinbilla Valley.
Art and Culture
Versailles
Photo: Visit Canberra
Immerse your kids in the extravagant world of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XIV at the National Gallery of Australia’s brand new activity playground; NGA Play during the Versailles: Treasures of the palace exhibition . NGA play immerses all of the senses with tactile gardens, fountains, and recreation with the Hall of Mirrors.
Why not visit the exhibition while you’re there? Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. Book your tickets to Versailles: Treasures of the Palace here.
National Portrait Gallery
Visit the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition The Popular Pet Show , And draw inspiration from it as your kids create a three dimensional portrait of your real pet or imagined pet in the modelling material at the Dream pet workshop. Take part in PAWS for art on the 21st January, and draw to live music paint your pet portraits with artist Darren McDonald, enjoy a movie screening, pose in the outdoor photo booth, or enjoy a range of creative activities in the creative space.
Learn and Play
AIS school holiday camps
Give your kids a school holiday program that will keep them engaged and active these school holidays, while making new friends and learning new skills. The AIS school holiday program allows your kids to choose from a range of activities including multi-sport, soccer, tennis, swimming, club aquatics, or a combination of all across a number of days.
Questacon
Allow your kids to explore the world of science and mathematics that we live in at Questacon. Questacon’s very own school holiday program Mathemazing allows kids to participate in a range of hands-on activities and mega puzzles. Learn how science uses knitting to answer fundamental questions about the universe, and see that the fastest way between two points is not always a straight line. Multiply with a mechanical monkey, learn logic with three goats and discover how to count like a computer!
Abode Woden’s family rooms are the perfect place to stay when visiting Canberra with your family! Visit the Abode Woden website here to explore the property.
