20 things to do in Canberra these School Holidays

The Canberra School Holidays are almost upon us, and having a few kids myself I know how important it is to keep them busy. With so much choice on offer, I wanted to write a list to make it easy for you.

Here’s our top 20 things to do this school holidays.

Have fun with Science at Questacon

Questacon is Canberra’s most popular tourist attraction for families and it is easy to see why. With split levels of interactive science experiments and activities it’s a winner for all ages.

Pricing:
Adult – $23
Concession & Children – $17.50
Children Under 4 – FREE
Family (2 Adults = 3 Children) – $70
https://www.questacon.edu.au

Walk up to the Mount Ainslie Lookout

Mount Ainslie is the highest and most popular lookout in Canberra where you can look right down the centre axis of Canberra to Parliament House.

Pricing: FREE

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located 45 minutes from the CBD, west of the city. This nature reserve has bushwalks, playground, koala walks & platypus pools.

Pricing:
Day Pass private vehicle (up to 8 seats) – $12
Day Pass private vehicle (up to 8 seats) concession – $7
Day Pass private vehicle (up to 8 seats) seniors – $11
https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au

National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia’s collections include more than 160,000 works of art across four main areas: Australian art, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art and European and American art Works in the Gallery are part of Australia’s national collection. They belong to the people of Australia and are preserved and presented for their enjoyment and education. It is the Gallery’s intention to make the collection as widely appreciated as possible both in Australia and overseas.

Pricing: FREE
https://australianart.gov.au/

Dinosaur Museum

Canberra’s Dinosaur Museum is ideal for older primary school aged children as there is a lot of information to read upstairs in the museum and exciting facts to learn. Out the front of the museum, there are large scale dinosaur statues to run around which is fun for all ages.

Pricing:
Adults – $16
Children – $10.50
Family – $45 (Extra Child $5)
Under 4 – FREE
http://nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au

National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens has plenty of space for kids to run around and explore the many paths through rainforests and other landscapes. There are also family friendly night tours during most school holidays.

Pricing: FREE
http://www.anbg.gov.au

Cockington Green

Cockington Green is a quaint miniature village that is suitable for all ages to walk around and marvel at the tiny figurines and scenes on display. There is also a little train to ride for an extra cost.

Pricing:
Adult – 19.50
Children (4-16 years) – $11.50
Family (5) – $56
https://www.cockingtongreen.com.au

Canberra Space Centre

Take a leap into outer space at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, a 45-minute drive from the heart of Canberra. Here you’ll discover NASA’s Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas that support interplanetary spacecraft missions. The impressively sized antenna dishes at the complex send and receive data from spacecraft exploring the solar system and beyond. For a great view of the dishes, as well as an insightful exhibit about Australia’s role in space exploration, head to Canberra Space Centre on the complex grounds.

Pricing: FREE
https://www.cdscc.nasa.gov

National Zoo & Aquarium

The National Zoo and Aquarium is a popular venue during school holidays, particularly for its Zoocation programs where kids can become zookeepers for the day. Although not as large or as modern as some of Australia’s larger zoos (yet), this zoo is a fun day out for the whole family.

Pricing:
Children (4-15 years) – $25
Adults – $45
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) – $120
Children under 4 – Gold Coin Donation
http://nationalzoo.com.au

Power Kart Raceway

Canberra Power Kart Raceway and Jungle Mini Golf are both located inside a large warehouse, so it is perfect activity for a rainy day. The mini golf is played in dim lighting with the course lit up in a fleuro jungle theme. There is also a mini Go Kart area for kids aged 4-7. Junior Go-Karting on the full sized track is for kids with a minimum height of 124cm and aged between 6-12 years of age. Over this age they can use the adult karts.

Pricing:
Go Karts Starter Pack Combo (Adults 14 laps & Juniors 10 laps)
Adult – $35
Junior – $30
Mini Golf Adults (15+) – $14
Child (0-14 Years) – $10
Family (2A & 2C or 1A & 3C) – $38
http://www.powerkarts.com.au

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia has a dedicated kids area called KSpace which is open daily, ideal for primary school aged children.

Pricing: FREE
http://www.nma.gov.au/whats-on/venue_hire

Canberra Glassworks

Canberra Glassworks is a great place for kids who are interested in art to watch glass blowers in action, before enjoying lunch at the family friendly Brodburger downstairs. During school holidays they have classes to make their own glass art.

Pricing: FREE ENTRY
Make your own paperweight – $80 (Must Book)
Make your own vase – $120 (Must Book)
https://www.canberraglassworks.com

Yarralumla Play Station

Yarralumla Play Station is a popular area for families with a miniature train ride and mini golf, BBQ areas, wild kangaroos and bike paths.

Pricing:
Adult Train ride with Farm Friends Stop – $15
Child Train ride with Farm Friends Stop – $12
Family Train ride with Farm Friends Stop (2A & 2C or 1A & 3C) – $50
Mini Golf Children (15 years & under) (18 Holes) – $10
Mini Golf Children (15 years & under) (36 Holes) – $15
Mini Golf Adult (18 Holes) – $14
Mini Golf Adult (36 Holes) – $20
Mini Golf Family Pass (1A & 3C or 2A & 2C) (18 Holes) – $40
Mini Golf Family Pass (1A & 3C or 2A & 2C) (36 Holes) – $60
http://yarraps.com.au

Canberra Walk in Aviary

The Canberra Walk in Aviary is an up close and personal experience, with over 500 birds flying over the top of you or eating out of your hand.

Pricing:
Adults – $13
Children (4-16 yaers) – $9.50
Family (2A & 2C or 1A & 3C) – $40
http://www.canberrawalkinaviary.com.au

Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing

Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing is suitable for older kids to test their strength up the walls, or climb the boulder climbing area over soft mats.

Pricing:
School Holiday Special (Monday – Friday 10-4pm) – $20
https://www.canberrarockclimbing.com.au

Canberra Theatre

The Canberra Theatre Centre has regular kids performances for all ages, particularly in school holidays. This holiday will see the return of Mister Maker and also Justine Clarke’s Silly Songs Tour.

Pricing:
Click the link for pricing for each show
https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/whats-on/

Telstra Tower

Telstra Tower is located at the top of Black Mountain and can be seen from all around the region. At the top of the tower there is a viewing platform to see the city from all directions and a little café to stop for a snack.

Pricing:
Adults – $7.50
Children (4-16 years) – $3
Children under 4 – FREE
Family Pass (2A & 2C) – $17
http://www.telstratower.com.au

Zone Bowling

Treat the family to a game of bowling and show them who’s boss.

Pricing:
Family Play Pack Bowling (2A & 2C) – $49.90
https://www.zonebowling.com

Limelight Cinema

Go to Limelight and check out the new movies released for the school holidays.

Pricing:
Adult – $11.50
Child – $9.50
Tuesday Prices – $8
https://limelightcinemas.com.au/tuggeranong/

Perisher & Thredbo

If you just really need to get out of Canberra for a day or two then you can always head to the snow. Have fun in the snow at Perisher or Thredbo Resorts

Pricing:
Click the link for details and pricing
Perisher: https://www.perisher.com.au
Thredbo: https://www.thredbo.com.au

Well, I hope that gave you some great ideas for spending quality time with the kids over the holidays. If you’ve got some other suggestions to add, please stick your suggestions in the comments below.