Activities for Kids in Canberra

Unbeknown to many, Canberra makes for the ultimate family-fun experience. The national capital has an array of activities, attractions and events designed especially with kids in mind.

From parks, playgrounds, kids clubs and nature reserves, to cinemas, pools, mini golf, rock-climbing and tobogganing, there’s something for every age, in any weather…
 

Active adventures in Canberra

Corin Forest Mountain Retreat
Corin Forest Mountain Resort is a commercial ski field that offers snow play, tobogganing and skiing, a waterslide and a flying fox. There’s also plenty of opportunity for winter fun exploration before warming up with a delicious hot chocolate at the cafe.

Pod Playground at the National Arboretum
Designed to both challenge and entertain, Pod Playground motivates children to climb, be adventurous and have fun. An excitingly unique playground, Pod Playground contains giant acorn cubbies, nest swings and banksia pods, and is situated in a beautiful open area surrounded by stunning views.

Kambah Adventure Park  
The sprawling Kambah Adventure Park offers 22-hectares of fun for kids and teenagers. Explore a treehouse, fly high on huge swings and long-distance flying foxes. Get tangled in an intricate rope net and go crazy slipping down the slippery slide. There are even a kid’s rock climbing wall, practice netball rings, and a bike track.

Nature & Wildlife

Lake Burley Griffin
Pop on your helmet, grab the bikes or scooters and explore Lake Burley Griffin, the masterful centrepiece of Canberra. Ride around the outside, stop for a picnic, or make the most of this water playground and hire a kayak.

Cockington Green Gardens
A unique Canberra attraction, Cockington Green Gardens takes you on a journey of the world from above. Venture into the delightful and fascinating display of beautifully handcrafted buildings from around the world set within landscaped gardens.

Canberra Reptile Zoo
Get hands on and meet over 50 reptile and frog species at Canberra Reptile Zoo. This little zoo with a big collection allows kids to get close and comfortable (depending on how brave they are) with dragons, turtles, pythons and more!

Canberra Walk-In Aviary
The privately owned, 1000 square metre Canberra Walk-In Aviary offers the opportunity to observe, photograph, and feed more than 550 friendly free flying birds representing 57 species. Upon entry you’ll be given a plate of food and a small tub of mealworms with which to feed the birds.
 

Educational

National Museum of Australia
Australian stories are kept alive through an array of exhibitions at The National Museum of Australia. Learn more about our indigenous history, unique land and diverse cultures through educational resources, collections and research. Families can enjoy a guided hands-on activity or take themselves around for free.  

Questacon
With over 200 interactive exhibits designed to educate, Questacon seeks to make science fun, interactive and interesting for all. Discover reverse osmosis, spiders, hidden water, robot hockey, wobbly wheels and more.  

Mini Q
Mini Q is a custom built environment designed for little scientists aged 0-6. Each zone encourages carers and their young children to explore their environment through a process of observation, prediction, testing and refining. Children can gain confidence as they learn about the world around them and will build upon their imagination.

National Dinosaur Museum
Exhibiting the largest display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossils in Australia, the National Dinosaur Museum continually grows its collection and depth of information. Take a journey through time to discover the evolution of life, from the Earth’s very beginnings through the Jurassic period to some of the most recent animals.

National Art Gallery of Australia
Get the kid’s creative juices flowing and delight in the art and world-class exhibitions on show at the National Art Gallery of Australia. Meander through galleries and take in art from Asia, Europe, America, the Pacific and Australia.

Canberra Space Centre
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is an Earth station that was used for tracking the Apollo Lunar Module. Take in the views of the largest antenna complex in the Southern Hemisphere, see a piece of the moon that’s over 3.8 billion years old, and check out the latest images from across the Solar System and beyond.

Australian War Museum
The Discovery Zone at the Australian War Museum features five environments inspired by Australia’s military history. Factually inspired by war missions and World War participation, kids can explore, crawl and interact in a trench, the Australian home front, a submarine, an Iroquois helicopter, and a war ravaged community.  

Museum of Australian Democracy at the Old Parliament House
A national icon, Old Parliament House is a place with historical beauty and magnificence which will leave you in awe celebrating the spirit of Australian democracy. From imaginative play spaces and inquisitive trails, to dress ups and interactive exhibitions. The Museum of Australian Democracy will challenge young minds, teaching them to have a voice and inspiring them to set big goals.
 

Make a family memory in Canberra

Lonely Planet voted Canberra as the #3 best city in the world to visit in 2018. It has a growing diverse, creative and social community, raising its reputation as one of the coolest cities in Australia. PLUS kids have a ball in Canberra, so pack a bag and get going!