If you’re looking for a new holiday destination that has a LOT to entertain the kids, you can’t go past Canberra! Just a 3.5 hour drive from Sydney, there are so many amazing museums, galleries, animal attractions, incredible playgrounds and outdoor spaces to explore. Here’s just some of the best things to do with kids in Canberra.
There’s just so much to do in Canberra with kids! If you’re thinking of booking a holiday and wondering what to do when you’re in Canberra, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with kids in Canberra. You could easily spend a whole week there, and not visit all the amazing family-friendly attractions!
Use the quicklinks below to discover all the family-friendly Canberra fun just waiting:
Museums & more
Questacon: The National Science and Technology Centre
Cassie (6) making her own stop-motion video
The National Science and Technology Centre is a must-see on your visit to Canberra and is perfect for kids of all ages to explore. There’s more than 200 interactive exhibits, with a fabulous play area for kids up to 5 years. You can discover exactly what it feels like to be at the centre of an Earthquake, head to outer space (and pretend to fly!), see a real beehive, watch lightening and learn so much along the way.
- Where: Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Canberra ACT
- Price: Adults $23 | Child (4-16 years) 17.50 | Family (2A & up to 3C) $70
- Open: 9am-5pm everyday
- Website: questacon.edu.au
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- Outside Questacon
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- Flying into space
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- Making shadows
The Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial is the ideal place to teach kids a little history and remember Australia’s lost soldiers. You will discover rare war artefacts, displays, art works and more. Kids can get up close and check out dioramas and models of battle scenes that will open their eyes to events of the past. If they’re learning about the war at school, this is a great way to expand on what they already know. There’s even a Discovery Zone that is a fantastic interactive area where kids can take control of an Iroquois helicopter, dress up in war outfits, play in a submarine and so much more.
- Where: Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612
- Price: Free
- Open: 10am-4pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Website: awm.gov.au/visit
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- The Australian War Memorial
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- The Australian War Memorial
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- The Australian War Memorial
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- The Australian War Memorial
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- The Australian War Memorial
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- The Australian War Memorial
The National Dinosaur Museum
The National Dinosaur Museum features the biggest permanent collection of interactive dinosaurs in Australia, so it’s great for any children who want to learn more about these prehistoric creatures. The museum houses life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, and robotic dinosaurs. There’s a fun interactive area for little ones with microscopes, films, colouring in and craft, and you could spend a good amount of time (and money) in the huge Gift Shop too! It’s the perfect family-friendly fun in Canberra!
- Where: 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT 2913
- Price: Adults $20 | Child (4-16 years) $12| Family (2A & 2C) $55
- Open: 10am-5pm everyday, except Christmas Day
- Website: nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
Parliament House
The Senate (the red room) at Parliament House
No trip to Canberra is complete without a visit to the political hub of the country, Parliament House. After passing through airport-like security screening, you’re free to roam around this incredible building. You can admire portraits of Australia’s Prime Ministers, and even sit in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Where: Parliament Drive, Canberra
- Price: Free
- Open: 9am-5pm everyday, except Christmas Day
- Website: aph.gov.au/visit_parliament
Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra
Kids will love a trip to the Royal Australian Mint where you can get a great bird’s eye view of where our coins are made. You can spot Titan and other robot friends who help make the coins, with plenty of interactive touchscreens around the factory explaining the coin making process. In the galleries you can learn all about rare and significant coins and you can even mint your own $1 coin.
Top Tip: The best time to visit The Mint is during the week, when the factory is in full swing and you can watch through the glass from the level above!
- Where: Denison St, Deakin ACT 2600
- Price: Free
- Open: Monday-Friday: 8.30am-5pm | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am-4pm | closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
- Website: ramint.gov.au/visit-mint
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- The Mint – where money is made!
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- Interactive learning at The Mint
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- Money, money, money
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery is lovely to visit with programs that centre around creative play and intergenerational experiences. You can explore art, artists and art making, and don’t forget to head outside where there’s a sculpture garden which is great for kids. Make sure you take a look at What’s On when you visit!
- Where: Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600
- Price: Free
- Open: 10am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Website: connect.nga.gov.au
Want more places to visit in Canberra?
- Old Parliament House: be sure to check out the PlayUP section with lots of hands-on activities to educate, excite and challenge kids.
- National Portrait Gallery: head to their play plot in school holidays, where you can grow veggies, create flowers, read and more.
- National Museum Australia: the focus is on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment.
- Space Station: currently only open for booked school groups in 2022 & 2023
Family Fun
Cockington Green Gardens
What a delightful surprise Cockington Green Gardens was! If you’re after some family-friendly fun in Canberra, be sure to check it out. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens, there’s a fascinating display of meticulously crafted miniature buildings currently from countries all over the world. The attention to detail was really quite incredible, and we were amused by some of the scenes (like a streaker running across a football pitch). We spent a good couple of hours ooh-ing and aah-ing and even laughing at some of the funny scenes.
It’s near The Dinosaur Museum, so you might like to do both when you visit!
- Where: 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT 2913
- Price: Adults $23 | Child (4-16 years) $14 | Family (2A & 2C) $67
- Open: 9.30am-5pm everyday
- Website: cockingtongreen.com.au
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- Cockington Green Gardens
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- Cockington Green Gardens
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- Cockington Green Gardens
Corin Forest
Girls ready to head down the hill!
Want to take the kids to the snow without the hassle of a full-on ski trip? Corin Forest is your answer and it’s perfect for little kids and it’s just a 40-minute drive from Canberra! Book in their Snow Play session, which is two hours of tobogganing fun, with a separate section for playing in the snow. You can also enjoy ski lessons, or their Alpine slide. You can rent everything you need onsite, making it nice and hassle free. Read everything you need to know with our review here. It’s has to the the most family-friendly fun Canberra has to offer!
- Where: 1268, Corin Dam Rd, Paddys River ACT
- Price: $22.50 per person for Snow Play, free for under 2 years
- Website: corin.com.au
Weston Park Miniature Railway
Weston Park Miniature Railway
Do you have a train-obsessed little one? At Weston Park Miniature Railway you can jump on a mini rain ride every half an hour from 10am. It takes you through a Disney tunnel (full of your favourite characters), and you can even stop off at the petting zoo to feed the animals. Still got time on your hands? Then book in a round of mini golf as well. They have a great indoor cafe that has plenty of toys to keep the kids busy. There’s even a great park across the road, right on the water (more below!).
- Where: 9 Pescott Lane Yarralumla ACT 2600
- Open: Monday-Friday: 8.30am-4.30pm | Saturday & Sunday: 8am-5.30pm, close Christmas Day
- Price: Miniature Train: $6pp | Farm: From $12 | Mini golf: From $10
- Website: yarraps.com.au
Kingston Foreshore
If you have the time, head to Kingston foreshore for a wander (or scoot for the kids), where you can check out the local markets and lovely cafes and restaurants around the area.
In summer, it’s a great base to walk or cycle around Lake Burley Griffin, or you can even hire a GoBoat to hit the river and watch the sun set. It’s just five minutes down the road from some of the main attractions mentioned above, making it the perfect spot for a bite to eat to break up your day.
In spring, this is the venue for the famous (and colourful!) Floriade festival.
Quizzic Alley
Here’s one for all the Harry Potter fans in your home – there’s a Harry Potter shop not far from the centre of Canberra, dedicated to everything…you guessed it, Harry Potter! They stock the biggest range of licensed Harry Potter merchandise in Australia. Even better, there’s a life-size flying car and plenty of other fun Harry Potter props for you to check out (including Buckbeak!).
- Where: 5 Pirie Street, Fyshwick, ACT
- Website: quizzicalley.com
Trying out the flying car!
Want more family fun in Canberra?
- Telstra Tower: currently closed while Telstra upgrades the building interior
- Mount Ainslie Lookout: enjoy some sweeping views of the capital from this lookout – it’s one of the most-popular vantage points in the city.
- Jerrabomberra Wetland: just 8 minutes from the city centre, you can wander through the wetlands and check out the bird life in the area. There’s plenty of boardwalks and walking tracks to make this easy.
Animal Encounters
National Zoo & Aquarium
Welcome to Australia’s only zoo and aquarium, just five minutes from the city centre. You will find some really cool animals that you won’t see in Sydney, including the Cheetah, White Lion and White Leopard. It’s a big zoo, but a fairly flat and easy walk around for little legs. In the middle, you will find the huge Adventure Playground. Honestly, my kids would have been happy to spend the day there! There’s so many different play areas for them to explore. It’s the perfect pit stop before you make your way around the rest of the zoo.
- Where: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2611
- Price: Adults $47 | Child (3-15 years) $26 | Family (2A & 3C) $130
- Open: 9.30am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Website: nationalzoo.com.au
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- Meeting the rhino
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- Having fun at the playground
Canberra Walk-in Aviary
If you love birds, then you won’t want to miss the Canberra Walk-in Aviary. This 1000 square-metre space is privately owned, and you can step inside to view, photograph and feed the birds. Discover more than 500 birds of about 60 different species from Australia and around the world.
As you enter, you will be given a small plate of food and small tub of mealworms to feed the birds. Great fun for the kids!
- Where: 18 O’Hanlon Pl, Nicholls ACT 2913
- Price: Adults $17 | Child (4-16 years) $12 | Family (2A & 2C) $50
- Open: 10am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Website: canberrawalkinaviary.com.au
Canberra Reptile Zoo
Come face-to-face with some of Australia’s largest, deadliest and most colourful reptiles in the Canberra Reptile Zoo. Home to more than 50 different species of reptiles and frogs, you can enjoy a great hands-on day that the kids are sure to love. You can touch a python and talk face-to-face with the keepers for a fun and educational day for the whole family.
- Where: O’Hanlon Pl, Nicholls ACT 2913
- Price: Adults $20 | Child (4-12 years) $12 | Family (2A & 2C) $55
- Open: 10am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Website: reptilesinc.com.au
Parks & Playgrounds
National Arboretum Canberra
Pod Playground
We ventured to this playground before dinner one night and it was the perfect spot. Such a unique design for a playground, with a number of different play areas suited to all ages and abilities. Elliot (3) loved the sandpit with the mini houses and slides, while Vivi (4) didn’t want to move from the swings. Cassie (6) loved the pods the best, with all the climbing involved to take you down one of the fabulous slides.
You can also walk outside and enjoy an incredible view of the area. With 250-hectares to explore, you can take off on a hike to learn more with the kids.
- Where: Forest Drive, off Tuggeranong Parkway, Weston Creek ACT 2611
- Website: nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
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- The view from the lookout outside
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- Lots of grass
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- Sculpture
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- Playground at National Arboretum Canberra
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- Playground at National Arboretum Canberra
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- Playground at National Arboretum Canberra
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Tidbinbilla is also out Corin Forest way – you can even glamp camping and they do adult-only or kids.
There’s a fabulous Nature Discovery Playground there with plenty of fun for all ages, with a flying fox, slide and climbing rope frame for the big kids and a water pump, trampoline and more for younger kids.
There are plenty of walks around the area. The Eucalyptus Forest houses a 700m Koala Path, where you can stroll and keep an eye out for koalas, potoroos and wallabies.
- Where: Tidbinbilla Reserve Rd, Paddys River ACT 2620
- Website: tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
Australian Botanical Gardens
Just five minutes from the city centre, the Australian Botanic Gardens are well worth visiting. Kids will love it just as much as you. Check out Rainforest Gully right at the entrance, where you can choose your path and head under the canopy. There’s plenty to explore.
The Paperbark Treehouse is a highlight, with a bridge to walk over to the bottom level and a ladder to take you to the top. You can then venture to Pollen Cafe for a hot chocolate (or coffee) break.
- Where: Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600
- Website: anbg.gov.au/gardens
Commonwealth Park
If you visit during September and October, then Floriade Festival at Commonwealth Park is a must! View Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, with over a million blooms on display.
- Where: Commonwealth Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
- Website: floriadeaustralia.com
Weston Park Playground
Sitting right on the water
You can read about Weston Miniature Railway Above – once your train ride is done you can simply stroll across the road and enjoy this amazing playground right on the waterfront.
At one end you will find a semi-enclosed section with a mini slide and plenty to climb on – plus water play in the warm months. Head towards the water and there’s two swing sets and at the furthest end a challenging climbing net for the older kids. Some of the best family-friendly Canberra fun.
- Where: Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600
- Website: tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
Want more recommendations for playgrounds and parks in Canberra?
- Black Mountain Nature Reserve: The reserve has many walking tracks, with views overlooking the bush capital.
- Glebe Park + Playground: Located near a great shopping spot, there’s swings, slides, climbing frames and plenty of space for picnics.
- Boundless Canberra in Kings Park: Canberra’s first all-abilities’ playground on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. It has a fort, glider, maze, giant swings and more.
Child-friendly Dining
Guild
Board games before dinner!
If you’re looking for a fun family night out, then definitely book in a meal at Guild! It’s Canberra’s oldest board game restaurant with more than 300 games to choose from. Best family-friendly Canberra dining! That’s right, you can order your food and get playing while you wait. It’s the perfect way to keep little one’s entertained. For once, we didn’t have to worry about meltdowns or bored kids – they had a blast! The food is fabulous too, with a great selection of pizza, pasta and more.
- Where: LG Baileys Corner, 150 London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
- Website: https://guild.house/
Cafe Patissez
If the kids (or you!) love milkshakes, then you will want to put Cafe Patissez on you to-visit list. Book in a brunch and choose one of their incredible ‘Freakshakes’, with added brownies, pretzels, marshmallows and more making them extra wow-worthy. They also do delicious food as well!
- Where: 2/21 Bougainville St, Griffith ACT 2603
- Website: patissez.com
Want more recommendations for places to eat in Canberra?
- Beach Burrito Co: has a variety of kid-friendly Mexican meals to choose from.
- Stripey Sundae: Looking for something sweet? Head here for a selection of the best ice-cream flavours anywhere.
