10 Things To Do With Kids in Canberra

Canberra gets an unfair rap as a boring city, and families who skip it are missing out. The nation's capital is packed with world-class museums and galleries - most of them free - alongside excellent playgrounds, nature reserves, and outdoor activities that rival anything in Sydney or Melbourne. The city is also compact, well-planned, and easy to navigate with kids, which makes a huge difference when you're managing car seats, pram logistics, and snack schedules.

Whether you're a Canberra local or visiting for a long weekend, these are the 10 best things to do with kids in the ACT.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

1. Questacon - Parkes

Australia's premier interactive science centre and a must-visit for every family in Canberra. Questacon spans six galleries across multiple floors, each packed with hands-on exhibits covering physics, geology, biology, and engineering. Kids can create mini earthquakes, experience a simulated free-fall slide, build structures to withstand wind tunnels, and experiment with light, sound, and motion. The Mini Q section for under-6s is one of the best early-learning play spaces in the country.

Best for: Ages 0-14. Mini Q is designed for under-6s with sensory and water play. The main galleries suit primary school and up, though kids as young as 4 enjoy plenty of exhibits. Facilities: Cafe, gift shop, baby change rooms, pram parking, wheelchair accessible throughout, lockers. Tip: Allow at least 3 hours - you could easily spend a full day. The free-fall slide has a height requirement and can have long queues, so hit it first thing in the morning.

2. National Museum of Australia - Acton

Situated on the Acton Peninsula overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, the National Museum tells Australia's story through engaging, interactive exhibitions. The Kspace digital play area lets kids explore virtual landscapes, the First Australians gallery is deeply moving and educational, and the rotating exhibitions always include family-friendly elements. The building itself is architecturally striking and the waterfront setting is beautiful.

Best for: Ages 3-14. Kspace suits younger children, while the main exhibitions engage curious kids aged 7 and up. Free general admission makes it easy to pop in for an hour. Facilities: Cafe with lake views, gift shop, baby change rooms, free parking, pram accessible, outdoor playground nearby. Tip: Combine with a walk or cycle around the lake foreshore. The museum's free guided tours are excellent and available daily - check the schedule at the front desk.

3. National Dinosaur Museum - Gold Creek Village

Every dinosaur-obsessed kid's dream, this museum houses Australia's largest collection of dinosaur and prehistoric animal fossils, casts, and life-size models. The life-size dinosaur garden outside is a highlight - kids can walk among T-Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus models set in a bush landscape. Inside, the fossil displays and interactive dig area keep children engaged for a solid couple of hours.

Best for: Ages 3-12. The dinosaur garden is a hit with toddlers and preschoolers, while the fossil gallery fascinates older kids who are into palaeontology. Facilities: Gift shop with excellent dinosaur merchandise, small cafe, toilets, parking, partly pram accessible (some indoor sections are tight). Tip: The Gold Creek Village precinct also has a reptile zoo and a small bird aviary, so you can make a full morning of it. Entry is paid, so check for family ticket discounts.

4. Australian War Memorial - Campbell

One of Australia's most significant cultural institutions, the War Memorial is also surprisingly engaging for children. The interactive Discovery Zone is designed for younger visitors with hands-on activities, multimedia displays, and storytelling stations. The aircraft hall, with its suspended planes and cockpit replicas, captivates kids of all ages. The daily Last Post ceremony at 4:55pm is a powerful, solemn experience that older children benefit from witnessing.

Best for: Ages 5-14. The Discovery Zone suits younger children, while the main galleries and Anzac Hall engage primary and secondary school ages. Free admission. Facilities: Cafe, gift shop, baby change rooms, pram accessible, free parking, guided tours available. Tip: Start with the aircraft hall to hook the kids' interest, then explore the galleries. Time your visit to include the Last Post ceremony - it's brief, moving, and gives children a tangible connection to Australia's military history.

Outdoors and Nature

5. National Zoo and Aquarium - Yarralumla

Canberra's zoo is smaller than the capital city zoos in Sydney and Melbourne, but that works in its favour for families. The compact layout means you can comfortably see everything in 2-3 hours without the exhaustion of a massive zoo. Highlights include the big cats, sun bears, red pandas, and the walk-through aviary. The zoo also offers premium encounters where kids can feed giraffes, meet cheetahs, or hold reptiles.

Best for: Ages 1-12. The walkable size makes it manageable even with toddlers in prams. The animal encounters are unforgettable for kids aged 5 and up. Facilities: Cafe, gift shop, toilets, pram-accessible paths (some hilly sections), paid parking onsite. Tip: Book the giraffe feeding encounter in advance - it's the most popular and sells out quickly. Visit on a cooler day when the animals are more active.

6. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Tidbinbilla

A 40-minute drive from the city centre, Tidbinbilla is one of the ACT's natural treasures. This 5,500-hectare reserve is home to kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, koalas, and over 150 bird species in their natural habitat. The Sanctuary walking trail is an easy 2.5km loop where you're almost guaranteed to see kangaroos and emus grazing. The nature play space near the visitor centre has log scrambles, cubby building, and water play.

Best for: Ages 2-14. The Sanctuary walk is flat and pram-friendly, making it accessible for families with babies and toddlers. Older kids enjoy the longer bushwalks. Facilities: Visitor centre with displays, toilets at multiple points, picnic areas with BBQs, nature play space, vehicle entry fee applies. Tip: Visit in the late afternoon when kangaroos come out to graze in large numbers. Bring binoculars for birdwatching and keep an eye on the creek for platypus - dawn and dusk are the best times.

7. Lake Burley Griffin and Surrounds - Central Canberra

The lake at the heart of Canberra offers a range of family activities. The 28km foreshore path is perfect for cycling (bike hire available at multiple points), the paddleboats on the lake are a classic Canberra family activity, and the various foreshore playgrounds provide regular stopping points. The Captain Cook Memorial Jet - a giant water fountain - is visible from most points around the lake and kids love watching it erupt.

Best for: Ages 0-14. Cycling suits ages 5 and up (or younger in a child seat or trailer). Paddleboats are fun from about age 3. The foreshore paths are fully pram accessible. Facilities: Bike hire stations, paddleboat hire at Acton Park, multiple playgrounds, BBQ areas, cafes at various points, toilets at regular intervals. Tip: Hire bikes from one of the lakeside operators and ride the foreshore path with stops at playgrounds along the way. The section from the National Museum to Commonwealth Park is the most scenic and family-friendly.

Indoor Activities

8. Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing - Hume

One of Canberra's best indoor activities for active kids, this purpose-built climbing centre has walls for all skill levels - from beginner auto-belay routes to advanced bouldering. The junior section has shorter walls with colourful holds designed for children's hands and feet. Staff are patient and experienced with first-time young climbers. It's a brilliant activity for building confidence and physical fitness.

Best for: Ages 5-16. Most kids aged 5 and up can tackle the beginner walls. Older kids and teens who enjoy physical challenges will love the bouldering. Facilities: Equipment hire included, qualified instructors, viewing area for parents, toilets, small cafe area. Tip: Wear comfortable clothes that allow full range of movement. If it's your child's first time, book a beginner session rather than casual climbing - the instruction makes a huge difference to their confidence and enjoyment.

9. Limelight Cinemas - Tuggeranong

While Canberra has several cinemas, Limelight at Tuggeranong is particularly family-friendly with its smaller screens, lower prices, and relaxed atmosphere. They regularly run kids' club screenings during school holidays with discounted tickets and a more casual environment where wriggling and talking aren't frowned upon. The adjoining Hyperdome shopping centre has food options and a discount department store for post-movie errands.

Best for: Ages 3-14. The kids' club screenings are ideal for younger children who can't sit still through a standard cinema session. Facilities: Standard cinema facilities, accessible seating, nearby food court, shopping centre amenities, ample free parking. Tip: Check their school holiday program for kids' club sessions - tickets are significantly cheaper than standard screenings and the films are usually recent releases aimed at families.

10. Pod Playground - National Arboretum

The Pod Playground at the National Arboretum is one of Canberra's most unique play spaces. The nature-themed playground features acorn-shaped climbing pods, a banksia-inspired play structure, water play channels, and a large open area with views across the arboretum to the Brindabella Ranges. The design is inspired by the seed pods and plant structures found in the surrounding arboretum, making the whole experience feel connected to the landscape.

Best for: Ages 1-10. The enclosed design and nature play elements make it particularly appealing for toddlers and preschoolers. Older kids enjoy the climbing pods and water features. Facilities: Toilets, drinking fountains, adjacent cafe (Sprout Cafe), free parking, pram accessible, picnic areas. Tip: Combine the playground with a walk through the arboretum forests - the Himalayan Cedars and Cork Oaks are stunning. On a clear day, the views from the top of the hill are some of the best in Canberra. Visit in autumn for spectacular foliage colours.

Tips for Family Visits to Canberra

• Most national institutions are free - Questacon is one of the few that charges. The War Memorial, National Gallery, National Museum, and Parliament House are all free to enter.
• Canberra is a driving city - while the central attractions are clustered, you'll want a car for Tidbinbilla, Gold Creek Village, and the outer suburbs. Parking is generally easy and often free.
• The weather is extreme - Canberra has genuinely cold winters (frosts are common) and hot, dry summers. Dress in layers and pack sun protection year-round.
• School holiday programs are excellent - the national institutions run outstanding holiday programs with workshops, performances, and special exhibitions. Check websites in advance and book popular sessions.
• Allow more time than you think - Questacon alone can take a full day. Don't try to cram too many activities in - pick two or three per day maximum.
• Accommodation tip - the suburbs of Braddon and Kingston have family-friendly restaurants and walkable streets. Stay centrally to minimise driving between attractions.

Find more family activities in our complete Canberra things to do guide for the full directory.