Looking for things to do with the kids these Spring School Holidays in Canberra?
Featured Dates:
Arboretum
Kite Fest: The skies above the Arboretum will be filled with kites on Sunday 28 September. Bring, purchase or make a kite at one of the workshops to fly. Details here.
Bonsai Workshops (Ages 8-16): Take part in an engaging, hands-on experience and learn the art of bonsai. Start with a guided tour of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection before potting and wiring your own bonsai tree. Details here.
Family Orienteering: Begin your adventure at the Visitors Centre where you'll collect your map and clue sheet. Then head out into the forests and gardens of the National Arboretum to search for hidden markers. Each letter you find will bring you closer to solving this botanical puzzle. Details here.
Canberra Airport
Runway Tours: During the school holidays, Canberra Airport is offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes bus tour of the airport. The Runway Tour will be led by Canberra Airport staff as they share information about aircraft operations, interesting aviation facts, and more! Details here.
National Museum
A Little Bit of Blue Puppet Shows (ages 3-10): Help solve a mystery in this interactive puppet detective show for families from the Little Wing Puppets. As you unravel the case, you’ll learn about the extraordinary habits of the Australian satin bowerbird and why it’s fascinated by the colour blue. Details here.
Sock Puppetry (ages 5-12): Craft your own colourful puppet friends using a variety of fun, textured materials. Discover the world of hand and glove puppets while decorating your sock, and experience the magic of puppetry with beloved puppeteer Marianne Mettes. Details here.
Hurry Upcycling (ages 8-12): Dive into a fun-filled workshop exploring sustainable design with creative designers from the Alastair Swayn Foundation. Learn about Norman Hetherington’s approach to sustainability in the Mr Squiggle and Friendsexhibition, then bring your own wild and whimsical creations to life using a range of recycled materials. Details here.
Reuse. ReThink. Remake. (ages 12-17): Join designers from the Alastair Swayn Foundation for an engaging introduction to design, sustainability and creative problem-solving. Drawing inspiration from the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition, participants will transform recycled materials into innovative, functional or fantastical creations. Details here.
And don’t forget—the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition is on now at the Museum.
National Gallery
Art Lab with Yuriyal Bridgeman (Ages 13-18): Join multidisciplinary artist and designer Yuriyal Bridgeman for a workshop inspired by his work in the exhibition Bilong Papua New Guinea, where you’ll make your own body-sized shield. Details here.
Art Steps by Korakrit Arunanondchai (Ages 5-12): Thai installation artist Korakrit Arunanondchai invites children and their families to create a mixed media and video artwork together. Details here.
MoAD
Spring Craft Drop-in: The Museum of Australian Democracy is celebrating all things spring. Drop by the Museum each day for brooch and floral crown making using sustainable and recyclable materials. It’s free! Details here.
The Mint
Kids Coin Trade: Want to collect some cool coins? Bring in regular coins to be exchanged in the Mint Shop for a new coin of the same value. It’s free! Details here.
Crafternoons: Drop in at the Mint these school holidays (weekdays) from 2pm–4pm for an afternoon of craft celebrating spring and all things floral. It’s free!Details here.
Mini-Minties (ages 4-6): Take part in two different sessions for young children—find out what animals have been featured on our coins, and learn about some of the unusual shapes, colours and movements featured on coins. Details here.
Mintventures (ages 7-12): Learn about the unlikely heroes that feature on Australian coins, or take part in a spy adventure featuring different types of codes and coded coins. Details here.
Canberra Museum
Spring Makerspace: Drop in to the Canberra Museum and celebrate Floriade by making a Goodenia Pinnatifida 'Scrambled Eggs' flower collage in the Spring Makerspace. Use decorative and crepe papers to craft your own woodland or grassland scene. It’s free! Details here.
Pick up a Junior Explorers Kit at the Museum—a free self-guided interactive kit to explore the Taglietti: Life in Design exhibition. It’s filled with creative activities and thought-provoking questions.
Lanyon Homestead
Kids Day Out (27 September): A day packed with laughter, learning and fun activities. Every activity is designed to spark curiosity and inspire young minds—from learning about nature to unleashing creativity through art and craft. Details here.
Microscopic Wonders: As part of Floriade at Lanyon, get involved in fun science activities with the Junior Explorers: Microscopic Wonders self-guided adventure kit. Including a mini-microscope and a mission map, the kit will guide you on an adventure through the Lanyon garden, delving into the tiny but important microscopic features of the plants and soil. Details here.
Floriade
There’s more than flowers at the spring festival. There’s a daily program of live music, children’s performances, entertainment and workshops. I’m including just some of the kids’ events below—the full program is available on the Floriade website. Details here.
Bath Bomb Making Workshops: Get hands-on with ethically sourced ingredients and find out how the products are made. Sessions include a bath bomb making workshop, games using experimental products, and a complimentary gift bag filled with Lush goodies. Details here.
LEGO Engineering (Ages 5-14): Take part in a one-hour, fun-filled LEGO Engineering & Robotics workshop. Using LEGO bricks, gears and motors, participants will design and construct working machines inspired by natural forces and scientific ideas. Details here.
Warehouse Circus Workshops: Ever dreamed of running away to join the circus? Now’s your chance. Join Canberra’s own Warehouse Circus for a fun and energetic drop-in workshop where you can learn the fundamentals of circus performance. It’s free! Details here.
The Funky Fairy Craft Activities: The Funky Fairy will be running a range of fun arts and craft activities between 3–12 October in the Sprouts kids’ zone. It’s free.Details here.
Lantern Making: Throughout the day, you’ll work alongside talented lantern artists to help bring spectacular large flower lanterns to life. It’s free. Details here.
Bugs Alive: This high-energy 30-minute show dives into the wild and wonderful world of insects like you’ve never seen before. Expect fun facts, live creepy crawlies and a few surprises that will have kids and adults wide-eyed with wonder. It’s free.Details here.
The Mik Maks (29 September): The Mik Maks are one of Australia’s most loved family bands, bringing laughter and joy to children all over the world. It’s free.Details here.
Story Time & Giggle and Wiggle (Ages 0-5): At Floriade, Libraries ACT invites little explorers to discover the wonders of nature through playful tales, songs and hands-on fun. It’s free. Details here.
National Library
1975 (ages 6-10): Curious about daily life in the past? Join the Library’s Education team as they time travel back 50 years. Explore the new exhibition 1975: Living in the Seventies, then make creative responses to the fashion and food of the time. All craft materials will be supplied. Details here.
Canberra Circus Festival
Festival Shows & Market Day: Running from Sunday 28 September to Saturday 4 October, the Canberra Circus Festival will feature more than 15 shows in the big top. The festival concludes with Market Day—bringing Chifley alive with street performances, circus workshops, roving entertainment, food and drink vendors, and handmade goods. Details here.
Ginninderry Conservation Trust
Curious Kids Workshops: Ginninderry Conservation Trust is running two Curious Kids workshops—get hands-on with an adventure exploring the world of insects, and step into the world of reptiles. Details here.
Botanic Gardens
Bugs Alive: Immerse yourself in the world of bugs—come face to face with giant stick insects, see the world’s deadliest spider, watch praying mantises hunt and more. There will be over 40 different invertebrate species on display, live bug talks at 10:30am and 12pm daily, and kids’ activities. Details here.
Secrets of the Australian Bush: Discover the amazing secrets of the plants that live in the Australian bush on this family-friendly tour at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Travel on the magical Flora bus, walk through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden and finish at the Paperbark Treehouse. Details here.
Canberra Outlet:
Build-a-Bear Workshops: Children can create their very own furry friend at the Build-A-Bear workshops. 100 free bears given away daily! First in best dressed. 50 bears per session daily. It’s free! Details here.
Thomas the Tank Engine Train Rides All aboard! Enjoy a magical ride with Thomas the Tank Engine. It’s free! Details here.
Bungee Tramp Extreme: For the thrill-seekers, the Bungee Tramp Extreme is a must-try. First 15 jumpers jump free each day! Details here.
Canberra Centre
The Bloom Lab: Families are invited to wander through an imaginative blueprint floor, where flower-making comes to life against the backdrop of a forest floor. Explore three industrial-inspired incubators—Sew, Smell and Sizzle—each filled with tactile, sensory experiments, from stitching leaves to brewing floral scents and cooking up petals ready to bloom. It’s free! Details here.
Grill’d Kids Masterclass: In this hands-on masterclass, your little one will discover the secrets to Grill’d’s burgers, learn the food “superpowers” of great nutrition and build the perfect burger from the bun up. Details here.
South.Point
Rooftop Putt Putt: Head to South.Point these holidays for free putt putt. The rooftop will transform into Spring Putt Putt—a custom-built, open-air mini golf course. From blooming backdrops to playful obstacles, each hole brings its own spring-inspired twist. It’s free! Details here.
Gungahlin Marketplace
Marketplace Super Stars: Become a rock star and make your own bedazzled sunglasses, decorate drums or design your own drumsticks. It’s free! Details here.
Marketplace Movie Stars: Create your own Hollywood star, paint a Hollywood film strip, make your own Grammy or create your own wooden camera. It’s free! Details here.
Gungahlin Village
Seriously Spooky Fun: Enjoy Halloween-themed craft workshops daily from 10am–1pm. Make bat treat boxes, spooky spider lollipops and black cat pencil holders. It’s free! Details here.
National Archives
The Wildflower Stop (Ages 7-12): Inspired by the exhibition Camel Trains to Steel Wheels: Life on the Trans-Australian Railway, you’ll journey to the historic Wildflower Stop, where passengers once paused to admire the native blooms. After the exploration, young artists can unleash their creativity in a hands-on watercolour art session, painting their own wildflower landscapes. Details here.
Portrait Gallery
Spring Family Space: Drop in to the Family Space these school holidays for a range of free, creative activities to celebrate all things spring. From creating wearable floral masterpieces to exploring the Ngunnawal seasons through a sensory trail, there’s something to engage everyone in the family. Activities are inspired by the bold and beautiful botanical exhibition In Bloom. It’s free! Details here.
Spring Family Day: Celebrate the unveiling of a new portrait of landscape architect, environmental educator and TV host Costa Georgiadis with a Spring Family Day. Activities include a plant swap, story time and talks with Costa, badge-making, gallery tours and more, along with live music and food stalls. It’s free! Details here.
National Zoo and Aquarium
Main Event Weekend: On 4–5 October there will be live music, lawn games and plenty of surprises at the Zoo. Take part in the animal costume contest—dress up as your favourite animal and help raise funds for ACT Wildlife. Details here.
Daily Schedule: During the school holidays enjoy storytelling, a special lion keeper talk and roving puppets. Details here.
Tidbinbilla
Note: all holiday activities at Tidbinbilla are free, included in the reserve entry fee.
Bush Detectives (Ages 6-11): Join the bush hunt as a Tidbinbilla Bush Detective and discover wildlife, plants and other natural wonders. Details here.
Quality Koalas: Come and meet King Arther, Lady Yellow and Dame Scully—Tidbinbilla’s resident ‘royal’ koalas. A member of Tidbinbilla’s Threatened Species Team will introduce you and share everything you want to know about this iconic and fascinating species. Details here.
Rock-wallaby Wander (Ages 10+): Join a member of the Threatened Species Team for a walk along the Barayngu Murawung track for a chance to see these elusive animals. Details here.
Cubby House Rules (Ages 6-11): Cubby House Rules is back for the school holidays. Using the materials provided—and a little creativity—kids can build their own dream cubby right in the heart of Tidbinbilla. Details here.
Sanctuary Story Time (Ages 6-9): Join a ranger for story time amongst the tall trees at the Ribbon Gum Theatre and create your own piece of nature-inspired art. Details here.
Poos Gives Us Clues (Ages 6-11): Finding our favourite animals means looking for clues—tracks, nests or scratch marks on trees. This fun activity teaches kids the sleuthing skills they need to spot species in the wild. Details here.
Nature Orienteering Quest (Ages 5-12): Test your navigation skills and race your family and friends with Tidbinbilla’s orienteering course. Details here.
World of Waterbugs (Ages 6-11): In this fun, interactive activity kids can take a close-up look at local macroinvertebrates (waterbugs) and how these brilliant bugs indicate the health of a freshwater river or wetland. Details here.
Tuggeranong Arts
Grand Day Out: On the first Saturday of the September school holidays, Tuggeranong Arts Centre will be buzzing with free activities for grandparents, mums, dads, kids and teens. Book in for a structured art, dance or drama class, or drop in and enjoy a range of live entertainment and spontaneous art-making. Or simply relax by the lake with a cuppa and enjoy a program of live music and dance on TAC’s outdoor stage. Details here.
The Vegetable Plot (ages 3-7) Serving up a bumper crop of catchy tunes, earthy grooves, colourful characters, sweet harmonies and truly rotten puns, this soilful bunch will plant seeds of inspiration in your hearts that will blossom for years to come. Details here.
Quizzic Alley
Wand Making Class: Are you ready to conjure some magic and make your very own personalised wand? Will you pass the test and be granted an official wand licence? In this class, you’ll craft your wand using age-old techniques passed down through generations of witches and wizards. Details here.
Mood Bloom Potion: Brew your magical potion and take it home. Your mood shapes the potion’s ingredients, colour and aroma, with the Mood Bloom Potion channelling those emotions into a gentle alchemy that always leaves you with a renewed sense of calm, joy and lightness. Whether brewed in sorrow or excitement, the final note is always beautifully bright. Details here.
Canberra Theatre
Emma Memma - Dance Island Party: Families will be treated to a sprinkling of Emma Memma’s classic songs from last year’s hugely successful Boop and Twirltour, as well as new favourites like Coconut Tree, Welcome to Dance Island, Beach Trolley and Jellyfish Blob, soon to be released on the new Dance Island Party album. Details here.
National Film & Sound Archive
Family Friendly Screenings: These school holidays, come along to a series of family-friendly screenings in the Arc Cinema, including The Secret Garden, Maleficent and 101 Dalmatians. Details here.
Canberra Glassworks
Glass Garden Charms (Ages 8+): Discover the magic of fused glass as you cut, shape and create your very own garden charm. This hands-on experience blends science and nature in a fun and safe environment. Details here.
Teen Glass Blowing: Learn the art of glass blowing in this workshop designed for young artists who want to immerse themselves in the magic of working with molten glass in the Hotshop. Details here.
The Shimmer Bugs workshop is booked out.
Haig Park Village Markets
Spring Sustainability Market: Interact with native reptiles, learn about recycling, propagate seeds, create an endangered species mask and more at the Spring Sustainability Market on 28 September. It’s free! Details here.
Workshops and Play Stations: On 5 and 12 October there will be a number of free workshops and activations at the markets, including potion making, a nature play sensory station and a visit from Canberra Snake Rescue. It’s free! Details here.
Craft + Design Canberra
Mask Workshop (ages 7+): A kids’ mask-making workshop using boxes, plastics and packaging collected from home. Create life-size masks to be worn, animated and then photographed on the maker. It’s free! Details here.
Mingle (Suburban Land Agency)
Build a DNA Workshop (Ages 14+): Join us at the Mingle Community Space for a free, fun and educational experience. Learn about the fascinating world of genetics, followed by a hands-on base-pairing activity with balloons in groups. It’s free!Details here.
Woden Community Service
Woden Children’s Fair 2025: Expect a jam-packed day of toys, games, activities, support services and more. It’s the ultimate family outing for the school holidays and a great opportunity to connect with the local community. It’s free! Details here.
Fyshwick Markets
Leafy Owl Art: Whooo’s ready to get crafty? In this fun-filled activity, kids will bring their very own owl to life using an assortment of leaves. Using leaves as feathers, each child will design a one-of-a-kind leafy owl full of character and charm. It’s free! Details here.
Bug Pebble Painting: Get ready for some springtime fun—transform pebbles into cheerful ladybirds, wiggly caterpillars and other unique little critters to take home and treasure. It’s the perfect mix of art, nature and imagination. It’s free! Details here.
Canberra Miniature Railway
Train Rides: The Canberra Miniature Railway runs fun train rides for big and little kids twice a month. The next public running day is Sunday 28 September, from 10:30am until 2:30pm, weather permitting. There will be three different tracks and several trains, including a steam train. Details here.