Free or Low-Cost Activities For Families These School Holidays
See below a list of free or low - cost activities that families can take advantage off across the ACT. There are some simple and fun things parents can do as part of their routine to support their child's early physical, social and learning skills. Playing and engaging with your children is how they develop- so have fun!
You can read more about factors that support children's wellbeing, development and learning here.
Free or Low Cost Activities For Families
| Program | Details | Cost | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libraries ACT. Early Literacy Resources |
There are some simple things you can do as part of your daily routine to help your child's language development, and support their reading and learning. Start when they are newborn and keep going as they get older!
|
Nil | |
| Storytime |
Join us on the first Friday of every month for family fun with stories about Australian plants and animals. Each themed session is packed with stories, songs and crafts - perfect for preschoolers. Bring a picnic rug and make your way to the Crosbie Morrison Lawn from the carpark (follow the signs). Infants under 12 months and adults are free. Bookings via the website.
|
$5 per child | |
| Eventbrite - Free activities for families |
Take a look.
|
Nil | |
| PlayUP Series |
Discover what's on at the museum for families and activities to do at home.
|
Nil | |
| Weston Park |
Weston Park is a popular 40 hectare area in the heart of Canberra. It features a wading pool (in summer only), beach, miniature train and cycle track. Other facilities include a playground with climbing net and swings, adventure playground, disc golf, miniature train, and a fixed orienteering course.
|
NIl | |
| Boundless Playground |
The Boundless Playground caters to different levels of ability. It is a place where children, young people and their families can play, socialise, explore, challenge physical limits and make new friends. Boundless is a free, state-of-the-art play space that is fun and inclusive of all children of all ages and abilities.
|
Nil | |
| POD Playgroup |
Designed for children of all ages, the award-winning POD Playground is based on the idea of seeds as the beginning of life in the forest.
|
Parking | |
| Kids and Families |
Our programs for kids and families centre around intergenerational connection and encourage you to grow your knowledge and enjoyment of art through shared experiences. Fostering a love of art from an early age, we inspire creativity, inclusivity, engagement and learning through art and artists. Programs are free but bookings are essential. Or just explore the gallery and sculpture gardens.
|
Parking | |
| Discovery Centre |
The Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre is a fun, immersive play and learn space for children of all abilities from birth to 6 years. The Discovery Centre tells five stories from Australian history, each one encouraging different types of play. Other regular programs for kids include Story Time (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30) and Mini Makers.
|
$10 per child $5 per adult | |
| Exploring the Garden and Out Buildings |
Step into the story at Lanyon Homestead back to the time well before Canberra was established and discover the fascinating stories of the families that lived and worked here. Access to the gardens and out buildings are free. For house tours- children under 5 are free.
|
Nil | |
| Gordon Playground |
Gordon playground is one of Canberra's best kept secrets. It’s a HUGE play area, spread out over a massive area, with lots of things to climb, so be prepared to walk. The leaning Point Hut Tower of Gordon Playground is a giant metallic spire that wouldn’t look out of place in Rome! There’s not a lot of shade, so hats and sunscreen is a must.
|
Nil | |
| FREE Merry-Go Round Rides In The City |
Bring the family to soak up the Christmas lights and make a whole day (or night) of it. Snap a photo by the Christmas tree to tick off your festive to-do list, and let the kids run wild at the Glebe Park playground between spins on the merry-go-round.
|
||
| Kambah Adventure Playground |
There’s play equipment for all ages here. Little kids will love the red and yellow fort with bridges and platforms.
|
Nil | |
| Vinnies Kid's Club |
Kids, are you bored at home on the weekends? Are you from a multicultural background? Join us at Vinnies Kid's Club to play games, read books and make new friends. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
|
Nil | |
| Woden Community Service School Holiday Program |
The Youth Engagement Team (YET) runs a holiday program for young people (10-25) each school holiday period. Check it out- places are limited. |
Nil | |
| Giggle & Wiggle |
Giggle & Wiggle is our enormously popular program for babies and toddlers, 0 to 2 years of age, and their parents or carers. At Giggle & Wiggle, we sing songs, dance and share rhymes. We aim to boost your child’s language development – all while having a great time!
|
Nil | |
| Your Local Shopping Centre - School Holiday Activities |
Check out your local shopping centre to see if they offer FREE holiday activities and events for children, some will and some wont. |
||
| The Eucalypt Forest - Koala Path |
Take a stroll along the accessible (with assistance) 700m Koala Path keeping an eye out for koalas, potoroos and wallabies or perhaps take the longer Peppermint Trail (1.8km) to be full immersed in the sights and sounds of the forest.
|
Nil | |
| 12 Playgrounds To Visit This Summer |
As Canberra’s population grows, there are more playgrounds all over town. Existing playgrounds are also updated to ensure they remain great places for local kids to play. Keeps kids active and exploring, it's great for their development.
|
Nil | |
| Murrulangalang Storytime |
Join us for a fun interactive session of songs, stories and more for your early learners.
|
Nil | |
| Flora Explorer Bus Tours |
Discover the diversity and beauty of the living collection of native plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Join an experienced Volunteer Guide on a relaxing 45-minute tour aboard our Flora Explorer open-air electric bus. Enjoy live commentary of the main highlights of the Gardens and hear stories about Australia's unique plants in a spectacular bushland setting.
|
$5 | |
| Secrets of the Australian Bush - A Family Adventure |
This January school holiday, discover the amazing secrets of the plants that live in the Australian bush on this family-friendly tour at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. We will travel on our magical Flora bus, walk through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden and finish at the Paperbark Treehouse.
|
$7 | |
| ANU Walks |
Download the FREE app and start exploring the grounds of the ANU with your family. Walks include: Sculpture Walk, Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander Heritage Train, Action Heritage, Mt Stromlo Heritage Lindsay Pryor Walk, Sustainability, Architecture Train, Political History Trail, Landscape Trail.
|
FREE | |
| Lego Brick Club |
Ready to unleash your imagination and build something extraordinary? Join us for an exciting and casual Free Build program where the possibilities are as limitless as your creativity!
|
Nil | |
| Story Time |
Story Time is a FREE captivating weekly event tailored for children aged 3 to 5. Every week, we bring stories, rhymes, and songs to life, creating an atmosphere that sparks a love for books and lays the foundation for a lifelong connection with libraries.
|
Nil |
