Free or Low-Cost Activities For Families

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.

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
ACT Playgroups. Find a Playgroup.

ACT Playgroups are inclusive of all, regardless of gender, race, colour, or religion.

  • Location: Across Canberra
Nil
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!

  • Location: Branches Across Canberra
Nil
CRCS Tiny Tumblers

Tiny Tumblers is an educational gym play program for children aged between two and four years that helps to develop and refine gross motor skills.

  • Day / Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays
  • Location: Belconnen Community Centre
10 Class Pass $120
PCYC Tots Tumbling

Tots Tumbling is designed for children and parents/careers to engage together; for children to improve their gross motors skills; to develop in their social skills and grow in their confidence. PCYC run two classes each weekday, beginning at 9:30am and 11am. Each class lasts for 45 minutes. The 9:30am class is designed for children aged 12 months to 2.5 years and the 11am class is designed for children aged 2.5 years to 5 years old.

  • Day / Time: Tuesday - Friday
  • Location: 17 Grattan Court Wanniassa
5 Pass Visit $100
YWCA Canberra - Healthy Start in the Suburbs

A free GymbaROO outreach program for eligible families that reside in Tuggeranong and Molonglo Valley. Suitable for children aged 6mo-4yo. Register your interest via the YWCA Canberra website. Tuesday morning - Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre Thursday morning - Coombs Community Centre

  • Day / Time: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Duration: 8 Weeks each School Term
  • Location: Lanyon and Coombs
Nil
Botanic Gardens - 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.

  • Day / Time: First Friday of Every Month
  • Location: Crosbie Morrison Lawn
$5 per child
Eventbrite - Free activities for families

Take a look.

  • Day / Time: Various
  • Location: Across Canberra
Nil
Old Parliament House - PlayUP Series

Discover what's on at the museum for families and activities to do at home.

  • Location: Old Parliament House
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.

  • Location: Off Weston Park Road, Yarralumla
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.

  • Location: Kings Park - Lake Burley Griffin
Nil
Arboretum - 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.

  • Day / Time: Daily
  • Location: National Arboretum
Parking $$
NGA - 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.

  • Location: National Gallery of Australia
Parking $$
Loose Parts Playgroup

Loose Parts Playgroups are a great early learning and play opportunity for Canberra kids. Throughout the term kids will engage in unstructured play, while parents have an opportunity to connect with each other and a range of services, including health and early learning professionals. Monday - Westfield Woden. Tuesday - Westfield Belconnen *2 hours free parking (3 hours if you download the Westfield App).

  • Day / Time: Monday & Tuesday
  • Duration: 9:30 - 11:30
  • Location: Westfield Belconnen and Woden
Nil
National Museum of Australia - 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.

  • Day / Time: Daily sessions.
  • Duration: 75 minutes
  • Location: National Museum of Australia
$10 per child $5 per adult
Lanyon Homestead -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.

  • Location: Tharwa Drive Tharwa
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.

  • Location: Point Hut District Park
Nil
Kambah Adventure Playground

There’s play equipment for all ages here. Little kids will love the red and yellow fort with bridges and platforms.

  • Day / Time: Anytime
  • Location: Springbett Street, Kambah
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.

  • Day / Time: Saturday 1:30 - 3:00pm
  • Duration: During School Term
  • Location: Tuggeranong and Gungahlin Library
Nil
YWCA Canberra School Holiday Program

YWCA Canberra Youth Programs provides a free school holiday program to young people aged ten to 25 years old. Our program activities range from the creative and arts to action packed excursions. The program runs out of the Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre in Conder.

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
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.

SunSmart UV Alert