20+ places to play (indoors) this Canberra summer
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Too damn wet or hot to send the kids outside to play? We have 20+ places where kids of all ages (toddlers to teens) can play indoors this summer.
Sometimes outdoor play just isn’t an option, so it’s critical to have some indoor activities up your sleeve to keep the kids busy. But that doesn’t mean they won’t work up a sweat with some of these fun things to do.
A little friendly competition
iPlay
iPlay has a little bit of everything, from old-school arcade games to dodgem cars and is the perfect place to keep kids entertained for hours and hours. Located in the Westfield Belconnen, iPlay is in a super convenient area because of the nearby food courts. It’s also the perfect incentive for them to do a bit of shopping with you before they run wild.
Where: Westfield Belconnen.
When: Opening hours on website.
How much: $25 -$100
Website: iplayaustralia.com.au
Zone3 – Laser Tag
Tag you’re it! A game classically played by tagging another player in order to win—but this time it’s with fake laser guns. By “shooting” another player’s target you earn points as a team and have victory over your friends. This is an awesome group activity to get lots of kids together but make sure you book because it’s super popular during the school holidays.
Where: 28 Weedon Close, Belconnen
When: Check website for opening hours.
How much: $17 – $27 (depending on time, day and number of games). Bookings essential.
Website: zone3act.com.au
Zone Bowling
If the incredibly fashionable shoes don’t entice you, Zone Bowling is a great way to spend the day with a big group competing for the title of bowling champion and there are centres in Tuggeranong and Belconnen.
Zone Bowling in Tuggeranong has expanded its activities to include arcade games, making it an all-in-one activity centre for all ages.
The Belconnen location has a dual Timezone & Zone Bowling entertainment centre—including a fully-fledged Timezone that features the latest games and attractions from around the globe (and a state-of-the-art Prize Shop with thousands of options to choose from). You can also sit back and watch as the kids battle it out on the dance floor with one of their Dance Battle games! Remember: practice makes perfect, so just keep them dancing!
Where: 76 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway or 1 Emu Bank, Belconnen.
When: Check Belconnen’s opening hours here and Tuggeranong’s here.
How much: $16.90 – $69.90 (depending on centre, time, day and number of games). See website for special holiday passes.
Website: zonebowling.com | timezonegames.com
Indoor Play + Amusements
Kingpin
Haven’t been to Kingpin? This indoor play location offers music, escape rooms, karaoke, Kingpong, state of the art bowling lanes, huge projection screens, Top Spin Table Tennis, Karaoke, pool tables, and more than 100 arcade games. There’s something to keep everyone entertained.
Where: Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City
When: Opening hours on website.
How much: See website for details.
Web: kingpinplay.com
Funland Mitchell
Funland Canberra is an indoor play centre offering a modern collection of safe, imaginative and engaging play equipment to suit children of all age groups.
They have created an environment to keep the busiest of children happy and entertained while parents and friends can gather and enjoy food and beverages from our café.
Where: 1/181 Flemington Road, Mitchell
When: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, seven days
How much: See website for pricing
Kidzplore
Kidzplore is one of Canberra’s coolest indoor kids play centres, located in the trendy Dairy Road precinct of Fyshwick. A great place for kids play, birthday parties and more.
Where: Building 3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
When: Opening hours on website
How much: Pricing on website
Web: kidzplore.com.au
Lollipops Playland
Lollipops Playland guarantees kids of all ages will have hours of fun each time they visit the Majura Park centre.
A dedicated toddler area makes sure the young kids play safely without the threat of being bowled over, and there’s plenty of activities for older kids.
Where: Majura Park Shopping Centre, Spitfire Avenue, Majura Park
When: Opening hours on website
How much: Pricing on website
Web: canberra.lollipopsplayland.com.au
For the active kids
BOUNCE
In news that will be music to the ears of overgrown children (just us…?), trampoline park BOUNCE (pictured) is officially open in Belconnen—and we’re more than ready to live our Ninja Warrior fantasies.
A giant 1800sqm venue of adrenaline-fuelled activities and bouncy brilliance, BOUNCE is home to a diverse range of activities centred around trampolining and adventure that combine sport, entertainment, and leisure for children and adults of all ages and abilities.
From free jump trampolines, dodgeball—that’s right, DODGEBALL—wall climb, X-Park ninja course, cliff jump, and even a dedicated miniBOUNCE Zone for junior jumpers, the whole family can bounce, flip and hurl themselves into the air at their heart’s content.
Where: MM3 Westfield Belconnen, 18 Benjamin Way, Belconnen
When: Opening hours on website
How much: Pricing on website
Web: bounceinc.com.au
Inflatable World Kambah
Yes, you heard right, this indoor playground is completely inflatable and the perfect way to stay shaded while letting kids run wild. Be warned, though, it can get really, really hot in here.
Although you’re going there to entertain the kids, try holding yourself back from getting on—trust us, it’s very tempting.
Where: 6 Jenke Circuit, Kambah
When: Opening hours on website.
How much: Entry is $19 for children five years and over, $12 for four and under, adults $19.
Website: inflatableworldoz.com.au
Phillip Swimming + Ice Skating Centre
Could there be a cooler way to spend a hot summer’s day? And if you feel like cooling off in a more traditional way, the pool is right outside!
Where: 1 Irving Street, Phillip
When: See website for times.
How much: Pricing on website.
Web: swimskate.com.au
BlocHaus
Fyshwick bouldering hang BlocHaus has become a favourite among families, gym junkies and daredevils alike.
Family Haus offers a dedicated space for kids to explore the joy of bouldering. Climbs are designed specifically for little people, while following a coloured grading system. Kids five years and over tend to get the most out of bouldering at Family Haus—all children require adult supervision.
Where: Unit 2, Building 2, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
When: Open daily. See website for opening hours.
How much: See website for pricing
Web: blochaus.com.au
Flip Out
Need to burn off some energy? Head to indoor trampolining centre Flip Out in Majura. You’ll find large foam pits and a special kids arena for the smaller ones.
Where: 13 Mustang Avenue, Majura.
When: See website for trading hours.
How much: See website for pricing
Website: flipout.net.au
Jungle Golf—Glow In The Dark Minigolf
This 18 hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is suitable for all ages—and with air conditioning, it’s perfect for escaping the summer heat.
Where: 125 Canberra Ave, Griffith (Inside Power Kart Raceway)
When: See website for trading hours.
How much: See website for pricing
Website: powerkarts.com.au/golf
Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing
Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing offers incredible facilities to assist in teaching kids of all ages how to rock climb. The walls range from an easy level to a moderate-hard level allowing kids of all ages to have a great time while getting some exercise. It’s the verti-cool thing to be doing these school holidays while indoors!
Where: 38-40 Essington Street, Mitchell
When: See website for opening hours and holiday trading
How much: Prices range from $17 – $24 (depending on activity, day and time)
Website: canberrarockclimbing.com.au
Vertikal
Did you know you can ski and snowboard indoors in Canberra? Talk about cool! A fun, safe and controlled environment, at Vertikal the speed and slope are adjusted to match your ability, so you’ll always be in control.
Children can begin skiing at four years old, or a strong three, and snowboarding at seven years old.
Where: Unit 2, Building 3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
When: Open Wednesday to Saturday 8 am–8 pm, and Sunday 8 am–6 pm.
How much: See website for pricing
Website: vertikalsnowsports.com.au
Educational play
National Museum of Australia
A fun, immersive, and educational play space designed for 0–6 year-olds with all learning abilities welcome? It sounds almost a little too good to be true.
But at the National Museum of Australia’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre you can expect all that and more with areas designed for high activity, quiet contemplation and creativity for little ones.
Think hands-on and immersive activities, storytelling, animation, the chance to play alongside other children and more.
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton
When: Open daily with 75 min sessions available from 9:15am-4:45pm. Bookings are essential.
How much: $10 per child, $5 per adult or $30 for a family ticket (two adults and three children or one adult and four children). Friends members play free.
Web: nma.gov.au
MoAD at Old Parliament House
From hands-on activities and imaginative play spaces that flip the traditional idea of museums completely on its head to giant lawn games and dress-ups in iconic outfits of historical and contemporary figures, there’s a whole lot to keep young minds engaged at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
Behind the Lines: The Year’s Best Political Cartoons 2023 is coming very soon – and it will allow visitors to hit rewind on the most significant political moments of the year through political cartoons. You are offered an all-access pass to be thunderstruck by Australia’s leading political cartoonists as they amp up the satire on 2023’s greatest political hits.
If that’s not enough, choose from the Zine Lounge—where kids can unleash their creativity, use their voice and create their own zine—to rediscovering the lost art of letter-writing in Yours Faithfully, or playing in PlayUP (which has range of exciting and immersive experiences) adults can even join in the fun too!
Where: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes
When: See website for dates
How much: See website for pricing
Web: moadoph.gov.au
National Dinosaur Museum
The National Dinosaur Museum offers free public tours (with the general admission entry price) every weekend and school holiday period (NSW/ACT). Join one of their expert staff to experience a journey through time.
Take a camera, some friends, those burning dinosaur questions and join the knowledgeable staff for a fun and educational tour suitable for all ages.
Where: National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls
When: 10 am to 5 pm every day.
How much: See website for pricing
Web: nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
National Gallery of Australia
The NGA is an awesome place to bring the kids and get creative. There’s plenty on offer with regular programs and interactive opportunities to engage with the national collection and exhibitions on display.
They offer free self-led activities whenever you visit and dedicated gallery spaces for families and students, right through to large destination events that are a must for your family calendar.
See the NGA’s range of special events for kids here.
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes
When: 10 am to 5 pm every day, except Christmas Day.
How much: Free entry
Web: nga.gov.au
National Portrait Gallery
From interactive Instagram filters to free portrait-inspired activities, story time to art workshops, the National Portrait Gallery has a range of cool things to do this summer.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Parkes Place, Parkes
When: 10 am to 5 pm every day, except Christmas Day
How much: Free entry
Web: portrait.gov.au
For the movie lover
We all know how useful the cinemas are throughout the holidays. They can provide hours of entertainment and are a great way to get out of the house and have some fun.
Limelight Cinemas
Where: Tuggeranong Hyperdome
Phone: 02 6293 6100
Website: limelightcinemas.com.au/tuggeranong
Hoyts Woden and Belconnen
Where: Westfield Woden and Westfield Belconnen
Website: hoyts.com.au
Dendy
Where: Canberra Centre, 2/148 Bunda St, Canberra
Website: dendy.com.au
Palace Electric
Where: 2 Phillip Law St, NewActon
Website: palacecinemas.com.au
Feature image: Pew Pew Studio.
