10 ways to get active in the school holidays

Posted on 10 April, 2017

As the school holidays continue, the inevitable question pops up – how do you keep the kids busy?

Keeping kids active can take some creativity, even when it’s getting warmer outside. But with over 63 per cent of adults and around one quarter of children overweight or obese, it’s more important than ever to keep your family moving. With the help of the Good Habits for Life website, we’ve put together 10 free and low-cost activities to do together this school holidays. Try and tick one off each weekend!

1. Get your skates on! Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Rink is active indoor fun for the whole family! Afterwards, why not warm up with a hot drink at one of the city’s kid-friendly cafes?

2. Take a trip to the Kambah Adventure Playground. Kids can get their heart rates up on the slide, Tarzan swing or flying foxes. Check out other great playgrounds here.

3. Strap on your helmets, pump up the tyres and fill your water bottle before heading off on a bike ride to explore Canberra’s many bike paths.

4. Discover the National Museum of Australia’s Nature Play space or visit the revamped KSpace.

5. Get on board the Kingston Miniature Railway, open the second and last Sunday each month.

6. Dive into one of Canberra’s many swimming pools or check out one of these places to paddle, swim or fish.

7. Discover the 48,000 trees grown over the National Arboretum Canberra’s 250-hectare site. Don’t miss the Canberra Discovery Garden or the Pod Playground while you’re there!

The Pod Playground at the National Arboretum

8. Check out one of the five ACT Libraries. They have regular programs for kids including Giggle & Wiggle, Story Time and school holiday programs.

9. Watch a live hot glassblowing demonstration or take a self-guided tour at the Canberra Glassworks.

10. Get the whole family active – including the four-legged members – at one of Canberra’s six fenced dog parks or take a lovely autumn walk with the entire family. You can even pick up lunch afterwards at one of Canberra’s dog-friendly cafes.

Image: Supplied

For more useful tips to help your family enjoy a healthier lifestyle, visit ACT Health’s Good Habits for Life website.

ACT Health run a range of programs to support you and your children to set good habits, such as Fresh Tastes: healthy food at school and Ride or Walk to School. Check out these programs here.