10+ activities that will prevent the dreaded school holiday boredom blues
Posted on
Want to keep the kids entertained and yourself sane these winter school holidays?
From ice skating in the city to workshops, exhibitions, and more, we’ve curated the perfect guide that will help to prevent the dreaded boredom blues. Read on!
Design your ideal city (and explore plenty of others!)
From sewers to skyscrapers, How Cities Work at Canberra Museum and Gallery is an interactive family exhibition reveals something you might have never thought about—the secret workings of our busy urban centres.
Bringing to life the best-selling book of the same name, what makes How Cities Work extra fun is visitors big and small will be able to traverse a spectacular cityscape full of tactile and sensory activities, including a lively hands-on construction site, a futuristic design station, and a towering two-metre-high cityscape.
Until Sunday 8 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | cmag.com.au
Explore Questacon after dark
Full of wintery fun, Questacon is once again unlocking the doors after hours for an unforgettable family-friendly experience. We’re talking a fire show, live DJs, and snowball fights! Taking place for four nights only, don’t miss out—this is snow-ordinary winter event!
Read more about what you can’t miss here.
Wednesday 5 until Saturday 8 July | King Edward Terrace, Parkes | Book here.
Keep cool in Canberra City
Snow is forecast in the city centre this winter with the return of the fun-filled Winter in the City. From ice skating to live entertainment, food, drinks, activities, and more (including an eight-meter tobogganing slide), it’s the perfect way to level up your family winter experience. Race you to the bottom?
Read more here.
Until Sunday 16 July | Civic Square and Ainslie Place, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City | winter.inthecity.com.au
Head to Magic Camp
Have a little magician on your hands? Magic Camp might be what you need. In this school holiday program, participants will take an amazing adventure into the exciting world of magic as they learn incredible magic tricks, play awesome games, and make friends!
Running for a week, Magic Campers will participate in a full agenda of fun and inventive activities, including their “trick of the day.” If that’s not enough, campers will also be exposed to outdoor activities, secrets to illusions, improvisation, magic performances, and a variety of games.
Monday 3 until Friday 7 July | Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School Hall, Grey Street, Deakin | Book here.
Go back in time at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
This one is for adventure lovers—it’s time to discover some long-lost creatures! Visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens to see life-size diprotodons by award-winning design-led theatre masterminds Dead Puppet Society roving the Gardens during the day and exploring during the night at all MEGAfauna afterDARK sessions. This is a rare opportunity to come face to face with these ancient giants as they stop to feed and interact with passers-by!
In honour of the visiting puppets, there will also be a very special workshop on Tuesday 4 July where children aged eight to 18 can design and create their own puppet—inspired by the Megafuna of course.
Saturday 1 until Friday 7 July | Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Book here.
Unleash imagination under glass
Looking for something fun to keep the kids entertained? Let them unleash their imagination in glass. Under the guidance of some of Australia’s most acclaimed glass artists, in this school holiday class, they will learn introductory techniques in glassmaking to create their own masterpiece.
Just a little note: the program runs only from Wednesday to Sunday.
Saturday 1 July until Sunday 8 October | 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Book here.
Create abstract sculptures at the National Gallery of Australia
Have you seen the Haegue Yang: Changing From From To From exhibition? In this workshop, your children can create abstract sculptures inspired by Haegue Yang’s artistic approach, playing with movement, colour, and sound. Using everyday materials and craft techniques, they’ll make objects that can not only transform and create sound but may just represent the multiple aspects of someone they admire—like you.
Places are limited and booking is encouraged!
Saturday 1 until Sunday 16 July | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
Get back to nature at Tidbinbilla
From guided walks to making damper, Tidbinbilla is the place to go for free school holiday activities. Our picks? Building cubby houses among the gum trees and learning how to make billy tea with rangers top the list.
Tuesday 4 until Sunday 16 July | Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Paddys River Road, Paddys River | tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
Celebrate creativity at Uncharted Territory
Meet Canberra’s new arts and innovation festival celebrating creativity, experimentation, and ground-breaking ideas. Held across 10 days, the festival showcases some of Canberra’s most formidable minds and talents, as artists, entrepreneurs, and researchers push the boundaries of what is possible. Interested? Check out the full program of 50+ events (both free and ticketed)! And yes, a lot are family-friendly.
Friday 7 until Sunday 16 July | Kambri, 154 University Avenue, Acton | unchartedterritory.com.au
Step into a world of innovation at the National Museum of Australia
At the National Museum of Australia, step into a world of innovation inspired by the captivating new exhibition, Material World. In this special school holiday program, the kids will get hands-on with a variety of unique materials as they explore their properties and experience the process of design thinking—from brainstorming to building and tackling real-world problems along the way!
Friday 7 until Friday 14 July | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Book here.
Explore sporting history at the National Library of Australia
Looking for a free exhibition that’s not only educational but also entertaining? Grit and Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation brings the best of Australia’s rich sporting heritage to Canberra. And from Emma McKeon’s gold medals to Don Bradman’s cricket bat and a torch from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, there are plenty of trophies, books, pamphlets, photographs, drawings, and clothing to see.
Until Sunday 5 November | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West | nla.gov.au
Embrace the chill at Corin Forest
It’s not winter in Canberra until your journey to Corin Forrest for an alpine adventure. While you do need to pay to take part in the activities (which include the alpine slide, Snowplay, lessons, and skiing), entry to Corin Forest is free, and honestly what sounds better than nibbling on some woodfire pizza on a cold day? The kids are guaranteed to love it.
