15+ summer school holiday activities to keep the kids entertained
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Summer school holidays mean rest, catching up with family, and forever trying to answer the complaint of ‘I’m bored’.
Luckily we’ve compiled a list of things happening this holiday season to keep everyone in the family happy!
We’ve got inside activities, outside activities, interactive activities, and watching activities, so when the kids next say, ‘There’s nothing to do’, you’ll be prepared.
The Great Kimberley Wilderness
Be transported to one of the world’s most breathtaking and pristine landscapes in The Great Kimberley Wilderness – a 35-minute virtual reality experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth.
Guided by scientists and traditional owners, this journey crosses stunning coastlines and majestic gorges, venturing deep into these timeless lands. Soar over the thundering King George Falls, explore the remarkable striped sandstone domes of the UNESCO-listed Purnululu National Park, and travel back more than 350 million years to the Devonian Reef, uncovering the ancient geology that has shaped life as we know it.
This experience reveals the history, geology, culture and wonder of the remarkable Kimberley wilderness, which has been nearly two billion years in the making.
Daily, every hour from 9.15 am to 4.15 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | Find out more here.
Pompeii
Step back in time at The National Museum of Australia and explore over 90 artifacts from the ancient city of Pompeii. The family will be taken into the heart of Pompeii with an immersive soundscape combined with surrounding projections. After looking at items that were once used every day before the fateful Mount Vesuvius eruption, head to the café to refuel before exploring the rest of the museum.
Until Sunday 4 May 2025 | $12.50 – $62.50 | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | More information here.
Timezone Woden
If your kids love hitting the arcades after going bowling, they’ll be sure to love this one! Opening on December 14, Canberra will be home to a standalone Timezone filled with over 85 cutting-edge arcade games. Let the tickets (digitally) pile up and then make a visit to the large winner’s vault, boasting an impressive array of prizes! Don’t forget to check out the post-apocalyptic sci-fi-themed laser tag arena too.
Monday to Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm| Varying prices | Westfield Woden, Phillip | More information here.
Glass Blowing Experience
Learn how to blow glass at the Canberra Glassworks hotshop! Choose to blow either a glass vessel or a bird, under the guidance of a skilled glass-blowing teacher. This one is suited for ages 16 years and over; hot glass and young people don’t mix very well… This is an individual workshop, but the Hotshop mezzanine is the perfect place to watch and support!
Saturday and Sunday 18 – 19 January, and 25 – 26 January | $120 – $200 per person | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Mummy and Me pampering
Give yourself some me time these summer holidays by booking in for a Mummy and Me package at The Scalp Spa – the ultimate indulgence designed to keep the kids busy while you relax.
With the choice of two Mummy and Me packages to choose from, your little one will get their own pampering session with a manicure, petite scalpcial, and blowdry while you indulge in Scalp Spa’s Signature Scalpcial. Think: a scalp analysis, exfoliation, treatment, shoulder massage and blow-dry to finish.
You can even add on a bespoke facial, body massage or dip into their infrared sauna. Unwind and relax knowing your little one is in safe hands. Talk about the ultimate Mummy/Daughter date!
The Scalp Spa | G01 1 Elouera Street, Braddon, in the Midnight Building, facing Northbourne Avenue | thescalpspa.com.au/canberra
Family Orienteering
Whether your family is great with a map, or if you tend to get lost, this will be a fun experience! Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and sun protection, as you’ll be exploring the Arboretum’s forests and gardens after picking up your map and clue sheet from the Visitors Centre. Can your family find the hidden letters that reveal the name of one of the Arboretum’s unique forests?
Until Sunday 2 February, daily, closed Christmas Day | $5 per family | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | More information here.
Warehouse Circus School Holiday Programs
Kids of all ages are invited to unleash their inner acrobat, clown, and performer in the Warehouse Circus school holiday program! With programs in Chifley and Kaleen, your kids can develop lifelong skills, build confidence, and flip, twist, and turn to their heart’s content. Different courses are available for a variety of ages, skill levels, and prices. They’ll be putting on home shows for you in no time at all!
Monday 6 January – Friday 31 January, varying times | Varying prices | 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley and 104 Baldwin Drive, Kaleen | Programs can be selected here.
Kite Making
Windy day? Perfect for kite making! Decorate and personalise your own kite at the National Arboretum. This activity is open to all ages, whether you’re young or simply young at heart, anyone can make a kite. After putting the finishing touches on your masterpiece, take it for a test flight at the Arboretum.
Tuesday 7 January, Tuesday 14 January, Tuesday 21 January, sessions at 9:30 am and 10:30 am | $15 per kite kit | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | Book your spot here.
Circus of Illusion
Be amazed by death-defying escapes, mind-blowing illusions, mime, magic, and incredible costumes all in one tent! Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Sascha Williams, and other world-class circus artists will astound and keep both you and the kids on the edge of your seat! The trip home will be full of discussions around how the circus artists pulled off certain tricks…
Friday 10 January, 6:30 pm and Saturday 11 January, 2 pm | $47.25 – $79.90 | Canberra Theatre, Civic Square, London Circuit | Tickets can be purchased here.
DinoFest Canberra – Age of the Tyrannosaur
Take the kids to a roarsome experience to see life-size, real walking and moving dinosaurs stomping into the Black Mountain Peninsula. The dinosaur encounter experience is sure to go down a treat, with walking and interactive dinosaurs roaming around, and the dinosaur trail with more than 30 dinosaurs enroute including a life-size T-Rex! Keep the fun going with a dino dig, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to feel a fossil with real dinosaur bones… Book your tickets before going though, the sessions are selling out faster than a velociraptor can run!
Saturday 11 January – Sunday 2 February, 10.30 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm | $0-$26 | Black Mountain Peninsula, Garryowen Drive, Acton | More information here.
Under the Sea Holiday Program
For lovers of the environment, this is a sure hit! Take them to the 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition where they’ll learn about flora, fauna, landscapes, and the underwater world. After touring the exhibition, young artists can get hands-on and paint their own underwater picture, with guidance in applying artistic techniques like perspective and contrast! This holiday program is suited for those aged 7 to 12 and must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday 13 and 20 January, Wednesday 15 and 22 January, Friday 17 and 24 January, 10 am | $5 per child | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | Tickets can be booked here.
Botanical Gel Prints
Discover a new form of art in gel plate printing. This workshop invites kids to explore how natural materials like flowers and leaves can result in a bright and textured print! Friendly and experienced instructors will guide participants through the process of setting up a gel plate and selecting materials to create an artwork featuring the beauty and texture of plants.
Wednesday 15 January – Thursday 16 January, 10 am and 1.30 pm | $15 per child | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | Book tickets here.
Storytime Ballet – The Sleeping Beauty
Dress up in your best ballet-inspired outfit and bring the littlies to see an interactive Storytime ballet experience. This narrated version of The Sleeping Beauty tells the story of a beautiful princess who must sleep for 100 years until woken by true love’s kiss. The stage will be filled with glittering tutus and loved characters dancing along to Tchaikovsky’s score! The show runs for just under an hour, so the kids won’t lose interest. Don’t forget to bring your own wand from home or buy one from the counter, to take part in the performance!
Thursday 16 January – Sunday 19 January, 11 am and 2 pm | $43 – $65 | Canberra Theatre, Civic Square, London Circuit | Tickets can be purchased here.
Sea of Light
Try something a little different these holidays and embark on a journey of light and imagination. With a UV torch as a paintbrush, participants can paint and stencil their own voyage and steer ships that leave glowing paths of light in their wake, before creating a nautical soundtrack, by controlling colour and light! Take inspiration from artworks by Contemporary Aboriginal Visual Artist Elizabeth Close, which are painted in light across the sea floor.
Saturday 18 January, Monday 20 – Saturday 25 January, varying times | $20 per person | The Courtyard Studio, Civic Square, London Circuit | More information and tickets here.
Rock Art Holiday Workshop
Rock out with rock art at the National Arboretum’s holiday workshop! Budding artists will love painting their own rocks, after being inspired by a guided nature walk through the National Rock Garden. This workshop is suitable for little ones aged five and up.
Monday 20 January, Wednesday 22 January, 10 am and 1:30 pm | $15 per child | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo | More information here.
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
If your household is Bluey obsessed, this is the perfect family excursion! Join Bluey and Bingo in their first live theatre show as they pull out all the games and cleverness to get Dad off his bean bag chair after he calls for a bit of Sunday afternoon time out… The show will ring familiar to the show, with the script being an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.
Tuesday 21 January – Saturday 25 January, varying performance times | $54.90 – $109.90 | Canberra Theatre, Civic Square, London Circuit | Tickets can be booked here
Sunset Cinema
Who doesn’t love going to the movies? Get the most out of summer, by heading to the Sunset Cinema at the Botanic Gardens. Showing all the new hits, some old favourites, and family classics, bring a picnic, some camping chairs or a blanket and sit back and enjoy the show!
Until Saturday 22 February, from 6:30 pm | $14 – $51 | Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | Movies and tickets can be found here.
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks
Let the kids get hands-on with their learning at the CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks exhibit! This exhibit brings science and history to life through the world of LEGO built by certified Professional Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught. Expect to be bewildered after seeing some of these creations, and bringing out the Lego at home to try and replicate them…
Until May 2025, every day | $18.90 – $73.40 | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Feature image: Sea of Light. Credit: Matt Byrne.
