Beat the ‘I’m bored’ blues: 25 epic summer holiday programs in Canberra
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Six weeks of summer holidays. Six whole weeks. While the kids are counting down the days with excitement, you might be counting them with slight panic.
Don’t worry – we’ve rounded up 25 programs across Canberra that’ll keep everyone happy, active, and (crucially) entertained. From budding athletes to creative souls and everything in between, book these now before the “I’m bored” chorus begins.
FOR THE CREATIVE KIDS
NMA Summer Holiday Program
They had us at K-Pop dance workshops. This summer the National Museum of Australia is hosting a range of school holiday programs inspired by their blockbuster exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave. From designing and making miniature outfits based on the traditional Korean hanbok to learning about maedeup, the traditional Korean art of knotting, it will keep little hands and brains busy!
Monday 5 until Saturday 24 January | Book here.
Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe
Let the kids burn off energy at this indoor play paradise while enjoying craft activities throughout January. From keyring creations and face painting to cookie decorating and scratch art masks, there’s a new activity to try alongside the climbing structures and slides. They’ll also get creative with stained glass cellophane crafts and aquarium scene activities. Perfect for rainy summer days when you need air conditioning and entertainment in one spot!
Monday 5 until Wednesday 21 January | Find out more here.
Museum of Australian Democracy School Holiday Activities
Crafty fun awaits at Old Parliament House with drop-in activities and special workshops.
Kids can explore the theme of community through collaborative art, decorating puzzle pieces, making paper chains, and building with Lego Duplo. Find out more here.
For older kids aged 12 to 16, cartoonist Eleri Harris leads non-fiction comic-making workshops on 15 January and 22 January, including a sensory-supportive session for neurodivergent young people. There’s also author Rhian Williams reading from her books for ages four to 10. Best part? Most activities are free drop-in, with workshops requiring booking.
Monday 5 until Sunday 25 January (craft), plus special workshops on select dates | Book here.
The H Dispensary Holiday Workshops
If your little ones love all things magical and natural, The H Dispensary has a delightful lineup of hands-on workshops this summer. Led by herbal host Sierra and founder herbalist Timothy Thomas, children will explore the wonder of nature through crafting, potion-making, and festive fun. From creating Christmas herbal baubles to designing crystal jewellery and mixing herb-infused playdough, each workshop combines creativity with learning about the natural world. With programs tailored for ages three to 15, something is enchanting for every young explorer. December sessions include Christmas-themed activities like festive tea parties and magical elf gardens, while January offerings continue the nature-based adventures with potion play, lightcatchers, and herbal iced tea workshops.
Multiple dates in December and January | Book here.
Kids Workshops at CMAG
Have young kids and don’t know what to do with them? Go along to the Canberra Museum and Gallery for two very fun craft workshops, In Puppy Play Ears they’ll unleash their creativity as they craft their very own wearable set of puppy ears, while in Nutcracker Peg Dancers, they’ll create a tiny peg doll of Clara, the Nutcracker, Sugar Plum Fairy, or the Mouse King from The Nutcracker ballet. Ideal for lower primary school-aged children, all materials will be provided.
Wednesday 7 until Friday 9 January | Book here.
Ruckus HQ Potion Making Workshop
Young witches and wizards can mix, swirl, and fizz their way through this hands-on potion-making workshop. Kids will create their very own take-home magical potion using enchanting ingredients that spark imagination. With colourful concoctions and mystical ingredients to discover, it’s the perfect whimsical school holiday activity. Spaces are strictly limited and these workshops sell out fast, so book early!
Friday 10 January, 10 am | 46 Jenke Cct, Kambah | Book here.
Up, Up and Away at the NFSA
Blast off at National Film and Sound Archives these school holiday with their school holiday program Up, Up and Away. Inspired by their exhibition In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunist, they’ll dive into spaceflight design with hands-on crafts and a screening of Paper Planes, complete with popcorn. Designed for children aged seven to 12, they will need to be accompanied by an adult, but everyone will have lots of fun.
Multiple dates | Book here.
Cyanotype Printmaking at Lanyon Homestead
Take the kids to create their own cyanotype this summer holidays. Including a tour of Lanyon Homestead and gardens to inspire them to create their own cyanotype print, they’ll gather materials from the gardens to use before being introduced to a basic cyanotype method. Ideal for children aged eight and over, they’ll need to be accompanied by an adult.
Wednesday 21 January | Book here.
Our Treasures, Your Treasures
In these hands-on craft sessions, kids will design and decorate their very own keepsake box to safely store and display their personal treasures. The National Library invites young makers to be inspired by their newly refreshed Treasures Gallery and turn inspiration into something special to take home.
Two 60-minute sessions at 10.30 am and 2 pm. Suitable for children six to 10 years of age, all craft materials will be supplied.
Wednesday 28 January | Book here.
Q Gallery School Holiday Art Classes
Get those creative juices flowing at Q Gallery’s summer art workshops. Kids will explore different mediums from painting to clay work, experimenting with materials and expressing their imagination. The Kids Christmas Craft Workshop features paper crafting exploring symmetry, patterns, and textures to create take-home Christmas decorations. It’s hands-on artistic fun in a supportive gallery environment.
Multiple dates | Book here.
Canberra Glassworks School Holiday Workshops
Watch glass come to life at Canberra Glassworks with several ocean-themed programs perfect for summer. Kids can create colourful sea creatures from salvaged glass in Mini Fishies, design mini glass seascapes with fused glass, or enjoy a private family tour culminating in making their own glass tile. For teens, there’s a two-day glass blowing workshop where they’ll learn to work with molten glass in the Hotshop. Note that artworks need to be collected up to a week after class.
Various dates | Book here.
ACT Nutrition Support Service Cooking Classes
Foster your child’s love for cooking with these half-day cooking classes led by food-loving dietitians. Kids aged eight to 12 will learn a range of cooking methods, knife skills, and food safety tips while preparing their very own two dishes. The fun and social sessions are designed to build kitchen skills and confidence, and all participants take home the summer 2026 edition of the Kids Cooking Cookbook to continue their culinary adventures.
Week 1: Monday 19 until Friday 23 January | Week 2: Tuesday 27 until Friday 30 January | Book here.
FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO DO EVERYTHING
Kids Biz Holidays
With three locations across Canberra and a diverse range of programs designed for primary school-aged children, Kids Biz has plenty to do these summer school holidays. From craft to cricket, the qualified and experienced instructors will adapt the lessons to suit your child’s skill level, development needs and interests. Open every day except between Wednesday 24 December and Sunday 4 January,.
Friday 19 December until Tuesday 23 December | Book here.
Play Base Holiday Program
From activities to excursions and sports programs, whatever your child’s interest Play Base has something for them. With the choice of a full or half-day program, they’ll do arts and crafts, play games, visit the movies, try their hand at bowling and more. Make sure to visit the website for the full program details – there’s plenty to choose from!
Monday 5 until Friday 30 January | Email Teagan.Kate@nextgenclubs.com.au to book.
Next Gen Summer Holiday Active
Next Gen is offering an action-packed holiday program this summer. Suitable for kids aged six to 12, the activities range from sports to party games, arts and crafts and more! Running across three weeks, you can choose between a full or half-day session and even have the option to add a café lunch to the program.
Monday 12 until Friday 30 January | Book here.
FOR THE ACTIVE KIDS
Kids Learn to Sail
This summer, why not enroll the kids in Canberra’s premier sailing school? Providing sailing courses for children aged seven to 17, it’s designed for beginners through to experienced juniors. With the choice of three-, four- or five-day courses, it’s a fun and safe way to get your child onto the water while learning basic practical sailing and theory. Running from 8.45 am until 4 pm each day during the school holidays, spots are limited.
Multiple dates | Book here.
Gooromon Park Horse Riding Centre
Perfect for six- to 16-year-olds, this school holiday program is a safe and fun way for your child to learn how to horse ride! Choose between the one- or four-day program and let the qualified instructors show them the reins – from feeds to grooming, saddling, and riding. Just make sure to pack lunch and they’ll provide the rest.
Monday 15 until Friday 16 December and Monday 5 until Friday 30 January | Book here.
One Futbol
Have a future soccer star on your hands? This is the program for them. Suitable for six- to 15-year-olds, they’ll be able to focus on their training during a two-day holiday clinic. Designed to develop both tactical understanding and technical prowess, they’ll walk away prepared for higher levels of competition. Oh, and it’s also a lot of fun!
Friday 9 until Thursday 22 January | Book here.
Aerial Sports
Action-packed with a variety of classes offered throughout the day, this school holiday program will burn plenty of energy. Including Aerial Acrobatics, Circus Skills, Tumbling, Group Acro, Obstacle Courses, Mini Boot Camp, Dance and more, they’ll keep the students busy with packed sessions (with breaks in-between). It’s perfect for ages six to 17 and all skill levels.
Monday 19, Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January | Book here.
Australian Institute of Sport
Go behind the scenes at Australia’s premier elite sports precinct with a 90-minute guided tour of the training facilities. The tour includes Sportex, an interactive sports exhibit where kids can challenge friends and family while surrounded by Australian sports memorabilia. Plus, make a splash with the AIS Holiday Swim Intensive Program, designed to help kids build confidence and improve their swimming skills in record time.
Various dates | Leverrier St, Bruce | Book here.
Australian Botanic Gardens
Discover the secrets of the Australian bush on a family-friendly adventure tour. Kids aged four to 10 (with accompanying adults) will travel on the magical Flora bus, walk through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden, and finish at the Paperbark Treehouse. Plus, from 12 to 18 January, get ready for Snakes Alive where you can meet, learn about, and even hold some amazing live snakes!
Multiple dates | Clunies Ross St, Acton | Book here.
FOR THE GAMER KIDS
Vala Summer Vacation Program
Dungeons and Dragons style dice-play, Live Action Role Playing (LARP) and more – your child can choose their own adventure these school holidays. Designed for children aged seven to 15, during this program, they’ll get to play a character in a collaborative tale, experiencing a unique blend of storytelling, tabletop roleplaying, LARP, and physical games. Led by a supportive team of educators, performers and mentors, it’s a one-of-a-kind program that will engage and inspire.
Monday 12 until Friday 30 January | Book here.
Active Gamers
An innovative and award-winning holiday program for children aged six to 12 years old, in this school holiday program, not only will they play the video games they love but they’ll also stay active thanks to fun sports sessions. Designed to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle, the program also includes cyber-safety sessions that touch on cyber-bullying and safe gaming behaviours. It’s also fully catered and fully Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved.
Various dates | Book here.
FOR THE KIDS WHO LOVE A MOVIE
Libraries ACT School Holiday Movies
Come dive under the sea with three classic Disney films screening at Gungahlin Library these holidays. The lineup includes The Little Mermaid on 7 January, Moana on 14 January, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire on 21 January. It’s free entertainment in the cool library setting, and a perfect excuse to introduce the kids to these beloved animated adventures.
Wednesdays 7, 14 and 21 January | More info here.
National Film and Sound Archive Holiday Screenings
The NFSA is rolling out an impressive lineup of family films at Arc Cinema throughout January. From the slapstick comedy of Mouse Hunt and the culinary dreams of Ratatouille to Australian classics like Babe and international favorites including Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo and the moving Whale Rider, there’s something for every film-loving family. With allocated seating and afternoon sessions, it’s the perfect way to beat the summer heat.
Various dates throughout January | Book here.
