Calling all Canberra kids: your superhero training awaits

Posted on 23 June, 2025

Attention, future superheroes of Canberra! Your training academy has officially opened its doors, and it’s happening in Gungahlin.

From Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 July, Marketplace Gungahlin is calling all kids to step up, choose their side, and discover what it truly takes to be a hero (or villain!).

Whether your little ones dream of soaring through the sky with a cape or brewing mysterious potions in a secret lair, this isn’t just another school holiday activity – it’s a proper superhero boot camp that’s about to make these July holidays absolutely unforgettable.

Choose your side: Heroes vs Villains

Picture this: your little ones crafting their own superhero capes in the morning, then switching sides to create villainous masks in the afternoon. It’s like having a comic book come to life right here in Gungahlin, and the timing couldn’t be better for those mid-winter school holiday blues.

The Marketplace Heroes sessions run from 10 am to 1 pm outside BIG W, where kids can dive into hands-on creative activities that change throughout the fortnight. We’re talking superhero capes to start the holidays (5 to 19 July), followed by superhero masks (10 to 15 July), and finishing with beautiful sun catchers (16 to 19 July) that’ll brighten up those winter windows at home.

But here’s where it gets even better – if your kids are feeling a bit more mischievous, they can embrace their inner villain at the Super Villains sessions from 1 pm to 4 pm up on Level 1 outside Daily Market Grocer. Villain masks, magic potions, and edible ‘poison’ apples? Yes please! It’s the perfect way to let them explore both sides of the superhero story.

Why we’re obsessed with Super Sundays

Now, we know weekend activities can get pricey, which is why we absolutely love that the Super Sunday Sessions are completely free and don’t require bookings. Every Sunday (6, 13, and 20 July) from 10  am to 2pm, there’ll be face painting, popcorn, and exciting giveaways – all on a first-come, first-served basis.

It’s exactly the kind of community-focused fun that makes Marketplace Gungahlin feel like more than just a shopping centre. They’re creating genuine experiences that bring families together, and in the middle of Canberra’s chilly July, that warmth means everything.

The essential details for your superhero adventure

Bookings are essential for both the Heroes and Villains sessions – these activities are popular for good reason, so don’t leave it to chance. You can secure your spots through their Eventbrite links, and trust us, it’s worth planning ahead.

All the weekday activities run Monday through Saturday (they’re giving everyone a Sunday break, except for those special Super Sunday sessions), and with sessions running both morning and afternoon, there’s flexibility to fit around other holiday plans or those essential grocery runs.

The best part? These aren’t just time-fillers – they’re proper creative activities that’ll have your kids coming home with something they’ve made themselves, plus stories to tell about their superhero adventures.

So, are you ready to unleash some superheroes (and villains!) on Gungahlin? We have a feeling these July holidays are going to be anything but ordinary.