Canberra’s best family-friendly days out (that won’t cost you a thing)
Posted on
Looking for ways to entertain the whole family without breaking the bank? Canberra is packed with incredible destinations where entry is free, and there’s plenty to keep little ones (and adults) engaged.
Whether you’ve got a toddler obsessed with space or a 10-year-old who thinks they’re bored by everything (they’re not, we promise), there’s something here for every age, every mood, and every season.
Read on for your insider guide to the best family-friendly spots across Canberra that won’t cost you a cent to walk through the door.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Old Parliament House (Parkes)
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) is so much more fun than its full name suggests.
The PlayUP play area, free daily crafts (10.30 am – 12.30 pm), and DressUP activities make it entertaining for younger visitors, while the Senate and House of Representatives Chambers offer historical weight for older kids.
Various free guided tours run daily, and weekends offer free street parking on King George Terrace!
18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
National Gallery of Australia (Parkes)
The National Gallery of Australia in Parkes runs a brilliant range of family programs – from Curious Corner for babies in arms through to Art Gang for older children.
The Sculpture Garden Trail is a wonderful way to explore the grounds, and the outdoor Ouroboros installation is striking at any time of day. Free one-hour guided tours run daily, and school holidays bring additional free activities.
Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
National Portrait Gallery (Parkes)
Right next door, the National Portrait Gallery offers free Art Cart drop-in sessions, a free sensory kit available to borrow, and a lovely western courtyard to decompress in.
Little Faces (for children six months to three years) and Portrait Play (ages four to eight) are also available at a small cost if you’re after something more structured.
King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
The National Library of Australia (Parkes)
The National Library of Australia has plenty to keep the kids entertained.
The Kids Corner reading space is a lovely spot for little ones, while the Coronelli Globes (enormous, centuries-old, and genuinely spectacular) are a drawcard for visitors of all ages. Free 45-minute guided tours run daily, and school holidays always bring a mix of free and paid activities.
Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
National Capital Exhibition (Parkes)
Tucked away at Regatta Point in Parkes, the National Capital Exhibition often flies under the radar – but it shouldn’t. The scale model of Canberra is a hit with kids (and adults who love a good miniature), and the nearby Regatta Point Playground means you can easily extend the visit.
Keep an eye out for the Little Griffins free play and learn group for ages zero to four, held on the last Friday of each month at 10 am and the Captain Cook Memorial Jet on Lake Burley Griffin shoots water 147 metres into the air daily between 11 am and 2 pm – excellent for a photo opportunity, completely free to watch.
Barrine Drive, Parkes | nca.gov.au
The National Museum of Australia (Acton)
The National Museum of Australia runs free Storytime sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30 am during school term – a lovely, low-key option for families with young children.
Free daily Host Talks cover all manner of fascinating Australian stories, and the gardens are a great spot to let kids roam. The Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre requires paid entry but offers regular free community days, so it’s worth checking ahead.
Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Canberra Museum and Gallery (City)
The Canberra Museum + Gallery in the city centre offers a free, drop-in MakerSpace, offering hands-on creative fun (no booking required).
Keep an eye out because the school holiday programs bring additional free and paid activities, and the current free self-guided Junior Explorers activity runs until May 2026. Parking is free Wednesday to Sunday evenings in the Theatre Lane car park.
176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
NATURE, SCIENCE AND THE OUTDOORS
Mount Stromlo Observatory (Weston Creek)
From April to September, the Mount Stromlo Observatory runs free public astronomy nights every Friday night from 7 pm until 9 pm. It’s a genuinely special experience that kids of all ages will enjoy as they lie back, look up, and realise just how enormous the universe is.
Looking for something to do during the day? The Heritage Trail is also free to walk any time of year, and you can make use of the barbeque and picnic facilities.
233 Mount Stromlo Road, Weston Creek | rsaa.anu.edu.au
The National Arboretum (Molonglo Valley)
This is a spectacular setting for a family day out, no matter the season.
Don’t miss the POD Playground, the magical Children’s Garden, and the breathtaking Forest Sculpture Gallery (which is free to explore). Plus, free 20-minute guided Welcome Walks run regularly, and the forest car parks are free.
The views from Dairy Farmers Hill and Wide Brown Land lookouts are worth the short walk every time.
Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
The Australian National Botanic Gardens (Acton)
The Australian National Botanic Gardens is a Canberra icon and a wonderful place to spend a few hours with kids in tow.
The Paperbark Treehouse, Children’s Trail, and the Rainforest Gully misting sessions (which take place on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm) are particular favourites with little ones.
Borrow a free Explorer Backpack at the entrance to turn the visit into an adventure and join a free one-hour guided walk to make the most of the extraordinary plant collections.
Clunies Ross Street, Acton | visit.anbg.gov.au
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (Tidbinbilla)
It might be a little further out of the city, but it’s absolutely worth the drive.
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla opens its doors on Saturdays, Sundays, and school holidays – perfect for gazing at the largest steerable antenna in the southern hemisphere, exploring indoor activity cubes and playing on a fenced playground. A real Moon rock sample adds a cosmic touch to the adventure. Pack snacks and make a morning of it!
421 Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla | cdscc.nasa.gov
WildBark (Throsby)
For families who love getting outside and into nature, Wildbark in Throsby is a gem.
Open Thursday to Sunday, it features a beautiful nature playground and the surrounding Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, which is open 24/7. During school terms, the free Nature Playgroup on Friday mornings (9.30 am – 11 am) is a lovely option for families with children aged zero to 5. The Wetlands Walk is also a peaceful way to spend an hour or two!
Rosenberg Street, Throsby | wildbark.org
Geoscience Australia (Symonston)
Hands-on science for free? Yes please.
Geoscience Australia in Symonston is open Monday to Friday and houses the National Mineral and Fossil Collection, a Mineral Treasure Hunt activity for kids, and – the showstopper – the only piece of Moon rock in the Southern Hemisphere you can actually touch, brought back from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Free parking and the Blackstone Café complete the visit!
101 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston | ga.gov.au
SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT
Parliament House (Canberra)
Australian Parliament House is a must-do for visitors and locals alike. Start your day by picking up a free kids’ activity booklet at the door, then marvel at the LEGO Parliament House display, and make sure to take in the view from the famous flag mast.
There are various free guided tours run throughout the day, and the gardens and forecourt are lovely to explore at your own pace.
Parliament Drive, Canberra | aph.gov.au
The National Archives of Australia (Parkes)
Wednesdays during school term bring the free Murralangalang Story Time at the National Archives of Australia, perfect for children aged zero to six.
Looking for more? The interactive wall in the Connections exhibition is a favourite with curious little visitors, and school holidays offer a mix of free and paid activities.
Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
The National Film and Sound Archive (Acton)
Part gallery, part theatrette, part living archive, The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is a genuinely cool space to visit.
Entry is free, the rotating exhibitions are always worth a wander and while some screenings are paid, Club NFSA members get free entry to every seventh paid screening or event. Plus, street parking on Liversidge Street is free on weekends.
1 McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
The Royal Australian Mint (Deakin)
There aren’t many places where kids can watch live robots at work and come away with something they made themselves, but the Royal Australian Mint in Deakin is exactly that.
The Little Visitors Vault room is perfectly pitched for small explorers, and the Change Maker interactive games and Design Your Own Coin activities are genuinely engaging (not just “stand here and read a plaque” engaging). Free 30-minute public tours run regularly, and during school holidays, keep an eye out for free Crafternoons, Storytelling sessions, and Kids Coin Trade activities (perfect for ages five to 12).
There’s also a free BBQ and picnic area outside, which makes it an easy full-day outing. Oh, and free parking. In Deakin. Yes, really.
62-114 Denison Street, Deakin | ramint.gov.au
The Australian War Memorial (Campbell)
The Australian War Memorial manages to be both deeply meaningful and genuinely captivating for children, making it the perfect choice when looking for something to do.
Experience history in an immersive way with daily light, sound, and wind shows at the Vietnam War gallery, or reflect at the Pool of Reflection and Hall of Memory. Free guided tours introduce kids to Australia’s stories of courage, while the Last Post Ceremony each evening adds a moving touch.
Make sure to stop by the recently opened Cove Café for coffee and cake.
Treloar Crescent, Campbell | awm.gov.au
Feature image: National Portrait Gallery.
The Capel Family c. 1640
by Cornelius Johnson
oil on canvas
National Portrait Gallery, London.
Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 1970
© National Portrait Gallery, London
