Here are Canberra’s spring school holiday programs, fit for every wild child
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Good news – there are plenty of spring school holiday programs to entertain your kids every day of the week!
And extra emphasis on ‘entertain’, because these programs cover every interest under the sun. Whether you’re well-versed in their talents or you hope to uncover some new ones, start booking in these activities to keep the children hyped during the two-week break!
For the little space cadets
Launch the whole family into space at The Vault at Dairy Road through their two cinematic sessions this school holidays!
Bright Stars
For the families with little space cadets under the age of eight, view a breathtaking 20-minute introduction into the wonders of the cosmos with Space Time! Bright Stars showing is available from 9.15 am to 11.15 am for the entire school holiday break.
Witness the jaw-dropping visuals and get involved in the interactive experiences offered in this unforgettable cinematic session by grabbing tickets priced at just $9.50 per child, $12 per concession card holder, $14.50 per adult, and $40 for the family rocket pass.
Darker Matter
If 20 minutes isn’t enough and everyone in the family is over the age of eight, dive deeper into the depths of the expansive universe with Space Time! The Darker Matter cinematic experience, delivers a 40-minute immersive show featuring the latest mind-bending images of space from the best telescopes!
With tickets starting at just $9.50, book your preferred session now to explore what is beyond our planet, right here in Canberra.
Friday 27 September – Sunday 13 October | Booking essential. $9.50 per child, $12 per concession card holder, $14.50 per adult, and $40 for a family rocket pass | The Vault | thevault.place
For your mini musical geniuses
Join Mr Tim and Ms Nat at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre to create an original musical on a time crunch, or more specifically, in just five days!
The Make a Mini Musical school holiday program provides children between eight to 13 years of age with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take their musical inclinations and creative side to the next level! Alongside Mr Tim and Ms Nat, the participants will start by envisioning the storyline, writing the lyrics, music, and dialogue, followed by creating the choreography and making the props and backdrops for the stage.
Book to have your first week of school holiday plans sorted ASAP!
Monday 30 September – Friday 4 October at 9:30 am – 3:30 pm | Booking essential. $450 per child | Tuggeranong Arts Centre | tuggeranongarts.com
For the little comedians in your life
Have you ever laughed so hard to the point that your stomach hurts? The Interactive Theatre International’s children’s comedy production, Signor Baffo, will have the whole family experience just that!
If you have kids over the age of three, enjoy the chaos of Signor Baffo’s kitchen that will be an absolute treat to distract all of us from the chaos in our own lives for just a moment.
Wednesday 9– Thursday 10 October, 11 am – 2 pm | $20 per child, $30 per adult, and a $90 family pass | Tuggeranong Arts Centre | tuggeranongarts.com
For the perfect putters in the family
Putt to infinity and beyond these school holidays with the iconic mini-golf pop-up, Pixar Putt! Check this out when it’s in full swing at Civic Square until 18 October for four fun-filled weeks! With the set-up taking inspiration from Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc. Turning Red, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo and more, prepare to be transported into the Pixar universe, right in Canberra.
And this is perfect for all ages! Pixar Putt after-dark sessions are on offer for the adults to become perfect putters themselves, only on Thursday to Saturday nights from 7 pm – 10 pm.
This will be a sell-out event, so make sure to snag your tickets before everyone else does!
Until Friday 18 October | 180 London Circuit, Canberra | events.canberra.com.au
For the overly competitive
Looking for a free yet fun activity for the whole family? The Senate Courtyard will be the place to be with the Open Air PlayUP kickstarting on the first week of the spring school holidays. Gear up and get competitive during a game of musical chairs, Duck, Duck, Goose, Giant Connect 4, and the list goes on. And when we say this program is for everyone, we mean it. The Senate Courtyard is wheelchair accessible and welcomes all ages.
Monday 30 September – Friday 4 October at 9:30 am – 4:30 pm | Free entry and booking not required | The Senate Courtyard | moadoph.gov.au
For the worldly wanderers
While you take your time running errands and sorting out groceries at Gungahlin Marketplace, the kids will be exploring different worlds through the magic of several arts and crafts workshops.
If your little ones are obsessed with The Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo, the Under the Sea workshops will be perfect for them! Four workshops will be running between Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October and will be located outside of Big W.
- Shell Coasters: Saturday 28 September – Tuesday 1 October
- Seahorse Bookmark: Wednesday 2 – Saturday 5 October
- Pom Pom Fish: Sunday 6 – Wednesday 9 October
- Mermaid Bath Bomb: Friday 10 – Sunday 13 October
If your children always have their heads in the clouds, they can fly through the In the Sky workshops from Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October from 1 pm to 4 pm, located right outside the Daily Market Grocery on Level 1.
- Wool Clouds: Saturday 28 September – Tuesday 1 October
- Wind Chimes: Wednesday 2 – Saturday 5 October
- Flying Birds: Sunday 6 – Wednesday 9 October
- Adopt a Sky Pet: Friday 10 – Sunday 13 October
Bookings for these workshops are now available via the link below, so satisfy the curiosity of the worldly wanderers in your family!
Saturday 28 September – Sunday 13 October at 10 am – 4 pm | Bookings are essential. Free entry | Marketplace Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
For future filmmakers
Know a little aspiring filmmaker who is between the ages of eight to 12? If so, we have some good news for you!
Stop-motion animation experts Eleanor and Giovanni will be guiding participants through an inspiring two-day workshop, where the magic of paper cut-out animations will be explored through fascinating yet diverse themes.
By the end of it, the young stop-motion animators will have learned animation techniques, created backgrounds and props, and edit their film to bring their visions to life, from beginning to end.
Thursday 10 October – Friday 11 October at 9 am – 4 pm | Booking required. $385 per child | 30 Manuka Circuit, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
For the drama queens under your roof
Canberra Youth Theatre has brought us two out-of-the-box school holiday workshops for the little theatre lovers in your life.
The Imagine That! four-day workshop will allow young participants to create an original performance through pure determination and imaginative ideas. As for the Once Upon a Villain workshop, the young ones will dive deep into the darker side of fairytales through practical exercises and creative plays throughout the course of three days.
Take the dramatic ones out of the house and into the theatre during these school holidays by simply enrolling via the link below.
Monday 30 September – 10 October at 9:30 am – 3 pm | $350 – $450 per child | Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon | canberrayouththeatre.com.au
For little legs with active minds
Clear out a day during the school holidays to go on a family trip to the Arboretum for the family orienteering holiday program!
Once you find yourselves at the Village Centre Information Desk, make sure everyone grabs a map and clue sheet to solve the hidden puzzle, scattered within the picturesque forests and gardens. Best of luck!
Sunday 29 September – Sunday 13 October at 9 am – 3 pm | National Arboretum Canberra | $5 per person and booking not required | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
For the circus freaks in the family
It seems becoming a part of the circus isn’t as hard as we thought! Warehouse Circus is offering tailored programs to suit a variety of ages and skill levels in both Chifley and Kaleen so that all the little ones in your life will experience the height of fun through flips, stunts, and clown-foolery this school holidays.
Take the leap of faith and start enrolling via the link below.
30 September – 11 October at 9 am – 3 pm | Enrolling essential. Price supplied upon booking | Warehouse Circus in Chifley and Kaleen | warehousecircus.org.au
For the creatives at heart
As you “ooh” and “aah” at the Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, the kids can check out the First Nations artists from the Pormpuraaw Arts and Culture Centre through three artistic workshops.
By the end of the day, don’t be too surprised when the little ones bring home woven jellyfish sculptures, glow-in-the-dark turtles, and kinetic sculptures made from seashells!
Suitable for children five to 12 years old.
Monday 30 September – Friday 11 October at 10 am – 11 am and 11.30 am – 12.30 pm | $10 per child, $9 per friend, free entry for accompanying adults | National of Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
For budding bonsai lovers
The Arboretum is bringing the ultimate beginner bonsai workshop for kids who like to get their hands dirty!
Perfect for young ones between the ages of eight to 16 years, they’ll have the unique experience of seeing the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia through a guided tour, create a Bonsai under the guidance of educators, and learn to nurture their bonsai baby that they’ll carefully cradle home.
There are four sessions to choose from and at only $40 per person, book for your budding bonsai artist before spots run out!
Tuesday 1 October – Wednesday 2 October at 10:30 am – 11:30 am | Bookings are essential. $40 per person | National Arboretum Canberra | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
For beaming glass artists
The kids are going to have an absolute blast these school holidays as they channel their inner artist through these four workshops at Canberra Glassworks.
Wall Flowers
Calling all children ten years of age or older! This hour-long session will be all about cutting and bringing coloured glass pieces together to create a vibrant tessellated flower. Tickets are available now for only $95 per child and by the end of it, have a gorgeous glass artwork hanging on your living room wall.
Kids Holiday Tiles
For young ones aged eight years or over, they’ll have the chance to arrange small pieces of glass to create and fuse their very own seasonal tile to take home in just 45 minutes. Book your session now, with tickets priced at just $55.
Kids Holiday Bowls
The kiddos will be going on a bowl-tastic adventure in this 60-minute workshop where their imagination will soar to new heights. By the end of it, participants would have created a one-of-a-kind bowl that will undoubtedly stand out in the kitchen cabinet.
Suitable for your children aged eight years and over and is available for booking, priced at $100 per person.
Teen Glass Blowing
Get your teens out of the house and discover a new-found appreciation for the art of glass! They’ll spend two jam-packed days working with molten glass in the Hotshop and learn to make bubbles, bowls, and cups. And of course, these creations will be taken home for the whole family to marvel over.
Valued at $600, book in now and make sure you don’t break anything as you race to your phone!
Wednesday 2 October – Sunday 13 October at 10 am – 4 pm | From $55 – $600 per child, per workshop | 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | events.canberra.com.au
For boomerang beginners
The Mara Boomerang workshop, or the ‘Pathway of the Boomerang’ workshop in Ngunnawal language, will be guided by The Arboretum’s Indigenous Educator who will blend hands-on learning with an engaging outdoor activity. Ideal for children between the ages of seven to twelve, participants will have the chance to decorate their own boomerang, understand the basics of boomerang mechanics, and how to throw them (safely of course!).
Thursday 3 October – Friday 11 October at 1.30 pm – 2,30 pm | Booking essential. $25 per person | National Arboretum Canberra | events.canberra.com.au
For the tree huggers and flower lovers
Live and breathe spring with the whole family with an hour-long guided walk across the rolling hills of the Arboretum. Smell the flowers and take in the scenic forests as you walk hand-in-hand, and don’t forget to bring your best camera for some family photos.
Plus, this unforgettable walk is free for children 12 years and older and just $5 per adult. Make sure to book ahead and meet with your guide on the day at the Information Desk in the main Visitors Centre!
Saturday 14 September – Sunday 13 October, 2 pm – 3pm on Saturdays and 11 am – 12 pm on Sundays and Mondays | Booking essential. $5 per adult and free entry for children | National Arboretum Canberra | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
For the outdoor explorers
Head to Lanyon Homestead to start the school holidays on the right foot with your little ones! So, what are the kids in for? They’ll be top-notch tree detectives by discovering the age of trees in the area, become flower experts through the garden discovery challenge and will transform into talented artists by painting a flower portrait.
Saturday 28 September at 10 am | $20 per child, $10 per adult, and a $50 family pass | Lanyon Homestead | events.humanitix.com
For the fantasy fanatics
Grew up reading or watching the Chronicles of Narnia, and need a reason to rope the children in your life into this magical universe? Look no further, because The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe production is coming to Canberra!
Brought to us by Child Players ACT, there’ll be 14 showings at Belconnen Community Theatre, so snatch up the tickets before the rest of Canberra does.
Friday 4 October – Saturday 12 October at 10.30 am – 12.30 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm | Booking essential. $20 per person and 10-person group booking for $180 | Belconnen Community Theatre | trybooking.com
For the little popstars
Check out this four-day program that will be all about dance, making friends, and most of all, having fun!
So, what’s in store for those four jam-packed days, you ask? The program will kick off with a thrilling music video shoot and time for participants to bedazzle their very own popstar outfit with crystals and metallic. On day two, the bedazzling will continue with the addition of mind-blowingly delicious ice-cream sundaes for a sweet treat. To wind down on day three, the kids will take a trip to Hoyts for a movie day and to end the program with a bang, a glam session will be underway before the glamourous live performance!
Book now to ensure the little popstars in your life take centre stage this school holidays.
Monday 30 September – Thursday 3 October at 8:45 am – 5 pm | $380 per child | 13-15 Altree Circuit, Phillip | thinksmartsoftware-au.com
For the kids out-of-this-world
The National Museum of Australia is bringing two immersive 360-degree virtual reality cinema experiences for every member of the family from Friday 4 until Sunday 13 October.
Beyond the Milky Way
Take a journey to the Western Australian outback to see the world’s largest radio telescopes that captures the corners of the universe – right in front of your eyes. Simply put the VR headset on and prepare to be utterly amazed.
Book now for just $20 per person to make some out-of-this-world memories!
The Antarctica Experience
We can safely assume that you and the little ones in your life have not been to Antarctica – until now. Well, virtually at least! Experience a day in the life of Antarctic scientists with this virtual reality adventure.
At just $20 per person and recommended for those who are 13 years and older, make this a family event you’ve never experienced before.
Friday 4 October – Sunday 13 October at 11.15 am, 1.15 pm, and 3.15 pm | Booking essential. $20 per person | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
For the mischievous music lovers
A morning for fun and cheeky songs for your little ones? This is one to add to your dairy.
Coming to Canberra for one day only, Whistle and Trick is a Melbourne based children’s band made up of childhood friends Esther Holt and Maddy Kelly, who are always ready to sing, dance, and cause a bit of mischief. Taking over Ainslie Arts Centre for an hour filled with fun, they’ll be exploring all the wonderful wacky things in life, through a variety of musical styles and instrumentation. Their special friends Frank the Monster and Melindu the Emu will also be making an appearance!
Saturday 26 October, 11 am – 12 pm | $25 per adult and children one to 16, $15 | 30 Elouera Street, Braddon | ainslieandgorman.com.au
For the Disney and dinosaur lovers
Did someone say ‘Disney princess activities?’ These school holidays grab your little princess in training and take them to Westfield Belconnen and Woden for a fun time at their ‘Spark Magic’ Stations.
Fun school holiday activities for children of all ages will be on offer, including Fairy Godmother wand-making sessions, bracelet beading and crown decorating.
- Westfield Belconnen: Monday 30 September – Sunday 6 October, Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 11am – 3pm
- Westfield Woden: Monday 7 October – Sunday 13 October, Monday 11am – 3pm, Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Have a dinosaur devotee in your house? From the Dinosaur Discovery trail to a paint your own gnome workshop, there’s plenty for them as well!
Running from Monday 7 October to Sunday 13 October during trading hours, they can join Westfield Belconnen’s Dinosaur Discovery Trail and these school holidays to help find the lost baby dinosaurs from the National Dinosaur Museum. Plus, Westfield members who complete the trail can go into the draw to win a daily Family Pass to the Dinosaur Museum! It’s fun for everyone.
Until Sunday 13 October | Keltie Street, Phillip and Benjamin Way, Belconnen | westfield.com.au
