We visited Canberra recently with the tribe, and whilst we only had enough time to do a few things on our Canberra bucket list we found some other fun ideas for our next adventure. Here’s 10 fun things to do with the kids when holidaying in Canberra.
Questacon
Do not skip Questacon – this is such a fun place for the kids to experience. If you’ve never been before, inside is shaped a bit like the Guggenheim Museum, with a spiral ramp from top to bottom. We got tickets to do the Mini Q session on the bottom level shortly after our arrival – this is for kids aged 0-6 and lasts for 45 minutes. There is lots of hands on stuff for tiny tots to enjoy including water play, imaginary play and more. We then caught the lift up to the top level and worked our way through all of the exhibitions. There was something for every age and every interest. There is an entire level dedicated to aviation where kids (and kids at heart) can design their own aircraft on a computer screen then fly them and race them. There was another room with mini science experiments such as cups that fly when the air vents are turned on. We also enjoyed the Earth room with the lightning machine and the earth quake simulator. On the bottom level the Excite zone is a neon glow in the dark room with lots of fun things to do including the giant drop slide.
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is an incredible place with permanent galleries covering Australia’s involvement in major battles. There is a beautiful commemorative courtyard with a water feature often surrounded by floral wreaths, the Roll of Honour where the names of over 102,000 members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives during war service are honoured, the tomb of the unknown soldier, ANZAC Hall where you can see some of the larger significant objects from the wars and outside the beautiful sculpture garden.
Captain Cook Memorial Jet
This water jet is located in the middle of Lake Burley Griffin and shoots up to 152m high. You can stop and see it from the memorial and it makes for a great photo opportunity with the tribe. Or you can make a day of it and hire a bike and pedal your way around the lake. Click here for more on cycling around the lake.
National Dinosaur Museum
If you have a dinosaur loving tribe member – this is the ultimate dinosaur museum! There are dinosaurs galore to check out, and in the school holidays, they can participate in special activities like the dinosaur hunt where they can win a real fossil to take home! There are dinosaur gardens outdoors, indoor displays and fossils that have never been on display anywhere else in the world!
Floriade
Every year this annual event attracts tribes from all over Australia. There is plenty to do at Floriade including live shows for the kids, market stalls, demonstrations and workshops, food and carnival rides including the famous Floriade Ferris Wheel. At night Floriade Night Fest lights up Canberra and is worth checking out with the family. Floriade is on from September 16 – October 17.
Australian Institute of Sport
Got some sporty tribe members? A visit to the AIS is a must! The kids get to go behind the scenes at Australia’s elite sporting precinct where some of our countries most accomplished athletes trained! You might even catch some of them training there on your visit.
The kids can challenge themselves in the Sportex – an interactive sports exhibit to see how they compare to some of the top athletes in Australia.
Cockington Green Gardens
This quaint tourist attraction is one the kids are sure to love. With miniature villages full of houses, famous sporting grounds, miniature trains and lakes and even an international area with famous architecture from around the world. Once you have explored the villages, take the kids on a steam train ride around the gardens to enjoy all of the views again.
Parliament House and Old Parliament House
Driving up to the State Circle, Parliament House is a fantastic sight! If you decide to visit there’s plenty to do including strolling the grounds and seeing some of the permanent and temporary art installations, you can even sit in and watch a bill being passed through Parliament! There are guided tours and plenty of things for the tribe to learn.
Old Parliament House is also a must when in Canberra. This national icon is now home to the Museum of Australian Democracy. You can take a tour of the heritage kitchens and enjoy the exhibitions on offer. There are also beautiful spaces for the tribe to explore including the Play Up exhibition which encourages kids to dress up and play. It encourages them to use their imagination to discover the importance of kids in the community.
National Arboretum
The whole family will enjoy a trip to the National Arboretum. There are plenty of fun things to do from guided walks in the gardens to workshops for the kids during the school holidays. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Arboretum from Sprout Cafe and be sure to take the tribe outside to visit the famous Pod Playground.
Royal Australian Mint
Take the kids to see how money is made and watch as the kids enjoy the Mint Treasure Hunt in their free activity book available when you arrive at the Royal Australian Mint. The Mint is a fascinating place to stop off and you may even pick up a collectors coin for the kids to remember their visit by.
See what our tribe got up to in Canberra.
