Exploring Canberra with Family-Friendly Experiences for Everyone

The National Gallery of Australia offers a range of family-friendly activities, including interactive art installations and hands-on craft workshops. The Arthur Boyd Children’s Gallery is designed for kids, with engaging exhibits that encourage creativity and play. Families can also explore the outdoor sculpture garden, which features unique art pieces and peaceful surroundings.

Managed by NASA, this space center is an exciting destination for kids interested in space and astronomy. The visitor center features real space artifacts, interactive exhibits, and live feeds from deep space missions. Kids can see a piece of the Moon, learn about Mars rovers, and track real-time satellite communications. The complex is located in Tidbinbilla, making it a great add-on to a visit to the nature reserve.

This charming miniature village features detailed replicas of famous buildings and landmarks from around the world. Kids love the interactive model railway and the tiny houses with moving parts. There’s also a miniature steam train ride that offers a fun way to explore the gardens. The beautifully landscaped surroundings make it a great spot for a relaxed family outing.

Questacon is one of the most popular family attractions in Canberra, offering a hands-on learning experience for kids of all ages. The science museum features interactive exhibits covering topics like physics, engineering, space, and robotics. Highlights include the Free Fall Slide, where kids can experience the sensation of zero gravity, and the Earthquake Lab, which simulates real tremors. Questacon also hosts live science demonstrations, making learning fun and engaging for the whole family.

This small but engaging museum offers interactive exhibitions, hands-on art workshops, and displays about Canberra’s history. The Play, Create, Make area is great for kids who enjoy arts and crafts, and special family-friendly programs are often available on weekends. It’s a great indoor activity, especially for younger children.

A fantastic winter and summer destination, Corin Forest offers snow play, tobogganing, and beginner skiing during the colder months. In warmer months, families can enjoy bushwalking, picnic areas, and the Alpine Slide, a fun downhill ride through the forest. It’s an easy day trip from Canberra, about 45 minutes away.

Weston Park is a fantastic spot for families, offering picnic areas, playgrounds, a wading pool, and BBQ facilities. Yarralumla Play Station, located within the park, features mini-golf, a petting zoo, and a miniature railway that takes kids on a fun train ride through the park. It’s a great place for younger children to play and explore.

This unique aviary in Gold Creek allows families to walk among free-flying parrots, finches, and exotic birds. Kids can feed the birds, and many will land on their hands or shoulders, making for a fun and interactive experience. The aviary is home to over 500 birds from 60 different species, making it a great spot for young animal lovers.

While it might not seem like a traditional family attraction, the Australian War Memorial offers fascinating exhibitions designed for children, including interactive displays, aircraft, and wartime vehicles. The Discovery Zone is a hands-on area where kids can explore a World War I trench, climb aboard a Cold War submarine, and sit in a helicopter cockpit. Daily Last Post ceremonies also provide a moving experience for families looking to teach kids about history and remembrance.

One of Canberra’s most scenic spots, Lake Burley Griffin offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including bike riding, paddle boating, kayaking, and picnicking. The Captain Cook Memorial Jet shoots water high into the sky, delighting kids. The lake’s paths are great for an easy family bike ride, with plenty of scenic rest stops along the way.

Held on Sundays, these family-friendly markets in Braddon feature fresh produce, artisan goods, and delicious street food. There’s live music, a dedicated kids’ play area, and plenty of open space for families to relax. It’s a great spot to grab breakfast and let the kids enjoy some outdoor fun while parents browse local products.

A must-visit for kids who love reptiles, this zoo features over 50 species of snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles. Kids can touch and hold some of the friendlier reptiles, and the staff provides engaging educational talks. It’s an excellent indoor activity, especially on rainy or hot days.

The Royal Australian Mint offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how Australian coins are made. Kids can watch robots in action, learn about the history of money, and even mint their own special souvenir coin. The visitor center has interactive displays, and guided tours provide insights into coin production and design.

Canberra’s National Zoo & Aquarium is unique because it combines a traditional zoo experience with an aquarium, allowing families to see both land and marine animals in one visit. The zoo is home to lions, tigers, cheetahs, bears, giraffes, and meerkats, while the aquarium features sharks, reef fish, and other marine life. The Zooventure Tour and Close Encounters experiences allow kids to feed animals or even spend time with a cheetah or a meerkat.

This creative hub allows families to watch glassblowing demonstrations and learn about the fascinating art of glassmaking. Older kids and parents can even take part in a glass-making workshop, where they can create their own unique glass piece to take home. The live demonstrations are especially mesmerizing, showcasing the skill and artistry involved in shaping molten glass.

A hidden gem for nature-loving families, Jerrabomberra Wetlands offers a chance to see native wildlife up close, including kangaroos, waterbirds, turtles, and even platypuses. Easy walking trails with bird-watching hides make it a relaxing and educational outdoor experience. The wetlands are stroller-friendly, and there are occasional guided tours and kids’ activities, especially during school holidays.

Perfect for active kids, Canberra’s indoor rock climbing gyms offer safe and fun climbing experiences for all ages. Places like BlocHaus and Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing have beginner-friendly walls, bouldering areas, and climbing challenges. Many offer family sessions where parents and kids can climb together.

Located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, this peaceful garden features Japanese-style landscaping, cherry blossom trees (in spring), and tranquil water features. Families can enjoy a picnic, walk along the lakeside paths, or relax in the serene surroundings. The park also hosts annual cultural events, such as the Canberra Nara Candle Festival, which features lantern displays and Japanese performances.

A fantastic place for families who love nature, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers easy walking trails where you can spot kangaroos, koalas, emus, platypuses, and other native wildlife. The Nature Discovery Playground is designed for kids to climb, explore, and interact with natural elements. The Sanctuary Loop Walk is stroller-friendly and takes visitors past wetlands teeming with birdlife and aquatic animals.

One of the best viewpoints in Canberra, Mount Ainslie Lookout provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Families can either drive to the top or take the Mount Ainslie walking trail, which is a family-friendly hike through bushland where kids might spot kangaroos and native birds. The lookout is especially stunning at sunset, making it a great spot for family photos.

Covering over 250 hectares, the National Arboretum is home to rare and endangered trees from around the world. Families can explore themed gardens, walking trails, and scenic lookouts. The highlight for kids is the Pod Playground, featuring giant acorn-shaped treehouses, slides, and climbing nets. The Dairy Farmers Hill lookout offers panoramic views of Canberra, making it a great place for a family picnic.