The 5 best things to do with kids in Canberra

Discover an immersive and inclusive play space designed for children of all abilities from birth to six years, their families and carers within the National Museum of Australia over on the Acton Peninsula. Here, children can explore animal-centric stories from Australian history, including Trim the Cat, Chris the Sheep and more, through hands-on and immersive activities, virtual storytelling, animation and imaginative play. 

This popular children’s science centre with interactive exhibitions and live shows is renowned for putting the fun into science, technology and innovation. Learn about everything from the Earth and space sciences to robotic technologies and the fundamentals of physics. In ‘The Shed’, you can tinker away with everyday objects to tackle a problem or simply create something memorable. Don’t leave without plunging down the two-storey-tall freefall slide. 

Inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, PlayUp celebrates the right of kids to freely express themselves. Both grown-ups and children can enjoy storytime and craft activities, a fuzzy felt wall, a kindness café and listening pods. The exhibition also incorporates role play and games to foster little imaginations, inclusion, community and self-confidence.

You’ll find the Mint – the place where every Australian coin is made (fun fact: it also makes circulating coins for other countries, as well as collector coins, medals and medallions) – in suburban Deakin. Take the young ones for a peek at the factory floor and learn about the manufacturing process for coins through interactive multimedia displays. The most curious kids can book into a free 30-minute tour or check out the permanent display of rare and unique coins, including ‘misstrikes’ (imperfect coins), rare pennies and the first coins to land on our shores. 

Imaginations can and do run riot in this mysterious, mist-shrouded garden that weaves between the edge of Lake Burley Griffin and the National Gallery of Australia building. The mist is actually a ‘fog sculpture’ by pioneering Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya. Her Foggy wake in a desert: An ecosphere creates its magic each day between 12.30pm and 2pm. It’s one of the more evocative artworks in the Sculpture Garden, with families encouraged to visit on Sensory Sunday (held on the first Sunday afternoon of each month), when activities are offered to suit neurodivergent individuals.