7 Unbeatable Things to do in Canberra With Kids [2025]

There are so many things to do with kids in Canberra, and we only scratched the surface! During our three-month stay in Goulburn, we took four sightseeing day trips to Canberra since it’s only a one-hour drive away. We covered two attractions on each visit, with the exception of spending the whole day at Questacon! Read on to learn about our top recommendations for family-friendly attractions in Canberra.

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Take the kids to Questacon

Questacon is one of the best Canberra attractions for kids! We spent five hours exploring this hands-on science centre and trying out all the fun activities on offer.

We watched a fire show, tried many experiments, and built various LEGO models.

Ayla’s favourite activity was the vertical drop slide, and Romy’s was using a machine to blow a beach ball through a series of hoops!

If you live in Canberra or plan to stay in the area for a while, you can also purchase a reasonably priced annual pass.

Visit the National Arboretum and Pod Playground

The National Arboretum is a fantastic spot to take the kids for a morning or afternoon in Canberra. From the hilltop viewpoints, it’s easy to appreciate how green this city is!

The Arboretum has a cafe boasting stunning vistas and indoor comfort. Or, step outside and sit on the hillside or outdoor benches to soak it all in.

While you’re there, make sure you check out the impressive Bonsai collection, the Rock Garden, and the Wide Brown Land sculpture.

Plus, the kids will absolutely love the Pod Playground with its acorn treehouses. Don’t miss it!

Check out the city-centre street art

If you like street art superheroes-style, check out Tocumwal Lane in Canberra’s city centre. It’s a bit of a dingy alleyway, but there’s some cool art to appreciate amongst the rubbish bins!

Explore the Australian National Botanic Gardens

The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra is an incredible place to take the kids to enjoy nature. We’ve been to many botanical gardens and the world, and this is up there with our top picks!

We followed the 1.8km trail around the garden’s main features. These include the Red Centre Garden, which mimics Australia’s arid landscapes, and the lush rainforest garden, which reminded me of home (New Zealand!)

The kids will also love the children’s trail, the bee hotel, and the paperbark treehouse. Plus, there’s a gorgeous cafe for refreshments.

If you want to walk further, follow the trail up Black Mountain, a 5.4km return trip. Or, there’s an alternative 3km bushwalk at the other end of the gardens. Overall, it’s a fantastic morning or afternoon out with the littles!

Hang out at a local skate park

If you’re looking for things to do in Canberra with kids (and they’ve got wheels!), take them to one of the city’s skate parks. We chose the Belconnen Skate Park because it had the most/best reviews!

The Belconnen Skate Park is large and features all the amenities skaters of any level need. Whether on skateboards, blades, roller skates, scooters, or bikes, the kids will have fun here!

The park lacks shade, except for a seating area on the steps. If you need to cool off, you’re in a perfect spot on the lake’s edge for a picturesque, breezy lakeside stroll or skate.

Enjoy the views from the Mount Ainslie Lookout

The Mount Ainslie Lookout is a lovely spot to visit in Canberra, offering sweeping views of the city and beyond.

At more than 800m above sea level, you can check out prominent landmarks like the Parliament Building, ANZAC Parade, the lake, CBD, and the hills beyond. Additionally, view a picture of what the scene looked like over 100 years ago.

A walking trail up the hill offers an alternative to driving if the family is up for it!

Picnic and play at the John Knight Memorial Park

The John Knight Memorial Park in Belconnen is one of the best parks to visit with the kids in Canberra. It boasts a perfect location on the lake’s edge and offers numerous features for the whole family to enjoy.

The lakeside paths are ideal for walking or riding scooters, bikes, etc. Take a short walk, or spend a couple of hours walking to the other side of the lake and back!

The park also has a couple of great playgrounds, picnic benches, a frisbee golf course, an outdoor gym, and water features. Plus, the Belconnen Skate Park is only a short walk away.

Check out the John Knight Memorial Park if you’re looking for fun and free things to do in Canberra with kids!

Things to do in Canberra with kids | In Conclusion

Overall, we think Canberra is a gorgeous and underrated city. We’d love to visit again and see more of its fantastic family-friendly attractions. The National Museum of Australia would have been next on our list!

Canberra has several tour options if you value local insights and expertise. This 8-hour small-group guided tour (minimum age 6) covers the city’s highlights, or check out this 90-minute all-ages behind-the-scenes tour of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Australia’s premier elite sporting precinct.

We hope this post is helpful for you and that you enjoy your upcoming trip to Canberra with kids!

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