Cockington Green Gardens, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Top things to do in Canberra with kids

Canberra abounds with kid-friendly parklands, nature reserves and national attractions that include tailor-made spaces for youngsters.

By Jennifer Pinkerton

If your kids love to run amok outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. Ask Canberra parents what they love about their city and chances are you’ll hear them say, “It’s a great place for kids” – the lengthy list of open-air activities on offer has a lot to do with the reason why. And while nature play options are rife, the city's suite of national buildings offers equally enticing child-focused experiences.

Go to the Carillon Precinct

National Carillon, Canberra, ACT © Chris Holly, VisitCanberra

National Carillon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Chris Holly, VisitCanberra

Where: Queen Elizabeth II Island, Parkes

The National Carillon is a musical tower that sits atop Queen Elizabeth II Island beside Lake Burley Griffin. On an instrument similar to an organ, Canberra’s carillonists perform 50-minute recitals throughout the week. The Island is a top spot for a lunchtime picnic with kids. Just as idyllic is Boundless, the playground that lies across from the Carillon’s footbridge. This clever park, designed to mark the Centenary of Canberra, is the city's first all-abilities playground. It hosts free activities on the first Friday and third Sunday of every month.

National Carillon

Experiences • Landmarks and Buildings

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Visit the Questacon science museum

Questacon, Canberra, ACT © VisitCanberra

Questacon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Where: King Edward Terrace, Parkes

Kids of all ages go nuts over Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, as evidenced by the queues that snake outside the building's doors during school holidays. Over four levels, children can free-fall down a six metre (20 foot) slide, experience the shake of an earthquake, freeze their own shadows and send neon scarves coursing through a web of vacuum tunnels. Younger kids are catered for via Mini Q, a zone for 0-6 year olds: it's equipped with a water play station, a child-sized model bakery and shop, a crawl and slide space and a simulated space ship.

family of 4 walk up the Questacon ramp by the ticket desk

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre

Experiences • Galleries, Museums and Collections

From AU$17

Be delighted by Cockington Green Gardens

Cockington Green Garden, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Where: 11 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls

Stroll the beautifully landscaped gardens of the unique and delightful Cockington Green Gardens. Children will be mesmerised by the display of meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world. The Original Display is modelled after the UK town of Cockington, while the International Display features landmark buildings from around the world. Older kids will love looking out for the silly subtleties that can be found in the main display, such as Star Wars characters and the man reading a newspaper on the toilet. Other highlights include taking a ride on the miniature steam train and exploring the 34-room doll house.

Family walks in front of a Tudor style architecture buidling

Cockington Green Gardens

Experiences • Amusement and Theme Parks, Landmarks and Buildings, Parks and Gardens

From AU$25

Fuel up with a burger high tea

Burger High Tea, Beef & Barley, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Beef & Barley

Where: Kingston Foreshore and Eyre St, Kingston

Stop at Beef & Barley to refuel with the Kingston Foreshore as your backdrop. Their Burger High Tea is stacked with kid favourites, including chicken bites, pork and beef sliders, beer battered chips and an assortment of sweet treats. Adults can enjoy a beer or glass of bubbly as they take in the water views at this scenic family-friendly restaurant.

Go wild at the National Dinosaur Museum

Child sitting on a dinosaur at the National Dinosaur Museum, ACT © Tourism Australia

National Dinosaur Museum, Gold Creek Village, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Tourism Australia

Where: 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls

With Australia's largest permanent display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossil material, The National Dinosaur Museum will enthrall any little one with a passion for mighty beasts. The interactive museum houses life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, and robotic dinosaurs. Start your visit with a stroll through the giant dinosaur models on the grounds outside to feel like you're walking through a real Jurassic Park.

National Dinosaur Museum

Experiences • Galleries, Museums and Collections

From AU$12

Find snow in Corin Forest

Corin Forest Mountain Resort, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra

Top tip

Future astronauts will love a visit to the Canberra Space Centre (a 20-minute drive from Corin Forest) where visitors can learn about Australia's role in space exploration.

Where: 45 minutes from Canberra city centre, in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges

Corin Forest is a year-round alpine escape that offers Canberra's only snow experience in winter as well as exciting outdoor adventures in summer. Beginners can learn to ski or snowboard and families can engage in snow play activities like tobogganing, snowmen and snowball fights. When the snow melts, the area is still an excellent destination for getting outdoors. Don't miss a ride on the exhilarating Alpine Slide that descends 1.2 kilometres (three-quarters of a mile) through the forest.

Corin Forest

Experiences • Natural Attractions, Sports and Recreation Facilities

From AU$25

Explore Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Where: 50 kilometres (31 miles) south-west of the city

To see wildlife in its natural habitat – with an accompanying game of hide-and-seek – visit Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Tidbinbilla is thought to mean "where boys become men" in local Aboriginal language, a reference to initiation ceremonies. At The Sanctuary, platypus peek above the water’s surface, kangaroos hop through bushland, cockatoos screech overhead and koalas can often be spotted in the treetops, while water birds and frogs can be heard calling along the gentle walking paths.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Experiences • National Parks and Reserves

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Enjoy the Pod Playground at the Arboretum

National Arboretum Pod Playground, Molonglo Valley, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Where: Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley

At the National Arboretum's Pod Playground, sculpted acorn cubbies reach into the sky, hoisted up by silver steps. Kids can run across a musical bridge and tap notes out with each step, and toddlers can play inside sand-filled Banksia (native Australian flora) cones. This is the best-looking playground in the city and to top off its appeal, there’s a café at the Village Centre for weary parents. Inside the Centre, you’ll find the National Bonsai Collection and The Curatoreum, with a section dedicated to creative kids’ gifts.

POD Playground at the National Arboretum

Experiences • Sports and Recreation Facilities

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Have fun at Yarralumla Play Station

Yarralumla Play Station, Canberra, ACT © VisitCanberra

Yarralumla Play Station, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Where: 9 Pescott Ln, Yarralumla

The suburb of Yarralumla is home to Yarralumla Play Station. Cruise in from the city via scenic Alexandrina Drive, pass a mob of lazy kangaroos and stop in for a day of fun. Here, you'll find a petting zoo, miniature train rides and mini golf. Recharge with a meal under the trees at Yarralumla Gallery and the Oaks Brasserie. If the kids still have energy to burn, explore the network of oak trees and ponds beside the lake foreshore, with views over Black Mountain and beyond.