Cheetah Encounter at the National Zoo
RedBalloon
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From crafts and board games to bike rides and hula hooping, we've got you covered for activities to do at home and online in Canberra this summer.
Outdoor activities in Canberra over the school holidays
Spend a day at Canberra's top family-friendly attractions
All of Canberra's museums and galleries, including the Australian Institute of Sport, National Museum of Australia, Cockington Green Gardens, National Zoo and Aquarium, The National Dinosaur Museum and National Gallery of Australia, are waiting for you to explore.
National Museum of Australia Building and Architecture Tour
RedBalloon
Twilight Tour Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary
Viator
See Canberra from above
Introduce the kids to a bird's-eye view of the city. For budget-savvy families, get to the top of Telstra Tower on a clear day, and for a larger treat or celebration, wake up before dawn for a hot air balloon ride over the region.
Hot Air Ballooning over Canberra
RedBalloon
Learn to Fly a Helicopter
RedBalloon
Private Helicopter Flight
Adrenaline
Go scavenger hunting
If you've signed yourself up to look after a group of kids, a scavenger hunt is heaps of fun. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it works for their team-building skills. You can host this in your home or neighbourhood using a DIY kit from a professional company with a larger network of families.
Scavenger Hunt
Groupon
Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt
Etsy
At-home activities to do in Canberra over the school holidays
Order a DIY craft kit
Puppets, beaded creatures, pirate ships… anything and everything is possible with craft. With a few materials to get you started, the kids can be creating in no time. Choose something you think they'll love and watch the magic unfold.
DIY Bead Mosaic Craft Box
Classbento
Pirate Craft Box
Classbento
DIY Puppet Craft Box
Classbento
Have fun with paint
A virtual paint party is a fun way to get together with friends safely at home these school holidays. A professional will guide the kids through the process of creating something wonderful.
Private Paint Party for Kids (Age 5+)
Classbento
Dreamtime Stories and Painting for Kids
Classbento
Art Course for Kids (Ages 8-12)
Classbento
Drawing classes
Sharpen your pencils, grab some paper and get ready to learn how to draw. Learn the basics of how to draw fun shapes with Zentangle. For a truly unique experience have a virtual meet with a llama and then draw it.
Learn Zentangle
Classbento
Meet and Draw a Llama online
Classbento
Elephant Drawing for Kids
Classbento
Spend time together in the kitchen
Making food together is a fun way to bond so check out these food-focused activities that will have your kids whipping up a treat quick-smart.
Unicorn Cookie Decorating Kit
Classbento
Caterpillar Cookie Craft Box
Classbento
Under the Sea Cookie Craft Box
Classbento
Snuggle in for a night on the couch
The long summer break is the ideal time to snuggle up on the couch, flick on the television and enjoy each other's company. We're sure the kids would agree. If you haven't already signed up, Netflix, Disney+ and BINGE have libraries upon libraries of child-friendly shows.
Road trips you can take from Canberra
Batemans Bay
Distance from Canberra: 2 hours by car or 3 hours by bus.
This beautiful coastal town offers holidaymakers kayaking, fishing, snorkelling, swimming and local Indigenous experiences. Choose to relax or explore as much as you like.
Kayak Tour with Pizza Dinner
RedBalloon
Glass-Bottom Kayak Tour on Batemans Bay
Viator
Snowy Mountains
Distance from Canberra: 2.5 hours by car or booked coach.
The walking trails of the Snowy Mountains are the perfect destination in summer. With "just right" weather and majestic views, you won't regret a visit.
Snowy Mountains Segway Tour
RedBalloon
Lake Jindabyne Helicopter Flight
Adrenaline
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Distance from Canberra: 50 minutes by car.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is less touristy than the CBD or the Snowies. In just under an hour, you'll be on the doorstep of its walking trails. These take you through a eucalyptus forest that's teeming with native wildlife.
Free school holiday activities in Canberra
- Cycle or walk around Lake Burley Griffin.
- Take the kids to Eddison Park for a game of disc golf, perfect for a family day out or a play date with friends.
- Pack the picnic and take it to Lennox Gardens on a sunny day.
- Browse the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
- Make a scrapbook or video diary of holiday memories.
- Have the kids help out with cooking.
- Build a pillow fort.
Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.
School holiday events in Canberra
- LFG School Holiday Program: 21 December, 12, 18-19, 25, 27 January. Head along and play with a huge selection of board games. Get some friends together and set the kids up for a day of supervised fun.
- Music for Canberra - Summer School Holiday Programs: 24-25, 27-28 January. Join Music for Canberra's 2-day workshops where experienced tutors will run through a host of music activities including building instruments and electronic music demonstrations.
- Techne time: 10-14, 17-21 January. The National Museum of Australia is hosting this unique event where kids can create their own comics based on the myths and stories portrayed in the Ancient Greeks exhibition.
- Recycling Discovery Hub: 24, 27 January. Take your empty glass jars along to the hub, learn about recycling and upscale your jars into colourful lanterns.
- Garden Party - Kids High Tea: 21 January. First Edition Canberra is inviting you to join in this green thumb experience; there'll be face painting, crafts and every child will go home with their own seeded pot plant.
- Lulu and the Tantrums: 8 January. Visit Inflatable World and enjoy free jumping (kids and adults), free pizza and live music from Lulu and the Tantrums and Space Party.
When are the 2021/22 school holidays in Canberra?
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 school holidays | 2 April to 18 April 2021 |
| Term 2 school holidays | 26 June to 11 July 2021 |
| Term 3 school holidays | 18 September to 4 October 2021 |
| Term 4 school holidays | 18 December to 30 January 2021/22 |
Activity and experience deals for the Canberra school holidays
RedBalloon
Up to 48% off Australia experiences + an extra 10% off with code
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours, getaways and more. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
Up to 41% off Australia Day cruise w/ lunch or dinner
Ends
Available on 26 January 2022 in Sydney Harbour with Magic Cruises.
Klook Australia
Up to 60% off Australia sightseeing tours
Available on select travel dates in 2022. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and more.
Skydive Australia
Up to $20 off skydiving with code
Get $20 off per person when you book for 4 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more.
Skydive Australia
Up to $40 off skydiving with code
Get $40 off per person when you book for 8 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more.
Skydive Australia
Up to 10% off Queensland skydives
Ends
Available on jumps until June 2022 when you use the code. Destinations include Cairns and Mission Beach. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $25 off NSW skydives
Ends
Available until 30 June 2022 when you use your Dine and Discover vouchers. Destinations include Wollongong, Byron Bay and Newcastle. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 40% off Sydney and Blue Mountains attraction pass combo
Ends
Available from 8–31 January 2022 for a triple entry pass to Scenic World Blue Mountains, Sydney Zoo and BridgeClimb Pylon. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Up to 42% off activities for kids
Available on select dates for activities like whale watching, go karting, sightseeing tours, attraction passes and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and more.
Adrenaline
Exclusive
Get 10% off Australia activities and experiences
Ends
Available on select dates, including Christmas and New Year's Eve, and activities including V8 racing, tandem skydives, scenic helicopter flights and jet boat rides. Destinations include Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $350 required. T&Cs apply.
Exclusive
Skydive Australia
Australia skydives from $219 + free $20 merchandise voucher
Available on jumps from 7,500 ft to 15,000 ft. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook New Zealand
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Available on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination when you subscribe to Klook's newsletter. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, Australia, London, USA and more.
Adrenaline
Up to 50% off Australia experiences
Available on select dates, including Christmas and New Year, for activities such as skydiving, hot air balloon flights, bridge climbing, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more.
Scoopon
Up to 70% on local deals
Shop for dining experiences, attractions and more for up to 70% off. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and more.
KKday
Up to 43% off things to do in Australia
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights, jet boat rides and more.
Everything Australia
Up to 40% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities including hot air ballooning, skydiving, sightseeing cruises, whale watching cruises and dining. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane and more.
Viator
Up to 15% off local activities
Available on select dates on activities including day tours, skydiving, hot air ballooning, attraction passes and cruises. Destinations include in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, Australia, London, USA and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Up to $10 off Canberra hot air balloon flight experiences
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Taronga Zoo Sydney experience from $25
Ends
Valid for travel on select dates. Includes sightseeing to over 350 animal species inhabiting the zoo and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Sydney: $10 off round-trip in Rocket Ferry, Taronga Zoo and Sky Safari
Ends
Valid for travel on select dates. Includes round-trip transfers in Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, or Darling Harbor with rocket ferry from Captain Cook. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 49% off Sydney Taronga Zoo entry tickets
Ends
Available from 5 January – 31 May 2022 when you use your Dine & Discover vouchers. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 39% off Sydney attraction pass combo
Ends
Available until April 2022 on 2, 3 or 4 passes to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
Viator
$90: Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane
Ends
Available on select dates until March 2022. Includes Australia Zoo entry ticket and more.
Groupon
Brisbane: Australia Zoo admission tickets from $35
Ends
Vouchers valid up to 6 months from date of purchase. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
Up to 37% off Sydney Harbour cruise w/ food and drinks
Ends
Available on Australia Day on 26 January 2022 and includes food and drinks.
Scoopon
Up to 55% off Australia Day cruise in Sydney
Ends
Available on 26 January 2022 and includes canapes and drink.
Scoopon
Sydney: Australia Day cruise with food and drinks from $80
Ends
Available on 26 January 2022 for a 4-hour cruise with lunch or dinner.
AAT Kings
Up to 2.5% off holiday bookings + Extra 10% off day tours
Available on select dates until 2023 across Australia and New Zealand when you purchase 2+ tours. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 60% off things to do in Sydney
Available on activities until December 2022 including hop-on hop-off tours, wine tours, sightseeing cruises, zoo and animal interactions, hot air balloon flights, jet boat rides and more.
Skydive Australia
Extra $25 off Sydney tandem skydives
Ends
Available on select travel dates when you use your NSW Discover voucher. Plus receive a $20 merchandise voucher. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Great Ocean Road tandem skydives from $369
Available on select dates for an up to 15,000ft jump. Includes a $20 merchandise voucher.
Luxury Escapes
Melbourne: VIP Australian Open Sportsnet Super Suite from $149
Ends
Available from 17–24 January 2022 with private viewing lounge.
Trip.com
Get 10% off Australia and New Zealand experiences
Ends
Available on select travel dates on tours and tickets across Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Rotorua and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 22% off Hunter Valley sunrise hot air balloon ride
Ends
Available on select dates until 12 January 2023 for a 1-hour flight experience. Package includes breakfast and champagne. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Get 5% off Australia activities
Available on activities including skydives, jet ski rides, whale watching cruises, day tours, rally driving, scenic helicopter flights and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Destinations include Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Exclusive
Get 5% off Australia-wide experiences with code
Ends
Available on activities including V8 racing, hot air balloon rides, kayak tours, skydives and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.
Exclusive
RedBalloon
Extra $5 off Australia family holidays with code
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Perth, Noosa, Blue Mountains and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 25% off Melbourne attractions keypass
Ends
Available from 5 January – 31 March 2022 on attractions including SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, ArtVo and Melbourne river cruise. Plus get a chance to receive a $50 shopping voucher to spend in the city for the first 300 people to book. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Get $10 off Gold Coast Dreamworld entry tickets
Ends
Available from 5 January – 31 March 2022 for a 1-day entry ticket. T&Cs apply.
Frequently asked questions
What should I keep in mind with COVID-19 when going out during the school holidays?
When planning activities over the 2021 school holidays, parents and caregivers are urged to maintain good hygiene and social distancing.
Are all attractions in Canberra open?
Attractions in Canberra are starting to reopen for the summer school holidays.
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Ask an Expert
What activities are there for 13 year olds in Canberra these school holidays?
Hi Pirenne,
Thank you for reaching Finder!
It seems like you are looking at the correct page. All activities listed above are available for 13 years old and also for the entire family. For most promos, kids age 13 and up are categorized as an adult already.
This will also depend on your child if he/she would prefer outdoor or indoor activities. You may want to also check our review on things to do in Canberra.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Val