What's On This Week in Canberra?: 7th - 13th October

School holidays... the time where you need to endlessly entertain your kiddos and can't stop thinking about the day they return to school. We get it. The school holidays don't have to be a drag, though. Read on to see our round up of the fun activities on offer in Canberra this week.

Read our bumper list of school holiday activities below. If you're still looking for more inspiration (such as full-day holiday programs), check out our post: What To Do These Spring School Holidays in Canberra.

Space Time!!

If you missed Space Time last holidays, don't stress. The Vault is hosting another Space Time event, and it sounds even cooler than before. Step into the beauty and mysteries of the universe, and experience mind-bending photos from telescopes on an immersive sound and projection system. Go on a journey with rocket launches, black holes, nebulae, and galaxies that bend time and space. This is an awesome-kid friendly event, with tiered seating, room to run around, a candy bar (with cocktails for the grown ups), and there's even a 'Bright Stars' version for sensitive people (especially under 8 years old) each morning. There's also a pay-what-you-can ticket if you're feeling the financial pinch at the moment. Find tickets and more info here.

Space Time!! @ The Vault - 27 September - 13 October, 10am - 5:00 pm daily - $9.50+

Film Screenings @ NFSA

The National Film and Sound Archive are holding kid-friendly screenings in their beautiful cinema throughout the school holidays. Films include:

• Peter Rabbit (8th Oct)

• Red Dog (9th Oct)

Grab tickets here.

Film Screenings @ the NFSA - 27th September - 9th October - $10+

Signor Baffo

Signor Baffo is bringing chaos to the Tuggeranong Arts Centre these school holidays. In a comedy treat for children and families, you can discover answers to some of life's silly questions: How do you make a chicken lay an egg? And how, exactly, does a sausage roll? In this supremely silly interactive children’s show, expect generous helpings of fun, mischief and adventure. Tickets and show times here.

Signor Baffo @ Tuggeranong Arts Centre - 9th - 10th October - $20+

360 ALLSTARS

BMX, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing, acrobatics, drumming and more - 360 ALLSTARS delivers a supercharged urban circus and fuses the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. With a stunning live soundtrack and spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement! With reasonably priced tickets for the whole family (including cheap tickets for under 18s), this is an event not to miss. Find tickets and more info here.

360 ALLSTARS @ Canberra Theatre Centre - 10th - 12th October - $39+

'Art Steps' by Billy Bain

'Art Steps' is a series of creative making activities produced by artists for children to enjoy with family and friends. These school holidays, bring the kids to the National Gallery for the free Art Steps activities with Dharug artist Billy Bain, who will explore his wonderful world of clay and sgraffito. Held in the Tim Fairfax Learning Studio. Find bookings and more info here.

'Art Steps' by Billy Bain @ the NGA - 28th September – Sun 13th October, daily @ 10:30am - free

Tuggeranong Arts Centre Holiday Activities

The Tuggeranong Arts Centre is holding a range of fun activities these school holidays, including giant puppet workshops, making a mini musical, and songwriting. If your youngster wants to try something new, why not give one of these amazing activities a try? Find more info, session times and tickets here.

Tuggeranong Arts Centre Holiday Activities - various dates - some free & some paid activities

Holiday Workshops @ the National Museum

Join established and emerging First Nations artists from the Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre in Far North Queensland for a series of workshops in conjunction with the exhibition Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland.

Activities include Tidal Treasures (create a hanging mobile from seashells), and Jellyfish Sculptures (create a woven jellyfish sculpture). Suitable for ages 5-12. Find more information here.

Holiday Workshops @ the National Museum - various dates - $23

Kidtastic Crafts Holiday Activities

Kidtastic craft sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the school holidays at Henry's in Woden (Canberra Southern Cross Club). There are two activities on offer - Sensational Sand Art, and Glass Mosaic Coasters. Both activities run for 1 hours and are suitable for ages 3+. Find more information, including prices and booking details, here.

Kidtastic Crafts Holiday Activities - Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden - 1st-2nd October & 8th-9th October - $15+

Printing From Nature @ The National Archives

Do you have a budding young artist? Explore their creativity through artistic ways of representing nature. Young visitors will be guided through the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize exhibition and explore examples of printing from nature. They will then have a chance to create their own piece of nature-based art using a variety of natural and art materials. Suitable for school aged children from 5 to 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Find more details here.

Printing From Nature @ The National Archives - 30th September - 9th October - $5

National Arboretum School Holiday Activities

The National Arboretum has a range of fun school holiday activities on offer, and we can't think of a better way to spend the spring holidays than heading out to this beautiful natural landscape. Activities on offer include:

Mara Boomerang Children's Workshops - Participants will learn the basics of boomerang mechanics, their unique flight patterns and how to safely throw them. Our Indigenous Educator will share the history of these hunting tools and encourage creativity in decorating a personalised boomerang to take home. Perfect for children aged 7-12, (younger children also fine with a carer present) this event promises a memorable experience filled with discovery and fun. Sessions run for 1 hour, are held outdoors, and cost $25.

Family Orienteering - Get the family together for a few hours of fun in the forest. Pick up your map and clue sheet from the Village Centre and head out into the forests and gardens. Find the hidden letters to discover the name of one of our unique forests at the National Arboretum. This is a drop in activity and no bookings are required, there is a cost of $5.

For more information on what's on at the Arboretum during the holidays, visit their website.

Latorta School Holiday Classes

Latorta offers a range of fun and friendly hands-on workshops for children aged 6+, all designed as an introduction to the wonderful world of cake decorating. The workshops generally run for 2 hours and the children will learn step by step how to decorate their own mini cake, cupcakes or cookies or make their own chocolates! Classes include 2D cartoon cakes, spring garden cupcakes, Taylor Swift 'Blank Space' cake, game controller smash cake, and more. For bookings and pricing, click here.

Latorta School Holiday Classes - various dates - $85+

Tie-Dye Workshops with Rainbowtopia

Join the fun at the Old Bus Depot Markets these school holidays with Rainbowtopia’s Tie-Dyeing Workshops. There are two workshops that will showcase the ins and outs of tie dyeing and the intricate patterns that can be made, using Australian handcrafted dyes that are non-toxic (so no masks, eyewear or gloves required!). Join either the pillowcase or tote bag tie-dye workshops. Find more information at their website.

Tye-Dye Workshops - Old Bus Depot Markets - 13th October - $25+

Gymbaroo Holiday Play Sessions

 Escape the holiday boredom and let your little ones burn their energy running wild on the Gymbaroo obstacle course! Gymbaroo is holding holiday play session in the school holidays, running select dates between 30th September to 12th October from 9:30-11:30am. These sessions consist of play on their amazing obstacle course - packed full of ways for little ones to jump, run, climb, swing and bounce! Tickets range from $13.49 (for babies) to $18.78 for walking children up to 6 years old. Book tickets here.

Gymbaroo Holiday Play Sessions - Fairbairn, ACT - 30th September - 12th October - $13+

Tuff Nutterz

Tuff Nutterz is a fantastic family-friendly event that promises a day filled with fun and excitement for everyone. Held at the Parkes Place Lawns, the event features Australia's biggest inflatable obstacle course (300m long) and two other inflatable games, which are sure to provide an exhilarating experience for both kids and adults alike. With Tuff Nutterz, there's no need to worry about age restrictions because the event welcomes all ages to participate and enjoy the fun. Find tickets here.

Tuff Nutterz - Parkes Place Lawns - 5th - 13th October - $31+

Flora Explorer Bus Tours

Join an experienced guide in a relaxing 45-minute tour of the National Botanic Gardens aboard the Flora Explorer open-air electric bus. Discover the diversity and beauty of the living collection of native plants and enjoy live commentary of the main highlights of the gardens. Suitable for families and visitors with limited mobility, children must be accompanied by an adult. The bus is not suitable for babies due to seating requirements. Book tickets here.

Flora Explorer Bus Tours - Australian National Botanic Gardens - Every Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1:30pm - $5+

Libraries ACT

As the flowers bloom families across Canberra are getting ready to "Take Flight" with Libraries ACT's Spring Holiday Program! Running from 28 September to 12 October 2024, this year’s program is packed with exciting activities designed to ignite the imagination and creativity of young minds. Best of all, every activity is completely free, helping families enjoy quality time together without the extra cost. This year’s theme, “Take Flight,” invites children to explore the wonders of flight through a variety of hands-on activities, storytelling sessions, and creative projects. Find all of the details on specific activities, dates & locations here.

Libraries ACT School Holiday Program - various locations - 28th September - 12th October - free

Bugs Alive!

In the Bugs Alive! exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens, your kids can get up close with a wild range of invertebrates including prey mantis, stick insects, spiders, scorpions, beetles, snails, butterflies and more, including rare and endangered species. Tickets and more info available here.

Bugs Alive! @ the Botanic Gardens - 9th-13th October - $10+

Lollipops Playland School Holiday Activities

Lollipops is bringing the fun these school holidays! There will be scratch art and Queen Poppy meet & greet happening this week, plus hours of fun on their indoor playground. Be sure to head to Lollipops during the school holidays to take part in these awesome activities (all free with entry). Find more details and dates here.

Lollipops Playland School Holiday Activities - Majura Park - $11+

Let's Play School Holiday Activities

Let's Play has exciting workshops for children of all ages these school holidays in Canberra. With cookie decorating, clay workshops, friendship bracelets, superhero dress ups, face painting & glitter tattoos, plaster painting, music classes and messy play, there’s a range of classes to suit all children’s interests. Visit their website to book.

Let's Play School Holiday Activities - 1st October - 11th October - $13+

Gungahlin Marketplace School Holiday Activities

Gungahlin Marketplace is continuing to bring you double the fun, double the activities, and double the excitement these school holidays. Get ready to dive into adventure and explore the worlds above and below—from the clouds to the ocean! With activities like shell coasters, seahorse bookmarks, pom pom fish, mermaid bath bombs, wool clouds, wind chimes & flying birds, it's sure to be a whole lot of fun! Activities are free, but do require a booking. Find more information and booking details here.

Gungahlin Marketplace School Holiday Activities - 30th September - 11th October - free

South.Point School Holiday Activities

Looking for the perfect way to entertain the kids during the school holidays? South.Point has two exciting free events lined up that your little ones will love! From crafting dragons with Kung Fu Panda to singing along with CoComelon’s JJ, there’s something for everyone. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! Visit their website for more information.

South.Point School Holiday Activities - 2nd October - 11th October - free

Disney Princess School Holiday Zones

With the school holidays upon us, Westfield and Disney invite you to spark magic with your favourite Disney Princesses and join in the wonders of their world. Head to Westfield Belconnen or Westfield Woden these spring school holidays in Canberra and check out their Disney Princess School Holiday Zones for free magical school holiday activities. Activities on offer include Disney Princess LEGO, crown making, bracelet craft, colouring in, and face painting. Visit the Belconnen or Woden websites for more info on session times.

Disney Princess School Holiday Zones - Westfield Belconnen & Westfield Woden - 30th September - 11th October - free

Fyshwick Markets School Holiday Activities

If you're heading to the Fyshwick markets these school holidays, take the kids along to a free workshop on the 12th of October where they can decorate a bird feeder. Get the shopping done while keeping the kids entertained!

Fyshwick Markets School Holiday Activities - 5th & 12th of October - free

Floriade

It's not spring in Canberra without a visit to Floriade! Australia's biggest celebration of spring, celebrating its 37th year, will run until the end of the school holidays. Stop by this free event to view over one million beautiful flowers planted throughout Canberra's Commonwealth Park. For more details on Floriade's highlights for families and kids, see our post.

Floriade - Commonwealth Park - 28th September - 13th October - free

Tulip Top Gardens

Looking for a bit of a country escape? Only a 20 minute drive away from Canberra you'll find the famous Tulip Top Gardens, where you can take the whole family (pooches included!) for a day of rambling through nature. There's plenty to keep you entertained, with an onsite cafe, Dutch pancake and coffee parlour, free live music on selected dates, and plenty of room for picnics and running around. Better yet, if you want to take the hassle out of planning, pre-order a Contentious Character curated picnic hamper. Pick it up when you arrive, sit back, and relax. And don't forget to pack your camera from some flowery IG snaps. Want more info? You can find it here.

Tulip Top Gardens - 28th September - 13th October - children free, adults $22

National Vintage Guitar Expo

The National Vintage Guitar Expo is a celebration of vintage and rare acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers and accessories from around Australia, held in each year in Canberra. Expo visitors can meet and talk with makers and exhibitors, see interactive demonstrations of vintage instruments and explore everything to do with the world of guitars. Find more information on their event page.

The National Vintage Guitar Expo - Harmonie German Club - 12th October - $10

Pixar Putt

It's baaaaaack! This pop-up mini-golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films. Be quick, get your tickets here.

Pixar Putt - Civic Square - 28th September - 13th October - $19.90+

Capital Food Markets Holiday Cooking Camp

Keep the kids entertained with the Capital Food Markets' Holiday Cooking Camp, where little chefs can get hands-on and create their own delicious meals! With 4 different workshops and multiple daily sessions, kids can roll up their sleeves and learn to make delicious dishes whilst learning along the way. Find more information here.

Capital Food Markets Holiday Cooking Camp - 10th-13th October - free

Got any events you'd like us to post about in the future? Get in touch so we can include you in our 'What's On This Week in Canberra' posts.