The Incredible Book Eating Boy: Oliver Jeffers' bestselling picture book comes to life on stage through song, movement and puppetry for children aged from three to eight and their families in this premiere Australian adaptation. Henry loves books. But Henry doesn't like to read books, he likes to eat them. And the more he eats, the smarter he gets. But one day he feels sick to his stomach. And the information is so jumbled up inside, he can't digest it! Can Henry find a way to enjoy books without using his teeth? The Street Theatre, July 7 at 2pm, July 8,9, 10 and 12 at 10am and 2pm, July 11 at 10am and 7pm. Tickets $19. Bookings: 6247 1223 or thestreet.org.au

Jump Jump Star: In this the Fairies laugh, dance and sing with their special friends, Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee, Elf the Fairy Cake Maker and Wizzy the Wizard, as they explore just what it takes to become a real, true fairy. And of course, to be a true fairy, you need to know how to Jump Jump Star! Tickets $27.50 (or $50 for premium seats which give you a seat in the first three rows and a personal meeting with and gift from the cast).Tuesday, July 8 at 11am at the Playhouse Canberra Theatre Centre. Bookings: 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au

The Witches: Child Players ACT presents this adaptation of the Roald Dahl story about the Grand High Witch's plot to turn all the world's children into mice. The cast and crew are children aged from 10 to 17. Suitable for children seven and up. Tickets $17. Theatre@bcs, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen at 10.30am and 2pm on July 10 to 12, then on July 15 at 10.30am only and then at 10.30am and 2.00pm from July 16 to 19. Bookings: phone 6257 1950 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm) or visit canberrarep.org.au or at the door one hour before (cash sales only).

The Loaded Dog is a Australian comic tale about three gold miners and their dog Tommy. The dog steals an explosive cartridge and it ignites when he runs past the fire - leading to chaos. This Henry Lawson story will be performed by Chris John of Splash Theatre Company in the Conference Room, Level 4, National Library of Australia on Thursday, July 10 at 11am. Suitable for children five and older. Duration about 35 minutes. Cost: $10. Bookings: nla.gov.au

For more information and bookings visit nga.gov.au

Sunday, July 6, 1pm: Eye See Art: A mobile adventure game for children and families in the Sculpture Garden. Bring your own device or borrow one. Download Eye See ART at the Apple App Store. Admission free.

Wednesday, July 9, 10.30am: ASI: Art Scene Investigation.Join Detective Inspector Cleverpants and Officer Angelheart for a repeat of the Hanging Man episode of the mystery game adventure tour. For children aged eight to 12. Meet in the main foyer: $12, $10 child members (includes morning tea). Bookings required.

Friday, July 11, 10:30am: stART with Art (ages 2-5). A morning of exploration and creative fun with art and music for children aged from two to five. Small Theatre. $10 child, $8 child members (free for accompanying adults). Bookings required.

Wednesday, July 16, 10am: Babies (up to one year old, parents and carers) can join a voluntary guide for an informal tour of the Gallery, followed by coffee and muffins.Meet in the main foyer, $12/$10 members/concessions. Bookings required.

Thursday, July 17, 10.30am: (ages five to seven) and 2pm (ages eight to 12) : Dianne Bourke, child meditation facilitator and guided imagery specialist for children, will conduct creative meditation sessions. Meet in the main foyer. $5. Bookings required.

Canberra’s only open air ice rink - Garema Place - hosts seven sessions daily until July 20 starting from 10.30am, with an extra session at 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Cultural Sundays celebrate a different country each week, with cultural themed shows on ice, traditional food and other fun activities for the kids available For more information and ticket bookings, go to .inthecitycanberra.com.au

Discovery Space: Discovery Island (weekadays 10am to 1pm, The Hall) is an opportunity for parents and children to take part in hands-on activities that connect to the museum's galleries and exhibitions. Get into the swing of the new Torres Strait Islander gallery Lag, Meta, Aus by exploring aspects of island life. Children can create their own island style headdress, dance in a virtual tropical island scene and make a woven fish to add to the colourful seascape.No bookings necessary. Donations welcome.

Whipping Up the Past is a school holiday program at Lanyon Homestead in which children can explore its past through its jackerooing history. Polish the tack for a horse, grab a quart pot, shears and oil stone for jobs in the paddocks and make a cracker for a stockwhip. It's on July 15 from 10.30am to 1pm (ages five to eight) and July 16 from 10.30am to 1pm (nine to 12). BYO drink. Cost $15. Payment due by July 8. Information, bookings and RSVP: 6235 5677 or historicalplacebookings@act.gov.au

Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre has lots to offer children in its regular displays and activities (admission charged). It also has holiday specials with science shows and Dinostory Puppet Shows throughout the day as well as themed activities in the Q Lab Gallery.

Cyclemania (all day until July 11) allows visitors to explore science using bicycles - they can generate electricity, paint circular pictures of light and produce spirographic artworks.

Euroscience at Questacon (July 14-18) presents groundbreaking scientific discoveries from Europe and the scientists behind them, from the first discovery of dinosaurs to a space mission to land on a comet. Over six days Questacon, in collaboration with the ANU Centre for European Studies, presents a special program of Spectacular Science Shows, live demonstrations in Q Lab, guest lectures and performances as well as a professional development session for teachers, telling the story of the past, present and future of European science and technology. Full program available at: questacon.edu.au/visiting/euroscience-at-questacon

There are also school holiday workshops at Questacon Technology Learning Centre, 60 Denison Street, Deakin: full-day workshops – July 8,9,10 9am to 3pm and half-day workshops July 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17. 9am to noon. These workshop experiences are for young people aged between 10–15 years old and will unleash their inner inventor, designer or maker. Participants can try their hand at 3D design, make wearable art and jewellery out of salvaged materials, build and program robots or design and launch their own custom-built rockets. Further information, bookings and workshop topics available at: questacon.edu.au/qtlc/whats-on-offer/holiday-workshops

Children can become mini museum curators with two school holiday workshops.

From July 7 to 11 from 9.30am to 12.30pm, they can have fun with a professional photographer and take photos that will be used in the new children’s exhibition Play Up opening at the museum in August.

From July 14 to 18 from 10.30am to 12.30pm they can build play spaces and have fun with an artist to make a Super 8 style video that will be used in Play Up. Recommended for children aged five to 12 and carers. Admission to MOAD $2 adults, $1 children. More information: moadoph.gov.au

There's a lot happening these holidays at Westfield Belconnen including a free ice skating rink until July 10.

Saturday July 5 and July 10-18: In Yogurtland, have fun with frozen yogurt and decorate your own selection at Yogurtland. $3 a child.

Tuesday, July 8: For children aged six and up (and guardians): create a 3-D "Doh Vinci" piece of art, a Play-Doh make and take activity. Bookings essential: toysrus.com.au

Wednesday July 9 and 16, 10am and 2pm: At Jazz Apple Cafe learn how to decorate and ice cupcakes. Cost: $40 per child - includes six cupcakes. To register visit the store on Level 2 or email belconnenmarketing@au.westfield.com

Friday, July 11: At Gelatissimo, create your own signature Sundae.

Some of the films screening In regular cinema sessions will have special appeal for children, such as How to Train Your Dragon 2, Rio 2, Transformers and Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy. Many cinemas have special offers on tickets - check with each cinema's website or at the box office.

Dendy: A Kids Club screening (members only) of Rio 2 at 10am on Sunday June 6 at 10am, tickets are $7 for members and any number of guests. And on every day of the school holidays there is a Kids Corner with colouring in competitions. On Saturdays from 10am to 1pm there are various activities: July 5 - arts and crafts, July 12 - face painting, July 19 - balloon giveaway.

Hoys Belconnen: Screenings of Happy Feet Two (Saturday July 5, 10.15am) and Ice Age 4 (Sunday July 6, 10.15am). More information: hoyts.com.au

Palace Electric: The Flashback Films season of family films begins with the time-travel comedy Back to the Future (July 5 and 6) and continues with the animated films Cinderella(July 12 and 13) and Happy Feet (July 19 and 20) and on until December. More information: palacecinemas.com.au

National Film and Sound Archive: The travelling film festival Little Big Shots at Arc Cinema has several programs of short films aimed at young audiences. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All tickets $6, children under two years of age admitted free.

Films for Tiny Tots (G, July 11, 11am): International films for children aged two to five. Most have no dialogue.

Films for Six to Tween (G, July 12, 2pm): International films for children aged six to 12. Some have simple subtitles.

Films for Tykes to Ten (G. July 17, 11am): International films for children aged four to 12. Some have simple subtitles.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (G, July 18, 11am): Australian-made films for all ages up to 15.