It might be a daunting task to leave the house during the winter school holidays in Canberra. Not to worry, we have put together a list of activities and programs on offer that'll be sure to warm you up.
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OUTDOORS
Junior ranger program
The Australian National Botanic Gardens invites you to its junior ranger program, which runs on the last Sunday of each month. Single sessions are $15 or you can purchase six sessions for $75.
Last Sunday of every month, single session $15, six sessions $75, bookings essential. More information.
Celebrate NAIDOC week (July 2-9)
The Australian National Botanic Gardens has a range of activities during NAIDOC week, including Aboriginal craft workshops, traditional weaving workshops and more.
July 2-9, prices and times vary. More information.
Dinosaurs in the garden
Weave your way through the gardens and discover life-size dinosaurs at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. There are also other fun activities on offer, such as a dino-dig and feeling a fossil in the Visitor's Centre.
July 1-16, 9.30am-4.30pm. More information.
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
The AIS has a range of school holiday programs, some are sports specific, others cover a variety of sports. There are programs that cater for children from ages 4-13.
July 3-14, prices vary, ages 4-13 (depending on the program). More information.
Skating at Garema Place
The Skating At festival is visiting Canberra for three weeks during the school holiday period. The outdoor skating rink features a roof covering 75 per cent of the rink, a five-metre toboggan slide, and kangaroo pushers which allow parents to push their kids across the ice. The rink is also wheelchair accessible.
June 23-July 16, hourly sessions held on the hour, Adult $22, children $16, family pack $76. More information.
CREATIVE
Press your letters workshop
The National Portrait Gallery will host artist Caren Florance, who will take children through the process of letterpress printing. Children will have the opportunity to create a crazy calling card to show friends and family. It is requested participants wear clothes that can get dirty, wear solid, closed-toe shoes (mandatory), have long hair tied back and remove any dangly scarves or jewellery.
July 1, 10.30am-12pm, 2-4pm, $20/$15 Circle of friends, bookings essential. More information.
Family activities on Dempsey Street
The National Portrait Gallery is inviting families to enjoy a range of free activities inspired by Dempsey's people.
July 1-16, 11am-4pm, Free. More information.
Portrait Play
Children aged four to 8 years will explore, through drawing and creative activity, how our emotions are affected by colour, pose and shape at the National Portrait Gallery. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
July 3-14, 11am-12pm, Children 4-8 $7, bookings essential. More information.
Story time
The National Portrait Gallery will host story time, where participants can listen to Ish by Peter H Reynolds and create their own visual response. All children must be accompanied.
July 13, 10.30am-12pm, 2-3.30pm, $7 per child, bookings essential. More information.
Hanky Lampshades
Kids can create their own kiln slumped glass lampshade at Canberra Glassworks. Children aged 8 and over can enjoy the workshop independently, but those aged 5-7 are required to have parent/guardian supervision at all times.
July 5 and 12, 10am-12pm, $70. More information.
Frosty Fantasy tile
Canberra Glassworks invites you to create your own glad masterpiece. Children aged 8 and over can enjoy the workshop independently, but those aged 5-7 are required to have parent/guardian supervision at all times.
Every Wednesday to Sunday of the ACT school holidays, 1-1.45pm, $50. More information.
Winter tile
Canberra Glassworks will host a workshop where kids can make their own winter-inspired tile. Children aged 8 and over can enjoy the workshop independently, but those aged 5-7 are required to have parent/guardian supervision at all times.
Every Wednesday to Sunday of the ACT school holidays, 20 minute sessions running from 10am-12pm, $30. More information.
National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia invites you to a children's film event. The film is the Japanese anime classic Wolf Children.
July 13, 1-3pm, Free but bookings essential. More information.
Dinosaur Disguises
The team at the National Dinosaur Museum will discuss all things dinosaur at the dinosaur disguises workshop. Children will then be able to create and colour their own dinosaur mask to take home!
July 1-16, 12-3pm, Free with normal entry. More information.
Dinosaur Hunt
The National Dinosaur Museum invites all visiting children to take part in its dinosaur hunt. Children are invited to search the displays for answers to the prehistoric quiz and win a real fossil to take home!
Free with normal entry. More information.
Dinosaur Art
"Dino Dad", the artist behind Little Dino Dudes, will show off his personalised dinosaur prints and take requests at the National Dinosaur Museum.
July 3-6. More information.
Kids Pantry
Kids Pantry is offering a range of cooking classes for children aged 5-18 years. There are various sessions or all-day programs.
July 3-14, 9am-4pm, prices vary. More information.
Superhero Masterclass
The Museum of Australian Democracy is running a superhero masterclass for children aged 5 years and over, with an accompanying adult. The classes allow children to design and create their own superhero costumes out of recycled materials.
July 3-7, 9:30am-11:00am, $8 per child including entry fee. More information.
SCIENCE
Mid-winter nights @ Questacon
Questacon invites you to join its mid-winter nights festival, with food, stargazing, winter crafts and science shows, in addition to the eight galleries.
July 6-9, 5.30-9pm, tickets available online or at the door. More information.
Wacky Racers
The Wacky Racers workshop at the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre allows participants to build vehicles using their imagination, among other things.
July 10, 9am-12pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
Rockets
The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre rockets workshop allows participants to experiment with different rocket designs, to see if they will make it to outer space.
July 10, 1pm-4pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
Bots Programming
Learn to train a robot at the bots programming workshop at the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre.
July 11, 9am-12pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
Enginuity
The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre enginuity workshop allows participants to explore engineering.
July 11, 1-4pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
App Design
Participants in the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre's app design workshop will design and create their very own app.
July 12, 9am-12pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
Crash Test
The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre crash test workshop invites participants to design and build a vehicle that protects the occupants but will crumple on impact.
July 12, 1-4pm, $55 or $44 for Q club members. More information.
PERFORMING ARTS
Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art
The Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art is offering programs that cater for children aged 4-17. There are sessions being held in Queanbeyan and Fyshwick.
July 5-12, prices and locations vary. More information.
Kid Biz Holidays
Kid Biz Holidays has a range of programs available for children these school holidays, including sport, dance and "Art'N'Craft" programs. The programs are run at two locations in Pearce and Gungahlin. There are full and half day programs available.
July 3-14, ages 5-13, price and time varies depending on the location. More information.
Heroes on the Screen
The National Film and Sound Archive is showing a range of movies throughout the school holiday period.
July 5-14, 11am, ARC Cinema, $8 (free for children under 3). More information.
EDUCATIONAL
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is offering free family tours during the school holiday period. It is also offering a program titled "Hands on History", which allows children to try on uniforms, handle real objects and uncover the story of a family featured in the exhibition.
Tours – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday during the school holiday period. 10.15am. More information.
Hands on History – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday during the school holiday period. 11am. More information.
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Working with NASA, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex gives children and families a chance to learn about Australia's role in the exploration of deep space.
The complex is open every day of the school holidays and is free. More information.
