Canberra

Canberra Family

Canberra families can share a day of outdoor play, try hands-on science, join a neighbourhood playgroup or find school holiday activities for children and teenagers. When parenting, development, caring responsibilities or family safety become more complex, local and ACT-wide services also offer practical pathways to support.

🌳 Play, discovery and early learning

National Arboretum Canberra – POD Playground and tracks

At the National Arboretum in Molonglo Valley, families can combine play with walking or cycling. The POD Playground has cubbies, sand play, slides and swings and is designed for children up to about 14, including a smaller slide for children under five. More than 20 kilometres of multi-purpose tracks offer options beyond the playground, while sealed paths connect the car park, Village Centre and play area. Children remain under the supervision of their parent or carer.

Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre

Children from birth to six can explore imaginative, hands-on activities at this National Museum of Australia play-and-learn space in Acton. Daily sessions run for 75 minutes and must be booked, with adult supervision required throughout. Practical features include wheelchair-accessible play elements, a parents room and monthly quiet hours. Entry fees apply to the Discovery Centre, although general Museum admission is free.

Questacon Science Time

Preschoolers aged three to five and their carers can investigate science together through questions, experiments, activities and craft at Questacon in Parkes. Each facilitated session lasts 40 minutes. Non-members need both general admission and a separate Science Time booking; members must also reserve their session.

ACT Playgroups

Parent- and carer-led playgroups give younger children opportunities to play while adults meet other local families. The online finder filters groups across Canberra and the ACT by suburb, age, day and playgroup type. Community groups commonly welcome children from birth to five with parents, carers and extended family members. Families should contact their chosen group before attending. ACT Playgroups family membership is currently free, although an individual group may require membership.

Libraries ACT – Bilingual Storytime

Selected library branches host monthly Saturday sessions featuring age-appropriate stories in English and a featured language. The program gives families a relaxed way to enjoy books while supporting early literacy and cultural diversity. Places must be booked through Libraries ACT.

🎉 School holidays and youth spaces

YWCA Canberra Children’s Services – School Holiday Programs

Holiday care is available at school sites in Aranda, Conder, Watson and Evatt, with activities and experiences for children during the school break. Requests are submitted through the Xplor app. Families who do not already have a YWCA Canberra enrolment need to contact Childcare Accounts for help before requesting care. Program themes and activities may change between holiday periods.

Kids Biz Holidays and Sports

Primary school-aged children can choose from vacation care, sports clinics, dance and other activity programs in Pearce, Gungahlin and Deakin. Sessions are designed to accommodate beginners as well as children with previous experience. Advance booking is encouraged, particularly when planning care for a school holiday period.

Belconnen Youth Centre

Young people aged 10 to 25 can use this free Capital Region Community Services drop-in space to relax, study, meet peers, play games or join organised activities. Facilities include computers, a quiet room, kitchen, shower, laundry and basic toiletries. Hours can vary during school holidays. A separate free holiday program is available, but enrolment in that program is compulsory.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting, development and caring

ACT Child and Family Centres

Families and carers can seek free help before or after a child’s birth at centres in Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and West Belconnen. Most services support families with children up to eight, while some extend to age 12. Available assistance includes parenting advice, playgroups and parenting groups, social-work support, child development assessments and referrals. Each centre also has play spaces and parents rooms.

Parentline ACT

ACT parents and carers at any stage of family life can speak confidentially with a trained counsellor about parenting concerns. Managed by Toora Women, the free telephone and call-back service operates on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, excluding public holidays.

Child Development Service

Families living in the ACT can access free child development checks and advice, parent and carer workshops, referral pathways and autism assessments for children up to 12. Following assessment, therapy may be available for children aged two to three who have developmental concerns and are not eligible for the NDIS. The ACT Government service is based in Holder and operates on weekdays.

Little Hands Occupational Therapy

Based in Holt and serving Canberra and surrounding areas, this paediatric occupational therapy provider works with children from birth to six who have disability, developmental delay, or high and complex needs. Support may involve individual therapy or a small-group intervention, alongside assistance for parents and the wider community around the child.

Carers ACT

Unpaid carers can find ACT-wide support when looking after a family member or another person with disability, chronic or terminal illness, mental illness or frailty. Carers ACT connects people with peers, offers advice and guidance, and helps carers explore breaks and ongoing supports. It is the ACT delivery partner for Carer Gateway.

🤝 Relationships, housing stability and family safety

Relationships Australia Canberra & Region

Individuals and families across the ACT, Murrumbidgee and southern New South Wales can access relationship and family support, assistance through separation, family dispute resolution, and services for children and young people. The independent not-for-profit advises that it is not a crisis service, so families should consider the nature and urgency of their circumstances when choosing an access pathway.

Gugan Gulwan – Reconnect Program

This Wanniassa-based early-intervention program assists young people aged 12 to 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, together with their families. Workers support housing stability and engagement with family, education, training, employment and community. A completed referral form is required for case management; urgent referral enquiries can be directed to the program’s Referral Team.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service Canberra

Children, young people and adults affected by domestic and family violence in the ACT region can seek specialist support. Services include 24-hour telephone crisis intervention, legal support and advocacy, advice and information, support groups, case management and a men’s behaviour-change program.

📌 Before you make plans

• Check ages and eligibility: programs may be limited by a child’s age, place of residence, developmental needs or family circumstances.
• Book before attending: museum sessions, storytimes, holiday programs and some support pathways require reservations, enrolment or referral paperwork.
• Confirm supervision arrangements: play-and-learn venues and playgrounds generally require a parent or carer to remain responsible for children.
• Ask about access needs: contact the provider before your visit to discuss mobility, sensory, communication, personal-care or participation requirements.
• Review current details: costs, session times, holiday availability and program activities can change, so confirm them directly when planning.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Canberra and the surrounding region, you are warmly invited to add a new listing or update your existing details so local families can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on canberra.guide.