Top 6 School Holiday Experiences for Kids
Whether you're looking for ideas to amuse hard-to-please kids, or on a hunt for new things to do these school holidays, we’ve sourced 6 unique, kid-friendly experiences that are guaranteed to keep the little ones entertained for days!
Read on to find out how you can make the most out of the school holidays.
GoBoating on Lake Burley Griffin
Images via: GoBoat Canberra | Visit Canberra
Captain your own boat and take the whole crew on a maritime adventure by hiring a Scandinavian-style picnic boat.
Originating from Copenhagen, GoBoat Canberra is the first of its kind in Australia. It’s an exceptional way to enjoy the scenic Lake Burley Griffin and the city’s many lakeside highlights. Suitable for seasoned sailors and first-time drivers alike, the boats are safe and easy-to-use so you know your family are in good hands.
Switch up your regular picnic setup and take a packed lunch on onboard! You can also grab a takeaway meal from one of the nearby cafes and restaurants— the red velvet pancakes from the Bean & Table Café is a surefire hit with the kiddies.
What to bring on board: Your kids’ favourite snacks, water, sunscreen, hats, and good vibes! The boats are also dog-friendly so you can bring your furry pal on the cruise.
Hike up Mount Ainslie Lookout
Images via: Visit Canberra | Joel Egan
For some classic outdoor fun, Mount Ainslie Lookout is a definite list topper and must-visit destination during the school holidays. Whether you’re driving, cycling, or hiking, you will be rewarded with picturesque views of Australia’s bush capital.
Grab a picnic basket, fill it up with goodies, and take the whole family for a great day out in the sun. At the top, you can play eye-spy and try to spot some of Canberra’s icons such as Parliament House, Australian War Memorial or the Lake Burley Griffin fountain.
Mount Ainslie Lookout is also a stellar spot to observe the gorgeous sunset and watch the city lights come to life. On clear summer nights, the lookout transforms into a spectacular stargazing base, where little astronomers can chart the night sky and even spot a planet or two!
Mount Ainslie trip highlights:
You simply can’t leave without snapping a family pic! The breathtaking city views are the perfect backdrop for your next Christmas card or screensaver. Kids will also love spotting the area’s diverse native birds and wildlife.
Tour the Australian Institute of Sports
Images via:Visit Canberra
Got a budding Olympian or young sports fan in your family? Then a guided tour of The Australian Institute of Sports is a school holiday experience you simply can’t miss.
Guided by an elite athlete, kids will get the behind-the-scenes scoop on where and how their sporting heroes trained to become one of Australia’s national champions.
The tour ends at Sportex, an interactive sports exhibit where they can have a go at football penalty shootouts, rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and even virtual downhill skiing!
The best part of visiting AIS:
Adding this to your school holiday itinerary is a great way to further ignite your little one’s passion for sports. And If you keep an eye out, you might even get to see Australia’s best swimmers in action or gymnasts and athletes in training.
Treat the kids to Canberra’s best desserts
Images via:Doughnut Department | Unsplash| Space Kitchen
The city is dotted with speciality dessert cafes with an endless lineup of treats to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. So, what better way to reward a great school semester than a trip to some of Canberra’s best dessert spots. After all, happy kids = happy parents.
And after a full day of exploring the city, head back to your base at Avenue Hotel and treat the family to one of Marble & Grain’s decadent desserts.
For the ultimate cool dad/mum points, give them the ice cream waffle of their dreams at Space Kitchen, or let them go nuts with one of Doughnut Department’s mouth-watering masterpieces.
Our favourite dessert picks:
Unicorn Waffle at Space Kitchen. Dulce de leche doughnut ring from Doughnut Department.
Experience the wonders of Floriade
Images via:Canberra Times| Visit Canberra
What better way to kick off springtime than attending Floriade, Australia’s biggest and liveliest flower festival. This quintessentially Canberran event features over one million blooming bulbs, and an eclectic program full of family-friendly activities.
With a Pop Culture theme and a jam-packed program, this year’s line up is nothing short of blooming wonderful! Keep the kids entertained for free at KidzKlub or spend Sunday afternoons picnicking at Jazz in the Park, with some very special guests including Dirt Girl!
Floriade’s ticketed after-dark experience returns come sundown. Nightfest runs for five nights from Wednesday 26 September until Sunday 30 September with Commonwealth Park coming to life after dark with illuminated flowerbeds, a line-up of food and drink stalls, nightly entertainment and dazzling light installations. It’s an absolute must!
Some of our other Floriade favourites:
- The Ferris Wheel is one of Floriade’s major icons. Take the kids up for a spin and get a magnificent bird’s eye view of the spring festival.
- The Gnome Knoll is Floriade’s arts and craft mainstay. Let the little ones get creative with making their terracotta gnome masterpieces or decorate one together.
- Food, food, and more food! From honey doughnuts to gelato scoops, there’s something to please even the pickiest of eaters.
