This year, autumn break for ACT schools begins on Thursday afternoon 6 April and continues until Term 2 starts on Monday 24 April. Check out the advertisers in our special school holiday activity guide and discover activities, attractions or hidden gems in and around Canberra that offer fun for all the family.
Hop into Canberra Outlet for Easter holiday fun
Hop into Canberra Outlet these April school holidays for heaps of eggstra special Easter fun!
While Canberra Outlet will be closed on Good Friday, they are open from 10am to 6pm Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.
The Easter Bunny will be hopping around the Centre on Wednesday 5th, Thursday 6th, Saturday 8th, and Sunday 9th April between 11am to 2pm and will be handing out delicious Lindt chocolates. How eggstravagant!
This year’s April School Holiday theme is ‘Sweet Factory’ with an exciting and colourful pick and mix wall.
School Holiday activities start on Saturday 8th April, where kids can make Easter baskets, ready for the Easter Bunny’s arrival on Sunday morning. Other fun activities include bunny masks, Easter baskets, egg cartons, chocolate bunny decorating, and cupcake decorating.
The assortment of free School Holiday activities continues right up until Sunday 23rd April, so there’s plenty of opportunity for you to join in the fun.
Plus, if parents sign their little ones up to Canberra Outlet Kids Club, they will also receive a free backpack and toy!
337 Canberra Ave, Fyshwick
Outward Bound: A life-changing adventure for teenagers and young adults
Does your teenager need an adventure that will push them outside of their comfort zone, and help them develop confidence and life skills?
Outward Bound offers a variety of programs designed specifically for teenagers, including expeditions, leadership courses, and personal development programs. These programs provide a unique opportunity for teenagers to explore the great outdoors, make new friends, and learn valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
Make friends and build confidence
Through these challenges such as hiking, camping, abseiling, rafting, and ropes courses, teenagers learn to develop problem-solving abilities, build resilience, improve social skills, and gain confidence in their capabilities.
Some teens find it difficult to make new friends and connections. Outward Bound’s holiday programs bring diverse groups together in a supportive environment. Highly trained staff are passionate about and skilled at bringing out the best in people. Young people very quickly find themselves making new friends and building social confidence.
Outward Bound programs are designed to help teenagers better understand themselves, their strengths, and their values. Through this process, they learn to set goals, make decisions, and take responsibility for their actions.
Putting screens away
It’s no secret that parents are concerned about how much time their children spend on screens and social media. Outward Bound is a chance to disconnect from technology and reconnect with themselves and nature.
Through their activity-rich adventurous programs, teens rediscover their curiosity and how to find joy through nature, friends, and the simple things in life.
Learning self-responsibility
Outward Bound is all about teamwork. Participants work together to achieve shared goals, learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and support one another. These skills are invaluable for teenagers as they navigate their way through school, social relationships, and future careers.
Participants cook for themselves and each other. Outward Bound encourages them to take initiative for themselves. Teens return home with more gratitude, participate in conversation, and a willingness to engage around the house.
No experience needed
It doesn’t matter if your child has never camped or done anything like this before. Outward Bound provides a safe and supportive environment for your child to thrive.
Outward Bound’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity means their programs cater to people of different ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.
You’re in safe hands
Outward Bound has been offering programs for young Australians since 1956. Your child will be supported by highly trained staff and internationally recognised safety systems and reputation. Over 250,000 Australians have completed an Outward Bound program, putting them at the forefront of youth development and outdoor education.
On Canberra’s doorstep
Outward Bound’s bush property in Tharwa and access to Namadgi National Park makes their programs easy to access for families in Canberra. Exploring the local area also builds confidence and skills to one day venture out on their own adventures in life and nature.
Programs for ages 12+
Outward Bound has programs for various ages and abilities in the January, April, July, and September school holidays. You can find the right adventure for your child on our website or feel free to give us a call.
This could be an incredible opportunity for your teenager looking for adventure, personal growth, and an unforgettable experience. The skills and confidence gained through these programs will benefit them for a lifetime, and the memories made will last a lifetime as well.
Scholarships are available for those who require financial assistance.
To find out more, visit www.outwardbound.org.au
Candy, Crafts and Chuckles at the Chocolate Factory at South.Point
Willy Wonka is tumbling into South.Point Shopping Centre these school holidays!
Mr Wonka is bringing his Chocolate Factory to Centre Court! While there may not be chocolate rivers, there will be super fun crafts where your child can discover a wondrous and delicious Chocolate Factory – Craft Village.
From Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April, there are plenty of exciting and creative activities happening every day to keep the little ones busy. They can create candy butterflies – a beautiful sweet treat! And make a candy swirl garland to decorate their room. Add a little bit of magic to your child’s day with felt lollipop wands, let them live out their fantasy of being Willy Wonka by designing a Willy Wonka Hat. Or bring out the little scientist within and book them in for the chocolate slime craft day – they are going to love it!
And what would Willy Wonka be without the famous golden tickets? There will be thousands of Wonka Chocolate Bars up for grabs, with only 5 hiding a winning Golden Ticket. If you are lucky enough to unwrap a Golden Ticket, you instantly win a $200 South.Point Gift Card. If not, you still get to enjoy a delicious chocolate bar.
For a chance to win, spend $50 at any speciality retailer to receive a Wonka Chocolate Bar which could contain one of five Golden Tickets. Don’t miss your Charlie Bucket moment and a chance to win a Golden Ticket!
Willy Wonka is not the only famous face at the centre these holidays – the Easter Bunny will also be making a stop at South.Point! On Easter Sunday (9 April), catch the Easter Bunny hopping around the centre between 10am and 1pm handing out Easter eggs and hugs, and taking lots of photos.
So come and experience the Chocolate Factory these holidays and explore over 180 retailers including 30 new brands, such as MacPac, Rivers, Miniso, TK Maxx, Supre, Cotton On Mega, Harry Hartog, Typo and lots more. We’ve also opened over 10 new cafes and dining options like Burrito Bar, MsBaCo, Glasshouse Cafe, Chinese Kitchen Dumpling, and Matatang Hot Pot. The shopping centre experience is thriving at South.Point, so if you haven’t visited us recently, now’s the time.
Chocolate Factory Craft Village:
- Monday 10 April – Friday 21 April
- 10am – 4pm
- Centre Court
- Bookings essential with 150 spots per day, please book via southpointcanberra.com.au
Easter Bunny Visit:
- Sunday April 9
- 10am – 1pm
- Throughout the centre
Wonka Golden Ticket Giveaway
- Tuesday 4 April – Sunday 23 April
- Find 1 of 5 Golden Tickets hidden inside a free Wonka Chocolate Bar to win a $200 South.Point Gift Card. Just spend $50 at any specialty retailer and receive a Wonka Chocolate Bar.
- Terms and conditions apply, visit southpointcanberra.com.au for more details.
South.Point Shopping Centre, Corner of Anketell Street and Reed Street, Greenway ACT
Bounce into Belconnen these school holidays
Belconnen’s newest attraction, BOUNCE, is ready to keep your children entertained all holidays! Open to kids both young and old, the centre is 1800sqm of adventure-packed, adrenaline-fuelled fun. Offering ticketed experiences for all abilities, choose your flavour and explore the free-jump trampolines, dodgeball, wall climb, X-Park ninja course and cliff jump.
Don’t stress about your little bouncers; there’s a dedicated miniBOUNCE zone for junior jumpers.
Parents and carers are welcome to hit the tramps and join the fun or keep a watch from nearby.
Looking for that perfect party? BOUNCE has you covered with three different options – we’ve taken all the hassle out of party planning.
If you want to up your bouncing game, join a holiday camp or the BOUNCE Freestyle Academy for Term 2.
Spring into action with BOUNCE Belconnen. Ticket information and prices available at www.bounceinc.com.au/bounce-belconnen
Unlock their futures with Junior Engineers School Holiday Coding Clubs
Not your average holiday camp! More than 40,000 Australian families can’t be wrong! Give the kids a break from vacation care, and give them something they’ll really look forward to attending.
Junior Engineers is bringing our fun and hands-on two and three-day school holiday coding camps to three locations across Canberra this Easter school holidays. Ignite a love of STEM and equip your child with the valuable problem-solving, cognitive, social, and collaborative skills that prepare them for the jobs of the future.
LinkedIn recently released a list of the most in-demand skills based actual roles advertised on the site over the past six months. It is no surprise that IT topped this list: coding (particularly Python, JavaScript, CSS and C++) and cyber-security skills are in hot demand in 2023, and this is only anticipated to continue well into the future.
Junior Engineers’ highly engaging, tried-and-tested program for kids aged 5-12 years will spark a passion for coding and robotics, because not only is it fun, but it’s also delivered by qualified, dedicated instructors.
Can’t make it in person? Small group classes with a maximum of seven students per class are also available online under the guidance of live instructors who are committed to your child’s learning.
If you’re after an even more in-depth experience, tailored one-on-one private tutoring programs are available online with live instructors leading the way. It’s a convenient schedule to keep them occupied at home for a morning or afternoon around other activities.
Junior Engineers programs are located across Canberra, in Chapman, Evatt and Weetangera. Hop onto the website and snag yourself an egg-cellent Easter Holiday activity for the kids to extend their brains and have fun along the way!
LIMELIGHT CINEMAS BRING BIG MOVIES AND FREE FAMILY FUN THESE HOLIDAYS
Wahoo! Limelight Cinemas has announced our school holiday program, and it’s chock full of big screen adventure, as well as free arts and crafts to keep the troops entertained.
Things kick off with a Super Mario Celebration, as Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment (the makers of Minions, Despicable Me, Secret Life of Pets andSing) join forces to bring you the Super Mario Bros. Movie – a new, big-screen adventure starring pop culture’s favourite plumber!
Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario Games, the film invites audiences into a vibrant, thrilling new universe unlike any created before, in an action packed, exuberant cinematic comedy event. Featuring an amazing voice cast including Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Seth Rogen and Anya Taylor-Joy – Super Mario Bros. is the family movie event of 2023, and it opens at Limelight Cinemas on April 5 – just in time for Easter School holidays.
Catch G-rated animated adventure, Argonuts, or classic screenings of Hop, Willie Wonka or Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Or for the bigger kids, we’ve got the latest from DC in Shazam: Fury of The Gods, or the big screen game adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant.
To complement these screenings, Limelight Cinemas have prepared a bumper program of free artistic activities that will engage kids and make your trip to the movies memorable. Colouring and activity books, face painting, origami and more are all in store – and we’ve got terrific value family tickets available in variations of Admit 3 or 4, priced from $30.
The fun doesn’t need to end with the holidays – as great value birthday party packages are available all year round, starting from $17.50 per child (minimum 8 kids and includes ticket, kids popcorn + drink, and complimentary adult ticket per package). Check our website for details: www.limelightcinemas.com.au
Limelight Cinemas – making moviegoing fun and affordable for the whole family.
South.Point Tuggeranong
Fun for all as National Dinosaur Museum turns 30
National Dinosaur Museum turns 30 on Saturday 8 April! The museum was founded in 1993 and for a fun fact; this happens to be the same time as the release of Jurassic Park! We have a treat for all ages. From 10am to 4pm, join us for our Family Birthday Fun Day with workshops, face painting, dinosaur encounters, food vendors, and fossil talks, craft activities, show bags and more. You don’t want to miss a special Easter egg hunt planned every hour, organised by Fun Canberra and sponsored by La Casa Property Group!
Need a moment out of the sun? We’ll be running family tours upstairs, and local author Sandra Bennett will be making a special appearance to read aloud and sign copies of her books.
Stay on until 5.30pm and join our 18+ Dirty Thirty Event which will include an 18+ Dirty Thirty Tour of the upper gallery. Enjoy live music with a glass of bubbly while you stroll the dinosaur garden, and we’ll be celebrating into the night (or until 8pm!).
Tickets must be purchased in advance from our website: www.nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
- $20 per adult for Family Birthday Fun Day (10am to 4pm)
- $30 per adult for 18+ Dirty Thirty Event (5.30pm to 8pm)
- $40 per adult for both Family Birthday Fun Day and 18+ Dirty Thirty Event
Children can enter the Dinosaur Garden for free for the entire day. Please note that children are not allowed in the upper gallery during the 18+ Dirty Thirty Tour which will run between 5.30pm and 8pm.
We can’t wait to see you at National Dinosaur Museum located at 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls.
National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls ACT
VR Canberra offers awe-inspiring fun these school holidays
Why sit around at home on school holidays? The future is now!
Fill up these school holidays with new virtual worlds, jampacked with awe-inspiring rides, characters, sights, and sounds.
VR Canberra’s ACT School Holiday Program means unlimited games and rides, Monday to Friday, with two sessions daily: 10am–1pm, and 2–5pm.
For $80 pp, kids aged six and up can access exhilarating solo games like VR Super Hero, or team up with a friend to embark on virtual adventures with the 9DVR Egg Double Seats.
After that, hop into the driver’s seat for VR Super Racing, or enjoy 90+ Retro Games in the Arcade Machine, including Pacman, Space Invasion, 1947, Contra, and many more.
Want to play as a team? VR family provides crazy adventures for groups of six, and Multi-Player Gaming allows groups of four to play Elven Assassin Bow & Arrow; Fight to save the kingdom with advanced technology in Oculus Quest 2.
VR Canberra has venues for hire for birthday parties. For $45 extra, you can follow up a day of virtual adventuring with dancing through the night. The dance party setup includes speakers, a microphone, and sparkling disco lights (BYO music device).
Want to keep the party going? VR equipment Is now available for hire at home.
Hiring the 4-player VR party setup includes trusty staff on hand to assist you during the party. They will take care of the setup and pack up, so you can focus on having fun.
With over 50 game selections to choose from, VR Canberra can help make your party unforgettable at your place. Don’t settle for a run-of-the-mill celebration – enjoy state-of-the-art virtual reality technology.
Bookings are essential, call 02 6262 2160 today or visit www.vrcanberra.com.au
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/vrcanberramitchell
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vrcanberra
Swing into school holidays at Canberra City Gymnastics!
Does your child love to run, jump and climb? With school holidays fast approaching, Canberra City Gymnastics is offering an opportunity to do something different! Children will be entertained and challenged by fun activities, games, and gymnastics circuits. Experienced coaches make sure each child feels happy and comfortable.
The full day program runs 8.30am-5.30pm throughout the holidays in Belconnen and Lyneham. Healthy morning and afternoon tea is provided, BYO lunch.
Contact our friendly office team to book now:
- T: 6251 1131
- E: [email protected]
Extraordinary Experiences at Canberra Glassworks
Bring the heat to your Autumn holidays with Canberra Glassworks. Book into one of three school holiday programs and unleash your child’s imagination in glass. Under the guidance of some of Australia’s most acclaimed glass artists, your children will learn introductory techniques in glassmaking to create their very own masterpiece that is sure to be the envy of their classmates.
Choose your own glass adventure – playing with molten glass in Teen Glass Blowing, designing a seasonal tile in Holiday Tiles or moulding a sculpture in Casting Light. Book now before they book out!
11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston ACT
Dynamic Motivation school holiday MTB day camps
World class MTB instruction for Beginner to Advanced riders, ages 6-16.
We have a fun full day of riding with our MTB day camps each week day from 11 to 21 April. You can enrol in one or many days. Each day we split into appropriate small skills groups (6 per instructor) and ride and focus on skills relevant to the group. Our goal is to send them home tired, more skilful, and happy. Cost: $98/day.
For all programs bring your bike, safety equipment, spare tube, sense of adventure and food for the day or order from the café onsite.
Stromlo Forest Park, Wright
Join the 1st birthday fun at Flip Out Majura
Flip Out Majura is celebrating our 1st Birthday Bash on Saturday 29 April. One year of endless fun, adventure, and flipping. We want to celebrate our birthday with you!
Visit us in store on 29 April and bring in this coupon for a chance to go into the draw to win a heap of exciting prizes on the day! Must be in store on the day to win; T&C’s apply.
Flip Flip Hooray!
13 Mustang Ave, Majura Park ACT
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm
Visit Treetops Adventure Nowra
Experience Australia’s first tree rope and cliff-edge adventure! Treetops Adventure Nowra is located about two and a half hours away from Canberra, with aerial activities set along the cliffs of the Shoalhaven River. The adventure park features a range of challenging courses and obstacles suitable for all ages from three years old and up, featuring ziplines, wooden bridges, and cargo nets, providing an exhilarating experience high up in the trees. In addition to the treetop courses, families can make a day of it by visiting the Shoalhaven Zoo and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surroundings. Overall, a visit to Treetops Adventure Nowra from Canberra is sure to be an exhilarating and memorable experience for the whole family.
23 Rock Hill Road, North Nowra NSW
