Free Things to Do With Kids in Canberra This Winter

Canberra winters are cold - properly, frost-on-the-car, can-see-your-breath cold. But the capital also happens to be one of the best cities in the country for free family fun, thanks to all those national institutions that don't charge a cent for entry. Add in award-winning playgrounds and a brand-new winter festival, and you've got more than enough to keep the kids busy without touching your wallet. Here are our favourite free things to do with kids in Canberra this winter.

The National Institutions (All Free!)

National Museum of Australia
Hands-down one of the best rainy-day options in the city. Interactive exhibitions, big open spaces, and a Kspace area where kids design and "travel" through time. General entry is free, and it's right on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin for a walk afterwards if the sun comes out.
Cost: Free | Best for: All ages | Location: Acton Peninsula

National Gallery of Australia
World-class art and a genuinely welcoming spot for families. Look out for the free Babies in Arms program, where parents and carers connect over discussions with gallery curators - a lovely outing for new parents during the long winter days. The sculpture garden is great for stretching little legs.
Cost: Free (some exhibitions ticketed) | Best for: All ages | Location: Parkes

National Portrait Gallery
A quieter, manageable gallery that's perfect for shorter attention spans. The portraits spark surprisingly good conversations with curious kids, and the building itself is light and easy to navigate with a pram.
Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 4+ | Location: Parkes

Australian Parliament House
Free to visit and far more fun for kids than it sounds. Roll down the famous grassy roof (weather permitting), explore the marble foyer, and if you time it right you can watch democracy in action. Free guided tours run daily.
Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 5+ | Location: Capital Hill

Australian War Memorial
A moving and important place, with general entry free of charge. Older kids find the aircraft hall and large technology displays genuinely fascinating, and the Last Post Ceremony each afternoon is a powerful experience for families ready for it.
Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 7+ | Location: Campbell

Brilliant Free Playgrounds

POD Playground - National Arboretum
This award-winning playground is worth a trip on its own. Built around the idea of seeds as the start of life in the forest, it has giant acorn cubbies, banksia pods, slides, climbing structures, swings and a sandpit. It's fully fenced and open from early morning until dusk all year round.
Cost: Free | Best for: All ages | Location: National Arboretum, Forest Drive

Paperbark Treehouse - Australian National Botanic Gardens
Nestled in the paperbark forest, this treehouse gives little explorers a lookout over the gardens and sits close to walking trails, animal sculptures and the desert garden. The whole 90-hectare gardens are free to wander and full of native birds to spot.
Cost: Free | Best for: All ages | Location: Clunies Ross Street, Acton

A Winter Festival Made for Families

Winter in the Woods - National Arboretum
New for 2026, this winter festival runs from 26 June to 9 August and brings the Arboretum to life in the cold months. The free, self-guided highlights are perfect for families: Warm Trees sees more than 17 feature forests wrapped in bright, handmade knitted scarves, and the Winter Wildlife Quest sends kids off on a nature hunt through the trees. There are bookable workshops and tours too, but the self-guided experiences cost nothing.
Cost: Free (self-guided experiences) | Best for: All ages | Location: National Arboretum

Free Programs for the Littlest Ones

Giggle and Wiggle - Libraries ACT
A free program for babies and toddlers up to age three and their grown-ups, focused on language development through singing, dancing and sharing rhymes. It's a warm, friendly way to get out of the house on a cold morning and meet other local parents. Sessions run at libraries across the ACT - check the Libraries ACT website for times near you.
Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 0-3 | Location: Libraries across the ACT

Planning Your Free Canberra Winter

Rug up properly. Canberra mornings regularly drop below zero in winter. Beanies, gloves and layers are essential, especially for the outdoor playgrounds and the Arboretum.

Chase the sun. Plan outdoor spots like the POD Playground for the middle of the day when it's warmest, and save the museums for the chilly mornings and afternoons.

Pack a thermos. A hot chocolate stop turns a freezing playground visit into a lovely memory. And snacks - always snacks.

Check session times. The free programs at libraries and galleries can book out, so a quick look online before you head off saves disappointment.

Getting out and about with the kids this winter? We'd love to see your Canberra adventures - tag us on Instagram @mylittlerewards and share your favourite free find!

Frequently Asked Questions

What free things can you do with kids in Canberra in winter?

Canberra's national institutions are free to enter, including the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. There are also free playgrounds and the Winter in the Woods festival.

What is the best free playground in Canberra?

The award-winning POD Playground at the National Arboretum, with giant acorn cubbies and banksia pods, is fully fenced and free, and open from early morning until dusk all year round.

What is Winter in the Woods?

Winter in the Woods is a free winter festival at the National Arboretum running from 26 June to 9 August 2026, with self-guided highlights including the knitted Warm Trees and the Winter Wildlife Quest nature hunt.

Are Canberra's museums and galleries free for families?

Yes, general entry to the national institutions is free, though some special exhibitions are ticketed.

What free activities are there for babies and toddlers in Canberra?

Giggle and Wiggle at Libraries ACT is a free song-and-rhyme program for children up to age three and their grown-ups, held at libraries across the ACT.