NO school? No problem. You can still take the little ones out for a day of fun and learning, with fantastic indoor and outdoor activities available throughout the school holiday period to keep the kids busy.

Unique animal experience to treat the kids

THE National Zoo and Aquarium can guarantee a fun-filled day of adventure, with its marketing manager, Meg De Sousa, saying there’s always a variety of activities available for families during every school holiday period.

“Children can enrol in our Zoocation program which offers a unique experience for primary-aged children,” she says.

“[During it] children will get up close and personal with many of the zoo’s animals, play games, make toys for the animals and will learn something along the way.”

Meg says all the experiences at the zoo offer fun and exciting learnings of specific animals and, more generally, ways to help conserve the natural world.

“It is also a great way to get the kids out of the house to burn some energy [which is] even easier to do with the AdventureLand Playground,” she says.

“With ‘The Lion King’ soon to be released, our lion enclosures have been quite popular (not that they needed much help to be).

“[And] our cheetah and puppy duo, Solo and Zama are always a hit. Our visitors are always commenting on how cute they are.”

National Zoo & Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Canberra. Visit nationalzoo.com.au or call 6287 8400.

Museum explores icons through dress up

DURING the upcoming winter school holidays, families can enjoy a range of fun, family-friendly activities at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), according to marketing manager Melissa Holcroft.

“With so much to see and do for people of all ages, MoAD is a fun day out for the whole family,” Melissa says.

“We offer visitors a unique, hands on museum experience that flips the traditional idea of a museum on its head.

“There are free craft sessions daily [from daily 10.30am to 12.30pm], dress ups and inquisitive trails that will take visitors, young and old, on an adventure throughout the museum.”

Running all day, Melissa says the interactive exhibition, “PlayUp”, is one of the museum’s popular adventures, which takes visitors through a range of exciting and immersive experiences.

“Older children will love exploring ‘DressUp’, a hands-on exhibition that facilitates a connection between young people and inspiring figures such as Beyonce, Adam Goodes, and Frida Kahlo,” she says.

“Visitors can dress up in costumes inspired by the outfits of these iconic figures and many more as they learn about the challenges they overcame to make a difference.”

Museum of Australian Democracy Old Parliament House, 18 King George Terrace, Parkes. Call 6270 8222, email info@moadoph.gov.au or visit moadoph.gov.au

Go karting comes with free ice cream

OVER the school holidays, Power Kart Raceway is offering a free ice cream with every go-kart session purchase, says marketing manager Dan Rawson.

Located in Griffith, Dan says Power Kart Raceway has Canberra’s ultimate go-karting experience, featuring world class electric go-karts on an F1 style indoor circuit.

“We also have Australia’s first synthetic ice rink, as well as glow in the dark mini golf,” he says.

“We have everything under one roof, to cater to everyone. [And] we can host birthday parties, corporate events and school groups.”

But it’s not all about fun at Power Kart Raceway and Dan says they take safety seriously and strive to ensure everyone is having an enjoyable but safe experience.

Power Kart Raceway, 125 Canberra Avenue, Griffith. Call 6239 5599, email enquiries@powerkarts.com.au or visit powerkarts.com.au

Up close to lots of birds

GET up close and personal with a range of birds at the Canberra Walk-in Aviary.

The aviary is a 1000sqm planted walk-in enclosure that has about 550 birds from about 60 different species.

“The aviary is great fun for all ages. You have the chance to get up close and personal with a range of birds,” says Mick Logan, owner and manager of the aviary.

“While not all birds will interact with you, you get the chance to observe, up close, species of birds that otherwise would be hard to see in the wild.

“We give you a small plate of food and a tub of mealworms and you can wander around and feed the birds.”

Mick says that people are welcome to take photos of the birds.

“Providing the weather is fine you can have a great time feeding the birds or just observing our feathered friends,” Mick says.

Winter opening hours are 10am to 3:30pm daily.

Canberra Walk-in Aviary, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls. Call 6230 2044 or visit canberrawalkinaviary.com.au