ACT

ACT Family

Canberra families can share hands-on science, nature play, museum sessions and library activities, while ACT-wide services offer practical help with parenting, development, caring responsibilities and family safety. Whether you are planning an outing or looking for more specialised support, check the age range, access pathway and booking requirements before you go.

✨ Play, discovery and family activities

National Museum of Australia — Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre

At the National Museum in Acton, this play-and-learn space welcomes children of all abilities from birth to six years. Families can explore hands-on activities during daily 75-minute sessions. Bookings are essential, costs apply and every child must be supervised by an adult. Monthly Quiet Hours reduce noise and sensory experiences for visitors who may benefit from a calmer session; these also require booking.

Questacon — Science Time

Young children and their caregivers investigate a question together through experiments, activities and craft at these early-childhood science workshops in Canberra. It is an opportunity to explore scientific ideas through shared, age-focused activities rather than simply observing. Families should check Questacon’s current early-childhood program for dates and booking details.

National Arboretum Canberra — Nature Playgroup

Children aged 18 months to five years can join their carers for nature-based play facilitated by the Arboretum’s outdoor educators. The published program runs during school terms and excludes public holidays, so confirm the current session arrangements before setting out.

Libraries ACT — Spring School Holiday Program

Libraries across Canberra will run activities for children, teenagers and families from 28 September to 9 October 2026. The announced program includes coding, Brick Challenges, family movie screenings, creative workshops, teen sessions and drop-in puzzles across branches. Some events require advance booking, while others are designed for families to drop in.

ACT Playgroups

Families looking for regular local connection can use the ACT-wide finder to identify registered community playgroups by suburb, age, day and group type. Community playgroups are generally parent-led and held in neighbourhood venues, so their formats differ. Contact the individual group before attending to confirm that its arrangements suit your family.

🌱 Early-years and parenting support

ACT Government Child and Family Centres

Centres in Gungahlin, Holt and Greenway provide free assistance for families and carers, mainly those with children up to eight years, with some services extending to age 12. Parents and carers can seek parenting advice, child-development assessments, social-work support and referrals, as well as playgroups and parenting groups. The three locations serve the Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong areas.

ACT Government Child and Family Centres — Supported Playgroups and Parenting Programs

Free, more focused options include Learn, Giggle and Grow for parents and children from birth to five; Koori Playgroup for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from birth to five and their carers; and Atfaal Family Playgroup for Muslim families with children up to five. Multicultural supported playgroups are also available. Parenting programs have differing age ranges and may involve group sessions or home visiting, so ask which pathway fits your circumstances.

Parentline ACT

Parents and carers at any stage can speak confidentially with a trained counsellor about parenting concerns. This ACT-wide telephone service is free. Call Parentline ACT directly on 02 6287 3833.

💡 Development, wellbeing and caring roles

Canberra Health Services — Community Paediatric and Child Health Service

Children aged from birth to 16 can receive assessment, treatment and advice for developmental or behavioural concerns, or physical or intellectual disability, when regular hospital care is not required. Services are delivered at Canberra Hospital and in Coombs. A referral from a GP or another medical practitioner is required. Care is free for people holding a Medicare Card or ACT Services Access Card.

ACT Government Child Development Service — Autism Assessments

Free autism assessments are available for ACT-resident children under 12 who are referred by a paediatrician or paediatric psychiatrist before their twelfth birthday. Referrals must include the specified medical, cognitive or developmental, and hearing information. Once an eligible referral is accepted, the child is placed on the assessment waiting list.

Marymead CatholicCare — New Horizons

New Horizons provides confidential early-intervention mental-health counselling and clinical support to families with children and young people aged up to 18. It assists where a child or young person has mental-health concerns, may be at risk of developing concerns, or needs counselling, support or connections. The multidisciplinary team is based in Narrabundah and serves the ACT and Queanbeyan.

Carers ACT — Young Carers

Unpaid carers aged up to 25 can seek help when they care for a family member or friend living with disability, illness, substance dependency or frailty. Depending on need, support may include information and advice, help with education costs, referrals to counselling or groups, short-term replacement care, activities, and assistance balancing school with caring responsibilities.

🤝 Family, cultural and relationship services

Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation

Based in Wanniassa, this First Nations-led organisation supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and community in the ACT. Its culturally safe prevention and early-intervention work includes Child, Youth and Family Support, Intensive Family Support, Reconnect and Functional Family Therapy teams.

Relationships Australia Canberra & Region

Families across the ACT, Murrumbidgee and southern New South Wales can access relationship and family support, counselling, separation assistance and family mediation. Children’s services and programs for young people are also available. The organisation states that it is not a crisis service, so families needing immediate assistance should use an appropriate crisis response instead.

Kidsafe ACT — Child Car Seat Checks and Adjustments

At booked appointments in Pearce, Kidsafe ACT can inspect a child restraint for wear or damage, check its installation, adjust the harness and headrest, and advise whether it suits the child’s age and size. The service is not available on a drop-in basis. Free checks have specific eligibility requirements, so review these and make a booking before attending.

❤ Domestic and family violence support

Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT

Children, young people and adults affected by domestic and family violence in the ACT region can contact this free specialist service. Its crisis team provides telephone support 24 hours a day, every day, and can connect callers with ACT services, advocacy and emergency accommodation options. The crisis line is 02 6280 0900.

📌 A few checks before you book or attend

• Confirm age and eligibility: programs may use exact age limits, residency rules, cultural eligibility or funding conditions.
• Check the access pathway: some developmental services require a medical referral and supporting information, while other services accept direct family contact.
• Book where required: museum sessions, selected library activities and child-restraint appointments may not accept unplanned attendance.
• Ask about accessibility: discuss mobility, communication or sensory requirements directly with the provider when choosing an activity.
• Review current costs and dates: fees, term programs, holiday schedules and available places can change.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves families in the ACT, you are warmly invited to add your own listing or update its details so local parents and carers 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 act.guide.