There's something on offer to inspire and entertain children of all ages in Canberra during the autumn school holidays.

Stand up, dress up, make up, think up and step up in a fabulous space at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House that has turned the traditional idea of what goes on in museums completely on its head. The children's exhibition space, Play Up pokes its tongue out at the idea that museums are hands off. Children can also don a cape explore Behind the Lines 2014 with a Super-Hero trail, enjoy the hands-on activity table, and chill out with comics in the fabulous Zine Lounge. There will be cartooning master classes, Press Gang Action Pack'd Adventure kits and The Superhero-athon is back by popular demand.

Gather your family for an afterDARK Scavenger Hunt Tour and see what you can find in the Australian National Botanic Gardens at night. Bring your torch, follow the clues and discover the fascinating plant, insect and animal life in the Gardens at night. Be the first to complete the scavenger hunt challenge and take home the coveted 'super-sleuth' prize. Finish your evening enjoying supper and toasting marshmallows over the open-air fire.

For animal lovers, a visit tothe National Zoo and Aquarium is an absolute must.Be brave and take part in an animal encounter to get up close and personal with some of the world's most amazing creatures like cheetahs, sharks, sun bears, white lions and red pandas. The interactive Family Tour is designed with younger children in mind. Come face-to-face with creatures both great and small, feel the warm breath of a giraffe on your face, experience the rush of looking a big cat in the eye and challenge yourself to hold or touch a snake.

Take part in a fun-filled autumn of activities at the National Portrait Gallery. Children can listen to stories from the book Twelve Terrible Tales by Jill Mather and create their own visual response, draw while listening to music in the Drawn in sessions, see a screening of War Horse directed by Steven Spielberg, and explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries during Portrait play. Bookings essential.

No family trip to Canberra is complete without experiencing the excitement of Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre. Home to a range of interactive exhibitions like Awesome Earth, Wonderworks, Q Lab and Excite@Q, Questacon is a favourite with the young and the young-at-heart. Surprise your senses and challenge your mind in Perception Deception with more than 60 hands-on and multimedia exhibits featuring perception tests and illusions.

Drop in to the National Museum of Australia's Discovery Space program during the school holidays and work with renowned puppet maker and puppeteer Marianna Mettes from PuppetOOdle to help her bring some of the Toy Theatre stories alive on a bigger stage.

Visit the Australian War Memorialwith your family and connect with the stories of people and events that have shaped our nation. Explore art and personal stories in the Memorial's Commemorative Area before creating your own poppy mosaic to take home as part of Mosaics at the Memorial. Join a curator to take a closer look at the paintings by well-known official war artist George Lambert. Learn about the history of animation and war and watch some much loved cartoons from the collection – including Donald Duck – during Moving Battle Lines: Animation And War.

Join one of the expert staff from the National Dinosaur Museum on a guided tour to experience a journey through time. Take your camera, your friends, those burning dinosaur questions and join the knowledgeable staff for a fun and educational tour suitable for all ages.

Spot a wide range of Australian animals including kangaroos, platypus, potoroos, wallaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds and many other birds and reptiles at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Tidbinbilla offers an extensive program of guided walks and activities and special school holiday activities throughout the year. Walks and activities cater for a range of different age groups.

For more great school holiday ideas and places to stay in the capital, visit www.visitcanberra.com.au