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How to Find Free National Science Week Activities Near You
National Science Week is one of the best free things on the calendar for curious kids and adults alike, with thousands of events across the country. The catch is that a fixed list of events dates quickly and misses what is happening near you. So instead of a list, here is how to find genuinely free activities in your area, and how to build a science day at home if nothing local fits.
When is National Science Week 2026?
National Science Week 2026 runs from 15 to 23 August. Across the week there are more than 2,000 events nationwide, spanning in-person sessions, virtual tours, talks, experiments, competitions and online activities you can do any time.
Start with the official event finder
The National Science Week website has an event finder that lets you search what is on. It is the most reliable place to start, because it is updated as events are added and lets you filter by location and format. Bookmark it and search it first.
Search your state or territory
Many events are organised locally, so searching by your state or territory surfaces things the national view can miss. State science bodies, universities and science festivals often run their own programs during the week.
Check libraries, universities, museums and councils
Some of the best free sessions come from local institutions. Your public library, nearby universities, museums and your local council all tend to run family-friendly activities, and many are free. Check their websites or social pages in the weeks beforehand.
Look for online and at-home activities
If getting to an event is tricky, plenty of Science Week activities run online, from live-streamed talks to citizen-science projects you can join from the kitchen table. These are ideal for regional families or anyone with a busy schedule.
Questions to check before booking
- Is it completely free, or are there hidden costs?
- Is registration required, and has it already booked out?
- Is there an age limit or recommended age range?
- Are materials included, or do you need to bring or buy something?
- Is parking likely to cost extra?
Create a free science day at home
No event nearby? Build your own. Official DIY experiments, online quizzes and citizen-science activities can fill a whole day for the cost of a few pantry items. Kitchen chemistry, backyard astronomy and simple physics demos are free, hands-on and genuinely fun.
Verified picks by city or state
If you are featuring specific events, only include ones checked immediately beforehand, since programs change. A quick visit to the official finder on the day is the surest way to confirm something is still running and still free.
Save two options, one local activity and one online backup, in case an event books out. For more low-cost family fun, see our affordable school holiday activities and cheap hobbies to try in 2026.
FAQs
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National Science Week 2026 runs from 15 to 23 August, with more than 2,000 events across Australia including talks, experiments, virtual tours, competitions and at-home activities.
Start with the official event finder on the National Science Week website, then search by your state or territory. Also check libraries, universities, museums and your local council, and look for online and at-home activities you can do any time during the week.
Many are, but not all. Before you book, check whether the event is completely free, whether registration is required, whether there is an age limit, whether materials are included and whether parking might cost extra. Saving one local option and one online backup is a smart way to avoid missing out if something books out.
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