Each day after school, on weekends and during the school holidays, kids around Canberra are looking for fun things to do outside. If they love to play basketball, there is nothing better than meeting some friends down at the local basketball court for a game or two, or just shooting hoops to practice their skills. It is a healthy way to get kids outdoors (away from the iPads!) and making new friends with other kids who may come over to play. According an ACT Government
website, there are
over 40 free basketball courts in the region!
Do you have a favourite playground to take the ball and shoot some hoops with the kids? Are some better than the others? If you have a local tip, please leave a comment at the top of this article and share your favourite. These are the ones that our family have discovered around the Canberra region - with many of the newest ones located in the Gungahlin region to cater to the new families moving to the area. Where do your kids love to play basketball?
A brand new single court at Throsby Playground, Gungahlin
is located in Gungahlin, 20 minutes north of the city. It is part of a new suburb in Canberra and is the central hub for families in the area. The
playground is impressive, however if you love basketball you will enjoy the brand new, colourful single court - perfect for one-on-one games or shooting hoops with a friend. See
here for a map.
Crace Recreation Park, also located in Gungahlin, is a one-stop-shop for all things sports! It has an outdoor fitness area, a hitting wall for tennis, cricket nets and a multi-use court which can be used for soccer and basketball. This large, full-size court is ideal if you want to get a few kids together, before a picnic and a play on the
playground. This court is also loved by adults for shooting hoops for exercise, so it can get busy! See
here for a map.
Franklin Recreation Park is another new playground and sports facility in Gungahlin, with a caged sports area that can be used for basketball and soccer. This popular venue also has outdoor fitness stations, a skate bowl and
playground for the kids. See
here for a map.
Full size basketball court, as well as other sports facilities, at Crace Recreation Park
A multi-sport area with basketball court at Franklin Community Park, Gungahlin
is another favourite in the northern suburbs, for its huge
playground for the kids and sports and fitness facilities in the one area. This new park has a full-sized basketball court and is popular with all ages - not just the kids! See
here for a map. If you live in the Gungahlin region, also check out the courts at
Yerrabi Pond District Park, for an older basketball court - but still a good one!
Gordon Playground is a popular option on the south side of Canberra, with a
playground for the kids and a full-sized basketball court to have a game or two. See
here for a map.
Full-size court at Moncrieff Community Park, Gungahlin
Full size court at Yerrabi Ponds, Gungahlin
Playground fun & a full-size basketball court at Gordon Playground, Tuggeranong
Where is your favourite basketball court in Canberra? Please leave a comment at the top of this article if you have a top pick. Although most of these courts are the newer ones in Canberra, the old favourites down at the local park still do the same job. Also don't forget to pop your basketball in the boot of the car when you go for a drive around the region, as there are basketball courts at
Cotter Reserve, out by the Murrumbidgee River, as well as at
Duncan Fields, if you are heading out to Googong.
Where will you be shooting hoops this weekend?
Family fun at Cotter Reserve!
A colourful new half-court at Duncan Fields, Googong
