This article is a detailed guide with my personal suggestions and ideas for best free school holiday activities Brisbane Northside and surrounds over the September break. I have booked my own children into many of these activities.
Free school holiday activities Brisbane northside! What are they and where can you find them? The answer is they are everywhere but not always easy to find. That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting and created this list of the best free family activities for the school holidays in Brisbane’s northside.
Yep, that’s right! We’ve collated a comprehensive list of free school holiday ideas for kids over the summer break that don’t cost a thing.
And because we know it is not always possible to travel far from home we have only listed activities on the northside of Brisbane and near or in the CBD. This will mean you can find something to do with the kids these school holidays that is near your suburb! Below you will find the details of:
- free shopping centre school holiday activities
- Moreton Region school holiday activities that are free
- ideas for things to do in the CBD and South Bank for free
You can find our list of the best free school holiday activities on the Southside here.
This list of free things to do in the summer school holidays will keep the kids entertained and your holiday budget happy!
Free school holiday activities Brisbane northside
It doesn’t matter if you live in Sandgate, Bracken Ridge, Albany Creek, Windsor or somewhere in the Moreton Region like North Lakes, because we have free school holiday fun for you. We have listed something in most northside suburbs to to suit everyone … and they are all free!
Free e-book with photos! 50 day trips to do around Brisbane with kids! – Click here!
These are our picks of Brisbane northside suburbs venues that are perfect for kids looking for a free day out, locally!
- Park Play at Victoria Park
- Moreton Region school holiday activities
- Roma Street Parkland
- Brisbane Citycat rides (free on the weekend for kids)
- The Cube at QUT
- City playgrounds
- Best cycle paths for families with kids
- Best trees to climb in Brisbane
- Local libraries
- Free QLD school holiday destinations
- Kids eat free at these restaurants
- Brisbane Skate Parks
There are loads more things to do on our School Holiday Activities Events Calendar. We also have the best school holiday activities list in Brisbane that includes discounted options too! Learn how to download our ‘Families fun’ calendar so you can stay up to date here.
Below is a day by day list of the free school holiday activities northside Brisbane has on offer!
School holiday activities – Summer 2024
Saturday 14 December: Hour of Code for families: Minecraft | Chermside
Work together as a family to learn basic coding and use your problem-solving skills to complete fun Minecraft-themed challenges. No prior programming experience is required. Ideal for children aged 7-12 years and their carers.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
Bookings required. Phone Chermside Library on 07 3403 7200 to reserve your place. Find more details here.
Sunday 15 December: Explore Nocturnal Habitats with Virtual Reality
Ever wondered what happens in the forest at night? Come and experience virtual forest habitat whilst learning about which nocturnal animals are out and about while we are normally asleep! Focusing on Australian native wildlife, we discuss why animals might be nocturnal, how they survive and how we can protect them and their habitat.
- Time: 10am – 11am (arrive 10 mins earlier to check in)
- Location: Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre
Bookings required. Click here for more information.
Monday 16 December: Make and Create: Christmas cards | Toowong
Enjoy the festive season by creating Christmas cards for family and friends. All materials supplied. Ideal for children aged 5 years and older and families.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Toowong Library, Toowong Village Shopping Centre, 9 Sherwood Road
Bookings required. Phone Toowong Library on 07 3403 2590 to reserve your place. For more information, click here.
Tuesday 17 December: New Year’s Eve Magic | Victoria Point Lakeside
Head along to Victoria Point Lakeside for their annual New Year’s Eve Family event. There will be something for everyone, and will be a night to remember, including free entertainment, fireworks, children’s activities, market stalls, food trucks and more!
- Time: 5pm – 9pm
- Location: Victoria Point Lakeside Shopping Centre, 3-27 Bunker Road Shop 3
Wednesday 18 December: Make and create: Christmas | Bracken Ridge
Join us for a special Christmas-themed craft activity and decorate your own Christmas tree. Ideal for children aged 2-6 years.
- Time: 11am – 12pm
- Location: Bracken Ridge Library, 77 Bracken Street
Bookings required. Phone Bricken Ridge Library on 0787 3667 6060 to reserve your place. More details here.
Thursday 19 December: Female self-defence | Milton
Learn self-defence skills to help gain confidence; punching, striking, break and escape scenarios.
- Time: 2pm – 2.45pm
- Location: Frew Park (meet near the playground), 315 Milton Road, Milton
Bookings essential. To book, email KMA Brisbane or text 0410 645 552. Find more information here.
Friday 20 December: Movie screening: Operation Christmas List (G) | Brisbane City
Barney and his friends sneak into the local department store after hours hoping to use rare toys to swap for things on their lists. Ideal for children aged four years and older.
- Time: 10.30am – 12pm
- Location: Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City
Bookings required. Phone Brisbane Square Library on 07 3403 41666 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Saturday 21 December: Learn to skate workshop | Paddington
Free skateboarding lessons for young people of all skill levels. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 6 to 17 years old.
- Time: 11am – 12.30pm
- Location: Neal Macrossan Playground Park, 14 Caroline Street, Paddington (meet at skatepark)
Bookings not required. Click here for more information.
Sunday 22 December: Learn to skate workshop | Deagon
Free skateboarding lessons for young people of all skill levels. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 6 to 17 years old.
- Time: 11am – 12.30pm
- Location: Deagon Sportsground Park, 83 Board Street, Deagon
Bookings not required. There are more details here.
Monday 23 December: Zumba Kids | Kalinga
Perfect for younger Zumba fans! Kids 7-11 years old get the chance to be active and jam out to their favourite music. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 7-11 years.
- Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm
- Location: Kalinga Park, 48 Kalinga Street, Kalinga
Bookings essential. To book, email Energetic Music. Click here for more information.
Tuesday 24 December: South Bank Parklands | South Bank
Take the kids to the South Bank Parklands where they can spin, slide, and climb at the playground! There are other facilities nearby like the aquatic playground. Click here for more information.
Wednesday 25 December: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha | Mt Coot-tha
Have a stroll or a picnic at the gardens of Mt Coo-tha, a key attraction of Brisbane.
- Time: Open daily 8am – 6pm (summer time)
- Location: Mt Coot-tha
Find out more information on the attractions and what you can do here.
Thursday 26 December: Macaranga Mates | Museum of Brisbane
Inspired by Artist in Residence Dylan Bolger’s stunning imagery of the macaranga leaf, families can dive into a creative adventure by making their very own hanging Macaranga Mate to take home. Learn about the healing property of native plants in this fun and free activity exploring nature, creativity, and design while making something beautiful to take home.
- Time: Saturday 14 December – Monday 27 January 2025, 10am – 1pm
- Location: The Dome, Level 3, City Hall
Find out more information here.
Friday 27 December: Make it, change it, save it | State Library of Queensland
Drop in any day of the school holidays to Make it, save it, change it presented by State Library of Queensland and developed in collaboration with Reverse Garbage Queensland for a loose parts experience like no other. Construct robots, build cool creations and create your own playful worlds using repurposed objects of all kinds. Explore the sensory loose-parts playground and join in the fun with daily story play sessions at 10 am.
Once in The Corner, look up and uncover the upcycled dragon swooping overhead! With the help of friends at Reverse Garbage Queensland, they’ve transformed ordinary materials into an extraordinary creature—proving that one person’s trash can truly be a dragon’s treasure!
- Time: 10am – 12.30pm
- Location: The Corner, State Library of Queensland
Click here for more information.
Saturday 28 December: Portrait play | State Library of Queensland
Drop into kuril dhagun and experience the vibrant world of Deaf in dance, an exhibition that celebrates the people and passion behind the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group (DIDG). Feel the beat as you explore dancer portraits adorned with words and drawings by the artists themselves, alongside digital stories and a focus on accessible design.
Then create your own portrait masterpiece to contribute to our giant mural. Use a mixture of stickers, pens, paper and collage to unleash your creativity and celebrate the power of community and identity.
- Time: 10am – 2pm
- Location: kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland
Check here for more information.
Sunday 29 December: Scavenger hunt | State Library of Queensland
Are you a keen explorer? Are you a master of puzzles? Do you love a challenge? Yes? Then get excited and jump into State Library of Queensland’s scavenger hunt. This interactive onsite experience gets you collecting clues and completing challenges to uncover top secret library spaces, discover cool activities and explore the history and culture of the great sunny state.
- Time: 10am – 3pm
- Location: Pop into the welcome desk on Level 1 to start your adventure.
No bookings required. Find out more information here.
Monday 30 December: New Light: Photography Now + Then | Museum of Brisbane
If your child has a love for photography, then this exhibition is perfect! With the power to freeze and preserve time, photography has captured imaginations for centuries. This August, step into New Light: Photography Now + Then, an exhibition where past and present converge in a mesmerising display of photography spanning 1890 to 2024.
- Time: Saturday 17 August – Sunday 13 July 2025, 10am – 5pm daily
- Location: Level 3, City Hall
Click here for more information.
Tuesday 31 December: Tinker table | Ascot
Drop in for some hands-on experimenting with robots and more. Explore STEAM, coding and robotics in an open learning environment. Ideal for children aged 4-16 years.
- Time: 11am – 12pm
- Location: Hamilton Library, 36 Racecoard Road, Ascot
Wednesday 1 January: Scavenger hunt | State Library of Queensland
Are you a keen explorer? Are you a master of puzzles? Do you love a challenge? Yes? Then get excited and jump into the State Library of Queensland’s scavenger hunt. This interactive onsite experience gets you collecting clues and completing challenges to uncover top secret library spaces, discover cool activities and explore the history and culture of the great sunny state.
- Time: 10am – 3pm
- Location: Pop into the welcome desk on level 1 to start you adventure
Find out more information here.
Thursday 2 January: Little Artist’s Eye Spy | Museum of Brisbane
There is plenty for little eyes to spy with this free MoB Kids activity sheet. Transform your Museum visit into an exciting game of Eye Spy and discover details you might otherwise have missed. Can you spot the flowers? This playful Museum experience will immerse you in all manners of local art, history and culture, encompassing five different exhibitions.
- Time: 10am – 5pm
- Location: Level 3, City Hall
Friday 3 January: Movie Screening: My Pet Dinosaur (PG) | Kenmore
When a young boy named Jake accidentally makes a new friend in an experiment gone wrong, a troubled town is plunged into chaos. But with the creature rapidly evolving every day, Jake finds it increasingly difficult to keep his new pet secret. Ideal for children aged 6-12 years.
- Time: 10am – 11.45am
- Location: Kenmore Library, Kenmore Village, 9 Brookfield Road, Kenmore
Bookings required. Phone Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place. Find more information here.
Saturday 4 January: Get outdoors with a family bushwalk
Waking up early in the morning during the school holidays can be a pain when all you want to do is snuggle in your blanket. But why don’t you warm up with a nice bushwalk? Family bushwalking not only provides exercise but has a lot of added benefits. You’ll be together in a tech-free environment so expect the conversation to flow. Getting back to nature often promotes self-reflection and can have a calming effect on a stressed mind. Think of it as meditation while moving! See our favourite Brisbane walking trails for families here.
Sunday 5 January: Make it, change it, save it | State Library of Queensland
Drop in any day of the school holidays to Make it, save it, change it presented by State Library of Queensland and developed in collaboration with Reverse Garbage Queensland for a loose parts experience like no other. Construct robots, build cool creations and create your own playful worlds using repurposed objects of all kinds. Explore the sensory loose-parts playground and join in the fun with daily story play sessions at 10 am.
Once in The Corner, look up and uncover our upcycled dragon swooping overhead! With the help of our friends at Reverse Garbage Queensland, we’ve transformed ordinary materials into an extraordinary creature—proving that one person’s trash can truly be a dragon’s treasure!
- Time: 10am – 12.30pm
- Location: The Corner, State Library of Queensland
Find out more information here.
Monday 6 January: STEAM ahead on the Intelino Summer train
Our Intelino train is on a mission and needs your help! Intelino is an interactive smart train, powered by innovative robotic technology. Learn basic coding skills through screen-free adventure and hands-on play. No prior programming experience required. Ideal for children aged 5-8 years.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Ashgrove Library, 87 Amarina Avenue, Ashgrove
Bookings required. Phone Ashgrove Library on 07 3407 1940 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Tuesday 7 January: Rugged Robot to the rescue! | Indooroopilly
Rugged Robot is on a mission to save the coral reef! Learn basic coding skills through screen-free adventure and hands-on play. No prior programming experience required. Ideal for children aged 5-8 years.
- Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
- Location: Indooroopilly Library, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Level 4, 322 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly
Bookings required. Phone Indooroopilly Library on 07 3407 0009 to reserve your place. More details here.
Wednesday 8 January: Make and create for kids | New Farm
Join us for fun and free craft activities in the library. Ideal for children aged 5 years and older and their carers.
- Time: 2pm
- Location: New Farm Library, 135 Sydney Street, New Farm
Bookings required. Phone New Farm Library on 07 3403 1062 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Thursday 9 January: The Tiny Seed | Ashgrove
Get active and healthy with stories and games designed to impart lessons about nurturing the plants, animals and people in our lives. This workshop is inspired by the themes of perseverance and hope from Eric Carle’s book The Tiny Seed. This is a Gold’n’Kids event suitable for seniors and children 4 years and over.
- Time: 10am – 12pm
- Location: Dorrington Park, 5 Mirrabooka Road, Ashgrove (meet at the playground)
Bookings essential. To book, visit Bazil Grumble. For more information, phone 0411 246 487. Find out more here.
Friday 10 January: Make and create for teens | Chermside
Enjoy an afternoon of make and create activities. Ideal for those aged 13-17 years.
- Time: 1pm – 2.30pm
- Location: Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
Bookings are not required. Click here for more details.
Saturday 11 January: Tui ‘n’ Friends Village | Indooroopilly
Tui ‘n’ Friends brings a blend of traditional and original songs, featuring diverse rhythms from the South Pacific islands. Ideal for those aged 1-8 years and their families.
- Time: 11am – 11.45am
- Location: Indooroopilly Library, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Level 4, 322 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly
Bookings required. Phone Indooroopilly Library on 07 3407 0009 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Sunday 12 January: Scavenger hunt | State Library of Queensland
Are you a keen explorer? Are you a master of puzzles? Do you love a challenge? Yes? Then get excited and jump into our scavenger hunt. This interactive onsite experience gets you collecting clues and completing challenges to uncover top secret library spaces, discover cool activities and explore the history and culture of our great sunny state.
- Time: 10am – 3pm
- Location: Pop into the welcome desk on level 1 to start your adventure
Monday 13 January: Kids book chat: Bluey | Ashgrove
Are you a fan of Bluey? Join us these school holidays for some fun activities as we celebrate the amazing world of Bluey! Ideal for all ages.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Ashgrove Library, 87 Amarina Avenue, Ashgrove
Bookings required. Phone Ashgrove Library on 07 3407 1940 to reserve your place. Check out more details here.
Tuesday 14 January: Summer reading: Massive Joke Book for Kids Only workshop with Phil Judd
Come along and join Phil Judd, the Illustrator for Scholastic’s new children’s book by well-known children’s author Andy Jones, the “Massive Book of Jokes for Kids Only!” In this workshop Phil will talk about his experience working as an illustrator, the process involved and his approach to creating the images for the book. Phil will cover how to create image ideas for jokes with the group. He will also give simple drawing tips on creating your own images for a joke, or any idea! This activity will include time for the children to draw up their own ideas for some jokes in the book. Alternatively, they can bring their own jokes to illustrate. They will then ink-in their drawing, creating a professional looking image, just like Phil did for the Joke Book. Ideal for children aged 7-14 years.
- Time: 3pm – 4pm
- Location: Mitchelton Library, 37 Heliopolis Parade, Mitchelton
Bookings required. Phone Mitchelton Library on 07 3403 7410 to reserve your place. Click here for more information.
Wednesday 15 January: Family STEAM: Summer fun with water play | Mt Coot-tha
Join us for a fun morning of water play activities. Try your hand at making a paper boat and see if it floats or sink. Ideal for children aged 4-10 years.
- Time: 10.30am – 12pm
- Location: Mt Coot-tha Library, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, 152 Mt Coot-tha Road, Mt Coot-tha
Bookings required. Phone Mt Coot-tha Library on 07 3403 2550 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Thursday 16 January: Tinker table | Chermside
Drop in for some hands-on experimenting with simple circuit boards, robots and more. Explore coding, circuits, motion and robotics in an open learning environment. Ideal for those aged 4-16 years.
- Time: 1pm – 2pm
- Location: Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
Bookings not required. Check out details here.
Friday 17 January: Keeper of the Lost Cities trivia and nexus craft | Ashgrove
Are you a fan of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series? Join us for themed trivia and make your very own nexus. Cosplay encouraged! Ideal for those aged 10-16 years.
- Time: 1.30am – 2.30pm
- Location: Ashgrove Library, 87 Amarina Avenue, Ashgrove
Bookings are required. Phone Ashgrove Library on 07 3407 1940 to reserve your place. Find out more here.
Saturday 18 January: Make and create for kids | Banyo
Enjoy free school holiday craft activities for children aged 4-8 years.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Banyo Library, 284 St Vincents Road, Banyo
No bookings required. Check out details here.
Sunday 19 January: Visit Old Petrie Town
Visit this charming restored historic village spread across 48 acres of parklands with heritage buildings. Markets are held every Sunday from 7am to 1pm. Take a picnic, and although it’s not free, you could spend a few dollars to give your kids access to the jumping castle for as long as they have the energy! There’s live music too!
Read our review of Old Petrie Town.
Monday 20 January: Kids book chat: Bluey | Ashgrove
Are you a fan of Bluey? Join us these school holidays for some fun activities as we celebrate the amazing world of Bluey! ideal for all ages.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Ashgrove Library, 87 Amarina Avenue, Ashgrove
Bookings required. Phone Ashgrove Library on 07 3407 1940 to reserve your place. More details here.
Tuesday 21 January: Family trivia: Disney | Grange
Dress up as your favourite Disney character and take part in our trivia challenge! Ideal for children of all ages and their families.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Grange Library, 79 Evelyn Street, Grange
Bookings required. Phone Grange Library on 07 3407 2523 to reserve your place. Check out more details here.
Wednesday 22 January: Kids book chat: Alice in Wonderland
Celebrate children’s author Lewis Carroll and come dressed as your favourite Alice in Wonderland character to revel in a special celebration with stories, games and craft. Ideal for children aged 6-15 years.
- Time: 11am – 12pm
- Location: Kenmore Library, Kenmore Village, 9 Brookfield Road, Kenmore
Bookings required. Phone Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place. Find more information here.
Thursday 23 January: Make and create: Box city | Ashgrove
Drop in and enjoy a free school holiday craft, making buildings for the Ashgrove Library box city. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: Ashgrove Library, 87 Amarina Avenue, Ashgrove
Friday 24 January: Kid book chat: Pokémon | Toowong
Calling all Pokemon trainers! Join us at Toowong library to chat about all things Pokemon and enjoy some fun activities. Ideal for ages 7-11 years.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Toowong Library, Toowong Village Shopping Centre, 9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
Bookings required. Phone Toowong Library on 07 3403 2590 to reserve your place. Check out more details here.
Saturday 25 January: Explore the Ocean with Virtual Reality | Boondall
Looking to explore our amazing underwater environments?
With full 360-degree videos of real ocean environments, come and experience the virtual underwater world whilst learning facts about marine life, playing fun games and learning how to take care of our environment! Suitable for children ages 7-12 years.
Please be aware that if you are very sensitive to motion sickness, this program may not be suitable.
- Time: 10am – 11am (arrive 10 mins before the start of the event to check in)
- Location: Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre, 31 paperbark Drive (entry via Stanworth Road), Boondall
Bookings required for all people participating. Supervising adults do not require a ticket. Find more information here.
Sunday 26 January: Portrait play | State Library of Queensland
Drop into kuril dhagun and experience the vibrant world of Deaf in dance, an exhibition that celebrates the people and passion behind the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group (DIDG). Feel the beat as you explore dancer portraits adorned with words and drawings by the artists themselves, alongside digital stories and a focus on accessible design.
Then create your own portrait masterpiece to contribute to our giant mural. Use a mixture of stickers, pens, paper and collage to unleash your creativity and celebrate the power of community and identity.
- Time: 10am – 2pm
- Location: kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland
Click here for more information.
Monday 27 January: Day at Scarborough Beach Park
For the final day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to finish the holidays!
Past school holiday events
Saturday 14 September: Elements Collective, Hip Hop workshop and dance cypher | Chermside
Celebrate Brisbane Festival for free under the dome at Westfield Chermside. Enjoy live entertainment from Brisbane’s talented musicians. Families can also master new skill at the free workshops. Master new circus skills, drop by for a hip hop workshop and join in a dance cypher with some of the best dancers in town.
- Time: 12pm – 12:45pm & 1pm – 2pm
- Location: Westfield Chermside
For more info on activities, click here.
Monday 16 September: Kid’s books and trivia Geronimo Stilton | Chermside
Are you a fan of the Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton series? Join Chermside Library these school holidays for some fun activities and trivia! Ideal for children aged 7-10 years. Bookings required. Phone Chermside Library on 07 3403 7200 to reserve your place.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
For more information, click here.
Tuesday 17 September: Make and create for kids | Sandgate
Drop in and enjoy free school holiday craft activitie at Sandgate. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Sandgate Library, 1 Seymour Street, Sandgate
Wednesday 18 September: Museum of Brisbane
Little Artist’s Eye Spy
There is plenty for little eyes to spy with this free MoB Kids activity sheet. Transform your Museum visit into an exciting game of Eye Spy and discover details you might otherwise have missed.
Can you spot the flowers? This playful Museum experience will immerse you in all manners of local art, history and culture, encompassing five different exhibitions.
- Date and time: Daily from 10am – 5pm
- Location: Level 3, City Hall
Find out more here. For more Museum of Brisbane ideas for summer school holidays, click here.
Thursday 19 September: Junior bike riding skills | New Farm
This course is suitable for young riders who can ride confidently on two wheels. Through riding-based games and fun activities, your child will learn the skills needed to have fun off-road and on the bikeways.
Presented as part of Council’s Cycling Brisbane program.
- Time: 10am – 11:30am
- Location: New Farm Park, 137 Sydney Street, New Farm
Friday 20 September: Movie screening of An Enchanted Ruby (G) | Brisbane City
Synopsis of the movie: For hundreds of years, an enchanted world parallel to earth has existed, filled with hope and magic, ruled by a royal line of witches, who harnessed the magical power. When Ruby, a young witch discovers her long lost mother was abducted by evil forces she sets out to use all her magical powers to get her back. Bookings required. Phone Brisbane Square Library on 07 3403 4166 to reserve your place.
- Time: 10:30am – 12:15pm
- Location: Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City
Saturday 21 September: Wamuran F.A.M (Food Art Music) Festival
Wamuran Sports Complex will be transformed for this FREE food, art and music festival celebrating the local producers, makers and artists from Wamuran and surrounds. Bring your empty picnic basket and fill it up with a variety of fresh local produce straight off the paddock!
- Time: 9am – 2pm
- Location: Wamuran Sports Complex, Campbells Pocket Road
Sunday 22 September: Learn to skate workshop | Deagon
Free skateboarding lessons for people of all skill levels. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 6 to 17 years old. Be sure to bring a skateboard, if you have one, enclosed shoes and a helmet. Bookings essential. To book, email seqskateboardcoaching@gmail.com
- Time: 11am – 12:30pm
- Location: Deagon Sportsground Park, 83 Board Street, Deagon
Monday 23 September: Badge making | Indooroopilly
Unleash your inner artist and explore the world of collage as you create these works of wearable art. Ideal for those aged 12-17 years. Bookings required. Phone Indooroopilly Library on 07 3407 0009 to reserve your place.
- Time: 1pm – 2pm
- Location: Indooroopilly Library, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Level 4, 322 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly
Tuesday 24 September: Slimy sea creature with Cartoon Dave | Chermside
Cartoon Dave is back in Australia to deliver some fun and interactive cartoon workshops to the kids of Brisbane. Dave’s NO-RULES approach to cartooning and fully interactive sessions will cover a wide range of topics across Brisbane. Ideal for children aged 7-12 years. Bookings required. Phone Chermside Library on 07 3403 7200 to reserve your place.
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
Wednesday 25 September: Storytime and craft | Sandgate
Join local author Dannika Patterson as she invites children to play with perspective – both literally and figuratively! Enjoy a reading of Dannika’s brand-new picture book Zoom, about a child who gains a fresh perspective as he learns to ‘zoom out’ from the details of his tough day at school and see a bigger picture. Join in the fun by discovering some old-fashioned cameras before taking part in a themed craft activity. Ideal for children aged 4-10 years. Bookings required. Phone Sandgate Library on 07 3667 6022 to reserve your place.
- Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
- Location: Sandgate Library, 1 Seymour Street, Sandgate
Thursday 26 September: Obstacle training | Everton Park
Challenge your whole body with this introduction to obstacle course racing. Learn some new skills and techniques that will help you run and overcome obstacles. Great for building strength and fitness. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people aged 12-17 years.
- Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
- Location: Teralba Park, 120 Pullen Road, Everton Park
Friday 27 September: Bug Detectives | Chermside West
Meet some of the Environment Centre’s resident insects and other mini-beasts at a fun bug show, then test out your detective skills on a short walk investigating bugs and their habitats. What will we find living nearby? Join this one-of-a-kind school holiday activity to discover fascinating facts about bugs and other mini-beasts and find out why these amazing animals are nature’s superheroes!
- Time: 10am – 11am
- Location: Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, 815 Rode Road, Chermside West
- Requirements: Arrive 10 mins before starting time. All children must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult. Wear sun-safe clothing and fully enclosed shoes. Bring insect repellant and sunscreen for later outdoor use, but please ensure you don’t have any on your hands when meeting or touching the friendly bugs!
Saturday 28 September: Get outdoors with a family bushwalk
Waking up early in the morning during the school holidays can be a pain when all you want to do is snuggle in your blanket. But why don’t you warm up with a nice bushwalk? Family bushwalking not only provides exercise but has a lot of added benefits. You’ll be together in a tech-free environment so expect the conversation to flow. Getting back to nature often promotes self-reflection and can have a calming effect on a stressed mind. Think of it as meditation while moving! See our favourite Brisbane walking trails for families here.
Sunday 29 September: Day at Scarborough Beach Park
For the final day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to finish the holidays!
Past school holiday activities
Sunday 23 June: Make a botanical wall hanging at the Museum of Brisbane
These holidays, drop into the Dome Gallery to mix-up colours and shapes to create your very own hybrid creature wall hanging! Made with upcycled materials, you’ll be able to take your creation home. No bookings required. Located in the Museum of Brisbane from 10am to 1pm.
For more information, click here.
Monday 24 June: Pokémon Pokemania, Ashgrove
Ashgrove Library is blasting off again! Whether you’re a fan of games or books (or both!), visit Ashgrove library for a Pokémon gym hunt testing your Pokémon knowledge and make a set of your very own pokeballs! Ideal for children aged 6-12 years. Running from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. Bookings required, phone Ashgrove Library to reserve your spot.
Check it out here for more information.
Tuesday 25 June: Obstacle training, St Lucia
Challenge your whole body with this introduction to obstacle course racing from 9:30am to 11:30am. Learn some new skills and techniques that will help you run and overcome obstacles. Suitable for those aged 12-17 years. Bookings essential.
Wednesday 26 June: Freestyle scooter clinic, Fitzgibbon
Learn new skills on your scooter that will help you ride skate parks safely and have more fun! No bookings required, just rock up at the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza. Suitable for those aged 4-17 years. There are two sessions on this day: 10am to 11am and 11am to 12pm.
Click here for more information.
Thursday 27 June: Bluey Bonanza, Chermside Library
Celebrate Brisbane’s favourite blue heeler dog, Bluey, with a variety of fun games and craft activities from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Ideal for children aged 3 years and older and their carers. Bookings are required, phone Chermside Library on 07 3403 7200 to reserve your spot.
Check it out here for more information.
Friday 28 June: Movie screening at Brisbane Square Library: Dance together (G)
Visit Brisbane Square Library for a movie screening of Dance together. Holly, an injured dancer, and Alex, a quiet deaf girl, have a chance meeting that sparks a creative partnership. Alex helps Holly to gain confidence to stand up to her bullies, while Holly helps Alex add panache to her dance routines which might just give her group the winning edge. Bookings required, phone Brisbane Square Library on 07 3403 4166 to reserve your spot.
For more information, click here.
Saturday 29 June: Winter Night at the State Library of Queensland
Join SLQ in staying up after dark for Winter night – a special nocturnal program with illuminated inflatable animals, games, light projection, music and more. Bring a picnic rug to enjoy the sunset from Maiwar Green or pick up some delicious wood-fired pizza available from 4pm.
For more information, click here.
Sunday 30 June: Visit Old Petrie Town
Visit this charming restored historic village spread across 48 acres of parklands with heritage buildings. Markets are held every Sunday from 7am to 1pm. Take a picnic, and although it’s not free, you could spend a few dollars to give your kids access to the jumping castle for as long as they have the energy! There’s live music too!
Read our review of Old Petrie Town.
Monday 1 July: Family trivia challenge, Chermside
Test your knowledge of children’s books and movies with our fun family trivia challenge. Ideal for children aged 4-12 years and their carers. Located at Chermside Library. Bookings required, phone Chermside Library on 07 3403 7200 to reserve your place.
Click here for more information.
Tuesday 2 July: Park Play, Victoria Park
Running from 24 June – 3 July, experience the ultimate blend of sporty thrills and creative spills at Park Play, a free kids program nestled in the heart of Victoria Park! No bookings required.
For more information, click here.
Wednesday 3 July: Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program
The Brisbane City Council is once again running the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program this winter to give local families the opportunity to attend a professionally presented show suitable for kids and their families in the city. This July, the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program will present 2 shows where you can see a production called ‘The Singing Chefs and the Tub-thumping Orchestra.’
Check it out here for more information.
Thursday 4 July: Team fitness challenge, Kangaroo Point
This unique team fitness challenge will be the most fun you ever had exercising. Giant connect 4 obstacle relay, group exercise challenge, tire pulling challenge, team tug of war, Tic Tac Toe relay and more. Bookings are essential.
Friday 5 July: Redcliffe Art Gallery
The art gallery in Redcliffe is home to child-friendly spaces during the school holidays. Hands-on activities are offered here to get kids involved, and many are free to take part in. You never know, they may even learn something too while having lots of fun!
Find out more information here.
Saturday 6 July: Cosy Crochet Club, Museum of Brisbane
Warm up against the winter chill and prepare to get cosy with the Cosy Crochet Club every day of the school holidays from 10:30am to 1:30pm. This introduction to crochet will get you hooked! Suitable for ages 6 and above. No bookings required.
For more information, click here.
Sunday 7 July: Day at Scarborough Beach Park
For the final day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to finish the holidays!
Click here if you want more ideas for things to do in winter in Brisbane.
Easter 2024
Friday 29 March | Bluewater Festival – Shorncliffe
Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe is jam packed with entertainment through the day with live bands, kids workshops, rides, food and markets all culminating into a beach party and fireworks in the evening at 7:30pm.
Friday 29 March sees the Festival in full swing from 9:30am-8pm. Enjoy live music, kids activities, rides, food and markets all culminating into the Bayside Beach Party and fireworks display in the evening.
The festival is held on the scenic foreshore at Shorncliffe in conjunction with the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. It’s a perfect vantage point to watch the start of this iconic race. Find out more here
Saturday 30 March | Movie in the park
Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs is back for an egg-cellent Easter movie double feature!
Cosy up for a night under the stars with friends and family at Victoria Park. Screenings will include family favourites – Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021, rated G) at 6:30pm followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, rated PG) at 8pm. Easter Movie Night is produced by Brisbane City Council as part of the free Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs program.
Grab your picnic blanket and your favourite snacks or visit the on-site food trucks that will be serving up some delicious food and drinks for you to buy.
Sunday 31 March | Easter Eggstravaganza – Sandstone Point
Hop on over to the annual Easter Sunday Eggstravaganza at Sandstone Point Hotel from 10am. The Easter egg hunt is back on with over 6,000 eggs to find!
Want to give it a crack? It’s free but pre-registrations are essential! To register email: info@sandstonepointhotel.com.au
The egg-citement keeps coming! Enjoy live music, market stalls, craft stations, petting zoo and entertainment. Plus a visit from the Easter Bunny! Free entry into the event – rides and attractions have an additional cost.
Monday 1 April | Easter baking
Any public holiday is a perfect day for relaxing at home and doing a spot of baking. This sugar cookies recipe is so easy to follow, and your biscuits are guaranteed to hold their shape whilst baking.
Tuesday 2 April | Insect Agency, Qld Museum
Insects are everywhere, in a mind-blowing diversity of shapes, colours and species.
This brand new exhibition, developed by Queensland Museum, explores the surprising variety of ways insects do good – for the planet and humanity. Find out more here.
Wednesday 3 April | Freestyle scooter coaching
Learn new skills on your scooter and how to ride Bracken Ridge Skate Park safely. This is a free Chillout event suitable for young people 6-17 years. No bookings required. Find out more here.
Thursday 4 April | Monster Siege – Brendale
Let out your inner monster with a full day of adventure South Pine Sports Complex.
Get ready for a clash of epic proportions where kids unite in the ultimate battle of Monster Siege, a game of imagination, creativity, physicality, and strategy against their dastardly foes: the adults!
Defend magical rubber ducks from an onslaught of adult ‘Slobbers’ and band together with other kids in a quest to triumph. It’s fun on an epic scale! Find out more here.
Friday 5 April | The Castle of Tarragindi, QAGOMA
For ‘The Castle of Tarragindi’, Australian artist Natalya Hughes invites children to explore the imaginative artform of the ‘grotesque’ through hands-on and multimedia interactives. Grotesque designs are characterised by hybrid forms made up of parts of animals, plants, and other shapes.
The exhibition design features a striking blue and white colour palette, referencing grotesque imagery in the style of French designer Jean Bérain, combined with Australian flora and fauna. The setting is stunning, and the activities are perfect for all ages. Find out more
Saturday 6 April | Nature by Night Imaginarium – Redcliffe
Explore the nocturnal world of Australian wildlife at Redcliffe Museum’s Nature by Night Imaginarium.
Learn about some of Australia’s favourite night-time animals and guess the sounds they make. Enjoy the fascinating nocturnal zone and make yourself cosy in the glow worm cave or get creative at the activity station. There is plenty of fun to be had for all ages!
The Imaginarium and creative activities are available during museum opening hours, Wednesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and 10:00 AM to 3:00PM on weekends.
Monday 8 April | Climb the Clock Tower, Brisbane
An absolute ‘must-do’ for anyone in Brisbane, get whizzed to the top of City Hall’s famous Clock Tower through an original hand operated lift from the 1930s. Get a bird’s eye view of the city and find out about the amazing history of this Brisbane icon. Then, take a peek behind the scenes of City Hall with a free tour of one of Brisbane’s most beautiful buildings. Bookings required. Museum of Brisbane.
While you are there, check out the free MoB Easter school holiday activities!
Tuesday 9 April | The Patch – Pine Rivers
Step into The Patch, the latest Imaginarium experience at the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, where you can get your hands into a garden of family fun.
The Imaginarium is a dedicated intergenerational play space filled with varied activities and crafts designed for everyone to create, learn and explore together.
You can plant and harvest in the pretend veggie patch and collect eggs from the play chickens. Get creative at the craft activity station and add your own nature-inspired masterpieces to the colourful walls. No bookings required!
Wednesday 10 April | Playtopia at Roma Street Parkland
Designed to captivate children aged 5 – 12, Playtopia offers a diverse range of activities tailored to ignite their imagination, foster creativity, and encourage social interaction. Each day introduces new themes, ensuring an ever-evolving landscape of fun and learning.
Playtopia is designed to be a morning filled with entertainment, education, and hands-on activities for every curious mind. It’s a celebration of childhood, where every child can explore, learn, and create unforgettable memories.
No need to book in advance – simply turn up and go whenever it suits your schedule. View the upcoming program here.
Thursday 11 April | Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program – Curbside Carnies
Head to the city and step into a world of wonder and excitement these holidays as Brisbane City Council presents the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program,Curbside Carnies.
This free performance is produced by Sophie deLightful and will keep audience members entertained as they visit the curious world of circus and fun. Guests will be greeted with colour and sparkle at this not-to-be missed performance as roving performers guide audience members to their seats.
Keep an eye out for face-painting fairies who will work their magic on the audience as they wait for the show to start. This one-hour circus variety show will feature some of Brisbane’s best performers will feature in this one-hour circus variety show that will delight people of all ages from the young to the young at heart. Book your place HERE.
Friday 12 April | Get outdoors with a family bushwalk
Family bushwalking not only provides exercise but has a lot of added benefits. You’ll be together in a tech-free environment so expect the conversation to flow. Getting back to nature often promotes self-reflection and can have a calming effect on a stressed mind. Think of it as meditation while moving! See our favourite Brisbane walking trails for families here.
Saturday 13 April | Obstacle course in your backyard
Need to burn off some energy before you go back to school? Kids and adults can challenge each other by building an obstacle course right there in your backyard.
Sunday 14 April | Day at Scarborough Beach Park
For the final day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to finish the holidays!
Past school holiday ideas
Looking for inspiration? Check out these past events and activities that may give you some ideas!
Saturday 9 December | The Castle of Tarragindi, QAGOMA
For ‘The Castle of Tarragindi’, Australian artist Natalya Hughes invites children to explore the imaginative artform of the ‘grotesque’ through hands-on and multimedia interactives. Grotesque designs are characterised by hybrid forms made up of parts of animals, plants, and other shapes.
The exhibition design features a striking blue and white colour palette, referencing grotesque imagery in the style of French designer Jean Bérain, combined with Australian flora and fauna. The setting is STUNNING and the activities are perfect for all ages. Find out more
Sunday 10 December | Scarborough Beach Park
For the second day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to begin the holidays!
Monday 11 December | Rearranged: Art of the Flower, Museum of Brisbane
Brisbane has a strong culture of artists using floral imagery to tell stories of this place. In a space reminiscent of a quintessential Queenslander house, Rearranged: Art of the Flowerinvites families to stroll through a lush collection of paintings, textiles, sculptures, ceramics and new media.
Journey through the house, out the back and into the garden, and revel in the beautiful blooms of Brisbane. Find out more here
Tuesday 12 December | Lord Mayor’s Children’s Programme
The Brisbane City Council is once again running the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program this summer to give local families the opportunity to attend a professionally presented show suitable for kids and their families in the city.
Based on the classic comic opera The Elixir of Love by Donizetti and reimagined for young audiences, FiZZ! follows a teenage love triangle between Nemorino, an awkward textbook nerd, Adina, his obsession and great beauty and Benny, the spoilt son of a supermarket tycoon.
With the help of a magic love potion, this coming-of-age story has at its heart the message that goodness can prevail.
There are TWO FREE shows on offer on this date but tickets must be booked in advance and the allocation goes super quickly, so don’t miss out!
Find all of the details and the booking link here
Wednesday 13 December | Picnic at Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe
Shorncliffe locals are so lucky to have this incredible playground right on their doorstep. It can be a little tricky to find this gem but trust us, it is worth the effort. Read our full review here!
Thursday 14 December | Visit your local library
There are heaps of fun things on at your local library. With book clubs, reading programs, computer training, events and workshops. Visit your local library to join, renew or borrow books, and use the many resources on offer.
Friday 15 December | Settlement Cove Lagoon, Redcliffe
Enjoy a lazy day by the lagoon, stroll along the beach front and pack a picnic.
Saturday 16 December | Free art activities at Redcliffe Art Gallery
Come one come all, all kids big and small to Art Collection up close these school holidays!
Visit Redcliffe Art Gallery as the studio is transformed into a fun-filled, mind-expanding activity space for kids.
Sunday 17 December | Go fishing!
If you’ve got the gear already, head out to one of north Brisbane’s best fishing spots for kids such as Hornibrook Bridge or Redcliffe Jetty. If you don’t have the gear, don’t stress! 2 Bent Rods usually run a range of free and low-cost fishing lessons around Brisbane during the school holidays and they provide everything you need to get started!
Monday 18 December | Christmas crafting
Get the kids involved in making some Christmas decorations. We have lots of ideas including this wool star and a homemade snow globe.
Tuesday 19 December | Christmas movie day
Take the hassle out of going out and stay in for a movie day. Get the lollies and popcorn ready and then sit back and relax. There are lots of great kids’ movies out there to watch!
Wednesday 20 December | DIY Christmas gift making
We highly recommend spending a day at home crafting before the silly season gets even crazier on Christmas Day! Why not give the gift of homemade this Christmas? Here are 10 of the coolest homemade Christmas gift ideas that your kids can make, too.
Thursday 21 December | Christmas lights road trip
Grab some snacks, glow sticks, get the Christmas carols going and don some festive headwear and take the fam out for a self-guided Christmas lights tour using our maps of the best Christmas Lights in and around Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Gold Coast. We have the BEST Christmas lights maps that take you around all of the incredible displays in your local area.
Friday 22 December | Visit the Brisbane City Christmas tree
Decorated with thousands of glittering fairy lights, and a huge star, the 22m iconic Christmas Tree in King George Square is a magical sight to be seen. It’s actually one of the largest Christmas trees in the Southern Hemisphere! The Brisbane Christmas Tree will be on display from 1 December until early January in King George Square.
Saturday 23 December | Explore Roma Street Parkland
Explore and play in the large Roma Street Parklands. It is a great day out and the perfect FREE school holiday activity in Brisbane! There are playgrounds, trees to climb, water features, beautiful scenery and more. Why not take a picnic to make the day complete and save you from buying city food. Check out our article on how to have a great day at Roma Street parklands.
Sunday 24 December | Christmas Eve box
There is a growing tradition of giving the kids a Christmas Eve Box on the 24th December to get them right into the spirit of Xmas. Some families I know use this additional gift as a way to get the kids to go to bed without a fuss on Christmas Eve as generally the box will contain brand new Christmas pyjamas.
Some families just love the opportunity of sharing a little bit more of the Xmas spirit just before the big day. Whatever your reason for creating a Christmas Eve box, we’ve put together a few ideas for your kids (and one for the mummas too!). Don’t forget to make some reindeer food too!
Monday 25 December | Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and Lookout
If you want to walk off all of that festive food, grab your kids and take a stroll through Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Entry is open to pedestrians on Christmas Day, so pack some mince pies and explore the trails, gardens and lake.
Find out what else is open on Christmas Day here.
Tuesday 26 December | Play Backyard/Beach Cricket
Nothing screams Boxing Day and Summer like a game of cricket. It’s a ritual that’s passed down from generation to generation in most Aussie families. Whether it’s garbage bin stumps in a backyard, a few sticks in the sand at the beach, or genuine wicket set in a park, there’s something intrinsically ‘summer’ about turning any kind of gathering into a test match, isn’t there.
Check out our article on playing beach/backyard cricket with the family.
Wednesday 27 December | Garden with your kids at home
Make the most of having more time at home and give gardening with your kids a try. Don’t forget most local councils provide a free native plant program to assist the community to plant and green their properties! If you can rustle up a few dollars here’s our pick of the best family-friendly nurseries to visit when selecting plants for your garden project.
Thursday 28 December | Get outdoors with a family bushwalk
Family bushwalking not only provides exercise but has a lot of added benefits. You’ll be together in a tech-free environment so expect the conversation to flow. Getting back to nature often promotes self-reflection and can have a calming effect on a stressed mind. Think of it as meditation while moving!
See our favourite Brisbane walking trails for families here.
Friday 29 December | Head to Bongaree Beach | Bribie Island
Families with kids of all ages enjoy the beach and surrounding parklands. If you are lucky, you may even spot a dolphin or a dugong!
Saturday 30 December | The Mill & Waterpark, Petrie
This waterpark and playground has been designed with kids and families in mind. There are playgrounds for older and younger children, plus an array of interactive water play equipment including spouts that kids can twirl around to squirt each other, an inground ‘river’ for toddlers to follow and a large tipping bucket for the bigger kids. Read our full review here.
Sunday 31 December | Cycle the beach track around the Redcliffe Peninsula
You can decide how much or how little of the beach front cycle track you want to do, depending on how young your kids are. Pop on a backpack and stop for a picnic as you go, or stop off in Redcliffe for fish and chips or ice creams if you have a budget to spend.
Monday 1 January | Obstacle course in your backyard
Need to burn off some energy? Kids and adults can challenge each other by building an obstacle course right there in your backyard.
Tuesday 2 January | Climb the Clock Tower, Brisbane
An absolute ‘must-do’ for anyone in Brisbane, get whizzed to the top of City Hall’s famous Clock Tower through an original hand operated lift from the 1930s. Get a bird’s eye view of the city and find out about the amazing history of this Brisbane icon. Then, take a peek behind the scenes of City Hall with a FREE tour of one of Brisbane’s most beautiful buildings. Bookings required. Museum of Brisbane.
Wednesday 3 January | Hop on a City Hopper
Cruise the river on a City Hopper to take in the city from a different perspective. Best of all kids ride FREE on the weekend and seniors can travel for FREE off-peak! Make a stop at New Farm Park for a picnic or hit the impressive playground with the kids then hop on a double-decker CityCat for the trip home – it’s got an upper deck with seating for 20, allowing you to admire Brisbane’s stunning skyline. Families Tip: Just remember having a Go Card will make travel at least 30% cheaper than buying a paper ticket. And remember the City Cat is good for kids!
Thursday 4 January | Visit The Corner at State Library of Queensland
Enjoy this kid-friendly space and enjoy some creative, hands-on fun, digital games and reading. While you’re there, drop by the Queensland Museum.
Friday 5 January Saturday 6 January | South Bank Parkland guided tour
Discover the sights and stories of South Bank Parklands on a free 90-minute guided tour from 10am – 11.30am. Book via Brisbane.qld.gov.au
Sunday 7 January | Host a slumber party
Get together friends or the family and have a night of fun together. Watch some movies, play some games, eat some yummy food. You may even want to be adventurous and camp in the backyard! There are so many fun FREE activities for a slumber party. We’ve complied a list here.
Monday 8 January | Make pasta at home 2023
This Easy Homemade Pasta is simple to make and oh so delicious too! With just four common kitchen ingredients, you can have Homemade Pasta from scratch on your dinner table this evening. So much fun for the kids to help make the pasta with you and they’ll be learning math as they measure out ingredients, science as they see ingredients come together and change into something new and culinary when they cook it. Best of all, you’ll have dinner tonight to share together around the table!
Tuesday 9 January | Wander along Shorncliffe Pier
Stretching 350m out into Bramble Bay, Shorncliffe Pier is an iconic sight. It makes a great spot for a family photo shoot – just bring your mobile phone and get snapping!
Wednesday 10 January | Creation station: Imagine, play create at Pine Rivers Art Gallery
Looking for a fun and free activity for the kids? Visit the Creation Station at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery and explore our free hands-on art activities. Find out more here
Thursday 11 January | Spend the day at South Bank
Explore the parks, walk along the river, take some sausages to cook on the free BBQs, pick herbs at Epicurious Garden and enjoy the summer sunshine.
Friday 12 January | Kids Art Trail, Caboolture
Drop into Caboolture Regional Art Gallery and partake in an exciting journey through the I, Object exhibition.
Discover the artworks along the kids art trail, and find them all to receive a prize. Kids will enjoy learning about Indigenous perspectives through contemporary painting, sculpture and installation. Find out more here
Saturday 13 January | Go on a Brisbane Greeters tour 2023
Let a local show you around so you can see the city through someone else’s eyes. Tours are free and kids are welcome. Find out more here
Sunday 14 January | Old Petrie Town
Visit this charming restored historic village spread across 48 acres of parklands with heritage buildings. Every Sunday, markets are held from 7am – 1pm. Take a picnic, and although it’s not free, you could spend a few dollars to give your kids access to the jumping castle for as long as they have the energy!
Monday 15 January | Picnic at New Farm Park
Locals love New Farm Park – and it’s not hard to see why. One of the city’s most popular parks, grab the chance to sit on the grass by the river and watch the CityCats and other boats cruise up and down while embracing a riverside breeze, or drop a picnic rug under a tree in the main oval area and kick a football or throw a frisbee with friends. The playground is fabulous – read our review here.
Tuesday 16 January | Lord Mayor’s Children’s programme
The Brisbane City Council is once again running the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program this summer to give local families the opportunity to attend a professionally presented show suitable for kids and their families in the city.
All your favourite musical movie moments rolled into a high energy show perfect for a family singalong!
Featuring your favourite songs from iconic family classics such as Trolls, The Lion King, Shrek, Matilda, Aladdin, Frozen, The Greatest Showman, The Sound of Music, Hairspray, Madagascar and more, this is the ultimate party playlist performed live onstage.
There are TWO FREE shows on offer on this date but tickets must be booked in advance and the allocation goes super quickly, so don’t miss out!
Find all of the details and the booking link here
Wednesday 17 January | Check out the city fairy lights
From Eagle St to QUT Garden’s Point – some of The City’s largest trees come to life with light as the sun sets. Enjoy the lights as you walk between destinations or seek out the best spots around The City for a snap. You can find a map of The City’s light installations here.
Thursday 18 January | Walk the city Heritage Trail
Starting off at the Regent Theatre, follow the City Centre Heritage Trail and discover what it was like before it transformed into the city we know and love today. Of the 26 stops along the way, highlights include the beautiful Brisbane Arcade (try not to get lured in by all the beautiful stores), St Stephen’s Chapel and the site of the old convict barracks.
Friday 19 January | Back to school baking
Get ready for the rush that is back to school! We have five recipes that you can make and freeze so that there will always be something in the freezer for those busy mornings.
Saturday 20 January Mob on the Move, Bribie Island
This summer, the Bribie Island Seaside Museum mini-imaginarium will transform into Mob on the Move.
Mob on the Move is an inspiring and immersive art exhibition featuring three First Nations artists.
Storytelling is central to Indigenous art; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use storytelling to pass on their knowledge of land and sea, events, and their culture and beliefs.
This free exhibition focuses on using storytelling to encourage unity. It tells us how we can all move forward together by sharing, connecting, and embracing the culture of First Nations people. Find out more here
Sunday 21 January | Insect Agency, Qld Museum
Insects are everywhere, in a mind-blowing diversity of shapes, colours and species.
This brand new exhibition, developed by Queensland Museum, explores the surprising variety of ways insects do good – for the planet and humanity. Find out more here.
September school holiday ideas
Saturday 16 September | Day at Scarborough Beach Park
For the first day of the school holidays, let your kids climb the trees and play on the wooden train at Scarborough Beach Park. There’s also a jumping pillow close by, and you can bring food to cook on the BBQ so you can stay all day. What a great way to begin the holidays!
Sunday 17 September | MOSAIC Multicultural Festival, Roma Street Parkland
Multicultural Australia’s MOSAIC Festival held on Sunday 17 September 2023 at Roma Street Parklands from 10am-5pm is a vibrant celebration of the many cultures that make up our great state.
MOSAIC celebrates the contributions all of us bring to our multicultural Queensland through dance, music, spoken word poetry and storytelling, visual arts and crafts, children’s and family activities and delectable foods and cooking demonstrations.
To welcome the new spring, MOSAIC promises a refreshing celebration of music and dance from around the world performed by Southeast Queensland’s most talented world music artists including Rushma Banana, Bolivia Marka, Nii Odai Nmai, Matt Hsu Obscure Orchestra, and many more! At Rock Around the Wok, audiences can enjoy the traditional flavours from across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and the Middle East, and learn the traditional ways many age-old dishes are made.
Gather your family and friends for a wonderful picnic out, filled with fun games, arts and crafts, and an all-day concert from 12 pm at Roma Street Parklands. This is a FREE event for all ages.
Monday 18 September | Picnic at Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe
Shorncliffe locals are so lucky to have this incredible playground right on their doorstep. It can be a little tricky to find this gem but trust us, it is worth the effort. Read our full review here!
Tuesday 19 September | State Library of Queensland, Brisbane
Let your imagination soar on an awe-inspiring journey at State Library these school holidays with fun activities and workshops available from 16 September – 2 October 2023 from 10 am – 3 pm daily.
There will be a range of workshops and activities, both free and bookable suitable for children aged 0 – 12 that will inspire creativity and keep them entertained these school holidays. The bookable workshops and activities fill up fast, book now to ensure you don’t miss out. Find out more here
Wednesday 20 September | Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
You’ll find all things bright, colourful and crafty at Museum of Brisbane these spring school holidays from Saturday 16 September – Sunday 1 October 2023. Head to Level 3 of City Hall for FREE and paid drop-in craft activities, Clock Tower Tours and the iconic Little Artists Eye Spy. Open daily 10am–5pm. Free entry.
Thursday 21 September | Go Go GOLFING, Ferny Hills
Learn about golf and the skills required to get the ball racing towards the hole!
Instruction will be followed by fun games and challenges.
Note: Participants require adult supervision for the duration of the activity. Wear enclosed shoes and suitable clothing. Bring a water bottle, suncreen and golf clubs (if applicable). All equipment is provided. Find out more here
Friday 22 September Clay: Collected Ceramics, Museum of Brisbane
A celebration of contemporary ceramics and their imaginative makers.
From ancient vessels to figurines revealing the daily lives of people from antiquity, ceramics have been integral to cultures worldwide for millennia. Ceramics have stored our most precious resources, have been vehicles for knowledge and traditions, and passed between generations as heirlooms.
Clay: Collected Ceramics is a celebration of ceramics combining works from Museum of Brisbane’s Collection and Kylie Johnson’s personal collection. It is accompanied by Commune, a display of single pieces contributed by more than 300 makers responding to MoB’s largest community callout to date.
With pieces spanning 60 years of creativity, including fresh works never before displayed, Clay sparks a conversation about the relationship between potters and their visions. From functional wares of the 1970s to conceptual creations by iconoclastic makers of today, this exhibition will speak of the meaningful processes of making and collecting. Find out more here
Saturday 23 September | Agents of Discovery, Mt Coot-tha
Download the free Agents of Discovery mobile app and join the fun to complete a series of app-based challenges while exploring the collections of native and exotic plants in the gardens.
From 9 September to 3 October, users can complete missions across South East Queensland for the chance to win prizes. To be in the prize-draw make sure you’re logged into the Agents of Discovery app when you complete your mission.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear a hat and enclosed shoes; and bring a snack and keep-cup or water bottle. Start at the Visitor Information Centre.
Participants are required to download the free Agents of Discovery app to a mobile or iPad device from Google Play or the Apple store. Find out more here
Sunday 24 September | Smart Phone Eco Photography, Boondall
Bring along a smart phone to this eco photography workshop and see nature through a new lens. Seek inspiration from the trees; look high, look low, and look closely at all the patterns Mother Nature creates naturally. A creative and fun session that will get you moving and observing!
This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 9-17 years. Find out more here
Monday 25 September | Climb the Clock Tower, Brisbane
An absolute ‘must-do’ for anyone in Brisbane, get whizzed to the top of City Hall’s famous Clock Tower through an original hand operated lift from the 1930s. Get a bird’s eye view of the city and find out about the amazing history of this Brisbane icon. Then, take a peek behind the scenes of City Hall with a FREE tour of one of Brisbane’s most beautiful buildings. Bookings required.
Tuesday 26 September | Visit your local library
There are heaps of fun things on at your local library. With book clubs, reading programs, computer training, events and workshops. Visit your local library to join, renew or borrow books, and use the many resources on offer. Find out more here
Wednesday 27 September | What Lurks Below, Redcliffe
Visit the Imaginarium at Redcliffe Museum and explore life under the sea – without getting wet at What Lurks Below!
The waters of Moreton Bay are teeming with life, from small pieces of coral to the large humpback whale. Investigate all the nooks and crannies and discover amazing creatures living in the most unexpected places. The exhibition is on until 22 October, and it is free. The museum opens Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 4pm and weekends from 10 am to 3 pm. Find out more here.
Thursday 28 September | Settlement Cove Lagoon, Redcliffe
Enjoy a lazy day by the lagoon, stroll along the beach front and pack a picnic.
Friday 29 September | Go fishing!
If you’ve got the gear already, head out to one of north Brisbane’s best fishing spots for kids such as Hornibrook Bridge or Redcliffe Jetty. If you don’t have the gear, don’t stress! 2 Bent Rods usually run a range of free and low-cost fishing lessons around Brisbane during the school holidays and they provide everything you need to get started!
Saturday 30 September | Get outdoors with a family bushwalk
Family bushwalking not only provides exercise but has a lot of added benefits. You’ll be together in a tech-free environment so expect the conversation to flow. Getting back to nature often promotes self-reflection and can have a calming effect on a stressed mind. Think of it as meditation while moving! See our favourite Brisbane walking trails for families here.
Sunday 1 October | Head to Bongaree Beach, Bribie Island
Families with kids of all ages enjoy the beach and surrounding parklands. If you are lucky, you may even spot a dolphin or a dugong!
Monday 2 October | The Mill & Waterpark, Petrie
This waterpark and playground has been designed with kids and families in mind. There are playgrounds for older and younger children, plus an array of interactive water play equipment including spouts that kids can twirl around to squirt each other, an inground ‘river’ for toddlers to follow and a large tipping bucket for the bigger kids. Read our full review here.
Don’t forget the free Caboolture Kids Health Check Day on 5 July!
Hi there
when will the September school holiday list for teens be available
regards
Roberta
Love the library events that are free during the holidays! Thanks for the reminder!