This article reveals the secret to where you can get involved in free school holiday activities across the Gold Coast, Tweed and Byron.
Entertaining the kids these school holidays doesn’t have to break the bank. We’ve found the best FREE school holiday activities for families on the Gold Coast, Tweed Shire and Byron Bay regions.
Free school holiday activities Gold Coast
Check out these activities for kids these school holidays on the Gold Coast
Easter 2026 free school holiday fun – Gold Coast
There’s plenty of fun to be had these school holidays on the Gold Coast! Here are some of our favourites.
Family events and festivals
Gather friends and family for a free day of community at these amazing family-friendly events.
Easter at Frascott Extravaganza
Hop into Varsity Lakes to celebrate Easter with your community, the Easter Bunny and free activities!
- Free kids’ activities
- Art and crafts
- Animal petting zoo
- Trackless train
- Delicious food
- Live entertainment
- A visit from the Easter Bunny himself!
There will also be an Easter bonnet competition with chocolate egg giveaway! Be sure to bring your rug to secure your spot on the grass to watch an outdoor movie screening at 6:15pm.
The event is totally free, so head down and enjoy the fun!
- When: Saturday 28 March, 3pm – 8pm
- Where: Frascott Park, Mattocks Road, Varsity Lakes
Easter United
The Gold Coast’s premier Easter event! Easter United promises an afternoon filled with family fun bringing people together from all over our city.
This year’s event will feature a wide array of activities suitable for all ages. Families can enjoy a dedicated kids’ activation space offering exciting adventures such as rock climbing, face painting, and much more. Meanwhile, attendees can explore market stalls offering unique goods and delectable treats from various food trucks
- When: Sunday 5 April, 2:30pm – 8:30pm
- Where: The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport
Gold Coast Easter Extravaganza
Experience a free, family friendly day of fun activities! Hop into the festive spirit this Easter for a magical day filled with excitement, adventure, and Easter cheer for all ages with entertainment including:
- pony rides
- an animal petting zoo
- face painting
- interactive Easter shows
- Kilkie Cruises
- train rides
- Easter Bunny meet and greets
- and so much more!
Little explorers are invited to join an egg‑stra special Easter scavenger adventure, following clues and completing fun challenges as they make their way around the precinct.
- When: Sunday 5 April, 10am – 2pm
- Where: Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, 1 Masthead Way, Hope Island
Gold Coast Harmony Festival
“Everyone belongs!” Enjoy dance, music, food, family activities and information from the multicultural communities of the Gold Coast.
You are invited to celebrate the colourful diversity of the beautiful Gold Coast city. This festival will take you around the world where you can visit stalls, taste foods and dance to the beat of music from around the globe.
- free jumping castle
- free children’s activities
- free entertainment such as dances and music
- traditional music display
- workshops
- international food stalls, and much more!
Don’t forget to bring a picnic chair, picnic blanket and sunscreen.
- When: Saturday 18 April, 11am – 4pm
- Where: The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport
The best fun for kids
From parties to skill-building, there is something for every kid to enjoy this Easter holiday!
Free Easter dance parties
Get ready for an egg-citing Easter Dance Party! Hop to it for a fun-filled dance workshop, an Easter egg hunt, games, and more. Don’t forget to dress your best—prizes are up for grabs! This is a drop off activity.
Robina:
- Date: Tuesday 7 April, 2026
- Time: 1pm – 2pm
- Location: Robina Community Centre, 196 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
- Bookings required: click here.
- Cost: FREE!
Broadbeach Waters:
- Date: Wednesday 8 April, 2026
- Time: 1pm – 2pm
- Location: Broadbeach Cultural Centre (within Broadbeach Cultural Precinct), 61 Sunshine Boulevard, Mermaid Waters
- Bookings required: click here.
- Cost: FREE!
Circus in the park
Free, family friendly Circus experience with Aerial and Acrobatics Shows and an interactive circus play area – and opportunities to try Aerial Arts yourself!
Join the HAPY Youth Troupe as they celebrate QLD Youth Week with the community. Watch young people showcase trust, confidence, strength and resilience in the air and on the ground with the dazzling Aerial and Acrobatics Shows every hour.
Throughout the day there is a Circus Play area set up where kids can show off their skills in Hula Hoops, Juggling, Flower Sticks and more!
- Date: Saturday 11 April, 2026
- Time: 9am – 2pm
- Location: Palm Beach Parklands, 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
- Cost: FREE!
Broadbeach Bricks
Broadbeach will transform into a LEGO lover’s paradise as Broadbeach Bricks returns for its 4th annual celebration, bigger, brighter and more exciting than ever!
This year’s MegaCity themed event invites kids and grown-ups alike to step into a buzzing brick-built metropolis. Think towering skyscrapers, busy construction sites, transport hubs, emergency services, and even futuristic cityscapes, a whole world of urban imagination waiting to be explored.
The highlight of the event is the Epic Build, a giant, collaborative LEGO® Mega City that grows throughout the week. Families can roll up their sleeves and help shape the skyline, adding skyscrapers, roads, vehicles, and city landmarks to create a bustling metropolis like no other. Every brick counts.
- Dates: Monday 13 April through to Friday 17 April, 2026
- Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
- Location: Broadbeach Mall, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
- Bookings required: click here.
- Cost: FREE!
ParkRun
Join in a weekly free 5km timed run or walk. Family-friendly and suitable for runners, walkers, prams, and dogs. Register prior then come along each Saturday to any of the nine Gold Coast locations. See website to register and for more details.
- Where: Multiple locations
- When: Regular events
Active and Healthy Gold Coast
Get the kids moving in the school holidays with the City of Gold Coast’s Active and Healthy program. Kids programs for summer include:
- yoga
- multi-sport
- gymnastics
- freestyle BMX
- tennis
- oztag
- freestyle scooter
- dodgeball
- frisbee
- touch football
- skateboard workshops
- line dancing
- connect with nature
- baseball
- circus skills
- archery
- indoor basketball
- inflatable games
- roller skating
- water based games
- indoor & outdoor soccer
- cycling skills
- music & dance
- fishing
- break dance
- diving training
- forest bathing
There’s so much to keep kids busy!
- Where: Multiple locations
- When: Regular events
Parties in the parks
Join in the fun at a pop-up party in the park. With archery, totem tennis, giant Connect 4, corn hole, golf pitching, pickle ball and bubble fun. There will be great music a bit of kid’s karaoke sing-a-longs. Interactive games like limbo, skipping, bounce races, running races, Red Light Green Light, statues, hula hoops and interactive dance fun. All abilities and mums and dads welcome.
Paradise Point:
- Date: Wednesday 8 April, 2026
- Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
- Location: Paradise Point Parklands, The Esplanade, Paradise Point
- Bookings required: click here.
- Cost: FREE!
Nerang:
- Date: Tuesday 14 April, 2026
- Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
- Location: Bischof Pioneer Park, 36-52 Nerang Street, Nerang
- Bookings required: click here.
- Cost: FREE!
Movies under the stars – 3 events!
What better way to spend an evening than outdoors watching a movie under the stars?
City of Gold Coast’s Movies Under the Stars program is free, family-friendly fun! Gather your family and friends, pack a picnic, or take advantage of delicious food options available.
- Movie: Sing, rated G
- When: Saturday 28 March 2026, activities from 4:30pm, movie starts at 6:30pm
- Where: Pratten Park, Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
- Cost: FREE
- Movie: Wonka, rated PG
- When: Sunday 29 March 2026, from 7pm
- Where: Surfers Paradise Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
- Cost: FREE
- Movie: How to Train Your Dragon, rated PG
- When: Saturday 11 April 2026, activities from 5pm, movie starts at 7pm
- Where: Pimpama River Parklands, Reedmans Road, Ormeau
- Cost: FREE
Naturally Gold Coast
Naturally Gold Coast offers ranger and discovery activities for kids of all ages to help kids connect with nature and their local environment. Here’s a taste of the free programs on offer this Easter 2026 school holiday:
- discover dugongs
- junior ranger guardians
- make your own seed balls
- explore sea creatures
- learn about scaly reptiles
- deadly and dangerous animals
- indigenous art and culture
- wildlife rangers
- discover dolphins
- waterway warriors
- creatures of the dark
- seagrass meadows
- nature arts and crafts
- wildlife encounters
- mini marine biologists
- creepy crawlies
- fascinating world of sharks and rays
- explore rocky shores
- habitat hunt
- little ecologists
- dune planting
- tree hollow hideouts
- a morning in the mangroves
- wild about whales
- bugs gone wild
- ocean explorers
- little nature lovers
Various dates, times and locations. Learn more about Naturally Gold Coast here.
Free activities at your local library
Your local library offers many free activities to entertain the kids over the long summer break, including craft activities, social games, LEGO building, stories and dance, and scavenger hunts
- Where: See what’s on at your local library here.
- When: Throughout the school holidays
Other holiday activities for Easter 2026
Keep the kids entertained with simple activities that everyone can enjoy.
Little Paccas Kids Club Activities | Pacific Fair
Little Paccas is a free kids’ club for preschool aged kids and parents. Pacific Fair hosts 2 FREE kids’ events each month to entertain and delight kids. This means there will be events happening these school holidays. Sign up now to get exclusive bookings to the events. Check out their website for specific activities, like the Little Paccas Easter Scramble and donut decorating.
Visit Local Markets | Various locations
Markets are a great FREE (if you are just browsing) and family friendly event to keep the kids entertained. There are so many markets around the Gold Coast and Tweed region including Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, The Village Markets and many more. There is bound to be one near you. Check out the markets on here.
Explore the Currumbin Rock Pools | Currumbin
Cascading waterfalls, lagoons, trickling streams all surrounded by lush, tropical greenery … sounds like the stuff that holiday photos are made of, right? It’s one of our ABSOLUTE favourite things to do on the Gold Coast with kids – for VERY good reason.
Swell Kids Elements – bookmark this for Spring 2026!
As part of SWELL Sculpture Festival, SWELL Kids Elements is the curated project dedicated to KIDS, ART & PLAY, to be experienced through the eyes of children. A place where young artists are invited to play and explore. A sculpture park for children to marvel at elements of art, science and the environment.
Exploring shape, colour, texture, form, line and sound. To participate in fun, creative workshops, discover big and bold sculptures and experience live circus performance, hands-on masterclasses and workshops. Evoking thoughts, creativity, conversation and interaction with art and the works around us while being inspired and empowered through creative expression. There are a range of sessions including some free and some that involve a fee. You can find all of the details here.
- When: 11-20 September 2026
- Where: Wallace Nicoll Park, Pacific Parade, Currumbin Beach
- Time: 9am – 4 pm
Free school holiday fun – Byron Bay region
Brunswick Heads Fairy Trail | Brunswick Heads
Brunswick Heads fairies abound, and if you look in nooks and crannies their wee houses can be found. Take the kids on an adventure to find the homes of fairies located along the Brunswick Heads Fairy Trail. Fairy Trail maps are available at the Visitor Centre.
Byron Bay Region Beaches
Byron Bay is home to some beautiful beaches, so why not explore them with the kids. You can swim, explore and take a picnic along. It can be a whole day of fun!
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Take the kids to the most easterly point in Australia and have a look at the lighthouse and maritime museum there. See how the lighthouse originally worked and read up on the history of whaling in the area. Families tip: Take a guided tour up the lighthouse as an added bonus. Read more about the Lighthouse here.
Byron Bay Libraries
Head to your local library for a host of free planned school holiday activities this Easter, including craft, scavenger hunts, giant games, writing groups, workshops, LEGO challenges, Dungeons & Dragons, and so much more. See what’s on here.
Easter 2026 Paid Activities – for those with a budget
Raft Building
Set sail on an exciting raft building experience where kids can enjoy a perfect mix of teamwork, problem-solving, and outdoor adventure! For ages 6 to 12 years.
- When: Friday 10 April, 2026, 9am – 11:30am
- Where: Tarrabora Reserve, 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
- Cost: $50
Supanova Comic Con
Fans inspired by imaginary worlds spun from comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and gaming have the opportunity to meet celebrities, partake in entertainment, and scour the many exhibits and stalls. Tickets on sale now.
- When: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April, 2026, 10am – 6pm
- Where: 2684-2690 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
- Cost: $0 to $78
Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show
Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before.
This is Bluey’s Big Play, for real life.
- When: Wednesday 15 April through to Friday 17 April, 2026
- Times: 9:30am – 10:20am and 12:30pm – 1:20pm
- Where: HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
- Cost: Prices vary. Click here.
Magic and Circus Show Spectacular
Get ready for a 60-minute thrill ride of unbelievable magic, circus stunts, comedy, and high-energy fun that will leave the whole family cheering for more!
- When: Friday 17 April, 2026
- Times: 10am – 11am and 1pm – 2pm
- Where: Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre, 833 Southport Nerang Road, Nerang
- Cost: $29. Click here
Dinofest
The ultimate outdoor prehistoric experience, with more than 30 life-size, walking and interactive dinosaurs, life-like animatronics and dino-themed activities.
- When: Until Sunday 19 April, 2026
- Times: Various opening times
- Where: Country Paradise Parklands, 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road, Nerang
- Cost: Adult $28.50, Child $26, under 2 years free. Click here
Full Day School Holiday Program: Palm Beach
Looking for the perfect way to keep your kids entertained and active these school holidays? The Gold Coast Recreation Precinct has you covered.
Each day is packed with exciting outdoor activities designed to challenge, inspire, and entertain. Younger kids (ages 5–7) can enjoy activities like bodyboarding, canoeing, archery, sand sculpting, and traditional Indigenous games, while older kids (ages 8–10 and 11–16) can take on more adventurous challenges like high ropes, abseiling, quick jumps, and the giant swing.
- Where: Gold Coast Recreation Precinct, 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
- When:
- Tuesday 7 April
- Wednesday 8 April
- Thursday 9 April
- Monday 13 April
- Tuesday 14 April
- Time: 9am-3:30pm
- Cost: $98.65 per person, includes morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea
Motiv8sports holiday camp
Designed for all sporting abilities, Motiv8sports camps focus on participation, effort and fun – no pressure or drills! Campers will experience a huge variety of our signature team sports, delivered in a fast-paced, high-energy environment led by a professional, highly trained coaching team.
This is a 2-day non-sleepover camp for kids in prep to year 6.
- When:
- Camp 1 – Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April, 2026
- Camp 2 – Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 April, 2026
- Camp 3 – Thursday 16 and Friday 17 April, 2026
- Times: 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Where: Robina State High School, 1 Investigator Drive, Robina
- Cost: $109. Click here
School holiday sailing program
Kids will learn the basics of sailing while having fun on the water in a safe and supportive environment. Our qualified instructors guide participants through hands-on activities where they will learn how to control a boat, work as a team and build confidence on the water.
This program is perfect for beginners and returning sailors who want to improve their skills while enjoying an exciting outdoor adventure.
- When: Every weekday from Tuesday 7 to Friday 17 April, 2026
- Times: 9am – 39pm
- Where: Oxenford Watersports Centre, 33 Watersports Lane, Oxenford
- Cost: Half day $65, full day $95. Click here
Adventure Day Cubby Building
A creative, hands-on adventure day where children work together to build cubbies, test their designs, balance on slacklines, and explore the creek – fostering confidence, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature.
- When: Thursday 9 April, 2026, 9am – 2pm
- Where: Gibson Park, Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera Valle
- Cost: $95 per child
Raft building
Set sail on an exciting raft building experience where kids can enjoy a perfect mix of teamwork, problem-solving, and outdoor adventure!
- When: Friday 10 April, 2026, 9am – 11:30am
- Where: Tarrabora Reserve, 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
- Cost: $50
Looking for more ideas?
If you’ve got some funds tucked away for school holiday fun we highly recommend a visit to Paradise Country. It’s one of the more affordable theme park options and has something for all ages. Read our full review here.
