If you’re not sure what to do with your teenagers in Toowoomba, we’re here to bring you the good news.
There are plenty of activities all over the city that are ideal for teens of all ages, whether you’re entertaining a group of 13-year-olds or trying to impress fussy 16-year-olds. Even the most aloof teen won’t be able to resist some of the exciting activities Toowoomba has to offer. Here are some of our absolute favourite days out in the Garden City!
1. iPlay Toowoomba
There’s more than just one experience to be enjoyed at iPlay Toowoomba. Not only do they host parties and events, but you can also visit to experience the arcade or enjoy some delicious ice cream. It’s family fun for everyone, and even your teenagers will be delighted by the range of activities on offer, whether they’re into VR or racing games.
Address: 0012 Margaret Street, Shop 0011, Toowoomba
2. iPlay Bowling
iPlay also has a unit with bowling and laser tag, as well as an arcade, if you’re looking for more entertainment.
Address: 200 Herries Street, Toowoomba
3. Tick Tock Toowoomba Escape Room
If your teens love a bit of mystery, booking an escape room might be the perfect activity to keep them entertained. Tick Tock Toowoomba Escape Room has three rooms to choose from, whether you want to take on Santa’s Naughty List, The Cabin or Room 204. The Cabin presents the largest challenge, with the lowest escape rate, but it’s up to you how challenging you want your hour to be. It’s $180 for an escape room for four, additional entries cost $45 each, with a maximum of eight participants.
Address: 195 Margaret Street, Toowoomba
4. Bushwalking
Pack a rucksack, strap on some hiking boots, and take to the trails of the nearest national park, whether you’re a Crows Nest fan or prefer Ravensbourne. There are plenty of walks to take and you don’t need to spend a fortune. At Crows Nest, you can start easy with a 2.9km walk on Crows Nest Falls Pool Lap or tackle a more advanced trail with an 8.7km hike along Valley of Diamonds Walk.
Address: Crows Nest National Park, The Palms National Park, Ravensbourne National Park, Main Range National Park
5. Kloud9ine Trampoline Park
If you’re looking for a trampoline park, you’ve got it. Kloud9ine four different areas to choose from, your teens can get the bounce they’re looking for, whether they want to try out some stunts, get serious air, or enjoy a game of dodgeball with a bit of parkour-style escape moves.
Address: 663 Ruthven Street, The Bernoth Centre (next to Fernwood)
6. Sunset Superbowl
If you’re up for a 10-pin bowling adventure, Sunset Superbowl is the place to be. There are 24 bowling lanes and the business hosts events, parties, and bowling leagues if things go well. Don’t worry, you don’t need to join a league to pop in for an afternoon of fun. There’s even an arcade on-site.
Address: 527 South Street, Glenvale
7. Toowoomba Kart Club
Want to take your teens go-karting? Toowoomba Kart Club is a great place to start, whether the kids are gearing up to join a race.
Address: Greer Park Raceway, Snellings Road
8. Adrenaline Sports
Alternatively, you can try out Adrenaline Sports. In addition to driving sessions, they also host parties, events, and groups.
Address: 668 Toowoomba Connection Road
9. Murphys Creek Escape
If bush camping is more your style, this is a great place to take your teens to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. You can choose from powered sites, canyon sites, and group sites, whatever your camping preferences may be. We wrote about Murphys Creek Escape hdere.
Address: 356 Thomas Road, Upper Lockyer
10. Emu Gully Adventure Park
Emu Gully offers a range of adventure programs, and it isn’t just about fun. Teens can learn leadership qualities, develop resilience while overcoming challenges individually and as a team, and develop courage! With three programs to choose from, your teens are sure to learn valuable lessons and enjoy themselves while they’re at it.
Address: 142 Twidales Road, Helidon Park
11. The Cave Gym
Have your teens shown an interest in rock climbing or do you just desperately need ideas about how best to burn off all their excess energy? Luckily, The Cave Gym offers a bouldering wall! You don’t need a membership to take part and you can even hire shoes for free. If your teens are under 16, they need you to accompany them.
Address: 29 Stephen Street, Toowoomba
12. Cobb+Co Museum
If you’re looking for something to combine fun and learning, then the interactive displays and exhibits on show at Cobb+Co Museum are a must. With the National Carriage Collection on display, your teens can completely immerse themselves in the cultural history of the area and revisit Australia’s transport era. While you’re there, they can have a go at some of the more traditional skills, including millinery and blacksmithing. There’s also a coffee shop on site.
Address: 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba
Source: Cobb & Co
13. Paintball Toowoomba
If you’re looking for entertainment for teens 15 and over, then Paintball Toowoomba might be the perfect solution. It’s an adrenaline-pumping option that is sure to entertain even the biggest thrill seekers.
Address: Toowoomba Paintball Centre, Little Oakey Creek Road
14. Pack a Picnic
Sometimes, all a kid really needs is a decent lunch and some fresh air. Why not pick your favourite park, pack a picnic, and just sit back and enjoy time together? Just be prepared for your teen to pull out a blanket of their own to set up 50 metres away. Why not try Picnic Point?
Address: 164 Tourist Rd, ToowoombaÂ
15. The Axe N Dagger
The dagger is for 18+, but axe throwing is available for children aged over 12. Though alcohol is not permitted on site, there are drinks and nibbles to choose from if you’re looking to snack away your anxiety over watching your teen hurl an axe at a target. Check them out here.
Address: 57 Brook Street, North Toowoomba
16. Cinema Under the Stars
At various times throughout the year, the council hosts cinema under the stars in a local park. So why not round up the teens, pack your picnic blanket (and a jacket), and enjoy an evening under the stars. As the sun sets over Peacehaven Botanic Park, the joys of the film experience will be brought to life during the park’s first twilight movie screening.Â
Address: Peacehaven Botanic Park, 56 Kuhls Rd, Highfields
17. Toowoomba Motocross ClubÂ
Located at Echo Valley Raceway, they offer recreational riding and competitive events for all ages and experience levels. They offer ‘come and try’ practice days, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the details. Check out their website here for the next time they hit the track.
Address: 90 Nelson St, Toowoomba
18. Libraries across Toowoomba
If you teen is less motocross and more ‘quiet please’ why not see what a local library has for them? Here they can escape into the magical world of a book! Remember tough, that the library has so much more including movies, computers and activities.
19. Plane spotting at Wellcamp Airport
A little bit of old-fashioned entertainment is always a winner and an afternoon watching the planes taking off and landing at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport is great free fun. If your kid is a plane-spotter, like mine, then they will love checking out the planes as they land and take off here.
20. Try an Art Class
If you have a budding artist in your midst, why not enrol them in a fun art class at UniSQ? Their Mcgregor program offer workshops (mostly in school holidays) where you teen Picasso can try their hand at painting, drawing, textiles and other cool classes.
Ready, Set, Fun!
Entertaining teens can be tough, but it isn’t impossible if you’re willing to inject a bit of fun into the proceedings. While it may feel impossible to entertain and educate your kids at the same time, this list highlights just how many activities in the area are educational and exciting. Now you can mix things up and spend on their favourite interests while saving money elsewhere!
Do you have any ideas we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!
