Your kids have been on holiday for more than a month now, the festive season is over, they’re starting to get ratty and you are probably beginning to pull your hair out every time they complain that they’re bored.
Not to worry – here is a list of some of the activities and events in and around Brisbane to keep the little ones entertained for the final two weeks of school holidays.
‘Summer Down Under’ at Australia Zoo
There’s no better way to spend the remainder of summer holidays than at Australia Zoo for a fun day out with the kids. From a 55 feet high giant inflatable water slide to a Dolittle treasure hunt around the zoo, there is tonnes to do for all ages, especially while it is still school holidays.
Would your kid be interested in learning how to be a zoo keeper? Register them for the ‘Zoo Keeper for a day’ program! Remaining tickets available here.
‘Summer Down Under’ at Australia Zoo began on January 2 and will continue through to January 27. For more information and to book tickets visit the Australia Zoo website or click here.
Where: Australia Zoo, 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah
Contact: (07) 5436 2000
Urban Xtreme School Holiday Program
Lazer tag, dodgeball, trampolines, climb, ninja and parkour. Say no more! If your action-loving kid is beginning to get a bit of cabin fever being cooped up indoors, Urban Xtreme is where you want to bring them before school holidays are up. There are a whole range of activities to keep the kids entertained at Urban Xtreme – Australia’s largest indoor snow sports and adventure park.
The supervised School Holiday Program runs from 9am-3pm Monday-Friday until January 24. To find out more about the Urban Xtreme School Holiday Program click here.
Where: Urban Xtreme, 4/370 Nudgee Rd, Hendra, 4011.
Contact: 1300 872 269
Please note: children aged 6-14 must be 110cm in height. For an additional cost your child can be supervised until 5pm.
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Does your kid go crazy at the mention of the moon, stars, spaceships or just anything universe related? Then this is the place for them. Nestled in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Council’s Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is the ideal place to spend a day with your science-loving child these school holidays. The Planetarium has an observatory, a galaxy gift shop, a cosmic skydome, a display zone and a sundial courtyard. With a focus on delivering information in an easy-to-understand format, a day at the Planetarium is sure to be full of fun.
School holiday opening hours for the Planetarium are as follows:
- Monday 10am – 3pm
- Tuesday–Friday 10am – 4pm
- Saturday 10.45am – 7.30pm
- Sunday 10.45am – 4pm
Admission to the Planetarium is free however tickets are required for the Cosmic Skydome shows. For more information including events click here.
Where: Mount Coot Tha Rd, Toowong
Contact: (07) 3403 2578
Harry Potter shop in Samford
Wizards. Owls. Floating candles. Broomsticks. This is as close as Brisbane kids (and adults) will get to Hogwarts and the world of Harry Potter. For any child enthralled by the idea of anything Harry Potter related, The Store of Requirement is the perfect place to take them before these school holidays are up to help keep their imagination alive. The Store of Requirement – Brisbane’s first Harry Potter shop – opened in Samford in 2017 and is approximately a 30 minute drive from the Brisbane CBD. For more information visit thestoreofrequirement.com.au.
Usually the store is closed on Monday and Tuesday each week, but during school holidays they are open seven days a week from 10am-4pm until January 26.
Where: The Store of Requirement, 22 Station St, Samford Village.
Contact: 0490 868 787 or email magic@thestoreofrequirement.com.au
Summer Festival at the State Library of Queensland
Beginning in December, the State Library of Queensland began playing host to its Summer Festival which will continue until January 25. With free and ticketed activities and adventures for children of all ages, there is sure to be something to keep your kids busy. There are activities and events for under 8s, ages 8-12, ages 12-15 and ages 15-17. Download the program here. Please note some workshops require bookings and have a cost applied.
Where: State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank.
Contact: (07) 3840 7666
Museum of Brisbane summer holiday program
The Museum of Brisbane is currently hosting its Summer Holiday Program with a range of activities for all ages. The program will run until January 23.
Activities include –
- Brisbane City Hall Heritage Tour – 45 minute daily tours, free admission. Tours depart from the King George Square foyer. Bookings essential. Book online here or call 3339 0845.
- Brisbane City Hall Organ and Auditorium Tour – bookings essential, for information click here or call 3339 0845.
- Pocket Placards – Daily from 10am-5pm, 10am-7pm on Fridays. Ages 5+. Free entry. For more information click here.
- High Rotation Family Tour – Thursday, January 16. Bookings essential, $12 adult, $30 for a family pass. Fore more information and to book click here.
- Custom Band Patches – workshops on January 6-10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22 and 24. Bookings recommended, $5. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Book online here.
- Rhythm and Drum Making – Suitable for ages 6+. Workshops will run on Jan 14 and 16, $20. Price includes equipment and materials. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings essential. For more information and to book click here.
- Summer Silent Disco – Saturday January 18, $15, bookings essential. Suitable for ages 5+. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to book click here.
- Screen Print Wall Banners – January 21 and 23. $20, bookings essential. Suitable for ages 6+. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to book click here.
For more information about the Summer Holiday program click here.
Contact: (07) 3339 0800
‘Maker Space: Take a Seat’ at Queensland Museum
In a program that invites children to follow a design process, participants will learn how to use cardboard to make a mini chair while asking all the important questions along the way. The program will run until March 29. For more information about the program and to purchase a ticket click here.
Where: Queensland Museum, corner of Grey St & Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Contact: (07) 3840 7555
Crochet 4 Kids holiday class
Here is one way to get your kids to let go of their screens and find a new hobby… even if it is just for a couple of hours! The Brisbane Crochet Club’s Crochet 4 Kids holiday class will allow children aged seven to 12 to create their own crochet bookmark! The guided class will run on January 23 from 10am at Verrano Cafe, Stafford Heights. Tickets are $79 per child and includes all materials, a drink and a chocolate treat. For more information and to book visit brisbanecrochetclub.com.au.
Where: Verrano Cafe, Stafford Heights
Contact: 1300 32 22 32
Island Fashion exhibition at GOMA
If you haven’t already taken your kids to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) to visit the Island Fashion exhibition, it’s definitely worth a visit. The multimedia and hands-on activities which form part of ‘Island Fashion’ were created Grace Lillian Lee, Letila Mitchell, Maryann Talia Pau and Ranu Janes – four artists from Australia and the Pacific.
- In GET YOUR WEAVE ON by Grace Lillian Lee, children will learn a simple folding technique and create their own wearable accessory.
- In SASI, PERA, LAGI – OF THE OCEAN, LAND AND SKY by Letila Mitchell, children will have the opportunity to design their own digital outfit using patterns designed by Mitchell. Upon completion, the outfit can be sent to the runway at the touch of a button.
- In ULA TAIM by Maryann Talia Pau and Ranu James, children will create either a neckpiece, wristband or anklet using pattern and weaving elements.
The exhibition began in August and will continue until March 15. Admission is free. For more information click here.
Where: Children’s Art Centre, GOMA, Brisbane.
Contact: (07) 3840 7303
Others
For activities carried out at Brisbane City Libraries visit brisbane.qld.gov.au or click here.
