Brisbane:
Things to do with kids
Mums and kids at kids workshop at Museum of Brisbane
Looking for ideas to entertain the kids for an hour or a weekend? Look no further – we've compiled the ultimate list of things to do on hot days, rainy days, quiet days or adventure days.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Fig Tree Pocket
01. Connect with wildlife
Have some koala-ty time and cuddle with a koala, see platypus, pat a llama or feed fish – discover Brisbane’s wide range of wildlife parks, zoos and animal farms.
02. What's on at Kids Collective
Spend a morning playing, creating and discovering with your child at the Kids Collective, South Bank’s free children’s program. Join in these school holidays for a series of special Curiosity Brisbane Kids Collective sessions designed to energise and inspire!
03. Explore local parks
Plan a barbecue, relax by the river or entertain the kids at one of Brisbane’s best local parks. There are plenty of awesome playgrounds to tick off the list – start today.
04. Get out on the river
Riverlife offers a wide range of adventure activities to keep people of all ages entertained. Try kayaking on the river, abseiling down the Kangaroo Point Cliffs or riding a Segway. If you're after an adrenaline rush, ride along the Brisbane River at speed or cruise out to the stunning Moreton Bay with Jet Ski Tours Brisbane.
05. Burgers and bowling
Head to the Wintergarden centre in Queen Street Mall and book a lane at Strike Bowling. Afterwards, treat the team to burgers at Grill'd.
06. Rediscover Brisbane's past at Fort Lytton
Built in 1881 and used for the defence of Brisbane until the end of the Second World War, Fort Lytton is an important historical site in Brisbane and not far from the Brisbane CBD. The fort is open almost every Sunday and most public holidays, with free entry and tours.
07. All aboard a steam train
Choo choo. The Workshops Rail Museum is an award-winning interactive heritage and cultural experience located at Australia's oldest operating railway workshop. Tour the active heritage workshops in Ipswich and see the state's steam fleet being restored.
08. Enjoy Live at South Bank
Introducing the precinct's newest music program, Live at South Bank showcases both local and big-name talent and is the perfect place to enjoy some live music and get your groove on.
09. Learn about how food grows
In South Bank Parklands the kids can discover exotic plants, and fragrant herbs, talk to dedicated volunteers, and learn about inner-city gardening at South Bank’s tranquil Epicurious Garden.
10. Eat your heart out
Eat Street Northshore is Brisbane’s bustling night market and has all your favourite street foods under a fairy-lit alleyway of shipping containers down by Hamilton Wharf. Eat, drink & shop every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plus you’ll want to keep an eye out on their events calendar with local & touring bands as well as regularly featured headline shows.
11. Turn their world upside down
Flipside Circus offers workshops to young people and their families – head along to a school holiday workshop, drop in for a free trial or sign up for a term.
12. Join a free Brisbane Greeters tour
Let the Brisbane Greeters teach you something new about Brisbane. These volunteers host free three-hour tours in Brisbane about almost any topic you can think of.
13. Satisfy a need for speed
Take the kids go-karting at Slideways in Eagle Farm or Kingston Park Raceway in Logan and let them test their skills against each other and the clock.
Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane
14. Explore Roma Street Parkland
Take the kids on a stroll through the designer gardens and sprawling lawns, pack a picnic and utilise one of the parklands' many barbecues, let the kids loose on the playgrounds or enjoy the year-round calendar of events.
15. Ready, set, go
UQ Sport Kids will keep children busy playing tennis, swimming, doing track and field or joining in for fun activities at the Kids Club. Check out the full program details here.
16. Urban Xtreme
Burn off all the energy at this wonderland of adventure activities. There is something to suite all ages and skill levels. Choose from indoor ski or snowboard sessions, ninja or parkour courses, trampoline and laser tag games.
17. Take a mini break on an island
Escape the city and head for one of the islands where you’ll find wide, golden, sandy beaches and refreshing aquatic waters to explore. Discover more about Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island.
18. Stop for a round of putt-putt
Take the kids to enjoy mini golf these school holiday. Experience epic view at Victoria Park Putt-Putt, travel to the land of far away with Hillstone St Lucia’s Enchanted Garden Mini Golf course or try Undersea Putt & Play to see their Christmas in July inspired Snowland Putt-Putt course.
19. Have a boogie with free live music
Listen to the sweet sounds of local musicians at South Bank lawns or while you shop at Queen Street Mall thanks to City Sounds, start your weekends with Friday Night Jazz at Studio 188, or kick back on QPAC’s Melbourne Street Green for Front Yard Music and enjoy generous helpings of iconic genres including Latin, jazz, rock, folk, soul and pop.
20. Take the family to the farm
A short drive from Brisbane lies a number of homely farm stays where you can take the family to have an authentic farm experience. Take a look at our favourite farmstays here.
21. Look at the stars
The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is the perfect chance for kids to learn about the stars, planets and what's out there in the sky. Head along to see re-creations of the night sky in the Cosmic Skydome, see fragments of asteroids and spacecraft models, and watch short feature shows.
22. Hike through our national parks
From heritage-listed rainforests to sand islands and bushland – explore a new national park near Brisbane to horse-riding adventures, fishing, bushwalking or cycling around Brisbane.
23. Go for a scenic drive
Pack the car, take a picnic and travel the road-less-explored to discover hidden pockets of nature and history surrounding Brisbane. We have found scenic drives in the region surrounding The City.
24. Get reading at the State Library of Queensland
The State Library of Queensland has a special Kids Corner with fun, games and of . With the support of parents and families, kids can explore and engage in the creative hands-on and minds-on experience of a digital exhibition, online games and reading activities. Bookings are essential to attend children and family activities and can be done here.
25. Take to the trees
At the TreeTop Challenge the kids will have the ultimate adventure experience as they undertake the 100-plus TreeTop challenges spread over six huge courses, spanning through 10 acres of unspoilt natural bushland combining rope and wire challenges.
26. Magical bookstores just for children
West End's Where The Wild Things Are and Manly's The Mad Hatters Bookshop are two special stores that stock a massive range of children's literature and picture books. Check the store websites for special author events, workshops and more.
O'Reiley's Rainforest Retreat, Scenic Rim
27. Enjoy one of Brisbane's top day trips
Make the most of this beautiful weather and get out and about with the best day trips from Brisbane.
28. Art in the 'switch
The Ipswich Art Gallery always has a great program for children, including exhibition features and special events.
29. Picnic Island Green at South Bank
Picnic Island Green is the perfect family-friendly destination. Make the most out of the day by enjoying the outdoors with your family. Bring snacks and pack a picnic meal with the use of the free barbecue facilities and let the kids burn off some energy at the state-of-the-art playgrounds.
30. Back to Medieval times
Go back in time to view a priceless collection of antiquities and fine arts from around the world at the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology.
South Bank Street Pool, Brisbane
31. Explore the gardens
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the base of Mt Coot-Tha feature a wonderful display of plants and attractions including a Japanese Garden, Tropical Dome, Freedom Wall, self-guided walks, Cactus Zone, Bonsai House and Hide 'N' Seek children's trail, and the Planetarium is right nearby.
32. Discover the history of the River City with Museum of Brisbane Kids
The Museum of Brisbane brings our city's vibrant art, culture and history alive right in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. Found in City Hall, the Museum runs its MoB Kids program through the school holidays.
33. Catch a show at Brisbane Arts Theatre
Come and see the fabulous cast at the Brisbane Arts Theatre as they put on a selection of kid-friendly shows. With a rotating children's program, there is bound to be something to suit every little human and their parents too. Check out the program and book online.
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
34. Play around with the interactive Cube
As the world’s largest interactive learning display space, The Cube at QUT is designed to inspire the next generation of thinkers and is a fun way to encourage interactive and hands-on learning experiences.
35. Thunderbirds are go
Find treasure filled thundereggs formed when dinosaurs roamed Earth, play laser skirmish in a jungle setting, tackle the high ropes course at TreeTop Challenge, enjoy a horse trail ride through the rainforest or play a game of adventure mini golf at Thunderbird Park in the Scenic Rim.
36. Join a Workshop at Make and Meld
Bring along your children to one of Make & Melds' many workshops and allow them to explore their problem solving skills and creativity through the use of sustainable products and materials.
37. Board your own GoBoat
GoBoats are easy and fun to drive, making them kid-friendly, and the perfect opportunity to get out enjoying the great outdoors. With a complimentary Captain's Hat (weekday bookings only), you can set sail for an afternoon on the water.
38. High tea for little ones
For a memorable outing, take the children to the historic Shingle Inn at City Hall and enjoy a traditional high tea fit for any Prince or Princess. It's a lovely way to create a beautiful family tradition.
39. Ignite your imagination at Queensland Museum
Use your imagination to create a world of wonder at the Queensland Museum’s Encanto School Holiday Program or uncover the magic of Disney with the newest Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition.
40. Try Ice Skating at Iceworld
Get your skate on and experience a winter wonderland at Iceworld in Acacia Ridge or Boondall. They’re fully equipped with music, lights and a fully-stocked skate shop, plus, there’s a cosy coffee shop at both rinks if you’re beginning to feel the cold!
