Things to do in Brisbane over the summer school holidays
From free museums featuring interactive kids’ activities to mini golf at Victoria Park, kid-friendly days out at South Bank and not one but two dinosaur experiences, there’s plenty of summer fun on offer for Brisbane kids.
Schools out, the sun is shining, and summer is upon us. Is there anything better in a kid’s life than the long summer school holidays?
But with the excitement it brings for kids, it may bring dread and anxiety for parents and carers looking to fill 6 (or more) weeks of school free days. But fret none, we have rounded up the very best, low cost ideas to keep the kids entertained over the break so you don’t have to think about it at all. You. Are. Welcome.
Summer School Holiday Ideas for Brisbane kids
Hit Up the Museum of Brisbane Kids Program
Every school holidays, the Museum of Brisbane is THE place to go for the best school holidays options for families with kids aged 3 – 17. This summer they have their Rearranged: Art of the Flower exhibition. Get crafty, build with geometric shapes, sculpt with clay or become a detective with a game of eye spy. They have different activities on every week of the school holidays. And when you have finished all that take a free trip up the clock tower and take in the views of Brisbane from the top.
Pricing: mostly free, but some low cost activities available to book here.
Dates: Until the kids go back to school.
Insider tip: the museum has the best air-conditioning in Brisbane, perfect for hot summer days.
Be Entertained at the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program
Hit the high notes these school holidays as Brisbane City Council presents spectacular theatre productions ‘FiZZ!’ and ‘I Like to Movie, Movie’ as part of the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program. These productions are ticketed but free to attend and we highly recommend them. Keep an eye out for these programs, they happen every school holiday and are highly sought after!
Pricing: free
Dates: 12 December 2023 & 16 January 2024.
Immerse Yourself in South Bank for Christmas and beyond
If you think you have done South Bank ad nauseam and seen everything there – think again! South Bank comes into its own at Christmas time and January. Think swimming, dive in movies, Christmas Shows in the piazza (tickets available for $12 each from Ticketek), carols and markets, they have it all. Why not book a South Bank hotel, stay the night and make some summer memories with your kids?
Pricing: mostly free but some low cost activities are available to book here.
Dates: 1 December to 23 December 2023.
Experience the Joy of Imaginator
Imaginator is a walk-through experience for all ages where imagination and technology collide. Part game. Part Gallery. Part Journey. Open to explore, and interact with their AI and lightscape, it is an Instagrammers dream! There is even a slide and high jump with a air bag for the kids to test their bravery.
Pricing: Adult – $29.95, Child – $27.95, Family of 4 – $88
Dates: until 1 January 2024.
Visit Jurassic World by Brickman® at the Queensland Museum
An adventure 6 million LEGO® bricks in the making. If you have a LEGO® lover or a dinosaur lover in your midst, you’re going to want to add a visit to the Queensland Museum to your school holiday bucket list. The large-scale LEGO® brick dinosaurs roared into Queensland Museum when Jurassic World by Brickman® exhibition opened on 8 December 2023.
Pricing: Adult – $29.50, Concession – $27, Child – $19.90, Family – $84
Dates: until 14 July 2024.
Swing into Action with Christmas Mini-Golf at Victoria Park
Victoria Park is your one-stop destination for all things fun during the school holidays! Make your way around the challenging putt putt course, stop by the driving range and swing for the city, then head up to the bistro to enjoy the alfresco dining areas and seasonal menu. They have seasonal putt putt all year long and their Christmas decorations are something special this year.
Mini golf pricing: Adult – $23, Parent of guardian (playing with child under 17) – $19
Child – $17, Concession – $20
Dates: Christmas putt put until 24 December 2023.
Get Up Close with Native Animals at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre
Do your children love koalas? If so, this is the place to take them, and it is all FREE! This dedicated Koala education facility has large koala enclosures and lots of interactive displays. There are two level boardwalks from which you can view the koalas. The Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a great place for a picnic and opportunities for bush walking and spotting other critters and creatures. Open daily 10am – 4pm.
Pricing: all free
Dates: always on.
Even More Roarsome Fun at Dinosaur World Live
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for the whole family coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse from 11 – 13 January 2024. Grab your compass and join an intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! Find out more here.
Pricing: Adult – Premium $79.90* , Child (16&U)- Premium $74.90* , Adult – A Reserve $69.90*, Child (16&U) – A Reserve $64.90*
Dates: 9 – 14 January 2024.
Take a Cruise on a Brisbane City Hopper – it’s free!
Cruise the Brisbane River literally free! Brisbane’s City Hopper has seven stops between North Quay and Sydney Street, New Farm along the river where you can get on and off exploring our city without paying a cent. 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 (not free on week days) for the trip home – it’s got an upper deck with seating for 20, allowing you to admire Brisbane’s stunning skyline.
Insider tip: Kids travel free on Brisbane’s public transport on the weekends but on other days, just remember having a Go Card will make travel at least 30% cheaper than buying a paper ticket.
Be Enchanted at GOMA’s New Exhibition – Fairytales
GOMA’s enchanting new exhibition ‘Fairy Tales’ is now open, and it is truly magical.
Be transported to faraway lands where you can see Cinderella’s glass slipper, explore an enchanted forest, admire a few iconic costumes plus movie props and more. If you love fairytales, you will love this exhibition. Find out more about this beautiful exhibition here.
Pricing: Adult – $28.00, Concession – $24.00, Member – $22.00, Youth – 13-17 – $18.00, Child 5-12 – $10.00, Child Under 4 (no ticket required) – Free, Family – $71.00
Dates: until 28 April 2024.
