What’s happening around Brisbane June/July 2026

Brisbane School Holiday Activities for Families: Free and Low-Cost Ideas for Every Age

School holidays can be exciting… but they can also feel long, expensive and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to keep children entertained while balancing work, appointments, routines and family life.

At Cooee, we know that many families are looking for activities that are affordable, accessible and enjoyable for children with different interests, support needs and energy levels. Whether your child loves being outdoors, enjoys hands-on learning, prefers quieter environments or needs opportunities to move their body, Brisbane has plenty of options to explore.

We’ve put together some of our favourite free and low-cost school holiday activities across Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Visit Your Local Library

Brisbane Libraries offer an incredible range of free school holiday activities for children and teenagers through their Library Events and Programs.

You might find:

Craft sessions
Lego clubs
Storytelling events
STEM workshops
Coding activities
Teen programs
Reading challenges

Libraries can be a great option for children who enjoy predictable environments and structured activities. They also provide opportunities to support literacy, communication and social interaction in a relaxed setting.

Explore Brisbane’s Museums and Galleries

Many of Brisbane’s cultural venues offer family-friendly holiday programs.

Queensland Museum

The Queensland Museum regularly hosts exhibitions and hands-on experiences that appeal to children of all ages.

Museum of Brisbane

The Museum of Brisbane School Holiday Program offers creative workshops, exhibitions and family activities throughout the holidays.

GOMA Children’s Art Centre

The Gallery of Modern Art Children’s Art Centre provides interactive art experiences that encourage creativity and exploration.

State Library of Queensland

The State Library of Queensland Holiday Fun Program regularly hosts free family activities, creative workshops and literacy experiences.

Discover Nature Around Brisbane

Some of the best holiday adventures are completely free.

Consider visiting:

Roma Street Parklands
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre
Boondall Wetlands
Oxley Creek Common
Downfall Creek Bushland Centre

Nature-based experiences provide opportunities for movement, sensory exploration, language development, problem-solving and family connection. They’re also a wonderful option for children who find busy environments overwhelming.

Check Out School Holiday Events Across Brisbane

Brisbane is packed with special events during every school holiday period.

A great place to start is the Brisbane City Council School Holiday Events Calendar, which includes community events, performances, workshops and family-friendly activities across the city.

You can also browse:

These websites are updated regularly and are excellent resources for discovering what’s happening near you.

Looking for Activities for Older Children and Teens?

Finding engaging activities for older children can sometimes be challenging.

The Brisbane Kids Teenage Holiday Activities Guide includes ideas such as:

Photography workshops
Coding programs
Creative writing sessions
Art workshops
STEM activities
Adventure experiences
Social opportunities for teens

Active and Healthy Programs

Brisbane’s Active and Healthy Program provides a wide range of free and low-cost activities for families.

You may find:

Nature play programs
Family fitness activities
Outdoor recreation
Community sports
Movement-based programs

These activities can be a great way to build confidence, develop motor skills and support overall wellbeing.

Moreton Bay Families

For families north of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council offers excellent holiday programming through:

Libraries
Museums
Art galleries
Environmental centres
Community events

Check out:

Special Events and Experiences

Looking for something a little different these school holidays? Brisbane and surrounding areas are home to some fantastic destinations that combine fun, learning and family connection. Whether your child loves science, art, animals, trains, nature or imaginative play, there is something for everyone.

🚀 SparkLab at Queensland Museum

If you have a budding scientist, inventor or problem-solver at home, SparkLab at Queensland Museum is a must-visit.

https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/kurilpa/whats-on/sparklab/

This hands-on science centre allows children to explore engineering, physics, technology and creativity through interactive exhibits and experiments.

For younger children, Queensland Museum also offers Little Sparks:

https://www.qtix.com.au/whats-on/2026/qm-little-sparks/

Designed specifically for children aged 3–5 years to explore science through play.

🌌 Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Take a journey through the stars at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium:

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-and-facilities/venue-and-places/sir-thomas-brisbane-planetarium

With immersive dome shows, interactive exhibits and astronomy displays, it is a fantastic experience for children, teenagers and adults alike.

Pair your visit with the nearby Botanic Gardens and Mt Coot-tha Lookout for a full day of adventure.

🐶 Bluey’s World

One of Brisbane’s most popular family attractions, Bluey’s World brings the beloved television show to life.

https://ticketek.blueysworld.com.au/

Families can step into Bluey’s house, explore familiar locations and participate in imaginative play experiences inspired by the series.

🚂 The Workshops Rail Museum

Located in Ipswich, The Workshops Rail Museum is one of Queensland’s best family attractions.

https://theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

Children can climb aboard trains, explore engineering exhibits and participate in interactive STEM experiences.

🐨 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers a uniquely Australian experience.

https://lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/

Meet koalas, kangaroos and a wide range of native wildlife while enjoying animal encounters and educational presentations.

🐴 Trevena Glen Farm

Located in Samford, Trevena Glen Farm provides animal encounters, pony rides and inclusive farm experiences.

https://www.trevenaglen.com.au/

🐐 White Ridge Farm

White Ridge Farm offers animal feeding experiences and opportunities to interact with a range of friendly farm animals.

https://www.whiteridgefarm.com.au/

🎨 Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)

GOMA regularly hosts family-friendly exhibitions and creative activities through its Children’s Art Centre.

https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/kids-and-families/

These experiences encourage imagination, creativity and self-expression.

🖌️ Ipswich Art Gallery

Ipswich Art Gallery is one of South East Queensland’s hidden gems for families.

https://ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/whats-on/families/

Known for its interactive children’s exhibitions and hands-on creative experiences.

🌿 Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre

Located at The Gap, Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre combines nature, wildlife and environmental education.

https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/about/walkabout-creek-discovery-centre

Children can learn about local ecosystems, native animals and conservation while exploring the outdoors.

🚢 Queensland Maritime Museum

Explore historic vessels, maritime artefacts and hands-on exhibits at the Queensland Maritime Museum.

https://maritimemuseum.com.au/

A great option for children interested in boats, engineering and history.

💎 Brisbane Opal Museum

For something a little different, visit the Brisbane Opal Museum.

https://brisbaneopalmuseum.com.au/

Children can learn about Australia’s unique opals, gemstones and geology through engaging displays.

🌳 Make a Day of Mt Coot-tha

Create your own Mt Coot-tha adventure by combining:

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha:
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/council-venues-and-precincts/brisbane-botanic-gardens-mt-coot-tha

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium:
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-and-facilities/venue-and-places/sir-thomas-brisbane-planetarium

Plus walking tracks, picnic areas, playgrounds and the Mt Coot-tha Lookout.

🐋 Seasonal Experiences

If you’re visiting during winter, consider Brisbane Whale Watching.

https://brisbanewhalewatching.com.au/

Whale season generally runs from June to October and can be a memorable experience for school-aged children and teenagers.

🍔 Eat Street Northshore

For an evening outing, Eat Street Northshore offers food, live entertainment, music and a lively atmosphere.

https://eatstreetnorthshore.com.au/

Particularly popular with older children and teenagers.

🎟️ Useful Holiday Activity Guides

Brisbane City Council School Holiday Events:
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/events-arts-and-culture/what-s-on-in-brisbane/school-holiday-events

Brisbane Kids School Holiday Guide:
https://brisbanekids.com.au/school-holiday-activities-qld/

Families Magazine School Holiday Activities:
https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au/school-holiday-activities-brisbane/

Eventbrite Brisbane School Holiday Events:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/australia–brisbane-city/school-holidays/

Queensland.com Family Holiday Guide:
https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/traveller/families/things-to-do-these-school-holidays-in-brisbane

Community and Disability-Specific Events

School holidays can also be a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families.

We recommend keeping an eye on:

Down Syndrome Queensland Events
Play Matters Australia
Local community centres and support organisations

These organisations regularly offer family events, social opportunities, peer support and inclusive community activities.

A Note from the Cooee Team

You don’t need to fill every day with activities for the holidays to be meaningful.

Some of the most valuable experiences happen during everyday moments—playing a board game together, visiting a local park, reading a favourite book, building a cubby house or simply spending time together without rushing between commitments.

If your child finds changes to routine challenging, it can help to create a simple visual calendar or choose one or two activities each week to look forward to.

Most importantly, find activities that suit your child, your family and your energy levels.

We hope this list gives you some ideas to make the most of the school holidays while keeping things fun, affordable and manageable.

From all of us at Cooee, have a safe and enjoyable break!