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School holiday guide: Fun ways to entertain kids of all ages

Published 1:00pm 8 September 2022

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

The school holidays are almost here, and if you are wondering how you are going to entertain the kids, don’t stress because we have got you sorted.

Here is a guide to what’s happening across the region so you won’t have to hear the words “I’m bored” for days on end.

Kites of all shapes and sizes to fill the sky

One of the region’s biggest and most loved attractions will kickstart the holidays with two big days of fun, colour and excitement at Redcliffe KiteFest. Some of the highlights of the two-day spectacular include special appearances by Bluey and Bingo and the pups from Paw Patrol, as well as rides, Bris Bricks Lego, the Hot Wheels Stunt Team Fun Zone, Sparky Do Dah Playground, an aerobatic display, plus the Ausbuild Kite Flying Arena, where you will see some of the best kites around! KiteFest will be held at Pelican Park in Clontarf on September 17 and 18 from 9am-4pm. Visit the KiteFest website for more information.

Circus Rio to dazzle Moreton Bay audiences

Featuring a cast of internationally acclaimed performers, Circus Rio is sure to have Moreton Bay audiences on the edge of their seats when the show is performed at Westfield North Lakes from Friday, September 16 to Monday, October 3. The show is family-friendly and includes jugglers, aerialists, acrobatics, clowning, illusions, FMX riders and more. Tickets can be purchased here.

Workshops for young witches and wizards

The store of Requirement in Samford will be hosting some magical workshops throughout the school holidays to entertain young witches and wizards, including making your own customized wand or potion. More information can be found here. The Store of Requirement will also be open seven days a week, which makes for a spellbinding day trip.

Dig up ancient Egyptian artefacts

A mumification presentation, archaeological digs, archery and craft sessions are a few of the activities kids can enjoy during the Kids Dig It! Egyptian Family Fun Days at the Abbey Museum. Head to the museum between Monday, September 19 and Friday, September 23. Doors open at 9.30am and the activities begin at 10am. Click here for more information.

Above: Bluey and Bingo will be making an appearance at Redcliffe KiteFest at the beginning of the school holidays.

Drop-in programs for teenagers

Young people aged between 12-18 can participate in the “drop-in” programs that will be held at the YMCA Mango Hill Community Centre and The Space at the North Lakes Community Centre during the school holidays. What’s Up Wednesday and Chill Tuesday will be held from 11am-2pm and include basketball, a sausage sizzle, tunes, pool, ping pong and gaming. It is free to attend.

Free family fun day at YMCA Community Centre Mango Hill

Families are invited to attend a free family fun day on Wednesday, September 28 at the YMCA Community Centre Mango Hill. The event will include bungee run inflatables, a three-on-three basketball competition with prizes (which will run from 10.30am-2.30pm with two age categories: 12-14 years and 15-18 years), an interactive gymnastics display, giant yard games, Mandala tile coaster painting, badge making, recyclable craft, t-shirt painting, live music, a popcorn machine and a sausage sizzle. Head on down between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Funny whodunnit to entertain kids and adults

Mousetrap Youth Theatre will be presenting a new show which will run over the school holidays from September 23 to October 9. This musical comedy Whodunnit will have your kids putting their thinking caps on all while enjoying a day at the theatre. Performances will be held at the John Naumann Hall in Deception Bay. Tickets can be purchased here.

Above: BMX Clinics will be held in Morayfield and Deception Bay these school holidays.

Activities galore at your nearest library, gallery, museum and PCYC

Council’s school holiday program is jam-packed with lots of free and low-cost activities and workshops for children of all ages to enjoy over the school holidays. Your kids can join in activities such as:

BMX Clinics

If you’re wanting to learn a gnarly new trick, why not take part in a BMX Clinic.

Lessons are delivered by experienced coaches and include skate park safety and etiquette.

The cost is $5 per child per session.

Bookings are required.

Head on down to the Morayfield Skate Park on Monday, September 29 from 3-5pm; And the Deception Bay Skate Park on Wednesday, September 28 from 3-5pm.

Find out more here.

Scooter clinic

Learn the basics of riding a scooter or master that trick you have been trying for ages.

Lessons are delivered by experienced coaches and include skate park safety and etiquette.

This activity is suitable for kids aged between 5-14.

The cost is $5 per child per session. Bookings are required.

Head down to the Albany Creek Skate Park on Tuesday, September 20 from 3-5pm.

Find out more here.

Girls Skateboarding Clinic

This free event is dedicated to all the girls who are interested in learning how to skateboard in a fun and safe environment.

It is free to attend, and bookings are required.

Head on down to the Narangba Skate Park on Monday, September 26 from 9-11am.

Find out more here.

Kayak Adventure

This is a great opportunity for the kids to get outdoors and explore the local waterways while playing fun games and activities.

The cost is $5 per child per session.

Bookings are required.

Head on down to Mick Hanfling Park at Lake Kurwongbah on Wednesday, September 21 from 9-11am and 11.30am-1.30pm; And Wednesday, September 28 from 9-11am and 11.30am-1.30pm.

Find out more here.

Stand Up Paddle

Just as the name suggests, you stand on a large surfboard and propel yourself forward with a paddle.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 10-17.

The cost is $5 per child per session.

Bookings are required.

Head on down to Air Force Park on Welsby Parade at Bongaree on Wednesday, September 21 from 9-10am; And again on Friday, September 30 from 9-10am.

Find out more here.

Little Lifesavers

Help your kids build confidence in the water and learn water safety skills with Surf Life Saving Queensland.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 5-12.

The cost is $5 per child per session.

Bookings are required.

Head on down to Woorim Beach, Fifth Avenue at Woorim on Wednesday, September 21 from 9-11am; And again on Friday, September 30 from 9-11am.

Find out more here.

Circus Skills Workshop

During this hour-long session children will have a go at circus skills including juggling, hula hooping and spinning plates.

At the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to share what they have learnt with their peers.

It is free to attend, but bookings are required.

Head on down to John Scott Park on Station Street in Samford Village on Monday, September 19 from 9-10am; And again on Tuesday, September 27 from 9-10am.

Find out more here.

Above: Archery lessons will be held in Kurwongbah during the school holidays.

Field Archery

Test your coordination and steady hand as you take aim and release, sending the arrow soaring through the air.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 11-18.

The cost is $5 per child per session.

Bookings are required.

Head on down to Lakeside Bowmen, 188 Scout Rd, Kurwongbah on Tuesday, September 20 from 9am-12pm; And again on Tuesday, September 27 from 9am-12pm.

Find out more here.

Cricket

Play cricket with experienced coaches from Queensland Cricket.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 6-12.

It is free to attend but bookings are required.

Head on down to the Burpengary Sport Complex on Wednesday, September 28 from 9-10.30am; And Bob Brock Park in Dakabin on Thursday, September 22 from 9-10.30am.

Find out more here.

Boxing

Learn basic boxing techniques and participate in fun team-building games (non-contact).

Junior boxing is suitable for kids aged 5-10.

It is free to attend but bookings are required.

Head on down to the Caboolture PCYC on Tuesday, September 20 from 10.30-11.30am.

A boxing session for kids aged 10-17 will be held at the Caboolture PCYC on Tuesday, September 20 from 11.30am-12.30pm.

Find out more here.

Tennis

Participants will learn the basics of tennis with fun games, drills and activities.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 5-14.

It is free to attend but bookings are required.

Head on down to HT Ireland Reserve on Saraband Drive in Eatons Hills on Monday, September 19 from 9-10am; the Blatchford Recreation Reserve in Murrumba Downs on Thursday, September 22; And John Scott Park on Station Street, Samford Village on Friday, September 20 from 9-10am.

Find out more here.

Above: A number of craft workshops will be held at Moreton Bay libraries during the school holidays.

Unicorn storytime

Join author Alison McLennan for a fun-filled unicorn storytime, singalong and craft session featuring her new picture book, Great and Small.

This activity is suitable for children aged 3-7.

It is free to attend, but bookings are required.

Head on down to the Strathpine Library on Wednesday, September 21 from 10.30-11am; Deception Bay Library on Thursday, September 22 from 11-11.30am; And Bribie Island Library on Friday, September 23 from 10-10.30am.

Find out more here.

1000 hearts sewing circle

As part of Mental Health Week, kids can hand-stitch a felt pocket heart that will be given away in a random act of kindness.

This workshop is suitable for kids aged 12 and over.

It is free to attend but bookings are required. Contact your local library to reserve your child’s spot.

Head to the Arana Hills Library on Tuesday, September 20 from 2-3pm; North Lakes Library on Tuesday, September 27 from 2-3pm; Bribie Island Library on Thursday, September 29 from 2-3pm; And the Deception Bay Library on Friday, September 30 from 2-3pm.

Constellation jars

Learn more about some famous constellations in the night sky as you make your own starry night light made from simple household objects.

This workshop is suitable for kids aged 7-14.

It is free to attend but Bookings are required. Contact your local library to reserve your child’s spot.

Head to the Caboolture Library on Wednesday, September 21 from 3.30-4.30pm; Bribie Island Library on Friday, September 23 from 1-2pm; And the Arana Hills Library on Tuesday, September 20 from 2-3pm.

Galaxy Slime

Kids love playing with slime, and at this special workshop, they can make their own and take it home with them.

This workshop is suitable for kids aged 5-11.

It is free to attend but bookings are required.

Head on down to the Albany Creek Library on Monday, September 19 from 10.30-11.30am; North Lakes Library on Monday, September 19 from 11am-12pm and again on Thursday, September 29 from 2-3pm; Strathpine Library on Wednesday, September 21 from 2-3pm followed by a second session on the same day from 3.30-4.30pm; Redcliffe Library on Thursday, September 22 from 2-3pm, followed by a second session on the same day from 3.30-4.30pm, and again on Saturday, October 1 from 2-3pm; Deception Bay Library on Friday, September 23 from 11am-12pm; Arana Hills Library on Friday, September 23 from 2-3pm and again on Friday, September 30 from 2-3pm; And lastly Caboolture Library on Thursday, September 29 from 2-3pm.

Find out more here.

*These are just a few of the events that will be held as part of Council’s school holiday program. A full list of all events can be found here.

All activities are open for bookings on Thursday, September 8.

Try the range of activities at the Redcliffe PCYC

Kids of all ages will have the chance to try a wide range of classes and activities like judo, gymnastics and trampolining/tumbling at the Redcliffe PCYC’s upcoming open day, which will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 12-3pm. The day will also feature other kids’ activities, a scavenger hunt at 1pm, as well as coffee and food.

In addition, the Redcliffe PCYC will also be hosting a number of activities as part of Council's school holiday program including Little n Active Under 5s at 11.30am on Tuesday, September 20; Gymnastics for kids aged 6-8 at 2pm on Thursday, September 22; Gymnastics for kids aged 7-11 at 2pm on Tuesday, September 28; And Trampolining for kids aged 9-5 at 2pm on Tuesday, September 28. You can book these through the council website.

Jump into fun at the Caboolture PCYC

Kids aged between 5-18 will have the opportunity to try both gymnastics and trampolining at the Caboolture PCYC these school holidays. They will get to tray a wide range of apparatus including bars, beams, vault, double mini trampoline and the olympic trampoline. Sessions will be held from 10.30am-12pm on Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29. The cost is $19 per session.

In addition, the Caboolture PCYC will also be hosting a number of activities as part of Council's school holiday program including gymnastics for kids aged 5-9 from 12-1pm on Tuesday, September 27 and again from 12-1pm on Wednesday, September 28; Trampolining for kids aged 5-9 from 1-2pm on Tuesday, September 27 and again from 1-2pm on Wednesday, September 28; And Kinder Tots from 11am-12pm on Friday, September 30. This is suitable for kids aged 2-5.

Mini masterclass workshops

A number of mini masterclass workshops will be held at the Strathpine Centre during the course of the holidays, where kids can become a junior scientist or chef for the day.

During the first week of the holidays (September 19-24), Street Science will host drop-in style science workshops where kids can make their own slime or glow in the dark bouncy balls (each activity will be alternated daily, starting with slime). This will be held daily from 10am-1pm.

In the second week of the holidays (September 26 - October 1) , there will be sushi making workshops which will be managed by a booking system. These will be held from 10am-2pm. You can book via the Strathpine Centre website.

Activities will be located in front of The Coffee Club.

Craft activities galore

Westfield North Lakes will be hosting plenty of arts and craft activities where kids can head along and make something special and unique to take home with them.

Sessions include:

Week 1: Spring craft

Monday, September: 19: Llama weaving

Tuesday, September 20: Flying carp

Wednesday, September 21: Colourful rainbows

Thursday, September 22: Paper flowers

Friday September 23: Pinwheels

Times: 10am – 1pm

Where: Centre court

Cost: Free

No bookings required

Week 2: Art class and bath bomb making