Best Sunshine Coast winter school holiday activities
Plan your winter school holiday activities with Sunshine Coast Council – from workshops to events, and take-home activities to fun days out – there is plenty on offer to keep the kids busy.
Book into a Kids ClimART workshop
Book now for the school holiday workshop Kids’ ClimART led by artist Yanni van Zijl from 28 June to 1 July at Tanawha or Bli Bli.
Yanni will explore climate change impacts and actions of hope for the future, as she guides children and caregivers to create several large and colourful group artworks made with paint, ink and charcoal.
Yanni will develop the group artworks into an installation to be exhibited at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden during Horizon Festival 2021.Bookings are essential on council’s what’s on page with spaces limited. Workshops cost $8.
BOOK NOW for botanic gardens, Tanawha OR wetlands sanctuary, Bli Bli.
Meet your cool neighbour at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Explore the amazing world of reptiles and amphibians at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. They aren’t always the most popular of neighbours, but they are certainly very ‘cool’. These amazing cold-blooded creatures, collectively called herptiles, live all around us and are uniquely adapted to Australia’s hot, dry climate. Learn about the frog who carries his tadpoles round in his pockets, the caring snake who cuddles her eggs to keep them warm and the striking lizard who can change its colour.
On now at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, open daily between 9.30am-3.30pm.
LEARN MORE about the exhibit.
First Nations Family Fun Day
Celebrate NAIDOC week at our inaugural First Nations Family Fun Day. Enjoy this free event at Bankfoot House on Saturday 17 July from 10am to 2pm.
Kabi Kabi and Jinibara First Nations People present a unique and fun filled day of cultural learning with traditional games, dancing, and craft workshops for children of all ages.
Take a First Nations virtual tour and immerse yourself in the Glass House Mountains landscape before 1868. Learn cultural stories and insights into daily life, ceremony and environment.
Enjoy lunch from the food vans, sausage sizzle or bring your own picnic.
LEARN MORE about the family fun day.
Grab a school holiday pack from Sunshine Coast Libraries
Register to secure an “Family Holiday Activity Pack” that includes cool resources like a books, car games, board games, chalk and much more.
Age limits apply for these packs as they’ve been designed to suit specific age groups and respond to children’s motor and literacy skills, as well as their developmental age.
To book your activity pack visit the Library website – bookings will be taken from 4.30pm Friday 25 June. The packs will be available for collection from Saturday 26 June.
Check out the whole range of school holiday offerings including online programs and Scavenger hunt from Libraries at https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-activities.
Try the great botanic race
If you’ve got older kids, head to the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden to try the great botanic race. Grab a map at the front entrance and explore the gardens on this self-guided orienteering challenge. Kids will need to find mapped points to solve the puzzle along the way. Great for ages 10 years and older.
DETAILS: Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens.
Get your walking shoes on and explore the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden
Gum trees and their friends – a family friendly investigation walk
- Come and investigate: What makes a tree a tree? What makes a gum tree a gum tree? Who needs gum trees anyway?
- Monday 5 July, 10–11 am
- BOOK NOW for the gum tree walk.
Flora, fauna and fun – a bushwalk for families
- Come and explore the botanic gardens, discover the hidden magic of our bush and have fun outdoors!
- Tuesday 6 July, 10 – 11am
- BOOK NOW for the fauna walk
Meet an Owl, an eagle and a falcon at Our Raptor Friends at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
On Tuesday 6July at 11am, you’ll get the chance to meet an owl, an eagle and a falcon. Learn about the unique features of raptors, such as their keen eyesight, their habitats and the risks they face.
Cost is $5 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver (no registration required for caregiver). Children will have the option to hold a bird of prey after the presentation at $10 per hold, payable on the day.
Brought to you by Jason at Raptor Vision, a Wildlife Exhibitor on the Sunshine Coast specializing in the conservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey.
Start peddling at the free school holiday Safer Cycling Workshops
Get your little one onto two wheels while learning tips to continue the fun at home. Or, for your child already on two wheels, our Intermediate cycle skills and pathway ride includes bike handling, pathway etiquette and some road safety awareness.
BOOK NOW for cycling workshops at various dates, times and locations.
Connect to Country at the First Nations School Holiday Program at Bankfoot House
Celebrate NAIDOC week 2021 at the First Nations School Holiday Program on Friday 2 July from 10am to 2pm. A free, fun, hands-on and educational day where children will learn stories of our local First Nations groups. Join a Boomerang and clap stick making workshop, learn First Nations dances as well as other games and activities.
Food vans and refreshments available on site or pack a picnic lunch.
BOOK NOW for the school holiday program.
Clean up our environment at the Caloundra Spring into Scavenge
Are you keen to connect with your community, clean-up your local environment, win some awesome prizes and groove to funky live tunes? Haven't been to a Scavenge yet? Get excited!
On Saturday 26 June, 8am to noon you’ll be able to clean-up your local area, sort and catalogue your litter and then exchange it for pre-loved clothes, books, toys and more. All the pre-loved material has been donated by the local community. All this whilst listening to funky live tunes!
LEARN MORE about the Sea Side Scavenge.
Book now for Charlotte’s Web at Venue 114
Charlotte’s Web is a much-loved classic tale telling the story of the show’s beloved hero, Wilbur the Pig, and his relationships and triumphs while meeting his friends Charlotte the Spider, Fern the farmer’s daughter and farmyard characters Templeton the Rat, Sheep, Goose and Gander. Book now for this funny and touching live theatre show at Venue 114, Bokarina on Tuesday 6 July at 10.30am.
There is an added bonus of an animal farmyard on hand including goats, lambs, rabbits and even piglets set-up in Venue 114’s lakeside courtyard for children to explore, take pictures and make new furry friends.
The show is suitable for all ages and tickets are $25 each, family of four $90, under two free on knee.
Try a new trail on Adventure Sunshine Coast
Adventure Sunshine Coast has over 200 free adventures covering walking, cycling, paddling and riding trails right across the region! From exploring a community playground loop with your toddler to discovering a hidden hinterland trail with an adventurous tween-ager – find your next adventure at adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au today.
Head to adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au to try a trail.
Try the ClimateWatch Trail at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary
Become a citizen scientist at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary and contribute to understanding how climate change is affecting our environment. To get started:
- Download the free ClimateWatch app
- Grab a ClimateWatch field guide highlighting the wetland’s indicator species.
- Look for indicator species along your walk
- Using the app, take photos and note seasonal behaviours
- Return your field guide for reuse.
Visit the ClimateWatch website for details. Don’t forget mosquito repellent!
Get moving with the Wheely Fun School Holiday Program
Primary school kids can learn new bike riding skills, receive education on road safety and road craft, and join in lots of fun activities at the Wheely Fun School Holiday Program from 9am–1pm daily, 28 June to 2 July on the Athletics Track, University of Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs.
Coaches are accredited by Cycling Queensland. During the program, participants will meet and learn from Pro Racing Sunshine Coast team riders. Participants will require a bike and a helmet approved by Australian Safety Standards to participate in the camps. Costs involved. BOOK NOW to secure your spot.
Last edited on:
First published on: