The best Sunshine Coast school holiday fun

Discover endless fun with Sunshine Coast Council’s treasure trove of free and low-cost activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.

From creative workshops and outdoor adventures to festive events and historical explorations, there's something for everyone.

With so much on offer, start planning now and remember, places are limited for some events, book early to avoid disappointment.

Sunshine Coast Council's summer school holiday guide

Fitness fun

Come along to Caloundra Indoor Stadium and keep active these school holidays. The indoor courts can be hired casually, so grab some friends and come down to shoot hoops or try something new like pickleball or badminton.

Popular activities include:

• Pickleball - $16.25 per court per hour - BYO or hire a paddle for $5.
• Badminton - $20 per court per hour – BYO or hire a racket for $5.
• Casual Basketball - $5.40 per person per hour - BYO ball.
• Casual Netball - $5.40 per person per hour - BYO ball.

If you’re looking for something more social, come down and play badminton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am–midday, or Thursdays from 6–8pm for $8.75 per player or enjoy walking netball on Wednesdays from 10–11am for $5.40 per player.

When: Contact the Caloundra Indoor Stadium for availability on 07 5499 6000 or visit their Facebook page.

Where: Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach.

Details: Council’s website. 

Photo credit: NBL1 Taylor Earnshaw.

Pioneer play workshops

Journey into the past for free, with hands-on workshops, Christmas craft, butter churning, gold panning, wash day pioneer style and wooden games at Bankfoot House.

When: Various dates from Sunday, December 1 – Friday, January 24, 11 – 11.40am. Bankfoot House is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Where: Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains.

Details: Council’s website.

Unearth the stories of the forest

The forest has many stories to tell for those who look and listen carefully. Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre these holidays and you can:

• Write a letter to your favorite tree at the Giant Fig Tree.
• Listen to the Jinibara story of the carpet python and the storm.
• Record your story of visiting Mary Cairncross in the recording nook upstairs.
• Borrow a free Junior Ranger Kit or Nature Journaling Kit to use while you explore the forest track and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
• Create a story map of your walk in the forest.

All activities are free and suitable for all ages.

When: From Saturday, December 7. Open daily from 9.30am – 3.30pm (excluding public holidays).

Where: Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny.

Details: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve website.

Unique walk of HeART

Bring your family and go on a free Wild HeART Walk this summer at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.

The Wild HeART Student Art Prize asked children and young people from the Sunshine Coast and neighbouring regional areas to create artworks depicting native species and the places they belong.

The Wild HeART Walk is an outdoor gallery trail celebrating the 21 outstanding finalist artworks across age categories 5 – 18 years.

From birds to bats and turtles to orchids, come and marvel at the larger-than-life artworks and read about why the species were chosen by the young artists. An experience suitable for all ages.

More school holiday events and activities at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden will be announced soon, keep up-to-date on their website.

When: From Saturday, December 7 to Friday, February 7 during daylight hours.

Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Details: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden website.

Draw and discover

Visit the Caloundra Regional Gallery and take part in a self-guided drawing activity in conjunction with Nature and Culture – animal as object in the Gallery Artroom Space. Free activity during open hours. While there, be sure to check out the Nature as Culture exhibition, it’s showing from December 13 to February 2.

When: Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 2pm.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Kids Art Attack

Draw, cut, collage, paint, fold, create on the first Saturday of every month. Cost is $2 per child.

When: Saturday, January 4, 11am – 1pm.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Become a citizen scientist

Come along to one of the guided ClimateWatch Trails happening across the Sunshine Coast.

These school holidays, you can become a citizen scientist by discovering and snapping photos of plants and animals to help understand how climate change is affecting our environment.

No prior experience required, Sunshine Coast Council staff will be providing information and supporting you along these ClimateWatch Trails.

To get started create an account and register for the NatureWatch Sunshine Coast program in Better Impact using or login with your existing account. 

In the Opportunities Calendar, secure your spot on one or more trails:

• Kawana Forest – 8.30am – 10.30am Monday, January 13.
• Lake Currimundi – 8.30 – 10.30am Thursday, January 15.
• Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve – 7.30 – 9am Monday, January 20.

If you have any questions, email [email protected].

Details: Council’s website. 

Draw animal objects

Join artist Deb Mostert for a children’s drawing workshop. Suitable for children aged 6+. Cost is $15 per child.

When: Friday, January 10, 10 – 11.30am.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Diorama Workshop with Deb Mostert

Make your own miniature museum display in a box. Suitable for children aged 12+. Cost is $15 per child.

When: Friday, January 10, 1–4pm.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Attention junior artists

These school holidays, create a masterpiece on paper and enter the student art prize.

It’s for children aged five and up and there’s a prize pool of $1500. Entry is free.

When: Entries close February 16.

Where: This one can be done from home, on holidays or wherever you like to get creative.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Sunshine Coast Libraries

Library Explorers Club

Join the Library Explorers Club for a summer of adventure. From December 1 to January 31, kids can complete weekly challenges at their local library or online for a chance to win a $100 book voucher.

Each challenge earns an entry, and participants can collect stamps on a special boarding pass to track their progress. Visit any Sunshine Coast Library or visit the Libraries website to embark on this fun reading journey.

When: December 1 – January 31.

Where: All Sunshine Coast Library locations and online.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Adventurers scavenger hunt

Going on an adventure? You'll need to pack! Travel around the library and find all the hidden items that you'll need for your next expedition! Can you find them all? All ages. Registration not required. Drop-in session.

When: December 27 - January 25.

Where: All Sunshine Coast Library locations during open hours.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Badge making

Drop in to create a one-of-a-kind button badge using old books, comics or get inspired and design your own. Ages 6+. Registration not required. Drop-in session.

• Kawana – Wednesday, January 8, 9.30-11.30am.
• Maleny – Wednesday, January 8, 9.30-11.30am.
• Coolum – Tuesday, January 14, 9.30-11.30am.
• Beerwah – Thursday, January 16, 2-4pm.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Comic express cartoon workshop

Learn how to create your own original cartoon character with the help of cartooning legend Phil Judd.

Ages 7-12 years. Registration required.

• Maroochydore – Wednesday, January 8, 10-11am.
• Nambour – Wednesday, January 8, 1.30-2.30pm.
• Kawana – Thursday, January 9, 10-11am.
• Caloundra – Thursday, January 9, 1.30-2.30pm.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Paper engineering

Make a paper plane or flying craft. Will it fly and how far? All ages. Registration not required. Drop-in session.

• Kenilworth – Friday, January 10, 10.30am-12.30pm.
• Kawana – Wednesday, January 15, 9.30-11.30am.
• Caloundra – Wednesday, January 15, 10am-12pm.
• Nambour – Wednesday, January 15, 10am-12pm.
• Maleny – Thursday, January 16, 9.30-11.30am.
• Maroochydore – Thursday, January 16, 9.30-11.30am.
• Coolum – Tuesday, January 21, 9.30-11.30am.
• Beerwah – Tuesday, January 21, 10am-12pm.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Wooden hand drum

Drop in to decorate your very own wooden hand drum and make some music! Ages 4+ years. Registration not required. Drop-in session.

When: Wednesday, January 8, 9.30-11.30am.

Where: Kenilworth Library.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Still searching for things to do?

Adventure Sunshine Coast

Looking to get outdoors with the family these school holidays?

For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding trails on the Sunshine Coast, visit Council’s Adventure Sunshine Coast website and choose your next adventure.

Are you beach ready?

Wherever you’re heading, make your visit memorable for the right reasons with the BeachSafe app.
You’ll find the latest information about every Australian beach on the go, learn how to spot a rip, find beach patrol times and locations as well as beach conditions and hazards. Add it to your home screen and remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Need even more inspo?

Why not pack a picnic and visit one (or many!) of Council’s marvellous parks and gardens, make a splash at a Council aquatic centre, hone your skills at a Council skate and bmx park, or snap a selfie along Council’s scenic Coastal Pathway.