More fun, less stress these school holidays

Pack a picnic, head outdoors, get creative or discover somewhere new, with plenty of affordable ways to keep children active, curious and entertained. 

Try out your skills at a pump track, spot spring wildlife at our wetlands or botanic garden, discover a hidden-gem playground or spark creativity at your local library or gallery. 

There are activities for different ages and interests, making it easier to fill the holidays without the stress. 

Explore nature and wildlife 

Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden 

Explore the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden these school holidays. Children can enjoy the family-friendly Whipbird Playscape, featuring nature-based elements such as shrub cubbies, rope bridges and balance logs designed for active, imaginative play. 

The Bushland Holiday Program also offers hands-on activities led by local environmental educators: 

• Journey-stick adventure: Monday 21 September, 10am–12pm 
• Bush artists: Thursday 24 September, 10am–12pm 
• Habitat makers: Monday 28 September, 1–3pm 
• Little scientists: platypus: Thursday 1 October, 10–11.30am 

The garden is open daily from 7am–5pm. Entry is free. Bookings and fees may apply to holiday activities. 

More information: Nature play and garden walks 
Details and bookings: Bushland Holiday Program 

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve 

At Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, families can borrow a free forest explorer kit from the Rainforest Discovery Centre between 9.30am and 3.30pm daily. Each kit includes binoculars, a magnifying glass, mini microscope and clipboard to help children explore the rainforest. 

More information: Forest explorer kits 

TurtleCare Hatchling Club 

Explore how turtles live, nest and survive on our coastline at this family-friendly, hands-on experience for ages 5 and older. TurtleCare volunteers will explain the threats turtles face and how everyone can help protect them. No live turtles will be present. 

When: Tuesday 22 September, 8.30am and 10am 
Where: Wyanda Park, Warana 
Details and bookings: 8.30am session and 10am session 

Shorebird Festivals 

Families can welcome migratory shorebirds back to the Sunshine Coast at two free festivals: 
Saturday 26 September, 8–11am: Golden Beach 
Sunday 27 September, 8–11am: Cotton Tree Park 

The festivals will feature face painting, arts and clay activities, shorebird displays, storytelling, live music, wildlife information, education stalls and a sausage sizzle. 

More information: Golden Beach event listing and Cotton Tree event listing 

Celebrate community 

Welcoming Week Community Picnic 

Kick off the school holidays with a free community celebration at Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore. The Welcoming Week Community Picnic will feature food, music, storytelling, lawn games, face painting, cultural activities and family-friendly entertainment. 

When: Saturday 20 September, 10am to 2pm 
Where: Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore 
More information: Welcoming Week Community Picnic 

Get creative 

Caloundra Regional Gallery 

Families can get creative with Mini Makers at Caloundra Regional Gallery. The program includes hands-on art sessions such as Mini Monsters, Portrait Squash and Fishy Fun. Sessions run on Thursdays and Saturdays during the school holidays and cost $15 per child or $10 for Gallery Members. 

The Gallery also offers free, self-guided activities. Children can follow the Art Trail through the exhibitions or create arts and crafts in the Art Room. 

When: Tuesday to Friday, 10am–4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am–2pm 
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra 
Details and bookings: Caloundra Regional Gallery website 

Sunshine Coast Libraries 

Sunshine Coast Libraries will offer free workshops, drop-in sessions and self-guided activities across the region. 

Bookings are required for: 

• Aka’s crew: Learn how to identify fire ants and help protect the local area. Caloundra and Maroochydore libraries. 
• Stop-go animation: Use photography, backdrops and props to create an animated story. Caloundra, Maroochydore and Nambour libraries. 
• The great plane build: Build a mini wooden plane with moving propellers. Available at selected libraries. 
• Kite making: Make a kite to take home and fly. Beerwah, Kawana and Nambour libraries. 

Free drop-in and self-guided activities include arcade games, board games, scavenger hunts, library quests, craft and engineering challenges. 

Details and bookings: Sunshine Coast Libraries holiday activities 

Step into local history 

Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct 

At Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, children can enjoy activities inspired by nature and history. 

• Build a Bee Hotel: Tuesday 22 September, 10–11.30am. Learn about native bees, taste native bee honey and build a bee hotel to take home. Family-friendly for ages 5 and older. Tickets are $10 per person and bookings are essential. 
• Heritage craft and games: During museum opening hours. Make dolly pegs and paper flowers, then try traditional pioneer games. Free, family-friendly and no booking required. 

Details and bookings: Heritage Sunshine Coast 

Landsborough Museum 

Enjoy storytelling, hands-on craft and self-guided activities at Landsborough Museum. 

• Puppet Story Time: 24 September and 1 October, 10.30–11.30am. Stories, hand puppets and museum objects for children aged 5 and under. Free. Bookings essential. 
• Make a Sky Mobile: During museum opening hours. Create a hanging mobile inspired by The Night Sky exhibition. Free and family-friendly. Drop in, no booking required. 
• The Night Sky exhibition launch: 2 October, 10–11.30am. Explore the new exhibition and enjoy morning tea. Free and family-friendly. Bookings essential. 

Details and bookings: Heritage Sunshine Coast 

Get active outdoors 

Adventure Sunshine Coast features more than 250 free outdoor experiences, including walking, cycling, paddling, mountain biking and horse-riding trails. Use the interactive map to search by location, activity, distance and difficulty. 

Pack a picnic and visit one of Council’s parks and gardens, make a splash at a Council aquatic centre, hone your skills at a Council skate and BMX park, or take a photo along Council’s scenic Coastal Pathway. 

Sport and recreation events 

Catch live sport and emerging talent across the Sunshine Coast these school holidays. 

• Hostplus Cup preliminary final: Saturday 19 September, 2.10pm kick-off, Sunshine Coast Stadium. Details and bookings:Sunshine Coast Stadium . 
• Sunshine Coast Expo: Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, Kawana Sports Precinct. More information:Sunshine Coast Expo . 
• Queensland Women State Team v Brisbane Roar Women: Friday 2 October, 7.30pm kick-off, Sunshine Coast Stadium. Details and bookings:Squadi . 
• AOCRA Gubbi Gubbi Trans Tasman: Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October, Lake Kawana. More information:AOCRA .