School is out for the summer and if you’re a parent, that means long days ahead with busy kids to entertain. Luckily Brisbane has plenty of family-friendly activities and events popping up. From educational exhibitions to animal sanctuaries, we have the 9 best activities to make sure you never hear the dreaded “I’m bored” once this summer!
1. Shoot Some Hoops At The NBA Exhibition
Get ready for this unique opportunity to learn more about iconic basketball players, past and present, as well as the history of the NBA. The NBA Exhibition features interactive games, digital projections and virtual reality adventures that will keep you captivated. Marvel at the vast collection of over 50 pieces of exclusive memorabilia items like autographed photos, balls and shoes, and spot the apparel your favourite players have played in. This is a great family-friendly experience where parents can share their love of basketball with their children, and where friends can come together to enjoy a day out. The interactive elements and engaging exhibits ensure that visitors of all ages, from kids to seniors, will find something to enjoy and learn from.
2. Marvel At Your Favourite Movie Heroes At Warner Bros Movie World
Get lost in a world of your favourite movies at Warner Bros Movie World on the Gold Coast. The park is designed to be family-friendly, with a focus on creating an enjoyable and safe environment for visitors of all ages. Kids can enjoy specifically designed family rides, while those who enjoy a bit more of the fear factor can brave the thrill rides. There are also areas specifically designed for younger children, ensuring that the whole family can have a good time. During your visit, you can enjoy shows, parades, restaurants and more. This is the ideal place for children to immerse themselves in movie magic, and for adults to feel like a kid again. While the park is a short while away from Brisbane, you can make the journey easy by booking transport from the Brisbane Hotel.
3. Learn To Surf At Broadbeach
Get the whole family down to the beautiful Broadbeach for a day of sea and sun. Spend 2-hours at one of Australia’s favourite surf schools that has been operating since 1987. You’ll be provided with a long sleeve rash shirt and a soft beginner surfboard, as you head out into the water. Guided by a professional instructor the whole family will be standing on their first wave in no time!
4. Expand Your Mind At Queensland Museum
Learn and play at the Queensland Museum. Adventure through a Jurassic world made completely out of Lego, ignite your imagination at SparkLab’s STEM activities for kids or learn more about insects at Insect Agency. Children’s activities and interactions feature throughout the exhibitions, and this is a great way to expand their minds and have fun while learning.
5. Get Creative At Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art Children’s Centre
Visit the Children’s Art Centre at the QGOMA to experience exhibitions and activities created in collaboration with artists, or take part in one of the many programs, especially for children under six years of age. There are a variety of art workshops, story times and interactive events that will help to cultivate a love for art in your children. It’s never too early or too late to be creative!
6. Pet A Rescued Deer
Just thirty minutes north of Brisbane, Lyell Deer Sanctuary is a family-run animal rescue service, home to not only deer but also goats, cows, chickens, guinea pigs, peacocks and more. It’s usually open on the weekends, which is great to know and give the kids something to look forward to.
7. Picnic With An Alpaca
A little farther away, but after a beautiful drive, the Mountview Alpaca Farm in the Scenic Rim offers up alpaca experiences that are extremely popular because why wouldn’t you want to picnic with an alpaca? Ed Sheeran, Pancake, Snowball, Tim Tam, and Peanut—yes, they have names—are so friendly that you can get up close. The bonus is that they’ve been trained as therapy animals, so they’re really good at peace and relaxation.
8. Stargaze At Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Super close to the city centre, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium at Mt Coot-tha has got entertaining and informative shows for everyone. From Perfect Little Planet where kids can view the solar system through the eyes of an alien family to Cosmic Collision, there’s a lot to see, learn and be amazed by.
9. Burn Energy At Urban Xtreme
Pent up energy needs to be released and that’s exactly what Urban Xtreme is for, especially during the school holidays! Families can enjoy scaling climbing-walls, bouncing on trampolines and trying their hand at obstacle courses.