As any parent will be able to tell you, finding ways to keep your little ones occupied can be a lengthy task. Thankfully though, Brisbane and its surrounds are home to all manner of activities and experiences that even the toughest little critics will love – and here are 20 of the best.
1. Dopamine Land
Explore Dopamine Land, an immersive journey set across 10 distinctively themed rooms. The experience uses all four senses to create a space of fun and playfulness. Traverse through a luminous forest, inhaling the fragrance of fresh pine needles, or venture into a ball pit with retro disco tunes. Secure your spot here!
Price: $21 – 28 per person.
📍Uptown, 91 Queen St, Brisbane CBD
2. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq doubles as both a circus-themed arcade and bar – in other words, it’s perfect for kids, teens and adults, with more than enough activities for an enjoyable time.
The dazzling Bowen Hills space features plenty of old-school arcade games such as Mario Kart, Hungry Hungry Hippo and Connect 4 Hoops, as well as ten-pin bowling lanes, karaoke, virtual reality experiences, party rooms and more.
Price: $30 for arcade games, $12 for bowling.
📍3/30 King Street, Bowen Hills
3. Circus Fun House
This high-energy production has become Brisbane’s only continuously-running children’s stage show, full of vibrant costumes, daring aerial stunts and acrobats, alongside plenty of laugh-out-loud comedy. Read all about it here and get your tickets here.
Price: from $25 per person.
📍Pink Flamingo Spiegeland, 98 Bincote St, Hamilton
4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Brisbane River Cruise
If your little one(s) loves animals, you can’t miss this day trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary by way of a river cruise! The fun starts from the moment you set sail from the bustling waterfront of Southbank to the lush parklands of Lone Pine, taking in iconic sights as you glide along. Once at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary you can get up close to koalas, kangaroos and watch platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action. Get on board and grab your tickets on Fever.
Price: $174.90 per adult (14 and up), $64.95 per child.
📍Pickup at Cultural Centre Public Pontoon, South Brisbane
5. Kids Cooking Classes
If you’ve got a culinary enthusiast at home, you can enrol them in cooking classes here in Brisbane. Karen Browne at Come and Cook offers classes for kids and teens, where they develop hands-on skills in a fun and friendly environment.
The classes take place in Come and Cook’s purpose-built kitchen at The Gap. Book a spot here.
Price: from $72 per class.
📍11 Grenoble Street, The Gap
6. BrickResales
If you’re looking for somewhere to take your LEGO-loving kids on a rainy day over the summer, be sure to check out BrickResales, which is home to Brisbane’s first and largest showroom of pre-loved LEGO.
Little builders can dig through the many tubs of pre-loved and brand-new LEGO, and also look at some awesome LEGO displays.
Price: free!
📍Building 1B/836 Boundary Road, Coopers Plains
7. Candlelight concerts
Who says kids can’t discover legendary music from a young age? At Candlelight, everyone (8 years or older) is welcome to take a seat and hear some of the greatest songs and classical compositions of all time reimagined by skilled musicians at spectacular venues, such as St. John’s Cathedral. And with a variety of programmes to choose from, such as Taylor’s pop hits and magical film soundtracks, there’s something for everyone, young and old. Get in the spooky spirit and book your tickets for the Halloween edition here!
Price: from about $28
8. Museum of Brisbane
Museum of Brisbane hosts a bunch of free activities for kids, including child-friendly guided tours of the heritage-listed City Hall building and Brisbane’s iconic Clock Tower, crafts and a bilingual story time every second Monday until December 2. Enjoy a charming picture book with your little ones and stay on for a craft activity to take a souvenir of a wholesome day spent together home!
Price: free!
📍Museum of Brisbane, Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane CBD
9. Area 51
They’ve got the energy for it, so why not let the kids run around at Area 51, a space of this world? High ropes, trampolines, mega slides, and more, it is every kid’s dream in this alien-themed play centre. But don’t worry, it’s not just for kids! There’s an Alien Bar for parents to relax while they keep an eye on the youngsters and every so often they also host Adults Only Night. Go back to childhood and book all tickets here.
Price: from $15.
📍51 Kingston Road, Underwood, Brisbane
10. Flipside Circus
Soar through the skies or learn how to juggle, with classes from 18 months to 101 years old, Flipside Circus will turn the whole family into acrobats — at least for the day! Introduce your kids to skills like tumbling and aerials, and find whatever suits them best through a free trial.
Price: free trial!
📍Brisbane Circus Centre at Northshore, 221 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton
11. Playgrounds and water parks
With beautiful nature all around you in Brisbane, it’s easier than you might think to find free ways to keep the younger ones entertained! Lively spots like Rocks Riverside Park have something for everyone, from basketball courts and picnic tables to water play areas, so the whole family can enjoy a sunny day together this summer! See all the parks waiting for you to discover them here!
Price: free!
📍531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd, Seventeen Mile Rocks
12. Bluey’s World
The wait is almost over! The much-anticipated immersive experience Bluey’s World will be coming to Brisbane from November 7. Based on the hit TV show, the attraction will be decked out with a recreation of the iconic Heeler Queenslander home, where you can walk around and interact with life-size sets of Bluey and Bingo’s playroom and bedroom, the family lounge room, as well as the backyard with the poinciana tree in it. Get your tickets for the perfect outing for the whole family!
Price: $49.90
📍Northshore Pavilion, 281 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton
13. Libraries
It’s never too early to turn your kids into bookworms! From picture books to YA, you’ll easily find age-appropriate options for the whole family. Plus, if having a vast number of literary worlds at your fingertips wasn’t enough, local libraries also offer many other fun activities, such as book clubs, reading programs, writing workshops and even trivia. Check out all your local libraries here!
Price: Free!
14. Hijinx Hotel
Hijinx Hotel is an immersive entertainment space comprising of challenge rooms, making it a perfect activity in Brisbane for kids.
Each of the eccentric and wild escape rooms is designed for a physical or mental challenge, plenty of games to test your skills. The rooms are designed for both kids and adults too. Find out their secrets here.
Price: from $20.
📍Various locations
15. DIY Invasion
Embrace the messiness of life and de-stress all at once at Splatter and Splash Room. Housed inside DIY Invasion, an art workshop hub just 40 minutes south of Brisbane, this colourful space allows you to choose your own background tunes so you can hurl paint bombs at your loved ones to the perfect soundtrack and revel in the chaos. Get the fun started here!
Price: from $40.
📍Shop 4/2 Christensen Rd, Stapylton
16. Lyell Deer Sanctuary
Tucked away in a serene hideaway just thirty minutes north of Brisbane, Lyell Deer Sanctuary is the perfect spot to get up close and personal with adorable rescue deer of all sorts, from red and rusa to fallow deer.
The sanctuary, usually open to the public on weekends, is a family-run animal rescue service, home to not only deer but also goats, cows, chickens, guinea pigs, peacocks and more.
Price: from $3.
📍6 Lyell Court, Mount Samson
17. Gold Coast Aqua Park Oxenford
Tire out your little balls of energy with a 50-minute session at Gold Coast Aqua Park at Oxenford. After jumping, climbing, and sliding their way through inflatable obstacles, bedtime should be no problem! Enjoy the thrill with them without worries, as lifejackets are provided for safety — although comfortable swimming ability is required. Start the summer off with a splash by getting your tickets here!
Price: $25 per person
📍34 Maudsland Rd, Oxenford
18. Mountview Alpaca Farm
Located just an hour north/south/west of Brisbane at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, Mountview Alpaca Farm is home to herd of alpacas so friendly that you can get up close and personal to them.
As for the encounters, you can choose between 15, 30, or 60 minutes of quality time with an alpaca of choice. You’ll take a stroll around the farm with your new furry friend, feeding them along the way. Get your tickets here.
Price: from $24.
📍852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra
19. Dinosaurs Unearthed
If you’re looking for something free and fun to do with the kids, Queensland Museum has a permanent gallery dedicated to dinosaurs.
Learn more about prehistoric times through geological treasures, cutting-edge paleo technology and ground-breaking research from the museum’s scientists.
You’ll also get to discover Queensland’s own dinosaurs, giant marine reptiles, supersized megafauna, and more.
Price: free!
📍Queensland Museum, Corner of Grey and, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
20. Christmas Markets
Get into the holiday spirit together at one of Brisbane’s many Christmas Markets! With most of them being free for kids, or under $5, it’s a budget-friendly way to be jolly. Eat, drink, get your shopping done early — or last minute if you like the thrill of procrastination — and even get a picture with the myth himself, Santa!
SEE MORE: 35 Brilliant Things You Can Do In Brisbane On A Rainy Day
Editorial contribution by: MJ Gayón.