Best things to do with kids in Brisbane: From glow-in-the-dark ballet to a secret Harry Potter park

Step behind the podium and become a TV game-show star! BuzzAttack drops you into a fully decked-out TV studio, complete with flashing lights, giant buzzers, a live scoreboard and a massive spinning wheel!

Inspired by iconic quiz shows, it’s a mix of trivia, live entertainment and high-stakes competition, where every answer counts and anyone can end up the star of the show, and it all starts with getting your tickets.

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.

If there’s one thing kids — and some adults — have a hard time with, it’s “Do not touch” signs at museums. This will not be a problem at Museum of Brisbane’s brand-new Micro Museum, which is now open, just ahead of the school holidays! It’ll be a permanent addition to MoB, offering year-round immersive and interactive entertainment as well as special activities.

Mini curators will be allowed to select, arrange and present their own collections from a huge range of vintage treasures inspired by the upcoming Precious exhibition at MoB, which will feature collector’s pieces relating to Brisbane or Brisbanites.

If your little one(s) loves animals, a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a must! The lush Sanctuary offers the chance to get up close to koalas, kangaroos and watch platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action. There are even specialised holiday programs which let kids of all ages learn how to care for some of their adorable critters! Check them out here.

Ballet of Lights is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest art forms designed to keep little minds entertained. Each of Ballet of Lights programs are follow traditional fairytales such as Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. But to keep it even more awe inspiring the dancers wear costumes which glow bright with LED lights. And, to keep the little ones captivated, the performances only last for 60 minutes. The perfect activity which both adults and little ones find exciting.

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.

Chocolate Elements, the beloved South Bank chocolatier, regularly hosts chocolate-making classes so you can learn how to make and decorate your own sweet treats! And although they’re almost too cute too eat, we guarantee you won’t be able to resist your creations. Check them out here.

If you’re looking for somewhere to take your LEGO-loving kids on a rainy day over the holidays, 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.

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 spirit and book your tickets here!

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s beautiful flora comes alive as the stars come out thanks to Astra Lumina, its newest immersive installation. This luminous adventure will immerse you in the magic of light and projection with a moving soundscape, set against the enchanting backdrop of Australian bushland.

Read all about it and get your tickets here.

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.

If you want your little ones to have a magical time, this spellbinding park has all the magical witchy vibes of Harry Potter, and there’s no better way of chasing away the Dementors than with a sunny day at the park!

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.

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 during the holidays! See all the parks waiting for you to discover them here!

Recently named one of the top places in the world, the much-anticipated immersive experience Bluey’s World is a must-visit. Based on the hit TV show, the attraction is 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!

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!

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.

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!

Step into the spotlight as the hero of a fast-paced, fully immersive experience packed with team missions, arcade-inspired trials, and a grand finale like no other. Picture neon-lit rooms filled with lasers, giant digital screens, and high-energy games that demand sharp reflexes and clever teamwork. Get your tickets for 123Boom! here.

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.

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.

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.

Imagine 35 themed cells spread across a sprawling indoor arena, each one holding a unique challenge. You and your kids will move freely from room to room, choosing the tasks you want to tackle. There are mental puzzles, tricky mazes, physical feats, and collaborative games. Some rooms will have you crawling and climbing. Others? Outwitting riddles and cracking codes. It’s the perfect adventure for the whole family.

Brissy has so many cool markets to choose from including Redacliffe Markets every Wednesday — featuring a new expansion into Queen Street Mall — Cathedral Square Markets on Thursdays, Carseldine Markets on Saturdays, as well as Milton Markets and Nundah Markets on Sundays. With stalls upon stalls of unique handmade goodies and mouth-watering eats, there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained!

Dig IT, Australia’s first ever mini-excavator park at Tamborine Mountain is the perfect place for little ones can dig, drive, demolish, and have an absolute blast!

Dig it? Get your tickets here!

In this immersive, space-filled game, you and your Crew must complete tasks around a Moon base while the Impostors blend in, pretending to work while secretly eliminating the Crew. This is your chance to take part in real-life immersive gameplay that offers a thrilling experience of deception, strategy and teamwork. Get your tickets here.