Your ultimate guide to school holiday fun

The September school holidays are here, and to make sure you’re not stuck for ideas, we’ve come up with a list of top activities around the city to keep boredom at bay.

From foodie festivals to animal encounters, craft activities and a multitude of low-cost sporting activities, there’s something for every kid and every family.

Take part in a colourful fun run

If you have ever wanted to get showered in colourful powder or covered in foamy bubbles, you can do so at the North Lakes Colour Run on September 15.

This year’s event will feature enhanced colour stations, a bubble station, brand-new all-ages obstacle station, and finisher medals.

This family-friendly event is perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels, allowing you to either run, jog or walk the course around Lake Eden at your own pace.

Dogs are also welcome to join in the fun.

For more details, or to book, visit the Colour Frenzy website.

A taste of Greece on Bribie Island

Featuring traditional Greek dancing, live music, mouthwatering cuisines, cooking demonstrations, a children’s fun zone, rides, and sand sculpting, the Bribie 2024 ‘OPA’ Greek Festival is the closest way to immerse yourself in Greek culture without leaving the country.

This lively day out will be held at the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre on September 15.

Entry is a gold coin donation.

Treat your tastebuds at Wamuran F.A.M

Bring your empty picnic basket and fill it up with a variety of fresh local produce like fruits, vegetables, cheeses, honey and more at the upcoming Wamuran F.A.M (Food Art Music) Festival on September 21.

In addition to meeting the region’s local farmers and producers, the festival will also include a fantastic line-up of local musicians, local artisans selling everything from paintings and sculptures to jewellery and textiles, plus an array of food trucks serving up delicious cuisines.

The event will be held at the Wamuran Sports Complex from 9am-1pm.

Activities galore at the Caboolture Historical Village

The Caboolture Historical Village will be a hive of activity these school holidays, with three big activities planned for children of all ages to enjoy.

Kids will have the opportunity learn about different animals like squirrel gliders, ringtail possums, bearded dragons, and carpet pythons during a meet and greet with the team from Geckoes Wildlife, who will drop by the village at 9.30am on September 17 and 24.

The cost is $28 per child and includes entry into the museum, a whip cracking demonstration, blacksmith demonstration, sausage sizzle or hot dog lunch and water, plus the chance to explore the museum afterwards.

For little ones who love playing with LEGO, the educational play program Bricks 4 Kidz will be held on September 18 and 25, beginning at 10am.

The cost is $25 per child and includes entry into the museum, a whip cracking demonstration, blacksmith demonstration, sausage sizzle or hot dog lunch and water, plus the chance to explore the museum afterwards.

Lastly, a Halloween zombie workshop including a SPFX professional makeup workshop with Laughing Goat Production and a zombie movement class with Jam Performing Arts will be held on September 19 and 26, beginning at 10am.

This activity is suitable for kids aged 8 and over.

The cost is $65 per child and includes entry to the village.

No entry fee applies for one accompanying parent/carer. Normal entry fee applies for accompanying visitors, which is $18 for adults and $15 for concession.

A sausage sizzle or hot dog lunch with water is also available for accompanying adults at a cost of $5.

For more information or to book, search Caboolture Historical Village on TryBooking.com.

Free putt putt at the Bribie Island Hotel

Families can enjoy a round of putt putt with a free four-hole mini golf course set up at the Bribie Island Hotel.

The course is open all day, every day in September, so you can challenge your family and friends as many times as you like for those all-important bragging rights.

Tackle the Monster Jump

Get ready to bounce into the school holidays with the return of The Monster Jump at the Sandstone Point Hotel from September 14-29.

This colossal 280m inflatable course features more than 30 thrilling obstacles to conquer including climbing apparatus, slides, tunnels and more.

Tickets start at $40 for a two-hour pass, or upgrade to an all-day pass for an extra $10 per person.

Book via the Monster Jump website.

Learn what life was like in ancient Egypt

Let your kids get their hands dirty and uncover ancient Egyptian artefacts when Kids Dig It! returns to the Abbey Museum of Art and Archeology from September 16-20.

From 10am-3pm, kids will have the chance to practice their archery skills, learn about the process of mummification in an interactive presentation, create and design their own plaster Sarcophagus, and enjoy plenty of games and quizzes inside the museum.

Tickets are $20.23 and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.

Activities galore at the Sundowner Hotel Motel

Free magic shows, character appearances, mini games and face painting are just a few of the activities families can look forward to during the school holidays at the Sundowner Hotel Motel in Caboolture.

Family magic show: Kids of all ages will be amazed by the enchanting magic show and balloon artistry when the show is held on Tuesday, September 17 from 11.30am-2.30pm.

Mini games: Minnie Mouse will drop by to entertain the kids with a fun-filled game show and mini games on Thursday, September 19 from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Face painting: Kids can become their favourite characters with amazing face painting on Tuesday, September 24 from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Superhero games: The amazing Spiderman will swing by to host another fun game show and mini games with his fans on Thursday, September 26 from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Free rides and food at Pine Rivers Spring Carnival

For a fun day out that won’t hurt the hip pocket, head on down to the Pine Rivers Spring Carnival on September 27.

Hosted by Encircle, this community fun day will feature plenty of free food and activities, including amusement rides, a petting zoo, face painting, live music, and more.

There will also be a number of community stalls where you can find out more information about local services.

All the fun will be held at the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre in Lawnton from 10am-2pm.

Get crafty at the Old Fire Station Open Day

The Old Fire Station Community Arts and Volunteer Hub will be ablaze with creativity on September 28 when members of the Redcliffe Art Society and Redcliffe Pottery Group host a joint open day.

The open day will include demonstrations, entertainment, face painting, and giveaways, as well as your chance to find out more about the range of classes and workshops that are available throughout the year.

Head on down between 10am-2pm.

Monster mania at Caboolture Square

Get ready to create your own monster moneybox, or monster masterpiece using the fun blow painting technique, with several fun workshops being held at Caboolture Square on September 19 and 20.

The cost is $5 per ticket with all materials provided.

Bookings are essential.

The workshops are recommended for children aged 5 years and up, and parental supervision is required.

To book, search Caboolture Square on TryBooking.com.

Build your own LEGO masterpiece at Peninsula Fair

Let your kids unleash their imagination and create their own LEGO world at Peninsula Fair, with a fun play station to be set up outside Kmart from September 16-21.

Here they can create buildings, cars, animals – anything they can think of!

Plus, each day two lucky kids will be rewarded with prizes for the best creations.

All the fun will be held between 10am-2pm.

It’s free to attend, and no bookings are required.

Wild and wonderful fun at Strathpine Centre

Let your kids go wild for our native wildlife at the Strathpine Centre these school holidays.

Spot some of your favourite Aussie animals in the centre from 10am on September 16-20 when the team from D’Aguilar Wildlife host a live show plus a meet and greet.

Kids will also have the chance to make their own honey pots, create their own lip gloss, and more during the Urban Bee workshops, which will be held daily from 10am-1pm from September 23-27.

For more information, visit the Strathpine Centre website.

Unwind at Music in the Park Dayboro

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of local musicians at the upcoming Music in the Park Dayboro event on September 28.

Featuring a remarkable roster of local artists and tempting food and beverage options, the event promises an afternoon filled with joy and harmony.

Don’t forget to bring a picnic rug, camp chairs, and sun protection.

The event will be held from 1-5pm at Roderick A Cruice Park, Dayboro.

Be amazed at The Magnificent Bubble Show

Witness a bubble volcano on your hand, space rocket bubbles, and bubbles so big you could be enveloped by them when The Magnificent Bubble Show is held at the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre from 11-11.45am on September 17.

Tickets are $15 each and a $3.50 online/phone transaction applies.

To book, visit the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre website.

Indulge at Street Feast

Queensland’s largest travelling gourmet food market will be coming to Moreton Bay twice during the school holidays, giving foodies the chance to indulge in their next culinary adventure.

Whether you’re craving a burger, woodfired pizza, barbecue brisket, teppanyaki noodles, or something sweet like waffles, crepes, donuts, or rolled ice cream, there will be plenty of dishes for you to try at Street Feast.

Street Feast will be held at 10 Narangba Rd, Kallangur from 4-9pm on September 14, and the Caboolture Showgrounds from 4-9pm on September 26.

Entry is $3 per person.

Get healthy and active with council

Ditch the screens and try something new by joining in one of the many fun activities that are part of council’s spring Active Holidays Program.

Some of the activities on offer include tennis, circus skills, yoga, stand up paddle boarding, AFL, freestyle BMX clinics, boxing, hip hop dance classes, archery, skateboarding, gymnastics, trampolining, and bushwalking.

All activities in the timetable are free or low-cost and available for children and young people.

To see a full list of events happening near you, visit the council website.

Free fun at your local library

With lots of free activities and workshops on offer, your local library is a great place to beat the heat and learn something new.

Some of the fun activities on offer these school holidays include planning, filming, and editing your own 30 second stop motion animation, science experiments inspired by the wonderful world of Roald Dahl, creating your own macramé dreamcatcher, playing Minecraft, the LEGO Engineers Club, pyjama story time, plus much more!

To see a full list of events happening at your local library, click here.

Test your skills at Basketball World

Test your skills at Basketball World

Dribble on down to Morayfield Shopping Centre where you can test your skills at their new hoop-tastic school holiday experience – Basketball World.

There will be several interactive games like basketball Connect 4, reflex wall, shoot the sneaker, basketball arcade machines, hot dog catch, and more.

It will be open daily from 10am-2pm in the atrium from September 16-26.

Admire classic cars at Peninsula Motorfest

Pelican Park in Clontarf will be a wheely great spot to admire lots of classic and muscle cars this month, with Peninsula Motorfest returning on September 22.

After two days of judging, including an official cruise around Redcliffe Pde on September 20, all the cars will be available for the public to admire on the Sunday.

The day will feature trophy presentations for the best cars in the show, as well as food vendors, live music, trade stalls, kids’ entertainment, and more.

Entry is free.

Enjoy a magical experience at Westfield North Lakes

Featuring an array of fairy-tale themed activities and experiences, the Disney Princess School Holiday Zone at Westfield North Lakes will be a dream come true for your little ones. 

Head on down to the centre between September 16-22, with all the magic set to happen daily from 10am-2pm. 

A Disney Princess activity book will also be offered exclusively for Westfield members.

Watch Moreton Bay’s wildlife in action

Featuring a vast array of bird and marine life, Osprey House is a fun day out for animal lovers.

Take a stroll on the boardwalk to learn about the saltmarsh, mangrove, and eucalypt habitats, or keep your eyes peeled for birds in the three main bird viewing areas - the amphitheatre, the hide, and the lookout – where predatory birds such as eagles and kites are often sighted.

If you’re lucky, you might also see a koala or two.

The information centre also has lots of informative displays for you to peruse. 

Barbecue and picnic facilities are also available for visitors to use.

Osprey House is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-3pm, and on Sunday from 10am-3pm.

Get out amongst nature at the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre

Learn more about Moreton Bay’s environment with a visit to the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC).

Here, families can discover the nocturnal room, browse the many interactive educational displays, burn off some energy on the playground, explore the sensory garden, and look for wildlife on the walking trail.

There are also barbecue and picnic facilities, plus an onsite café.

CREEC is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am-3pm.

Entry is free.

Blast into fun at the Australia in Space exhibition

Currently visiting from National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon, the Australia in Space exhibition explores our country’s unique contributions to space travel, technology, and its practical uses in everyday life.

Featuring lots of hands-on activities, kids of all ages will love driving a simulated Mars rover, using a virtual telescope to ‘link up’ with iconic deep space missions that Australia supports, as well as create and colour their own orbit satellite.

This exhibition is currently on show at the Redcliffe Museum until November 3.

It is free to visit.

Free family fun at The Komo

The Komo has curated an exciting lineup of family-friendly and free activities guaranteed to keep boredom at bay these school holidays.

Families can dive into a world of creativity and wonder at the following events:

Free face painting: Let imaginations soar as talented face painter Suze Wild Design transforms little faces into works of art on Monday, September 16 between 12-2pm.

Free magic show: Prepare to be amazed as Magic Glen dazzles audiences of all ages with his spellbinding tricks. It's an hour of wonder and laughter on Tuesday, September 17 from 1.30-2.30pm.

Cupcake making workshop: Watch your children's eyes light up as they create their own delicious cupcakes on Wednesday, September 18 from 11am-12pm. Coloured icing, lollies, fruits, chocolates and sprinkles are provided for little hands to decorate two cupcakes each.

Family disco: Get ready to groove with DJ Scott Brown at a family-friendly disco party on Monday, September 23 from 12-1.30pm. All ages are welcome and free glow sticks are provided.

Wildcall Wildlife Shows: Experience the wonders of wildlife up close with an exciting animal show on Tuesday, September 24 from 1.30-2.30pm. Come and experience snakes, lizards, turtles, possums, crocodiles, squirrel gliders and cockatoos.

Visit The Komo website for more information. 

Fun for little ones at Market Square Deception Bay

If your kids are into teddy bears and magic, you will want to head down to Market Square Deception Bay these school holidays.

Kids can make their own cuddly teddy bear at the Build-A-Bear workshop on September 17 and 18.

The cost is $10 per ticket, with four sessions daily starting at 10am. Each session is approximately one hour, and a mix of 25 participants.

You will find this workshop near Coles.

A free magic show and workshop will also be held on September 24 at 11.30am and 1pm (30 minute show plus 30 minute magic workshop).

No bookings are required. This will also be located near Coles.