Welcome to the Autumn edition of Kids on the Coast magazine, Sunshine Coast!
Hoppy Autumn!
I love Easter.
It delivers my favourite food of all time (hot cross buns) with none of Christmas’s stress and all of the joy.
No last-minute present buying.
No end-of-year exhaustion.
No elaborate meal planning.
And let’s be honest … who doesn’t love hiding chocolate around the house, then racing around in pyjamas the next morning, sharing the spoils with the kids?
I find the children enjoy it more.
I enjoy it more.
The day feels unhurried.
There’s far less washing up.
And because I’m not depleted by logistics, I can lean into the magic of it all — the floured bunny paw prints across the floor, the slightly chaotic handwritten letter from the Easter Bunny, the delight of creating something special overnight.
That simple joy of make-believe is what we’re celebrating in this Autumn issue.
For our cover feature, we visit Sunshine Coast Libraries to explore the underestimated power of imagination, and how books, play and shared storytime help shape curious, confident kids. In a world where childhood can feel increasingly scheduled and screen-filled, imagination isn’t an “extra”. It’s not something to squeeze in once everything else is done. It’s how children make sense of their world; how they practise bravery, creativity and empathy.
Also on that theme, early childhood education expert Pam Maclean from Out & About Care & Education joins us to share why pretend play matters, and the powerful learning that unfolds when children step into a world of make-believe.
As autumn invites us outdoors, we visit Wittacork Dairy Cottages to discover how their unique animal experiences help children of all ages develop empathy and a deeper connection to nature. And three months on from the social media ban, we share practical, positive ways parents can support teens in moving beyond the dopamine scroll.
As always, you’ll also find all the latest local news, what’s on, and plenty of ideas to help families across the Sunshine Coast slow down, reconnect and enjoy the season. Here’s to hot cross buns, plenty of paw prints, make-believe … and a very Hoppy Autumn.
#sunshinecoastkids #sunshinecoastmagazine #autumn #supportlocal #smallbusiness #letsplay #sunshinecoastlibraries #easter
The Autumn edition of Kids on the Coast magazine, Sunshine Coast, is out now! Pick up a free copy or read online below!
Don’t want to miss a copy? Why not subscribe today?
Kids on the Coast Magazine Sunshine Coast – Autumn 2026
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
