Ooh goodie! Another weekend is about to roll around. If you’re looking for events and activities you can do as a family, we got you covered. Across the Sunshine Coast region you’ll find events to get your motor running, music, tasty treats and more… Here are our top picks for the weekend ahead.
The best things to do with kids on the Sunshine Coast this weekend
Sporting activities and events
On Saturday, July 23 the Rugby World Cup 2023 Asia-Pacific Play Off takes place at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina. Tonga faces off against Hong Kong to secure qualification at the Rugby World Cup in France next year. The winner will join Pool B with opponents Scotland, Ireland and South Africa. This is a ticketed event. You can purchase yours via the Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Start your engines because a weekend of revving good fun is coming to Gympie this weekend. After a successful return to Queensland in 2021, the Australian Rally Championship returns from Friday, July 22 through to Sunday, July 24! To extend the fun, two extra events will run alongside the Australian Rally Championship; Wheels on Mary and Rally Village. Wheels on Mary will feature 80 rally cars packed into Mary Street on Friday night, live entertainment, food vendors, rides for the kids, classic cars, and loads more. Get amongst the action at the Rally Village service park on Saturday and Sunday and watch the crews working on their cars between races, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the markets. Find out more via the website.
If the upcoming Commonwealth Games inspire your kids and have their sights set on Brisbane in 2032, join the Rocky Trail crew for a special mountain biking milestone event on Saturday, July 23. The Green & Gold Runway: Sunshine Coast MTB Celebration is an action-packed day of free demonstrations, trails and Have-A-Go sessions. From children to seniors, beginners to pros, everyone can take part. Book your kids into a mountain biking session or pump track skills session. You can even take the whole family on a social ride around the Sugar Bag Trails. Head to the website for more information.
For those who like to play!
The return to school means the return of the playgroup. Hooray! If you’ve got very little ones, there is an unstructured Fun Friday Playgroup at Ben Bennett Park, Caloundra. This drop-in playgroup is held every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dads, grandparents, and mums are all welcome!
Another drop-in play event, Kids World Adventure Playland and Café, has started a weekly all-abilitys play session, catering to families and children with additional needs. From 3-5 p.m. every Thursday, the noise and lighting will be reduced for those with sensory needs. We love this!
Free fun for the kids
For the kids that prefer to get crafty, APT10 Kids on Tour is currently on at Caloundra Regional Gallery. Explore and experience free hands-on art-making activities throughout July and August with this popular touring exhibition. While you’re at the Gallery, explore the Kids Art Trail. Especially for kids, this trail encourages exploration of the artworks and themes. Kids look for clues, find art, solve puzzles and create your own artworks. Suitable for kids aged four to 12 years, the Art Trail is free and changes with each exhibition.
Head along to the Maleny Library or Beerwah Library for Rhymetime on Friday, July 22 from 9:30am to 10am. These sessions are suitable for children from newborn to two years of age. Children discover more about the magical world of nursery rhymes and books. Meet other parents and babies for a fun session of singing, clapping and dancing. You’ll learn songs and action rhymes to nurture your baby’s pre-literacy, communication, language and social skills.
A festival of delicious proportions
Saturday, July 23 markets the Nutella Festival at NightQuarter in Birtinya. If you’re a fan of Nutella, celebrate the fourth annual event dedicated to the delicious chocolate hazelnut spread. The line-up includes Nutella cronuts, hot Nutella doughnuts, Nutella bao, Nutella pizza, Nutella funnel cakes and even savoury Nutella options. There’s a huge list of entertainment too! See Nutella jar juggling, magic shows, Nutella eating competitions and a huge Nutella-themed variety show. There’s also live music and a fire show. Visit the website for more information.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events may be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to ensure our events are up to date, but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.
You can find more at our comprehensive What’s On page for all the kid and family fun around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
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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.
