The Sunshine Coast is a holiday haven for families, offering a huge range of things to do for kids during the school holidays. From outdoor adventures to creative pursuits and animal encounters, there’s something for everyone.
Too hard to choose? Here are our top picks of the BEST school holiday activities and things to do with kids over the summer school holidays on the SUNSHINE COAST.
Festive fun for kids on the Sunshine Coast
- Caloundra Shopping Centre – Santa’s Christmas Shack: Calling all little Elves! From 14 – 20 December between 10 am and 2 pm daily, let your imagination run wild by creating your very own Christmas door hanger at Caloundra Shopping Centre!
- Christmas at Kawana Shoppingworld: With letters to Santa, Santa photos, roaming Christmas characters and free childminding for select Christmas movies, Kawana Shoppingworld is making this Christmas wonder full!
- Free Santa photos at Maroochydore Homemaker: Free Santa photos and free ice cream? Yep, head to Maroochydore Homemaker Centre on the weekend for this epic festive deal.
- Circus Fun House, Pink Flamingo, Brisbane: For a truly dazzling Christmas show, head down to Brisbane to experience a magical Christmas circus show like no other. Expect mind-blowing circus acts, daring aerial performances, and acrobatics – now fused with Christmas tunes, cheeky elves and festive themes.
- Christmas at The Ginger Factory: Santa will be in the Creative Hub every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, spreading holiday cheer. BYO camera for a free photo! Plus enter their Christmas competition for a chance to win a fantastic bike!
Exciting school holiday adventures
- Red Lock Escape Rooms, Sunshine Plaza: Immerse yourself in a world of puzzles and mystery at this award-winning escape room centre. With a variety of rooms to choose from, there’s an adventure for everyone.
- Unlimited sessions at Laserzone Sunshine Coast: Unleash your inner warrior with unlimited laser tag sessions. Challenge your friends and family to epic battles in a multi-level arena.
- Fun Bundle at Archie Brothers: This school holiday, Archie Brothers has made things even easier (for your sanity & your bank account. Take the kids to Strike Bowling, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers located at Big Top Maroochydore and for just $36 for kids and $45 for adults, you can choose ANY THREE activities from bowling, mini golf and arcade games.
- Summer adventures with Noosa Council: Noosa Council’s venues offer a range of fun activities to keep your children entertained over the school holidays, from storytelling to crafty workshops, indoor and outdoor sporty fun.
School holiday animal encounters
- Summer of Sharks at Sea Life Sunshine Coast: Dive into the world of sharks at Sea Life this summer. Learn about these incredible creatures and their vital role in ocean ecosystems.
- Unicorn Rides, Mooloolah Valley: Embark on a magical journey through the Whispering Gardens and ride a real unicorn. Don’t miss the Teddy Bears Picnic and Unicorn Tea Party.
- Meet the animals at Noosa Fair Shopping Centre: Visit Noosa Fair Shopping Centre in January 2025 to meet their animals! Be entertained by the Snake Boss Show in the first week. The following week, meet the cute and cuddly baby animals.
Shows and creative things to do
- Wildlife and Art Workshops, Happy Little Turtle HQ, Caloundra: Unleash your child’s creativity with science-based, art workshops. Paint, draw, and learn about nature.
- Flower Crown workshops at Eumundi Square: Join free workshops to create Christmas decorations and beautiful flower crowns.
- Operation Ouch: TV’s favourite doctors return to Australia this January with a gigantic brand-new show at the Events Centre, Caloundra! Join the twins on a dino-mite adventure to unearth the most dangerous, most powerful, most important fart in history – the Jurassic Fart!!
Outdoor activities and camps
- Wildlings Forest School Holiday Programs: Connect with nature through immersive outdoor activities. Build rafts, explore creeks, and learn bushcraft skills.
- Tennis & Slip n Slide Camps, Andrew Kratzmann Tennis Academy: Improve your tennis skills and have a splashing good time at these fun-filled camps.
- Little Lifesavers, various locations: Learn essential water safety skills and have fun in the sun with Surf Life Saving Queensland.
- Tunnel Ridge Ranch Camps, Landsborough: Experience a week of fun, faith, and friendship at this exciting camp.
Indoor fun over the school holidays
- Rush Adventureland, Maroochydore: Enjoy unlimited play time on slides, climbing structures, and obstacle courses at the Sunshine Coast’s best indoor play centre.
- Ausfunk Kid’s Club, Kuluin: Keep the kids entertained with crafts, games, trampolining, and tumbling at this full-day camp.
- Library Explorers Club, Sunshine Coast Libraries: Join the club for weekly challenges and the chance to win a book voucher.
- AerialCatz Holiday Circus Workshops & Aerial Intensives: Looking for an unforgettable school holiday activity? Join AerialCatz for full-day circus workshops designed for all ages and skill levels!
- Just Acrobatics School Holiday Camp: Get ready for an exciting and fully supervised day of acrobatics, aerials, circus games, arts & crafts, and so much more!
- Bounce After Dark, Morayfield, MacGregor, Tingalpa: For a seriously fun end-of-term event for tweens and teens, head down to Brisbane for Bounce’s end-of-term party. Enjoy a night of jumping, flipping, and fun with friends.
Need more ideas? Read the full SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE HERE!
