Those years between being a child and being a teenager can be tough. Suddenly the things kids used to love are now deemed too childish and the things they actually want to do seem way too advanced. So what cool activities are available to keep today’s tweens interested and excited? Luckily, here in Brisbane, there are many options that your tweens will really love! Here are our favourites.
1. Cycling, Blading and Skating
Cycling, roller blading, roller skating and skateboarding are fun, low-impact activities that offer full-body workouts with added adrenalin!
There are loads of great parks and pathways around Brisbane where tweens and teens can enjoy blading and skating for free in the fresh air. Check out these Top 5 Must-do Kid Friendly Cycle Paths in Brisbane. Check out the dirt tracks and concrete ramps at Sumners Road Park in Riverhills, or the great paths, tracks and skate ramp at Melrose Park in Wooloowin.
For indoor rinks with everything from learn-to-skate classes to fun skate sessions and parties, check out Skate Paradise’s rink at Hillcrest and Skateaway at Albany Creek.
2. Laser Tag
Kids love the thrill of the chase in the action-packed activity of laser tag. There are many places where they can enjoy this exciting game in Brisbane. For example, check out Laserzone in Lawnton for laser games, bumper cars, video arcades and more. There is also Laserforce in Woolloongabba, and Strike Wintergarden in the CBD.
3. Lagoons
South Bank Lagoon
Some water play areas in Brisbane are clearly aimed at toddlers and young children, but we also have some awesome lagoons that are fantastic places for older kids to enjoy. What’s more, they’re FREE!
South Bank Lagoon is always popular with tweens and has some deep areas for confident swimmers yet still overseen by lifeguards. Orion Lagoon in Springfield Central is another great lagoon for older kids, also supervised daily by lifeguards. Both have lockers, toilets, change rooms and a range of other facilities including barbecue and picnic facilities, so you can make a whole day of it. Check out Best Free Water Parks in Brisbane for other options.
4. Mini Golf
Mini golf or putt putt is a really fun activity for older kids who enjoy a bit of friendly competition! We have at least 10 mini golf courses right here in Brisbane, so there is plenty of choice to find one your tweens will love. There is even a glow-in-the-dark course!
See here for full details of Brisbane’s Best Mini Golf Putt Putt Locations. And for those who want to take golf a little more seriously, check out Golf for Kids in Brisbane.
5. Trampolining
Trampoline parks are popping up all over Brisbane. There may be areas for little kids to just bounce around, but make no mistake, there is plenty to keep the older kids entertained too! Think dodgeball and basketball, rebounding off wall trampolines, rock climbing sections and dance parties.
You can find out all about the great range of Trampoline Parks in Brisbane here.
6. Playgrounds
Gone are the days when playgrounds were just for little kids. Forget swings and roundabouts, we’re talking zip lines and climbing walls, 5-metre tunnel slides and huge climbing features. We have many awesome parks for older kids to enjoy in Brisbane.
Check out Frew Park in Milton and Central Park in Narangba. You can also find out more about other Mega Parks here!
7. Ice Skating
Ice skating is not only fun, active and exhilarating, it’s also a great indoor activity that you can enjoy any day, come rain, hail or shine!
Iceworld Brisbane is open 7 days a week and has venues at Acacia Ridge and Boondall. Ice skating is also available at King George Square in the city as part of the annual Winter Festival in June.
8. Tenpin Bowling
Whether it’s a birthday party or just a fun outing with family and friends, tenpin bowling is a great way to pass the time with pre-teens.
There are so many tenpin bowling centres around Brisbane, such as Strike Wintergarden Bowling in the CBD, Zone Bowling across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Aspley 10 Pin Bowl at Aspley, and Strathpine Hyperbowl at Strathpine.
9. Museums and Galleries
Tweens and teens are likely to roll their eyes and mutter ‘boring’ at the sheer mention of a museum or gallery, but that’s only if they haven’t been to one of Brisbane’s top modern cultural venues recently. Today’s museums and galleries have interesting and interactive displays and activities, many great touring exhibitions and regular events and holiday programs designed to interest and excite even the least willing kids!
The Sciencentre is a must-visit with tweens. GOMA and the Queensland Art Gallery have great exhibitions and hands-on activities for kids. Plus there are a whole host of great museums to visit, which you can read all about on our Museums page here.
10. River Fun
Here in The River City, you can’t go past a bit of fun on the Brisbane River. Tweens will love exploring our city from the water on a CityCat or river cruise. They can try a spot of fishing, or even take part in a really fun activity like kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.
Riverlife offers a range of fun activities for kids, including kayaking and paddle boarding on the Brisbane River. You can also find out about the many other options for Fun on the Brisbane River here.
For more awesome ideas of fun things to do with older kids in Brisbane, check out Best Things to Do with Teenagers in Brisbane.
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