If you are lucky enough to visit or live in Brisbane, chances are at some stage you will be looking for activities to entertain the kids.
To get you started,, we have rounded up 44 of the best Brisbane activities for kids to inspire you and your family to get out and enjoy all that Brisbane and surrounding suburbs offer. From bush walks to museums, skating, swimming, ghost tours and markets, there is something to see and do in Brisbane for everyone.
While some activities require an admission fee, many are low-cost or free to experience. So, without further ado, please enjoy our epic list of 44 Brisbane activities for kids. Which one will you visit first?
Table of Contents
50 Brisbane Activities for Kids
Outdoor Activities
The Japanese Garden at the Brisbane Botanic Garden at Mt Coot-tha.
Relax as you wander through one of Brisbane’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. Spend time at the City Botanic Garden or the Brisbane Botanic Garden at Mt Coot-tha where you can play, walk, picnic and stop to smell the roses (literally).
Spend the day exploring South Bank Parklands with its picture-perfect scenery, playgrounds, gardens and shops. Nestled by the Brisbane River there are plenty of Brisbane activities for kids to enjoy in the Parklands.
Get some exercise and do a spot of sightseeing as you ride along the Brisbane River. Enthusiastic cyclists can complete the full Brisbane River Loop (35-40km) or, for a more leisurely ride, complete the Mini Loop or ride part of it.
Strap on your walking boots and go hiking at Mt Coot-tha Reserve. Boasting more than 70 walking tracks and trails and just 10km from Brisbane City, a hike suits all ages and abilities.
Get back to nature and bushwalk through Maiala at Mount Glorious. This peaceful rainforest offers tracks of varying lengths and difficulties, with the Rainforest Circuit (2km) proving popular among young families.
Soak in the tranquil gardens and green spaces at Roma Street Parklands. Centrally located in Brisbane City the parklands feature walking tracks, gardens, playgrounds, a café, picnic spots, and lots of wildlife.
Pack the kids and their energy and discover Brisbane’s best playgrounds. Massive slides, flying foxes, tunnels, bridges and more await keen playground dwellers.
Indoor Activities
The Discovery Centre at Queensland Museum
We have a whole category devoted to indoor fun in Brisbane, including play centres, VR, arcades, laser tag and more!
When you visit the Queensland Museum, prepare to learn, have fun, and explore. With many permanent and visiting exhibitions and a Discovery Centre, spending time at the museum is a beautiful way to spend the day.
Located within the Queensland Museum, the SparkLab, Sciencentre is a popular venue among families where visitors can be hands-on and experiment as they discover new things and have fun.
Check out the ever-changing and exciting modern art exhibitions at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Boasting a dedicated Children’s Art Centre, children and families are well catered for at this gallery.
Play, learn and have fun at Area 51, a vast indoor family entertainment venue. High ropes, trampolines, ball pits, inflatables, slides and parkour are just some of the exciting activities awaiting children of all ages (and adults too).
Switch on your brain and activate your puzzling skills as you challenge the kids to an escape room. With several options around Brisbane, grab your family and friends and work through challenging themed rooms to finally ‘escape.’
Embrace the arcades at 1UP Arcade, the largest retro gaming video arcade in Australia!
Educational activities
The Sir Thomas Planetarium, just one of the many educational Brisbane activities for kids
Take a trip to Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium to see the stars, explore the planets and delve into what makes our universe so special. Don’t forget to catch a show in the uber-cool Cosmic Skydome. It is next to the Botanic Gardens so you can easily make a day of this adventure.
Look inside the historic Parliament House in Brisbane, which welcomes visitors for a free weekday tour.
Check out the historic vessels on display at the Queensland Maritime Museum. A dry dock, permanent and visiting exhibitions will entertain and educate visitors about the maritime history of years ago.
Train enthusiasts will enjoy the many train exhibits, interactive displays and fun activities as they explore The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich.
There is no shortage of fabulous shows at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Whether its dance, music, comedy or theatre punters young and old will be entertained when watching a performance at QPAC.
Your local library is more than just a repository of books! These days you can find a range of kids activities from free workshops and storytimes to toy borrowing and computer games.
Take the kids to Karawatha Forest Park; aside from the child-friendly bushwalking, there is a free educational centre that is interactive and purpose built to engage kids in learning about the environment.
Sports activities
Skateaway Family Skate Centre, Albany Creek
Dust off your skates and head to Skateaway in Albany Creek or Skate Paradise at Hillcrest to zoom and glide your way around the indoor skating rink, while also having fun, exercising and socialising in an air-conditioned atmosphere.
Alternatively, get your ice skates on and cool down when you visit Iceworld Skating Rink in Boondall. Beginners and pros are catered for at the popular ice-skating rink, which has lights and music to create a fun atmosphere.
Challenge your family and friends to a fun game of putt putt at Victoria Park Mini Golf. Who will be the first to score a hole-in-one?
Skip, hop, jump, and roll around Urban Xtreme Adventure Park. Energetic visitors can enjoy rock climbing, snow sports, trampolines, parkour, laser tag and more at this fun play space. If you are going with teenagers who need minimal (aka no) supervision, then we suggest also packing noise-cancelling headphones (thank us later).
Discover the joys of horse riding at one of the many horse-riding venues around Brisbane. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned pro, there is a horse-riding experience perfect for you.
Test your balance as you whizz around Brisbane on a Segway. Take in the stunning views of the river, gardens and more while you glide through the pathways of the picturesque River City.
Water activities
Redcliffe Lagoon, also known as Settlement Cove Lagoon
Lap up the sea breeze and turquoise waters when you visit Redcliffe Lagoon in Moreton Bay. This free attraction is ideal for cooling down on a hot summer’s day.
Play and splash the day away when you visit the Wynnum Wading Pool on Brisbane’s bayside. This play precinct has something for everyone with a pool, water play area, and a fantastic playground.
Explore Brisbane by water as you take a ferry ride along the Brisbane River. Board the CityCat or the free CityHopper to cruise the river and enjoy a different city perspective.
You can’t visit Brisbane without swimming at Streets Beach in South Bank. Free for everyone to enjoy and with lifeguards on duty year-round, it’s a beautiful place to spend the day with family and friends.
From June to November each year, locals and visitors can board a whale watching cruise to experience the spectacle of humpback whales migrating along the Queensland coastline.
Enjoy a day at Andy Williams Park, the perfect spot for creek play with little ones, with accessible toilet facilities, BBQs and picnic tables.
Drive to Woorim Beach at Bribie. Spend some time in the cool blue water, play on Lions Playground and grab some fish and chips at a local shop before heading home.
Animal activities
The cute and cuddly koalas at Lone Pine Sanctuary
A visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will not only see you admiring cute and cuddly koalas, but also marvelling at dingoes, kangaroos, lorikeets, snakes, raptors and more.
Animal lovers will be in their element when they visit the friendly farm animals at Samford Lifestyle Centre. While you are there, pop in to Café Lagarto for a drink or bite to eat and browse the eclectic group of shops.
Learn about koalas when you explore Daisy Hill Koala Centre. Resident koalas are on display while interactive displays help educate visitors about this special species.
Get up close and personal with the friendly farm animals at White Ridge Animal Farm on Brisbane’s northside. Visitors can also enjoy having fun enjoying the playground, a game of putt-putt or a bumpy hayride.
Take a trip to the popular Australia Zoo to see the crocs, eat ice cream, play in the water park, and roam among the other animals that call Australia Zoo home. Don’t forget to tour the wildlife hospital before you leave, which is a great way to support the local wildlife and one of our kids’ favourite parts of visiting this iconic destination.
With more than 40 species of animals to admire, including the super cute bilbies, a visit to the Ipswich Nature Centre is a family-friendly activity bound to impress animal lovers.
Festivals and markets
Riverfire fireworks, part of the annual Brisbane Festival.
Be entertained at the Brisbane Festival, held annually every September. Witness captivating musical, comedy and dance performances, interesting installations, and spectacular fireworks during Riverfire.
Enjoy two days of celebrating everything Greek at the annual Paniyiri Greek Festival. Traditional Greek food, dance, art and music fills Musgrave Park where a vibrant atmosphere awaits you. We suggest skipping breakfast as the food here is plentiful and delicious.
Head to the Shorncliffe foreshore during Easter and join in the festivities at the Bluewater Festival. Aside from live music, workshops, rides, market stalls and food trucks, you can also witness the start of the annual Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race.
Each year, around June, you have the chance to visit the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets. Held in the stunning Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, visitors can relax while indulging in tasty food and drinks.
Get into the festive spirit at the family-friendly Christmas Markets at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. Enjoy food trucks, market stalls, carols and maybe even a visit from Santa!
Unique Brisbane activities for kids
Exploring nature on the walk to King Island, near Wellington Point.
Head to Wellington Point at low tide and enjoy a unique walk to King Island. Search for marine creatures and shells as you explore the pools of water on your 2km return journey to the uninhabited island. We recommend checking the tides first and starting your adventure as the tide is going out.
Change the way you watch your favourite movie by visiting a drive-in. Fill the car with blankets, pillows and snacks and head to the Tivoli Drive-In or Yatala Drive-In to see a film outdoors on the big screen. We often stop by Yatala Pies first for an early dinner to stop the hangries.
Wander through the leafy Kumbartcho Sanctuary in Eatons Hill to discover flora, fauna and fairies! A cute fairy village, complete with a miniature post box, awaits your visit (and letter).
There has never been a better time to rise above Brisbane by taking a free tour of Brisbane’s City Hall clock tower, which sits proudly in King George Square.
For extra Brisbane activities for kids check out fun activities for teens and best things to do with toddlers and babies in Brisbane.
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