32 Outdoor Activities To Do With Kids In Brisbane

We are so very lucky to live in the city that we do.  Averaging close to 300 sunny days each year, Brisbane offers us the perfect backyard when it comes to exploring outdoor activities with our kids.  With wide open spaces, many stunning natural terrains, and a wide variety of sporting and entertaining options for making the most of their time in the sun, below is a list of outdoor activities to do with kids in Brisbane. 

32 Outdoor Activities To Do With Kids In Brisbane

Go for a bike ride

With boardwalks, cycle paths, parks, and even the longest cycleway in south east Queensland (the Moreton Bay Cycleway) at our doorstep, all you need is two wheels and a sense of adventure to enjoy this outdoor activity with your kids.

Walk to King Island from Wellington Point

Head to Wellington Point when the tide is low and discover the natural sandy walkway that emerges to King Island.  Fossick for shells, count the hundreds of small sand crabs and explore the island – make sure you head back before the tide comes back and the pathway disappears again!

Abseil down Kangaroo Point Cliffs

If you want an outdoor activity that will get your hearts racing and challenge your kids simultaneously, abseiling down Kangaroo Point Cliffs is something you will all love.

Head to the zoo

Introduce the kids to some of the more exotic animals of the world with a visit to one of our many local zoos.  It doesn’t have to be one of the bigger ones either to make for a memorable animal encounter, with several Brisbane Zoo options in and around our city.

Visit an animal farm

For an animal experience that is a little more hands-on, a visit to one of Brisbane’s Best Animal Farms is a great outdoor activity to do with your kids.  Pat and feed llamas, sheep, chickens, ducks, goats, cows and so many more barnyard friends while learning more about them at the same time.

Explore the Brisbane River

The beautiful long stretch of water in the Brisbane River offers many outdoor activity options to share with your kids.  Stroll or ride along the banks and see what wildlife you can find, or hop on board a ferry or city cat and travel the full length of it together.

Visit one of our parklands

Brisbane is home to more than 2,000 parks and urban nature areas just waiting to be discovered with your kids. Pack a picnic, grab the kids and find out just how amazing these green spaces are.  With lagoons, playgrounds, eateries and open fields to play on available at most, 

Visit a Brisbane playground

This is one outdoor activity that you will be absolutely spoilt for choice with.  Brisbane is home to some of the best, biggest and most amazing playgrounds kids will adore.  Check out the list of the Best Brisbane Playgrounds and find the one that best caters to your child’s interest, be that nature play, water play, all abilities, seaside, themed, with bike tracks and so much more!

Go for a hike

If your family love getting active in the great outdoors, then a hike up one of our many surrounding mountains and bush trails is the perfect outdoor activity for you.  A hike to the top of Mt-Cootha will allow you sweeping views of our city skyline as a reward once you reach the top.

Nature Spotting

With our lagoons, rivers, parks and trees overflowing with birds and wildlife, a simple trip out to meet some of them is a wonderful outdoor activity to do with your kids.  See the ducks at Minnippi Parklands, search for koalas at Daisy Hill Conservation Park or see if you can spot the elusive platypus from the banks of the Albert River.

Explore Brisbane city on foot

As simple as it sounds, Brisbane City is home to many historical buildings and areas worth sharing with your kids.  Jump on the bus, grab a map and take the kids on a walk to places like Parliament House, the Museum of Brisbane, Anzac Square, City Hall and the Clock Tower before heading down Queen Street Mall for a bite to eat and maybe an ice-cream too.

Climb high on the Mt Tamborine Skywalk

An outdoor activity that takes place a little higher than most is the Mt Tamborine Skywalk. Stroll through the rainforest canopy via steel bridges and along a dirt walking track to a lovely Cedar Creek cascade series. 

Head to the Skate Park

Another outdoor activity involving two wheels, skateboarding with your kids, is also perfectly catered for by the many skate and bike parks now open in Brisbane.  Grab your boards and work through our list of the Best Skate Parks in Brisbane.

Cool down at one of our natural swimming areas

Kids love nothing more than being immersed in nature and one of the best outdoor activities in Brisbane that allows them to do this is a visit to one of our many natural swimming areas.  Cedar Creek Falls, Currumbin Rock Pools and Bunya Crossing Reserve Swimming Hole are just a few worth visiting.

Visit a local swimming pool

There are over 20 local council swimming pools, each offering your family a way to cool down outdoors as the summer months approach.  With many offering shallow splash pads and wading pools for little ones, and others even with slides and water play equipment, check out your local public swimming pool and beat the heat with your kids!

Experience a segway tour

A Segway is a personal transportation device manoeuvred mostly using body weight and it is also a super fun outdoor activity to do with your kids.  With many different companies now offering Segway tours around areas of Brisbane, this activity will have you all outside, moving and exploring all at once.

Climb the Story Bridge

One of our most recognisable landmarks, the Story Bridge, is also available to climb.  Take the kids on this and you are bound to get a full adrenalin rush as you walk high above the speeding rows of cars below.

Have a game of Putt Putt

Get a hole-in-one (or 18), at one of the many different putt putt venues in and around Brisbane.  We particularly love Victoria Park’s version as they also have an awesome kids’ playground to make use of while there too.

Visit Southbank

What more needs to be said?  Southbank, our little oasis in the heart of South Brisbane, offers families a wealth of outdoor outdoor activities.  Swim in the lagoon, play on the adventure playground, explore the markets, go on the giant ferris wheel or simply picnic in one of the parks.

Discover one of Brisbane’s Children’s Trails

Head out on a nature-filled, educational adventure with your kids by discovering one of Brisbane’s Children’s trails.  A free activity for kids that can be largely self-led, the trails found in certain parks lead kids along a pathway to different markers, with information boards, questions and key points of interest all highlighted along the way.  The Hide ‘n’ Seek Trail at Mt Cootha is one of our favourites!

Watch an outdoor movie

Grab the kids, fill the car with cushions and blankets and head to one of Brisbane’s many outdoor movie venues.  There is something exhilarating about watching a screen beneath the stars and whether that is in the park or at a drive-in theatre, this is a memorable outdoor activity the kids will want to return to time and time again.

Climb Trees

This outdoor activity requires nothing more than our list of the best climbing trees in Brisbane and a keen sense of adventure. A little bit of nature play and a whole lot of fun, the kids will love clambering over and swinging from the branches of these magnificent trees.

Head to the beach

The beach is one of the best natural playgrounds we are blessed to live so close to. With many local seaside spots at our doorstep, one of the best (and cheapest!) outdoor activities you can do with your kids is a day spent at the beach, on the sand and in the waves.

Try paddle boarding

Paddleboarding – or trying to stand up and balance on a surfboard-like contraption while floating on still water – is a hilarious and fun-filled outdoor activity that is also highly addictive.  With many spots hiring the boards if you don’t have your own, head down to your local river or calm beach and give it a go!

Go on a CityHopper Ferry Ride

Take the kids on a cruise of the Brisbane River on one of the many free CityHopper ferries.  For no charge, you can jump on and off these vessels at various popular spots along the river, or stay on board and enjoy the ride.

Hop on to a cruise

There are several different boat cruises that depart from Brisbane each day.  Some are simply an exploration of our Brisbane River, but others will take you to destinations a little further upstream.  Either way, the whole family will enjoy this outdoor activity.

Go for a bush walk

As simple as it sounds, heading in the bush and letting kids wander, explore and discover nature’s hidden gems at their own pace is the perfect outdoor activity to share with your kids. Head to one of our 10 Family-Friendly walks for kids go exploring at your local park.

Go bird watching

If you have a bird enthusiast in your family, you can download the Birds of Brisbane brochure, which details all the best places to spot particular birds in our area.  Grab those binoculars and see how many different species you can discover in one day!

Try Geocaching

A geocache usually consists of a waterproof container containing a logbook and pen, and often some trading items like small toys, coins or trinkets.  These are hidden around different places in Brisbane and kids can then use a GPS device or mobile phone to locate the geocache. For more information on this fun and adventurous treasure hunt activity, read about Geocatching in Brisbane.

Go local fruit picking

An outdoor activity that will not only teach kids about how certain foods are grown but also provide you with a pretty healthy and delicious snack at the end, is an morning of fruit picking.  With many different fruit farms available to do this at and even many free public fruit trees to find, check out our list of places to Pick Your Own Fruit in Brisbane.

Explore our islands

Scattered just off the mainland of our eastern coast are several magnificent islands that are just waiting to be explored.  Jump on a ferry or boat with the kids and spend the day exploring their sandy beaches, surfing the waves and living like a castaway for the day.

Try laser Skirmish

If your kids love a bit of a friendly battle, then an outdoor game of laser skirmish will be high on their wish list.  Duck and weave around trees as you and your team try to outwit and ultimately tag all of your opposing team before they get you!

And, don’t worry, if the rain sets in and you aren’t too keen to get outdoors, you can always explore our list of the Best Places to go on a rainy day in Brisbane with Kids too.