It’s time to plan your winter school holiday activities with Sunshine Coast Council – from workshops to events, and take-home activities to fun days out – there is plenty on offer to keep the kids busy this winter.
Bushland Holiday Program
Come and make a dream pillow or fairy fire wand with Carly from Natureweavers, a beeswax candle with Sammy from Blue Sky Minds or talk with the animals with Nelson from Wild & Wise Tribe.
Children and families will love these seasonally inspired workshops which connect kids with nature, led by Sunshine Coast’s leading nature play facilitators.
Spaces are limited!
Date: Monday to Thursday, June 26 – 29.
Time: Various times for different days, refer to link for details.
Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road Tanawha.
Suitability: Important – Please read workshop dates, descriptions and age suitability in ticket selection. Workshops are age specific.
Cost: $10.00, per child. Payment is required to secure your spot.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required for caregiver.
Limited spaces, bookings are essential.
To book: eventbrite.com.au/e/bushland-holiday-program-winter-tickets-654501731297?aff=oddtdtcreator
City Builders – Loose Parts Workshop
These workshops, with sessions across three days, encourage kids to create art, tinker with tools, design and construct miniature cities and complete garden crafts.
When: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 28, 29 and 30.
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am.
Where: The MET, Corner First Ave and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore.
Suitability: For kids aged 3 – 12 years. An adult must be present for the duration of the workshop and will need to supervise younger children while using hand tools.
Special instructions: Bring a hat, water, sunscreen, snacks, picnic rug or chair for supervising parents.
Cost: $8.00 per child, per session.
Bookings are essential.
To book: Book tickets through the event page.
Find out more oursc.com.au/community/events/set-kids-loose-to-craft-build-and-play
Wild HeART Student Art Prize – Shorebird Portraits
Discover the Sunshine Coast’s incredible shorebirds and learn how to capture their beauty in workshops with Cheryl Nonmus from Paintbox Art School.
Children will love playing with mixed media to paint and draw shorebirds, including feather textures and ripple techniques. Artworks will be suitable for entry into the Wild HeART Student Art Prize.
Workshops held at the exquisite Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.
When: Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 – 29.
Time: Various times and dates. Refer to ticket booking link for more detailed information.
Where: Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary, Sports Rd, Bli Bli.
Suitability: Age 5 – 8 years.
Cost: $10.00 per child, per session.
Bookings are essential.
To book: eventbrite.com.au/e/shorebird-portaits-tickets-654694879007?aff=oddtdtcreator
Meet the Mangroves!
Pull on your gumboots for a fun-filled session learning to identify mangroves at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.
Environmental scientist Lana will take you along the boardwalk and facilitate botanical illustration, appreciating the incredible rainforest trees that have adapted to live in the salty, intertidal mud.
When: June 30, Friday.
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm.
Where: Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary, Sports Rd, Bli Bli.
Cost: $10.00, per child. Payment is required to secure your spot.
Limited spaces, bookings are essential.
To book: eventbrite.com.au/e/meet-the-mangroves-tickets-654625922757?aff=oddtdtcreator
Wild HeART Student Art Prize
What will you create for Wild HeART 2023?
The inaugural Student Art Prize for realistic depictions of flora, fauna and fungi species is now open. Age specific categories go into the running for a $3000 prize pool!
Choose a native Australian species that captivates your ’wild heart’ and submit your entry before 16 July.
Prize categories and conditions of entry (including paper size and art medium) are available in the below link.
Cost: Free entry.
Entries close: July 16, 2023.
Refer to below link for more information and conditions of entry.
Enter here: botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/wild-heart-student-art-prize
Queensland Garden Expo
Queensland Garden Expo is a ‘must see’ in 2023 for green thumbs and novice gardeners alike.
Held in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Nambour. This three-day expo is Queensland’s premier gardening event attracting visitors from all over Australia.
Some of Australia’s leading gardening expert’s take part in three days of lectures, demonstrations, and workshops.
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 7 – 8 – 9.
Time: 8am – 4pm.
Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Sunshine Coast.
Suitability: For all ages.
Cost: $22.50, per person (Single day use).
Children 15 years and under are FREE.
Refer to link for ticket information bookings details.
To book: qldgardenexpo.com.au/
Secret Garden
Does outdoor live music on a Sunday afternoon sound like your end-of-school-holidays vibe?
Join us in the gorgeous Maroochy Botanic Gardens to enjoy the sweet sounds of Sunshine Coast musicians. Bring a picnic and relax with friends and family in this unique and beautiful setting.
The Secret Garden is family-friendly and held once a month at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.
Featuring laid-back Celtic duo Day of Embers and songstress Hazel Mei.
When: Sunday, July 9.
Time: 1:30pm – 4pm.
Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha.
Suitability: For all ages.
Special instructions: Bring a hat, water, sunscreen, snacks, pack a picnic and picnic rug or chair for supervising parents.
Cost: Adult $15.00, Children under 15 years $5.00, Babies Free.
Refer to link for ticket information bookings details.
To book: troubadourwagons.com/event-details/secret-garden-july-3
Dog Safety Week
Sunshine Coast Councils Dog Safety Launch event. “With love comes responsibility” an important community awareness campaign about keeping our community and pets safe.
Learn about dog behaviour and being pet prepared, meet your pet rescues, Hot 91 FM giveaways, plus much more.
Meet the award-winning author of the book ‘When Sammy met Sunny’ alongside life size characters to entertain our younger community.
When: Monday, July 3 for Dog Safety Week launch event.
Time: 9am – 12pm.
Where: Foundation Square Park, Maroochydore City Centre, Corner of South Sea Islander Way and Lightning Lane, Maroochydore.
Suitability: For all ages. All children, families, dog owners, non-dog owners welcome.
Special instructions: Dogs are welcome on leash only.
Cost: FREE event.
Dog Safety Week: July 3 to Friday 7 July 2023. Check link for further information.
Library Sessions:
Caloundra Library session – Tuesday, July 4, 9.30-10.15am
Maroochydore Library session – Wednesday, July 5, 9.30-10.15am
Beerwah Library session – Thursday, July 6, 9.30-10.15am
Coolum Library session – Friday, July 7, 9.30-10.15am.
For details and bookings: sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/animals-and-pets/community-education/pet-awareness-programs
Candle making and crafts
Get creative with candle making and crafts inspired by days gone by. Young and old are invited to get creative. Free tea and coffee provided. All materials supplied.
When: Saturday 24 June to Sunday 9 July.
Where: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: All ages. Children need to be accompanied by an adult.
No bookings required.
Details: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/programs-and-events/school-holiday-program
Kids Corner
Draw yourself like the portraits in the museum and put it in a photo gram to keep. All materials supplied.
When: Saturday to Sunday, 24 June – 9 July.
Where: Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny St, Landsborough.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: All ages. Children need to be accompanied by an adult.
No booking required.
Details: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/programs-and-events/school-holiday-program
Visit Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct or Landsborough Museum
A visit to Bankfoot House has something for everyone. Kids will love the VR experience, giant games and free cardboard Cobb & Co coach, and it’s hard not to enjoy a personal tour around the oldest house in the area.
The shed restoration project is always hit and with spacious grounds and great views, it’s a great place to enjoy a picnic.
Or share stories of what life was like in your day or with a visit and tour of this local history museum
When: Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 3pm.
Where: 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains and 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: All ages.
To Book: No booking required.
Details: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Visit Caloundra Regional Gallery
Don’t miss the latest exhibitions on during the holidays. Catch installation This is incomplete without you, and A Wearable Canvas, featuring a collection of works from the Australian Wearable Art Festival. Both exhibitions are on show until June 25.
The gallery will close for an exhibition changeover and re-open on June 30 with two new exhibitions Saltwater Dreaming, Aunty Hope O’Chin’s story of the first surfers and Ghost net sculptures from Pormpuraaw.
When: Tuesday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Weekends 10am – 2pm.
Where: Caloundra, Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: All ages.
No booking required.
Details: gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
NAIDOC storytelling & activities with Saltwater Dreaming artist & Senior Elder, Aunty Hope O’Chin
In celebration of NAIDOC week 2023 and the theme ’For our Elders’ the Gallery is hosting exhibiting ’Saltwater Dreaming’ artist and Senior Elder, Aunty Hope O’Chin, reading and sharing her children’s Dreamtime storybook, ’Guyu and his friend, Mr Pelican’ on July 5.
Following on from the story time will be fun hands-on activities which explore the Kabi Kabi language.
When: Wednesday, 5 July, 10.30am – 11.30am.
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: Recommended for children ages 4- 12 years (parental guidance is required).
Winter school holiday jam packed fun at your local library
Join in the fun and games at your local library with crafts, DIY thumb wrestling, badge making, clay making, plus much more.
Come and meet Sunny and learn how to keep safe around pets with the children’s book When Sammy met Sunny.
Programs are featured at multiple Sunshine Coast Library locations during the school holidays. Visit the Libraries website for detailed information on dates, times and locations.
Where: Multiple Sunshine Coast Library locations during the school holidays.
Cost: Free. No bookings required.
Suitability: All ages. Adults are required to stay in the library while children under 12 attend library programs. Young people aged 12 and up can attend library programs unsupervised.
Details: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/whats-on/holiday-activities
Grab your Library holiday pack
Reserve your library holiday pack. Perfect for hours of fun on a road or camping trip.
Registration essential (Registrations open Monday 19 June at 4pm).
Once you have registered for a pack you can collect from your local branch from Saturday, 24 June at 9am.
Where: Available at all Sunshine Coast Libraries during the school holidays.
Cost: Free.
Suitability: Ages 6-12 years. Registration essential.
Details: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/whats-on/holiday-activities
