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.
Plant a tree at the Doonan Tree Planting Festival
Help plant 1000 food trees for grey-headed flying-foxes, koalas and glossy black-cockatoos.
Get up close to local wildlife, be serenaded by SoLar while planting, enjoy a free sausage (vegetarian option available) and small coffee from Deadly Espresso (please bring your own re-useable cup) and take a selfie with Frankie the flying fox.
The plants have been provided by Healthy Land and Water with grant funding from the Australian Government’s investment in bushfire recovery for wildlife and their habitats. The event is on Sunday 26 June from 8-11am at Doonan Creek Environment Reserve, Verrierdale. Book at doonanplantingfestival.eventbrite.com.au
Pack a picnic and join the Story Seat Adventure
Make your way to Muller Park, David Low Way, Bli Bli and join the Story Seat adventure on Wednesday 29 June from 9.30-11am. There will be games, story time and lots of fun. Be sure to pack a blanket, morning tea and a hat.
This activity is free and suitable for children up to five years old.
Details at library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/For-Kids/Story-Seat-Events
Dog Safety Week
Come and meet Sunny the mascot and enjoy an interactive reading of the children’s book, When Sammy Met Sunny. Council’s response services education team will read the book – with Sunny’s help – as children learn how to stay safe around dogs.
This activity is free and suitable for children all ages. Registration is essential. This is on at various Sunshine Coast libraries from Tuesday 28 June to Friday 1 July from 9.30-10am. Book at library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/For-Kids
Build it up with your imagination
These holidays enjoy the free drop in build sessions at your local library and construct cool and colourful designs with magnetic tiles, Crystal Climbers and Lego bricks.
First-time brick builders to long-time creators can take part in the child-led program, facilitated by library team members.
This activity is free and suitable for children six to 12 years. No registration required. On from Tuesday 28 June to Friday 8 July from 9.30 -11.30am at various Sunshine Coast Libraries. Details at library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/For-Kids
Go beyond the pouch at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
The world of marsupials awaits your discovery at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Uncover the unique characteristics of marsupial creatures that call Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve home. Explore the different marsupial lifecycles, diets, tracks and pouches. From our beloved pademelons to gliders and antechinus. On now at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, open daily between 9.30am–3.30pm. Details at mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/See-and-do/Marsupials
Go back in time at Bankfoot House
Step back in time into Sunshine Coast history at Bankfoot House – open throughout the holidays with free tours, virtual reality to see what life was like for people on the Sunshine Coast 150 years ago, plus much more. On Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–3pm at 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains.
Celebrate the new Northern Parkland at the Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival
Be some of the first to experience Mooloolaba’s exciting new Northern Parkland. To celebrate the opening, you are invited to the vibrant and free family-friendly event – Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival – inspired by all things in, on and under the sea. Discover all the latest parkland additions including an epic adventure playground, oceanfront picnic and barbecue areas and stunning viewing decks. Meet a mermaid, spot incredible sand sculptures, soak up live music or wander the Sunset Markets. At ‘Ocean Alley’ on the Esplanade, there will be ocean displays and workshops, delicious food, free rides and face painting, and activities for everyone to enjoy on Saturday 2 July from 10am–9pm at Mooloolaba Esplanade, from the new Northern Parkland to Main Beach. Details at sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/mfr
Try the great botanic race
If you’ve got older kids, head to the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden to try the great botanic race. Grab a map at the front entrance and explore the gardens on this self-guided orienteering challenge. Kids will need to find mapped points to solve the puzzle along the way. Great for ages 10 years and older. The garden is open from 7am to 5pm, seven days a week at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha. Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens.
Try a new trail on Adventure Sunshine Coast
Adventure Sunshine Coast has more than 200 free adventures covering walking, cycling, paddling and riding trails right across the region! From exploring a community playground loop with your toddler to discovering a hidden hinterland trail with an adventurous tween-ager – find your next adventure at adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au today. Details at adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Try the ClimateWatch Trail at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary
Become a citizen scientist at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary and contribute to understanding how climate change is affecting our environment. To get started: Download the free ClimateWatch app and grab a ClimateWatch field guide highlighting the wetland’s indicator species.
Look for indicator species along your walk. Using the app, take photos and note seasonal behaviours then return your field guide for reuse.
Visit the ClimateWatch website for details at climatewatch.org.au/trails/queensland/sunshine-coast-maroochy-wetlands-qld
Playschool Live in Concert: Once Upon a Time
Watch classic nursery rhyme characters magically come to life as the pages of the storybook are turned in this exciting new stage production, Once Upon A Time. Sing along to nursery rhymes such as Incy Wincy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, and Heads and Shoulders. Come join the presenters Jemima, Big Ted, Little Ted and Humpty as they travel through an enchanting adventure filled with stories, songs and dance. Concert on Thursday 23 June at 10am and 12pm at Venue 114, 114 Sportsman Parade, Bokarina. Suitable for children up to 6 years old.
Tickets: $25 per person, visit venue114.com.au/events/playschool-live-in-concert-once-upon-a-time
