There will be plenty of school holidays activities to keep the kids busy this winter, from workshops, events, take-home activities and fun days out.
Here are some great options, via Sunshine Coast Council, with holidays beckoning from June 26 to July 11.
Join an art group at workshop
Book now for the school holiday workshop Kids’ ClimART, led by artist Yanni van Zijl at Tanawha or Bli Bli, from June 28 to July 1.
Yanni will explore climate change impacts and actions of hope for the future, as she guides children and caregivers to create several large and colourful group artworks made with paint, ink and charcoal.
Yanni will develop the group artworks into an installation to be exhibited at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden during Horizon Festival.
Bookings are essential on council’s what’s on page with spaces limited. Workshops cost $8.
Book for the botanic gardens, Tanawha: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/13402992-a/kids-climart-bushland
Book for the wetlands sanctuary, Bli Bli: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/13402995-a/kids-climart-wetlands
Meet a cool neighbour at scenic reserve
Explore the amazing world of reptiles and amphibians at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
They aren’t always the most popular of neighbours, but they are certainly very ‘cool’.
These cold-blooded creatures, collectively called herptiles, live all around us and are uniquely adapted to Australia’s hot, dry climate.
Learn about the frog who carries his tadpoles around in his pockets, the caring snake who cuddles her eggs to keep them warm and the striking lizard who can change its colour.
See the Rainforest Discovery Centre, open daily between 9.30am to 3.30pm.
More details: http://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/See-and-do/Whats-on
Take a virtual tour at First Nations Family Fun Day
Celebrate NAIDOC week at the inaugural First Nations Family Fun Day.
Enjoy this free event at Bankfoot House on Saturday, July 17, from 10am to 2pm.
Kabi Kabi and Jinibara First Nations People will present a unique and fun-filled day of cultural learning with traditional games, dancing, and craft workshops for children of all ages.
Take a First Nations virtual tour and immerse yourself in the Glass House Mountains landscape before 1868.
Learn cultural stories and insights into daily life, ceremony and environment.
Enjoy lunch from the food vans, sausage sizzle or bring your own picnic.
More details: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/13502576-a/first-nations-family-fun-day
Race around the botanic gardens
If you have older kids, you can 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. It’s great for ages 10 years and older.
More details: Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens.
Learn more about gum trees
This family-friendly walk investigates gum trees and their friends.
Discover what makes a tree a tree, what makes a gum tree a gum tree and find out who needs gum trees.
The walk will be on Monday, July 5, 10am to 11 am.
Flora, fauna and fun, a bush walk for families
Come and explore the botanic gardens, and discover the hidden magic of the bush and have fun outdoors.
The walk will be on Tuesday, July 6, 10am to 11am.
Bookings: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/13479591-a/flora-fauna-and-fun-a-bushwalk-for-families
Meet an owl, an eagle and a falcon
You will have the chance to meet an owl, an eagle and a falcon at the Maroochy Regional River Botanic Gardens, on Tuesday, July 6, at 1pm.
Learn about the unique features of raptors, such as their keen eyesight, their habitats and the risks they face.
Cost is $6 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver (no registration required for caregiver).
Children will have the option to hold a bird of prey after the presentation at $10 per hold, payable on the day.
The walk is brought to you by Jason at Raptor Vision, a Wildlife Exhibitor on the Sunshine Coast specialising in the conservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey.
Bookings: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/our-raptor-friends-an-event-for-children-tickets-158845127051
Start peddling at cycling workshop
Youngsters can get on to two wheels, while learning tips to continue the fun at home.
Or, for children already on two wheels, there are intermediate cycle skills and pathway rides, which include bike handling, pathway etiquette and some road safety awareness.
Bookings: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Connect to Country at First Nations program
Celebrate NAIDOC week 2021 at the First Nations School Holiday Program on Friday, July 2, from 10am to 2pm.
The program is a free, fun, hands-on educational day where children will learn stories of our local First Nations groups.
Join a Boomerang and clap-stick making workshop, learn First Nations dances as well as other games and activities.
Food vans and refreshments are available on site or pack a picnic lunch.
Bookings: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/13502521-a/first-nations-school-holiday-program
Join a scavenge hunt
Are you keen to connect with your community, clean-up your local environment, win some awesome prizes and groove to funky live tunes?
Haven’t been to a Scavenge yet?
On Saturday, June 26, 8am to midday, you’ll be able to clean-up your local area, sort and catalogue your litter and then exchange it for pre-loved clothes, books, toys and more.
All the pre-loved material has been donated by the local community.
Details: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Grab a school holiday pack from the library
Register to secure a Family Holiday Activity Pack, that includes cool resources like books, car games, board games, chalk and much more.
Age limits apply for these packs as they’ve been designed to suit specific age groups and respond to children’s motor and literacy skills, as well as their developmental age.
To book your activity pack visit the Library website:Â library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Bookings will be taken from Friday, June 25, 4.30pm. The packs will be available for collection from Saturday, June 26.
Check out the whole range of school holiday offerings including online programs and Scavenger hunt from Libraries at http://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-activities.
Watch a theatre show of a classic tale
Charlotte’s Web is a much-loved classic tale telling the story of the show’s beloved hero, Wilbur the Pig.
It’s about his relationships and triumphs, while meeting friends Charlotte the Spider, Fern the farmer’s daughter and farmyard characters Templeton the Rat, Sheep, Goose and Gander.
Book now for this funny and touching live theatre show at Venue 114, Bokarina on Tuesday, July 6, at 10.30am.
There is an added bonus of an animal farmyard on hand including goats, lambs, rabbits and even piglets set-up in Venue 114’s lakeside courtyard for children to explore, take pictures and make new furry friends.
The show is suitable for all ages and tickets are $25 each, family of four $90, under two free on knee.
Bookings: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CHARLOTT21
Go an an adventure trail
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.
More details: adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Understand climate change at wetlands
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.
- 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.
- Return your field guide for reuse.
Visit the ClimateWatch website for details and don’t forget mosquito repellent.
More details: http://www.climatewatch.org.au/trails/queensland/sunshine-coast-maroochy-wetlands-qld
Get moving with Wheely Fun progtam
Primary school kids can learn new bike riding skills, receive education on road safety and road craft, and join in lots of fun activities at the Wheely Fun School Holiday Program.
It will be held from June 28 to July 2, 9am to 1pm daily, on the Athletics Track, University of Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs.
Coaches are accredited by Cycling Queensland.
During the program, participants will meet and learn from Pro Racing Sunshine Coast team riders.
Participants will require a bike and a helmet approved by Australian Safety Standards to participate in the camps. Costs involved.
Bookings: http://cycling.org.au/qld/upcoming-wheely-fun-camps
