Regardless of what the weather is doing outside or the level of entertainment you are searching for, Brisbane provides a wealth of fun activities for families to choose from. Whether for you that means getting outside and active together, strolling through one of our many museums and galleries, discovering a fun workshop, or simply immersing yourselves in one of our glorious natural landscapes, the list of family-friendly activities in Brisbane is almost endless.
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At a glance, below is a list of some of our favourite activities you can do together in and around our beautiful city.
Complete a mountain hike together
There are many mountains near Brisbane that are perfect for a family hike. While some are more suited to families with older kids, there are also many stunning trails with hidden natural gems to discover that are perfect for kids of all ages to explore. You can choose between the cooler tropical mountain walks or the more iconic Australian bush mountain climbs where you are often rewarded with views like this at Mount Coolum.
Spend some time on the beach
We are truly blessed to have so many beaches near Brisbane that we can visit for a day with our family. Its the perfect activity to enjoy with your kids, where together you can soak in the sun and surf, try a new water sport, build sandcastles, or simply breathe in those healthy seaside vibes. Some of our favourite beaches for families close to Brisbane include Tallebudgera, Currimundi and Happy Valley.
Go for a family bike ride
Get some fresh air and activate those little (and big) minds and bodies with a family bike ride together. With hundreds of bike trails to discover in and around Brisbane, you can easily make a day of it, stopping off at some fun and spectacular destinations along the way.
Solve your way out of an escape room
Escape Rooms have reached peak popularity with Brisbane families in recent years and its not hard to see why. Fun and challenging for all ages, you can work together to solve the clues needed to escape the room in time! There are escape rooms for younger kids and much more challenging (and sometimes a bit scary) escape rooms for teenagers.
Visit a weekend market
With colourful stalls, fresh produce, and a range of live entertainment and kids activities depending on the location, Brisbane markets are a lovely way to kick off any weekend morning as a family.
Cool off in a natural swimming hole
There is nothing more magical for kids and teens then discovering a natural swimming hole within a tropical location. With rock pools, lakes, and numerous creeks to be found in and around Brisbane, they make for a great day out exploring nature and cooling down in the warmer months. This picture is of Bunya Riverside on Brisbane’s Northside.
Head to a zoo
Nothing beats a family day out at the zoo. Get up close and personal with some of our native animals and maybe meet some exotic ones too. If you plan to visit regularly we can highly recommend looking at the annual passes, especially at Long Pine Koala Sanctuary (there is huge value to be had here).
Visit one of the nearby theme parks
Just a small drive from Brisbane are some of the biggest theme parks in Queensland (and Australia). Dreamworld, Sea World, and Movie World all offer a day out on endless rides, with shows and other entertainment running throughout the day too. Save on costs with our discount tips and ideas. Aussie World is another potential theme park destination if you are on the Northside (it is situated between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast).
Go wildlife spotting
Brisbane is overflowing with wildlife and birds that share our beautiful natural environment with us. Grab some binoculars and see how many you can spot together out in the wild, at one of our local parks or even in your own backyard!
Check out Brisbane’s festivals and events
Each year, Brisbane and surrounding areas play host to a multitude of family-friendly events and festivals. From Redcliffe’s KiteFest to the Brisbane Science Festival to Oktoberfest and the Greek Festival. Be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar so you don’t miss any that your family will love.
Catch a live theatre show
Children’s live shows and family-friendly performance are regular features at Brisbane’s QPAC and other smaller venues. You can check out an up-to-date list of which children’s shows are currently on here or just keep an eye on our events calendar.
Picnic at one of our parklands
Brisbane has over 2000 green spaces, and some of the largest parklands are truly spectacular to visit. More than just simply a manicured lawn to sit on, these parks offer guided trails, playgrounds, lakes, gardens, trackless trains and so much more for families.
Check out a new playground
Venture a little further than your local play space and check out one of the many WOW playgrounds that are sprinkled all over Brisbane. With some pretty incredible designs and features to discover, it will be like a new play adventure every weekend!
Visit a museum or gallery
Add a splash of culture to your family itinerary this weekend with a trip to one of Brisbane’s many different museums and galleries. Many have specially-designed kids areas and activities that are free and entertaining for the whole family.
Let the kids loose in a play centre
If your Brisbane family includes a toddler or younger children than a play centre may fast become one of your favourite activity spaces. With play equipment specifically created with little people in mind, there is also usually a cafรฉ and tables for parents to chill out at while their smallest children run free.
Get creative at plaster fun house
A simple, fun, and creative activity that is best suited for little ones (but also loved by teens and adults too) – Plaster Fun House offers families a few hours of creative peace with a take-home piece of art to display too.
Jump for joy at Bounce
Rail, hail, or shine – you can’t go wrong with a family trip to Bounce. An indoor trampoline paradise for kids (and adults) with energy to spare, its a family-friendly activity that all ages can enjoy.
Challenge the kids to a game of putt putt
One family activity that is always a huge hit (literally) is a friendly game of putt putt. With quite a few different and fun courses around Brisbane, you can choose between an outdoor course like those offered at Victoria Park (see the feature image), or something indoors like the smaller courses at Holey Moley.
Tackle a go kart track
Buckle up and race each other on one of Brisbane’s many go kart tracks. Whether you choose to do it indoors or outdoors, the adrenalin rush will leave you all grinning from ear to ear!
Chill out on an ice skating rink
There is no better way to escape a hot summers day then by gliding along a frozen pool of ice with the family. No matter how hot it is outside, you will need to rug up for your visit to an indoor ice rink – and may even need a hot chocolate break mid way!
Enjoy a family game of bowls
Regardless if it is a traditional game of barefoot bowls outside or on a lit up tenpin bowling alley with laser tag and arcade games galore – a few rounds of bowls is always a winner (even if you don’t get that elusive strike) for Brisbane families.
Visit an animal farm
Deer, alpacas, cows, llamas, goats, pigs, or horses? It doesn’t matter what type of animal you love the most, there is sure to be some delightful little friends just waiting to greet you at one of Brisbane’s many animal farms. Young or old, a visit to one of these never disappoints.
Scale new heights with rock climbing
Indoor and outdoor rock climbing is one of Brisbane’s most loved activities for adventurous families to do together. With different challenges and climbing walls available, it actually can become pretty addictive.
Ride the city cat or free kitty cat on the Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the heart of our city and one of the most underrated ways to spend some time with your family. Gliding along its surface on one of the many CityCat ferries as you explore different riverside locations can make for a pretty memorable day out with the kids.
Discover some of Brisbane’s secret gems
If you are chasing an adventure and an activity that will get your family off the beaten track, check out our list of Brisbane’s secret activities to discover places with your family you may not have even known existed.
Go on a camping trip
It doesn’t have to be a full week or more away, even a weekend camping trip at one of our local national parks can provide endless fun and memories for Brisbane families.
Go roller skating
Its been a favoured family activity for decades, and its popularity is still going strong. Strap on some skates and head to your local rink for some old-fashioned roller skating together.
Go for a train ride to a fun destination
As simple as it may sound, sometimes a train ride can be an fun family activity in itself. Young kids in particular seem to marvel at public transport, and watching the world rush by from the comfort of their carriage as they take in the many sights and sounds is their idea of the perfect way to spend their day. Miniature trains and vintage steam train rides are some other unique options available to Brisbane families.
Visit an environmental education centre
Environmental education centres are seriously one of our favourite recommendations for families looking to explore Brisbane with their kids. Usually free (or low cost) to enter, the provide an educational, interactive, and fun space for kids to immerse themselves in our stunning natural environment, observing and learning all about our wildlife and conservation in the process.
Enjoy some DIY fruit picking
One extremely wholesome and surprisingly fun activities is to spend a day picking exotic and native fruits straight from the farm they are grown on. Teach your Brisbane kids all about where their food actually comes from while filling their bellies with healthy goodness at the same time.
Spend a day at Southbank
A true highlight and beloved hotspot for families in Brisbane, Southbank has a multitude of fun family activities to engage in all in one central location. Check out the playgrounds, aquativity, man-made beach, lagoon, parklands, cafes, and rainforest – or simply lay out a picnic on the manicured lawns with spectacular river and city views.
Do a Brisbane walking tour together
A little bit different, but even the seasoned local can learn something new about our beloved city during on the Brisbane Greeters‘ free city walking tours.
Climb the Story Bridge
Its one of our most recognisable landmarks so why not check it out from a completely unique viewpoint? The Story Bridge Climb will see you and your family scaling new heights, observing not only the cars that pass unwittingly below you but also
Catch dinner with a morning fishing trip
Grab some bait, fishing lines, some optimism, and a large Esky to store your dinner in. A spot of early morning or late afternoon fishing is a lovely activity to do with the family. If the fish are biting, it can be full of excitement – and if not, it makes for some peaceful chats together.
Visit a local public swimming pool
The local swimming pool can offer hours of fun for families looking to escape the heat. Many have splash pad and water play areas for younger kids, and on some special days even have giant inflatables on the water.
Head to the movies to catch the latest blockbuster
Sure you can tune into Netflix and chill from home, but nothing beats the atmosphere of a large-scale movie theatre. The giant screen and hot popcorn and sweet treats certainly adds to this family activity’s allure too. Better yet, why not introduce the kids to some old-fashioned fun with a trip to one of Brisbane’s outdoor drive-in cinemas!
Visit one of Brisbane’s large indoor adventure parks
Urban Xtreme, Area 51, Jungle Adventure Park – the list of indoor adventure parks in Brisbane seem to be growing by the second and every one of them offer an array of indoor adventure activities the whole family will love.
Do the water walk from Wellington Point to King Island
This is one of our all-time favourite activities to do as a family. Wellington Point already has a fantastic playground and climbing trees, but at low tide a magical sand pathway emerges, gifting you a natural walkway from the mainland to nearby King Island.
Head to one of our nearby islands
Hands down one of the best activities on offer for Brisbane families is the opportunity to explore one of the many islands that sit just off our coastline. With breathtaking beaches, an abundance of wildlife, stunning natural landscapes, and plenty of island activities to indulge in – a trip to any of them will gift you endless memorable family experiences.
Visit the Koala Centre at Daisy Hill
Deserving of its own mention, the Daisy Hill Koala Centre is well-loved for its informative and interactive koala conservation facility. Kids will love meeting some of the koalas being cared for there, before heading into the education centre and parklands.
Abseil down Kangaroo Point Cliffs
An activity for the more adventurous families, and one that would suit those with older children too, is abseiling down our famed Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Adrenalin pumping with spectacular views of the city!
Visit Queens Park in Ipswich
We love, love, LOVE Queens Park in Ipswich. With its free environmental centre, playgrounds, Japanese garden, and delightful nature centre – its a range of fun activities all conveniently found in one spot. If you have time, a visit to the nearby Ipswich Art Gallery is always an awesome family experience too.
For more fun family ideas you might also like:
Free Family Activities for Brisbane Kids
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