Defeat school holiday boredom with Sunshine Coast Council’s Christmas and Summer holiday activities.
From festive gardens to fireworks and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone in the family!
Read, read and then read again!
Action, adventure and prizes are up for grabs as part of a brain-boosting Summer Reading Club.
Sunshine Coast Libraries are behind the free interactive program, which offers fun for the whole family.
From Thursday, December 1, children and teenagers are invited to register and read for the chance to win great prizes.
Once registered for the Summer Reading Club, children will receive an exciting adventure map to begin challenges to complete three quests.
They will be able to collect prizes along the way as well as going into the draw to win a book voucher once all quests are completed.
WHEN: From December 1 to January 31.
WHERE: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries.
DETAILS: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Hop along to a sporty Storytime with Hot91’s Sam and Ash
Come dressed as your favourite sports star and join Hot91’s Sam and Ash for a Storytime session reading their children’s book Too short for Netty.
This activity is FREE and suitable for children 6 and up.
WHEN: December 12 and 13.
WHERE: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries.
DETAILS: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-Activities
Become a Pioneer for Day
Head to Bankfoot House in Glass House Mountains these holidays for free, hands-on workshops where kids will where kids learn what life was like for our pioneers.
- Make Peg Dolls
Before screentime was even a thing, Victorian kids made and played with peg dolls.
During peg play workshops, kids will be given materials, instructions, a little inspiration and then they’ll do the rest.
And at the end of the session, they’ll walk away with their creation.
WHEN: December 14 and 18.
- Try Wash Day
How do you wash clothes without a washing machine? Time to find out. Kids will get a taste of how hard people had to work just to wash their clothes. Warning! They’ll need to bring their elbow grease as they’ll be collecting the water, grating the soap, stirring the copper and pegging everything out on the old-fashioned washing line.
WHEN: December 21 and 22.
- Churn your own Butter
Learn how people made butter in the olden days. Kids will get to churn the butter before the best bit….tasting it!
WHEN: January 7 and 8.
Workshops are 1 hour but feel free to stay a little longer and play old fashioned wooden games on the stunning 2-acre property. Caregivers are welcome to free tea and coffee.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
WHERE: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518.
DETAILS: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Programs-and-Events/Pioneer-Play
Have some fun-gi
The whole family will enjoy the new Fungi for Life exhibition at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Explore the larger-than-life fungi models, discover which fungus wins the stinky award, create your own fungi forest or borrow a junior ranger kit to observe fungi on the track.
WHEN: From Monday, 5 December, open 9.30am-3.30pm daily (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
WHERE: Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny QLD 4552.
DETAILS: mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/See-and-do/Fungi-for-life
Go on an adventure
Tired of screens? Get out in the region and enjoy over 200 different trails, rides and adventures across the Sunshine Coast. There’s countless secret waterholes, bike trails and kayak adventures to choose from.
DETAILS: adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Try Free Christmas Fun at Museums
Bankfoot House
Make your home merry and bright with homemade Christmas crafts that are inspired by days gone by. Young and old are invited to create Christmas peg dolls, Victorian Christmas cards and paper candles. Take them home or add them to the Christmas tree inside Bankfoot House. Tea and coffee provided. All materials supplied.
Landsborough Museum
Visit the brand new children’s space with Christmas activities, hands-on experiences and loads of fun. All materials supplied.
Plus, there’s a range of heritage Christmas displays at community museums across the coast including, Yandina and Nambour Museum and Buderim Pioneer Cottage. Free entry!
WHEN: Open 10am-3pm on Wed to Sun, from December 2-23.
WHERE: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518 and Landsborough Museum, Shop/4 Maleny St, Landsborough QLD 4550.
DETAILS: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Programs-and-Events/Christmas-At-Museums
Track the climate
Sunshine Coast Council has partnered with ClimateWatch to create three trails along the Sunshine Coast to allow you to monitor the health of our local ecosystems while enjoying them.
By simply downloading the ClimateWatch app & registering, you can start recording observations. There are designated trails you can follow or simply record sightings anywhere.
The sites that host trails are Kawana Forest north of Meridan Plains, around Currumundi Lake and Maroochy Wetlands in Bli Bli.
Sites range from 1-4km and can be started and finished at any point along the route.
For more information, you can head to ClimateWatch.org.au or download their app from your app store.
DETAILS: climatewatch.org.au/
Make some upcycled jewellery
Be inspired by Elizabeth Shaw’s exhibition ‘Radical Localism’ and then indulge in some creative jewellery making in our Maker’s Space. Explore and reuse upcycled materials to create unique self-inspired jewellery or creations.
WHEN: Available during gallery opening hours from December 10-31.
WHERE: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551.
DETAILS: gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Experience a Christmas Extravaganza
Come and experience The Festive Garden. This free event is the perfect way to get in the festive mood.
The garden will come alive with lighting displays, roving entertainment, Santa and his elfs, storytime, The Grinch Live Christmas Show as well as a performance by the Sunshine Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. You’ll also find a range of food trucks.
Entry to The Festive Garden is via shuttle from the UniSC Transit Centre only – there is no direct access at the Botanic Garden.
Bookings essential. If the event is fully booked, check back often, as returned tickets will be added back to the site.
WHEN: From 5-9pm on December 16-20.
WHERE: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554.
DETAILS: events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/17029062-a/the-festive-garden
Try Orienteering
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 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.
WHEN: The gardens are open from 7am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
WHERE: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554.
DETAILS: Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens.
Become a secret agent
Agents of Discovery is back these school holidays for your kids to enjoy. Agents of Discovery is an educational mobile gaming platform that uses augmented reality to get youth active. Head to your app store to download the free game and try new missions at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve or Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden. Grab your water bottle and sunscreen and get ready to explore!
Download the free Agents of Discovery app onto your smart device BEFORE you arrive via Google Play or the App Store.
WHERE: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554 and Mary Cairncross Reserve, 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny QLD 4552.
DETAILS: agentsofdiscovery.com/seq-explorer
Ring in 2023!
See 2022 out with a bang in Mooloolaba with firework displays at 8.30pm and midnight!
You’ll find a family zone with Paw Patrol, big bubbles, interactive glow shows, food trucks and live music.
Plus, a Beach Zone with a free bungy trampoline for Under 18’s, a youth stage with live DJ’s and the amazing red frogs.
Plan your journey home — organise a lift legend, download or update your ride share apps, or visit TransLink.
For more infomation including travel links and parking, visit the Events Sunshine Coast website.
WHEN: Fireworks displays are at 8.30pm, and midnight in Mooloolaba.
In addition, there are more community organised events in two (2) other locations:
- Coolum Beach – 8.30pm fireworks
- Caloundra (Kings Beach) – 9.30pm fireworks and music.
WHERE: Mooloolaba Beach, Coolum Beach and Caloundra (Kings Beach).
DETAILS: events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/17203606-a/sunshine-coast-new-years-eve-2022-mooloolaba
Spot a Koala
Bring the family along to follow the Koala Discovery Trail to learn more about why this endangered species calls the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens home.
This self-guided walk takes you on a journey through the gardens and if you are lucky, you might spot Lizzy the Koala along the trail.
Start the trail near the lagoon causeway.
WHEN: The Koala Trail will be available from early January. The gardens are open from 7am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
WHERE: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554.
DETAILS: botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Migratory shorebirds showcase
Bring the family along to follow the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden Arts and Ecology Centre to view the exhibition Shorebirds – What is their Future?
It will include information on the migratory shorebirds that holiday over summer every year on the Sunshine Coast, an exhibition of paintings on the plight of the shorebirds by artist Merrett Keech, and drop in style, family friendly activities.
You are invited to the exhibition opening day on Saturday January 14, which will include an artists talk, shorebird presentation and kids activities.
WHEN: from January 14, 10am to 2pm.
WHERE: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554.
DETAILS: botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Keep the Kids busy at the Gallery
‘Superpowered: on Tour’ will feature activities developed by QAGOMA’s Children’s Art Centre in collaboration with four Australian artists – Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara people), Tony Albert (Girramy/Yidinyji/Kuku peoples), Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people) and Vincent Namatijira (Western Aranda people). Activities will focus on strong empowering messages and humour, exploring ideas and characters can inspire all children.
The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art provides a program of touring exhibitions and related services to regional Queensland
WHEN: Available during gallery opening hours from January 6-29.
WHERE: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551.
DETAILS: gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Test your engineering skills
Grow your engineering skills and build great and grand structures using a range of resources including LEGO, NeoFormers and magnetic cubes.
This activity is FREE and suitable for children 6 and up. Bookings are essential.
WHEN: Between January 3-18.
WHERE: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries locations.
DETAILS: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-Activities
See a puppet show
Join Lucy Locket on her incredible journey as she discovers the importance of being yourself and that there’s only one of you in the whole universe!
This activity is FREE and suitable for children 6 and up. Bookings are essential.
WHEN: Between January 10 and 11.
WHERE: Caloundra and Maroochydore Libraries.
DETAILS: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-Activities
Go to a singalong
Join popular Sunshine Coast Pacific Islander entertainer Skillz FJ for an interactive singalong session.
This activity is FREE and suitable for children 7 and up. Bookings are essential.
WHEN: Between January 10-19.
WHERE: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries locations.
DETAILS: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Holiday-Activities
Head to the Youth Market
Venue 114’s first ever Mega Youth Market will provide Sunshine Coast youth with an exciting opportunity to connect young sellers and buyers to preloved and handmade goods.
The dedicated event is for 10 to 17-year-olds to come together with their peers in a safe space to connect, engage and exchange.
Event entry is free and stalls are available to book now for only $10 per stall plus booking fee. Hurry, there are limited stalls available, and they will sell out!
WHEN: From 10am- 2pm on Friday, January 13.
WHERE: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina.