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Brisbane School Holiday Programs

ByLanie van der Horst Updated on

Are you looking for a school holiday program for your child in Brisbane during the school holidays?

When we first moved to Brisbane, I asked a few people about day camps in Brisbane and was told there were none besides school care programs. That is definitely not true.

Fortunately, I have found that Brisbane has an abundance of camps and programs during the school holidays.

Whether you are looking for a half-day camp or a full-day program, there are lots of options. You can also find plenty of shorter workshops.

These are all drop-off programs, unless they are for younger kids and require a parent to attend.

From art camps to sports camps, cooking camps to science camps, and camps for all ages, there is something for everyone to do during the Brisbane school holidays.

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Full Day Programs

Gardiner Chess

Gardiner Chess offers a multi-day chess day camp during each of the Brisbane school holidays. Kids can sign up for 1 day or multiple days, with discounts for longer sessions.

At the end of the camp, on the last day, there is a tournament. You can sign up for just the tournament, or the tournament along with the regular day camp program.

Gardiner Chess holds school holiday programs on both the north side and the south side for every level from beginner to advanced.

Both of my kids have attended Gardiner Chess school holiday tournaments, and one has attended the school holiday day camp quite a few times.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

koala at lone pine koala center

Kids ages 5 to 17 can attend a day-long drop-off camp at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

The Junior Keeper program separates into 2 groups: ages 5 to 8, and 9 to 12. The teen program is for those ages 13 to 17.

The 5-hour-long Junior Keeper program includes:

  • caring for kangaroos
  • hands-on experiences with the barn animals
  • getting up close with reptiles
  • designing enrichment treats
  • shadowing a zookeeper
  • viewing a private raptor training session
  • preparing a snack for the platypus
  • a koala encounter

The teen program is 6 hours long and includes:

  • cleaning and maintaining animal exhibits
  • observing and participating in training
  • preparing food and enrichment, with an opportunity to feed animals
  • up close animal encounters
  • behind the scenes, including the platypus house and wildlife hospital
  • learning the basics of wild animal rescue
  • koala encounter

Speak Up Studios

speak up studio harry potter camp

Kids from prep to Year 12 can join a drama camp at Speak Up Studios in Paddington and Sherwood.

Depending on your child’s age, there are a few options, including:

  • a play in a day
  • 3 days, born to perform
  • 5 days, born to perform

Though there is nothing on the current schedule, in the past, half-day camps were offered at Speak Up Studios. My kids attended one.

Northey Street Farm

Northey Street Farm Earth Kids Camp, making shelters

Earth Kids is a multi-day program run at Northey Street Farm in Windsor during the Brisbane school holidays. Earth Kids is for kids 6 to 12.

This is one camp where kids need to be signed up for the whole program, not just one day. They offer partial scholarships and an early-bird price for those who sign up early. Additional discounts are given to families when a parent volunteers, which is what I did when my kids attended Earth Kids.

Each camp has a theme that runs across the 3 days. Activities include games, crafts, hands-on activities, and learning while being outside 100% of the time.

My kids enjoyed Earth Kids and would love to go back.

Where the Wild Things Are

Two kids holding books in front of a bookshelf at Where the Wild Things Are, a bookshop for kids in Brisbane's West End. He is holding "How Things Work" and she is holding "Lani and the Universe."

Where the Wild Things Are, a children’s bookshop in West End, always has a variety of events on during the Brisbane school holidays.

While none of their events are day-long, they do allow you to combine them. So, you have the option of attending a workshop, a half-day camp, or a full-day camp.

My kids have attended a few different events at Where the Wild Things Are, including author events, book release parties, and writing workshops.

Riverlife

The school holiday program at Riverlife includes rock climbing or abseiling on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and kayaking on the Brisbane River.

The Active Ranger Camp is for kids 8+ and is one of the better options for tweens and teens.

You can opt for just one day or multiple days of the camp, which runs from 9 am until 3 pm.

Kids can bring their own lunch or pay extra for lunch to be provided.

While my kids haven’t attended this camp yet, they have a friend who has and gave a positive review. My kids have abseiled with Riverlife.

Queensland Ballet

Depending on the workshop, the Queensland Ballet Dance Camp could be aimed at kids as young as 2 or as old as 14.

Queensland Ballet runs a variety of events, including workshops and multi-day camps at 2 different locations, in West End and Kelvin Grove.

Goals Soccer

Geared towards boys and girls ages 6-11 of all levels, Goals Soccer offers school holiday workshops in Milton.

Discounts are given when multiple workshops are booked together.

Tennis for Kids

Spend one day or multiple days playing tennis with Tennis for Kids over the Brisbane school holidays.

Kids are separated by age, from prep to Year 6. There are a variety of locations, both on the north and south sides.

Sessions are 2 hours long, though if you are looking for a full-day camp, there is an option in The Gap.

Hot Shots Tennis

North side tennis camps are held at Shaw Park Tennis Centre in Wooloowin, Northeast at Northshore Tennis in Hamilton, Inner City at Emerson in Milton, and Southside in Morningside.

Both half-day camps and full-day programs run during the school holidays for kids aged 5 to 14. There are also half-day and full-day development camps for kids aged 10 to 17.

Queensland Tennis

Another holiday camp option for tennis players is Queensland Tennis, which runs programs on the south side of Brisbane.

Quick Brown Fox

Kids listening to author Matt Stanton talk about how to come up with characters while demonstrating on a large white board at Quick Brown Fox Bookshop in Grange, Brisbane.

Quick Brown Fox, a bookshop in Grange, holds workshops and day-long programs during the Brisbane school holidays.

Workshops vary from writing to crafts to games to author talks. My kids have attended a few programs at Quick Brown Fox, including some of their drop-off camps.

Backbone Youth Arts

For kids interested in theatre, Backbone Youth Arts offers a play in a week program for kids aged 7 to 12.

Located in Seven Hills, Backbone Youth Arts provides a full-day program from 9 am until 3 pm, with a performance in the evening of the last day.

Fame Performing Arts

There are 2 options for school holiday programs at Fame Performing Arts in Bowen Hills.

Kids 6 to 12 can attend a 1-day camp, where the theme changes daily. Those aged 6-15 can audition for the week-long program, where they will perform an original show.

Shake and Stir

Shake and Stir offers school holiday classes in South Brisbane for both primary students and high school students.

Lemonade Kids

Opt for a 1-day workshop or a 3-day camp at Lemonade Kids in Carina.

Lemonade Kids focuses on building strong bodies and minds, dealing with anxiety, friendship challenges, low self-esteem, and emotional overwhelm.

Workshops are separated into 2 groups: kids 5 & 6, and those 7 to 12.

Code Camp

Code Camp runs holiday programs for creative kids and kids who love technology.

Programs are for kids 5 to 12 and include topics such as:

  • coding
  • minecraft
  • robotics
  • roblox
  • illustrating a graphic novel
  • animation
  • crocheting, knitting, and macrame
  • YouTube creators

Code Camp’s school holiday programs are 2-3 days long with locations all over Brisbane.

Chess Mates

Kids in prep to year 6 can attend workshops and tournaments with Chess Mates over the Brisbane school holidays.

Chess Mates runs their holiday program in West End.

Wattlebrush School of Bushcraft and Wizardry

Join in on a 3-day school holiday camp with Wattlebrush School of Bushcraft and Wizardry.

Aimed at kids 8 to 12, each program has a different theme.

This school holiday program takes place in Morningside.

Bricks 4 Kidz

Does your child love Legos? They can build along with other kids ages 5-11 at Bricks 4 Kidz school holiday camps.

Programs run in different Brisbane neighborhoods including Greenslopes, Bardon, and Newstead.

Australian Sports Camps

Australian Sports Camps offers holiday sports coaching for kids ages 5 to 14.

Sports options include netball, basketball, soccer, rugby, volleyball, and AFL. Kids can be beginners or up to an advanced level to attend.

TAFE

TAFE offers school holiday workshops for kids in years 9-12.

Some of the options include:

  • café and barista skills
  • hairdressing or barbering
  • future nursing
  • intro to law and justice
  • robotics
  • skincare
  • baking

These workshops take place in South Bank, Mount Gravatt, Groverly, Brackenridge, and other TAFE locations.

TAFE workshops vary from half a day to a full-day program.

Half-Day Programs

Wildlings Forest School

If you want your kids to spend more time outdoors, sign them up for Wildlings Forest School.

Depending on the theme, the camp may include:

  • cubby house building
  • raft building
  • primitive weapon making
  • bows and arrows
  • rafts, knots, and shelters
  • eco arts and crafts
  • firestarting

Wildlings Forest School has several locations in Brisbane, including Mount Coot-tha, The Gap, Fig Tree Pocket, Carlesdine, and Wishart.

It is a drop-off program for kids 7+, and parents are required to stay if their child is under 7 years old.

Play Maison

While Play Maison is generally for kids 0-5, they offer school holiday programs for kids aged 4-8.

The 3-hour programs each have a theme which could be science, Minecraft, Frozen, arts & crafts, or something similar.

Play Maison is located in Wilston.

Hot Shots Tennis

Northside tennis camps are held at Shaw Park Tennis Centre in Wooloowin, Northeast at Northshore Tennis in Hamilton, Inner City at Emerson in Milton, and Southside in Morningside.

Both half-day camps and full-day programs run during the school holidays for kids aged 5 to 14. There are also half-day and full-day development camps for kids aged 10 to 17.

TAFE

TAFE offers school holiday workshops for kids in years 9-12.

Some of the options include:

  • café and barista skills
  • hairdressing or barbering
  • future nursing
  • intro to law and justice
  • robotics
  • skincare
  • baking

These workshops take place in South Bank, Mount Gravatt, Groverly, Brackenridge, and other TAFE locations.

TAFE workshops vary from half a day to a full-day program.

Bounce Hendra

Urban Xtreme Brisbane

Bounce Hendra, formerly Urban Xtreme, has a 3-hour camp over the school holidays.

Each 3-hour session includes:

  • 1.5 hours of teaching time with a qualified coach
  • 30-minute break with a shared fruit plate
  • 1 hour of free time

Brisbane Bullets

The Brisbane Bullets offer a variety of basketball camps, including Big Shots, Girls Got Game, and development clinics.

Big Shots is for kids 5 to 11, and no experience is necessary. Girls Got Game is for girls ages 11-15. The development clinics are for under-13s and under-15s.

Netball Australia

Kids as young as 3 years old can participate in Netball Australia’s school holiday programs.

Netball Australia has 4 different options for kids ages 3 to 16, including Train Like a Firebird. All programs take place at Nissan Arena in Nathan.

Workshops

Tennis for Kids

Spend one day or multiple days playing tennis with Tennis for Kids over the Brisbane school holidays.

Kids are separated by age, from prep to Year 6. There are a variety of locations, both on the north and south sides.

Sessions are 2 hours long, though if you are looking for a full-day camp, there is an option in The Gap.

YMCA

Some Brisbane YMCA locations offer drop-off gymnastics workshops over the school holidays.

My kids have attended the Bowen Hills location. Other locations that offer these workshops include Stafford, Mango Hill, and Jamboree Heights.

These programs are generally 2-3 hours long and are open to the public, not just members.

Queensland Ballet

Depending on the workshop, the Queensland Ballet Dance Camp could be aimed at kids as young as 2 or as old as 14.

Queensland Ballet runs a variety of events, including workshops and multi-day camps at 2 locations: West End and Kelvin Grove.

Quick Brown Fox

Quick Brown Fox, a bookshop in Grange, holds workshops and day-long programs during the Brisbane school holidays.

Workshops vary from writing to crafts to games to author talks. My kids have attended a few programs at Quick Brown Fox, including some of their drop-off camps.

Bright and Early Books

Both morning and afternoon workshops are held at Bright and Early Books in Ascot.

Bright and Early Books usually have quite a few art workshops, author visits, and writing workshops.

Mad Hatter’s Book Shop

If you are out near Manly, it is worth a stop at Mad Hatter’s Book Shop, a small store with a lot going on.

We have attended author workshops over the school holidays, and they also offer crafts and storytimes.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Kids ages 3 to 5 can spend 45 minutes, along with their grown-up, attending Sanctuary Sprouts at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

This workshop includes:

  • meeting an animal close up
  • nature-based learning
  • stories, movement, and crafts

Come and Cook

Kids can learn to cook at one of the school holiday sessions at Come and Cook in The Gap.

There are cooking classes for 2 age groups. The younger class is for those 7+, though kids younger than 7 can attend with a parent (who also needs a ticket). These classes are 2 hours long.

The older kids’ classes are for those 11+, though cooking-confident 10-year-olds are allowed to join. These classes are 2.5 hours long.

Our Space

A clay and pottery studio in Wilston, Our Space hosts kid-friendly workshops over the school holidays for kids and teens.

Flying Fox Studios

90-minute-long art workshops are held at Flying Fox Studios in Everton Park.

Flying Fox Studios has lots of options, and they are all geared toward a certain age group, ranging from 4 to 16.

Parents are welcome to stay, but are not allowed in the room where the workshops are held. They are allowed to leave, but must be back by the time the workshop ends.

Gather the Modern

A shop in Bardon, Gather the Modern offers workshops year-round, including art workshops for kids over the Brisbane school holidays.

Workshops are generally 2 hours long and are run multiple times each day.

Atomic School

For parents with kids who love science, Atomic School offers 2-hour workshops over the Brisbane school holidays.

Workshops are for kids 5-12 and are meant to be completed in order. Parents can attend with their child for free.

Atomic School workshops are around Brisbane, including in New Farm and Kenmore Hills.

Museum of Brisbane

world of wonder exhibit workshop museum of brisbane

The Museum of Brisbane offers workshops for kids and teens over the school holidays. Some of the workshops are drop-in, while others require signing up in advance.

State Library of Queensland

the circle at queensland state library

During the school holidays, the State Library of Queensland offers both free and ticketed events for kids aged 0 to 12.

Brisbane City Council

Don’t forget to check the Brisbane City Council workshops set over the school holidays. Many activities are free, and others have a small charge.

My kids have gone abseiling and bouldering through the Brisbane City Council. They have learned to stand-up paddleboard and dive through low-priced workshops.

Brisbane School Holiday Programs Wrap Up

While this is not a complete list of all the school holiday programs in Brisbane, hopefully there is something here to keep your kid(s) busy.

Whether they are interested in sports, art, technology, or science, there are plenty of options on this list for all ages and interests.

Do you know about an amazing holiday program that I missed? Let me know about it!

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Lanie is the owner and author of Make More Adventures, a family travel blog that helps families make the most of their holidays. Lanie is an American living in Australia with her husband and 2 kids who love to travel almost as much as she does. When she is not traveling, working on her blog, or planning her next vacation, Lanie is watching Bravo, reading, or working with kids.

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