50+ Fun Things To Do in Brisbane With Kids

Are you looking for something fun to do in Brisbane with kids?

With so many things to do with kids in Brisbane, how do you choose?

Whether you are looking for fun ideas inside or outside, for toddlers or teens, there are plenty of fun things to do in Brisbane with kids.

There are even lots of amazing free things to do in Brisbane with kids.

My family moved to Brisbane several years ago, and we are always looking for fun things to do with our kids. We have found that Brisbane has many fun things to do with kids for free, as well as many special events throughout the year. Plus, if you don’t mind spending some money, you will be able to find plenty of things to do with kids of all ages in Brisbane.

Keep reading to find the best options for fun things to do with kids in Brisbane. See something I missed? Let me know!

Free Things To Do In Brisbane With Kids

Go Swimming At South Bank

With beautiful city views, located right along the Brisbane River, are the pools at South Bank.

Streets Beach, Aquativity, and Boat Pool are three separate places to swim and play in the water, but they are all in a row.

● Streets Beach is a man-made pool and sandy beach. BBQs and picnic areas are nearby.

● Aquativity is a splash pad that is wheelchair accessible.

● Boat Pool is a large pool available to anyone who wants to get in and cool off.

There are public bathrooms and changing rooms nearby.

Families can pack a picnic or go to one of the many restaurants at South Bank.

There are lifeguards on duty at Southbank, but of course, young children are not allowed to swim without an adult.

The pools at South Bank are generally open all day and sometimes have lifeguards around late into the night; hours change based on the day and time of year.

South Bank is popular with both tourists and locals. It is the only free public place to swim in Brisbane.

It is easy to get to South Bank by bus or train, and there is paid street parking and a parking garage.

Find more fun things to do at Southbank.

Join A Free Activity With Kids Collective

Kids Collective offers workshops in 2 locations.

Younger kids, ages 0-5, can join in the fun at South Bank while older kids, 5-12, have many workshops available during the school holidays at Roma Street Parklands.

Kids Collective South Bank

Kids 0-5 can join in on a variety of free activities at South Bank on Thursdays from 9 am-1 pm.

There usually aren’t sessions in December and January.

Classes vary from art to music, nature to sports.

Kids Collective Roma Street Parklands

During school holidays (except summer holidays), Kids Collective offers a wide variety of free programs at Roma Street Parklands.

Roma Street programs are geared towards children ages 5-12 and take place Thursday-Saturday, 9 am-1 pm.

Tickets are free, and most of the time, they do not need to be reserved.

We have attended programs on hula hooping, making boomerangs, and other art sessions.

Unfortunately, classes do get canceled due to weather, so we missed out on soccer and an author visit.

See A Movie At GOMA

The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is located in South Brisbane.

They have a movie theatre located inside the museum, and free movies are shown. Not all of the movies are kid-friendly, but occasionally they do have shows geared toward children. Check out the schedule to see which movies will be playing soon.

We have seen a few movies at GOMA, including The Muppets’ Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland.

Check Out The Children’s Exhibit At GOMA

Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) have a rotating hands-on art exhibit for children.

Find out what is currently on here.

Read our review of a previous exhibit here.

Look At The Dinosaur Exhibit At Queensland Museum

The Queensland Museum is generally free, but there are paid permanent and rotating exhibits.

Luckily, the dinosaur exhibit is always free.

There are two areas of the Queensland Museum where you can see dinosaurs.

The main floor, level 2, hosts the Lost Creatures exhibit.

There are 3D dinosaur models on display as well as dinosaur footprints.

Downstairs, on the bottom level, is the Dinosaur Garden.

Large dinosaurs are on display. There are a variety of hands-on exhibits in the dinosaur garden.

Play At The Corner At Queensland State Library

Families can walk in during the special open hours and play at The Corner at Queensland State Library.

Toys, games, puzzles, blocks, art supplies, and other items for kids are set up around the room.

Families used to need to reserve a time, but that is no longer the case. The Corner is not open during the same hours as the library, so be sure to check and make sure that it will be open when you want to visit.

When times needed to be reserved, guests were given an area to play in. We sat by the window, and the kids loved swinging across.

Check Out The Fairy Trees at Night

Located in Brisbane City Botanic Gardens at QUT Gardens Point, the Fairy Trees are worth a nighttime visit.

It is a nice walk from South Bank over a pedestrian bridge to the Fairy Trees, or they are reachable by ferry, bus, or driving to Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

For more things to do at night with kids in Brisbane, check out the Best Things to do After Dark with Kids in Brisbane.

Walk Through The Botanic Gardens At Mount Coot-tha

While many areas of the Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha are fun for kids, the hide-and-seek children’s trail is perfect for them.

Head to the visitor’s center for a map of what the kids can find along the trail.

In addition to the children’s trail, there is a playground.

The gardens are large, and there is a lot to see. We suggest the Japanese Gardens and Australian Rainforest, along with whatever area interests your family.

Play And Learn At A Discovery Centre

There are plenty of free discovery centers attached to nature centers near Brisbane.

We like to hike along the paths before letting the kids play inside the discovery centre.

Read about amazing bushwalks with discovery centres near Brisbane.

Interact With The Cube At QUT

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is located near the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

They have an exhibit called “The Cube” that is open to the public.

The cube has 48 multi-touch screens separated into 5 different exhibits that change, sometimes daily.

Read my review of The Cube here.

Tour The Clock Tower At City Hall

In the City Hall building, you can take a free tour to see inside the Clock Tower.

Tours are 10 minutes long, as they do not want to be in the tower when the bell rings.

Small groups go up in the tower to see a beautiful view of Brisbane. Then the group goes down to where the clock face is, and they learn about how the clock works.

I was surprised at just how much my kids enjoyed this tour. Read our review here.

Head To The Museum of Brisbane

While you are at City Hall, see what exhibit is on at the Museum of Brisbane.

The Museum check-in desk is the same place where you will check in for the Clock Tower tour.

While exhibits change, there is often an exhibit for children, including hands-on activities.

Storytime and art workshops for children run throughout the year, especially during school holidays.

Read our review of the Museum of Brisbane here.

Collect Produce and Herbs At The Epicurious Garden Cart

There is a garden down at South Bank, and my kids love just walking around and checking out the plants and herbs. There is a pond in the garden with fish that are fun to watch.

On Tuesdays-Thursdays from 7 a.m.- 2 p.m., visitors can take produce and herbs from the garden cart.

The cart is run by volunteers who are there to answer questions from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Items are available on a first-in-line basis and may run out at any time.

Epicurious Garden is pretty to walk around and close to the Picnic Island Playground.

Solve a Crime at the Queensland Police Museum

Open Monday to Thursday and on the occasional Sunday, the Queensland Police Museum is always free to enter.

Once you are inside, there is plenty to do.

Besides reading the information on the walls, you can write a crime story on a typewriter, take your fingerprints and learn about them, solve a crime on a tablet, ride on a motorcycle, and even get your mug shot taken.

Visit The Children’s Area Of Any Of Brisbane’s 33 Libraries

Brisbane Square Library is the library closest to Brisbane CBD, but there are 33 libraries located throughout Brisbane’s suburbs.

Each library has a children’s section, though some are much smaller than others.

Brisbane Square Library’s children’s section has an interactive screen where children can “play” instruments and games.

Many of the Brisbane libraries offer storytime as well as crafts, STEM activities, and other workshops for kids.

Find out which Brisbane library branch has the best children’s section.

Play At A Playground

With so many playgrounds in Brisbane, it is hard to choose which one to go to. Here are a few of the more popular playgrounds in Brisbane.

New Farm Park Playground

New Farm Park Playground is popular among families. There are large fig trees that shade the park and are perfect for climbing.

Wooden paths connect the trees and playground equipment.

My favorite part of the park is the coffee stand.

New Farm Park has toilets nearby.

There are BBQs and picnic tables, and plenty of places for parents to sit and watch their children play.

My one issue with New Farm Park is that it is large, and the trees sometimes make it hard to spot your child.

Families can get to New Farm Park by bus or ferry, and there is both free and paid parking nearby.

Find more fun things to do in New Farm.

South Bank Playgrounds

There are 2 Playgrounds at South Bank, on separate ends.

Riverside Green Playground

Located near the pools at South Bank, Riverside Green Playground is the busier of the two playgrounds.

Open from 5 AM until midnight, I am sure that there are less crowded times at Riverside Green Playground, but when we play there, it is full of families.

There are swings, slides, a giant hamster wheel, and a large climbing area. There is a pirate ship in the smaller kids’ section, along with a separate swing area.

Quick service restaurants are close by, and of course, all the restaurants at South Bank.

There are BBQs next to the playground and lots of seating nearby.

Picnic Island Playground

The smaller, quieter playground Picnic Island is located on the river at the southern end of South Bank, near the Epicurious Garden.

Large fig trees shade the area.

There is a large basket swing, a slide, and a spinning saucer.

Picnic Island Playground is right on a pond where kids can spot fish and water dragons.

BBQs, restaurants, toilets, and plenty of seating are nearby.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Playground

Baldwin Lawn Playground at Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is a fun all-abilities playground.

This is another playground that is often busy, but it is spread out, and many kids can play simultaneously.

There is a large sand area with diggers in addition to slides, swings, and plenty of places to climb.

Toilets are nearby, as well as picnic areas and plenty of space to walk around and enjoy the gardens.

Captain Burke Park

While the actual playground at Captain Burke Park isn’t large, we like this park for the close parking, toilets available in the park, and most of all, the views of Story Bridge and the city.

Captain Burke Park also has a large area for running and playing, perfect for kicking a ball around.

Captain Burke Park is a popular spot for birthday parties, and the shelters are often full early in the day.

Find more fun things to do in Kangaroo Point.

Roma Street Parklands

There are 2 playgrounds at Roma Street Parklands.

Roma Street Parklands has a large parking lot, and can also be reached by bus or train.

The 2 playgrounds are just a few minutes’ walk apart, with one area being right near the toilets. The Children’s Garden lies between the play areas.

With plenty of places to climb, slide, and swing, Roma Street Playground is a fun place to play.

Either before or after the playground, Roma Street Parklands offers a gorgeous setting for a walk. There are also large fields perfect for running around.

During school holidays, there are usually free special events for kids. Activities range from sports to art.

Find out more about things to do during the Brisbane school holidays.

More Things To Do In Brisbane With Kids

Learn About Science At Sparklab

With lots of hands-on exhibits, a maker space, and a science bar, Sparklab is a great place to spend a couple of hours with kids.

Experiments are held at the science bar a few times during the day.

Tickets are no longer timed sessions, and guests can walk in as they wish.

See A Show At QPAC

The Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC) is made up of 4 theatres and offers a variety of theatre, dance, and musical performances.

There is almost always something on for children and families at QPAC.

Our favorite shows are Broadway Musicals, and QPAC brings in traveling musicals each year.

In the past year, our family has gotten to see Shrek the Musical, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Frozen the Musical. We also saw Mary Poppins at QPAC.

Their smaller theatre hosts family favorites such as “Room on the Broom” and “Guess How Much I Love You.”

See A Performance At One Of The Smaller Theatres In Brisbane

QPAC isn’t the only place in Brisbane to see a show. Brisbane is filled with small theatres, and many of them have family-friendly shows.

Brisbane Arts Theatre

Located near Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane Arts Theatre is a not-for-profit 151-seat theatre.

While not all of their performances are family-friendly, many are.

Brisbane Arts Theatre probably offers more family-friendly theatre than any other theatre in Brisbane.

They also offer theatre workshops for both children and adults.

Brisbane Powerhouse

Located by the Brisbane River and New Farm Park, Brisbane Powerhouse is a great place for art, shows, and family-friendly programs.

Their schedule changes often, with shows for kids generally during the school holidays.

Queensland Theatre

Despite most of their shows not being kid-friendly, the Queensland Theatre does offer performances appropriate for older kids, and they offer a student discount pass for students in grades 10-12.

Try To Escape From An Escape Room

Escape Rooms tend to be for older kids, but even the younger ones can join in and have fun.

Solving (or attempting to solve) an escape room is a great family activity on a hot summer day or a rainy day.

Our kids loved their first escape room experience, and we have this list of kid-friendly escape rooms in Brisbane to try.

Spend The Day At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has a lot more to offer than just koalas, though it is definitely worth the trip for the koalas alone.

Kangaroos, dingos, and platypus can be seen at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, as well as a variety of other animals.

Attend A Kid-Friendly High Tea

We love celebrating special occasions with high tea, and there are so many high tea experiences for children in Brisbane.

Here is our review of the best high teas for kids in Brisbane, of the ones we have been able to visit so far.

Go On A Mystery Picnic

Kids love going on picnics, and while I do too, it is even more fun to go out on a Mystery Picnic with AmazingCo.

Choose from a variety of neighborhoods, sign up at least 3 days in advance, and the work is done for you!

On the day of your picnic, follow the clues, solve puzzles, play games, and pick up food items from various locations.

Once you have solved all of the clues, they suggest where to go to enjoy your picnic.

Play Putt-Putt Indoors

Before moving here, I didn’t realize that indoor miniature golf was a thing.

Indoor putt-putt seems to be popular in Brisbane, and I appreciate that during the summer months.

Holey Moley has 4 locations in Brisbane: Wintergardens on Queens Street in the CBD, in Fortitude Valley, in Chermside Shopping Centre, and in Mount Gravatt.

All Holey Moley venues are kid-friendly until a certain time (5 p.m. in Fortitude Valley, 8 p.m. at Wintergarden and Chermside). That is when they turn 18+ only.

Holey Moley is a fun and unique place for putt-putt.

You can choose between 9 and 18 holes, and each hole has a different theme.

Not all of the themes are kid-friendly, but our kids didn’t notice. They were too busy having fun.

Having seen all 3 locations, we think that the Fortitude Valley Holey Moley is the largest and nicest of the bunch, though it is not the most family-friendly.

Another fun indoor option for mini-golf in Brisbane is Hey Caddy, located in South Bank. Each of the 12 holes has a travel theme.

Head Outdoors For A Game of Putt-Putt

Located in Victoria Park, Victoria Park Putt Putt is an 18-hole mini-golf course that changes themes during the holiday seasons.

The Victoria Park Putt Putt course is decorated for holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and Easter each year, and they also change the theme throughout the year.

Victoria Park also has a Bistro, which is perfect for a meal with kids, as it has a playground.

Go soon, the Victoria Park putt putt is closing in May 2026.

Play as a Family at Hijinx Hotel

Head to Chermside or Garden City Shopping Centre to play in challenge rooms with both physical and mental challenges.

Not quite sure what to expect? Read our review!

Compete in Challenge Rooms

EKPE is a new place to play in Chermside.

They have private rooms where you can take your family and choose from a wide variety of activities.

It is an amusement centre meets sports centre with physical activities and lots of fun.

Swing a Bat at The Ballpark

Portside in Hamilton now has an American-style sports bar with batting cages, dart boards, and pool tables.

The Ballpark is perfect for families with older kids.

Climb the Walls

Kids of all ages can go rock wall climbing indoors in Brisbane.

Here are a few options. Be sure to check each business for its age limit and requirements.

• Rock Sports, Fortitude Valley
• Crank Indoor Climbing, Macgregor
• Bounce, Herston
• Urban Climb, Newstead, West End, and Milton
• 9 Degrees, Enoggera and Morningside

Jump Out Your Energy

I have yet to meet someone who does not like jumping on a trampoline.

There are a few places around Brisbane where both adults and children can jump (or if you don’t want to participate, you can sit down and watch).

• Bounce, Hendra
• Bounce, Tingalpa

Learn About The Stars At Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, located at the botanic gardens at Mount Coot-tha, has movies for children.

All of their shows are family-friendly, with 3 of them recommended for children under 6 years old.

While there is a charge to see a show at the planetarium, kids can walk around and learn about space for free in the Discovery Center.

Play at an Indoor Playground

Indoor playgrounds are generally for younger kids and babies, and there are lots of options around Brisbane.

Check each location for its age requirements and additional information.

• Area 51 World, Mount Gravatt
• Jungle Adventure Play, Tingalpa
• Play Maison, Wilston
• Tiddlywinks Dance and Play Cafe, Nundah
• Chipmunks Playland and Cafe, Everton Park, and Macgregor
• Minibounce, Carindale

Watch A Rugby Game at Suncorp Stadium

Cheer on the Brisbane Broncos or Queensland Reds as they play rugby at Suncorp Stadium in Milton.

Watch A Game Of Cricket At The Gabba

Head to the Gabba to cheer on the Brisbane Heat in a cricket match.

Cheer on the Brisbane Lions AFL Team at the Gabba

Watch the Brisbane Lions in an AFL match at the Gabba.

Cheer on the Queensland Firebirds

I went from not knowing what netball was to watching weekly practices and games. Now, I am ready to cheer on the Queensland Firebirds during their season, which begins in March.

Climb Story Bridge

Children ages 6+ can participate in the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

Check their specials, as they sometimes have a “children climb free on Sundays” special deal and a kids climb free over the school holidays deal.

Read about my family’s bridge climb for more information.

Go Rock Climbing And Abseil The Rocks At Kangaroo Point

Kids as young as 8 can go rock climbing and rock abseiling with Riverlife at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult.

If your child is the adventurous type, there is plenty for them to do in Brisbane. Here are our top 10 Daring Things to do in Brisbane with Adventurous Kids.

Eat Pancakes Any Time Of Day Or Night

Located in an old church, The Pancake Manor is now a diner open 24 hours, just in case you need to eat pancakes in the middle of the night.

Their menu has a large variety of pancakes and other breakfast items as well as burgers, salads, and crepes.

Check Out The Views From The Wheel Of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane is right along the Brisbane River, in South Bank, and if your kids are anything like mine, they desperately want to ride the giant Ferris Wheel.

I am glad that they persisted because The Wheel of Brisbane is great fun.

The price is steep enough that we won’t be riding again anytime soon, but as a one-time thing, it is worth the price for the city views and the looks on my kids’ faces.

Enjoy The Day Out On A Boat On The River

With the river dividing the city, as expected, there are plenty of ways to get around by boat.

City Cat

Brisbane has a water ferry service, known as the City Cat, that operates around the Brisbane River.

City Cat includes a variety of boats that offer free and paid ferry trips around and across the Brisbane River. The GO Card that is used on trains and buses can be used on City Cat Ferries.

Go Boat

For those who want to rent their own boats, Go Boat offers boat rentals by the hour.

Up to 8 people can ride on a boat at one time.

River City Cruises

If you want a longer ride than the ferry, but don’t want to drive your own boat, there are a few options for river tours to choose from.

River City Cruises has daily tours in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Tours range from 90 minutes to 3.5 hours long. Morning cruises include morning tea, and there is a cruise that stops for lunch at the Breakfast Creek Hotel.

There is a cafe and bar on board the boat.

Go Out For Dinner and Entertainment at Eat Street Northshore

Open Friday-Sunday nights, Eat Street Northshore is a unique place to eat dinner.

Made out of shipping containers, Eat Street Northshore offers a large variety of food vendors and entertainment each weekend.

Our kids love Eat Street for the food options, especially dessert. They love the live music and fluorescent light setups for photo opportunities.

TIP: Get there early to reserve a table, especially if you are in a large group. While you can book a private shipping container, that is not necessary, as there are plenty of seating options. It just gets busy.

Go to Bluey’s World

Book a time to go to Bluey’s World, where you can see the Heeler House, meet Bingo and Bluey, and play on a playground.

Bluey’s World has been extended a few times and is currently open through November 2026.

Best Of Brisbane With Kids

On scorching hot Brisbane summer days and wet, rainy Brisbane days, we have a list of the best places for kids to play inside.

For those days when the weather is just so nice, and we want to be outside enjoying it, we have a list of places for kids to play outside near Brisbane.

We are always looking for the best places to take the kids to eat, and here are our top picks.

Looking for an itinerary? Check out our Weekend with Kids in Brisbane Itinerary.

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• High Tea in Brisbane with Kids
• Kids Eat Free Brisbane
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• Where to See All of the Australian Animals Right in the City
• Public Pools, Splash Parks, and Water Slides for Kids in and around Brisbane
• In and Around Brisbane with Kids Who Love Science
• Where to Take Your Train-Loving Kids
• Finding Harry Potter in Brisbane with Kids Who Like Magic

Brisbane with Kids FAQ

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