Family | Beach | Adventure | City 19 December 2016

7 Best Things To Do With Kids In Brisbane This Summer

When the summer holidays hit, Brisbane is the place to be if you want endless things to do and options to entertain the kids. There is no shortage of family fun, from parks and waterfront attractions to the state’s cultural highlights. Whether it’s arts, culture, science, play or just space to relax, Brisbane has it all with fun and games to suit kids of all ages. Here are seven things you can do these summer holidays in Brisbane with the kids.

Get cultural at the Cultural Precinct

When summer rolls around the state’s biggest cultural and arts institutions dish up fantastic summer holiday fun, activities and interactive exhibitions that will keep kids of all ages entertained. Some events cater for families with young children, while others offer workshops for teens and tweens. Check out the Children’s Art Centre at QAGOMA, The Corner at the State Library and, well, pretty much the whole of the Queensland Museum to find exciting things to do together.

A golden human display at the QAGOMA Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane

Cool off at the beach in South Bank

Summer and water fun? Yes please! Located in the heart of the city, the unique South Bank Parklands also just happens to be the aquatic centre Brisbane. Streets Beach at South Bank, along with Aquativity and the Boat Pool are the perfect places to let the kids run free. The water play park and guarded beach are great for cooling off during summer, and once you’re done with the water you can picnic beneath the shade of a tree or wander to nearby cafes and restaurants in search of lunch (or that first scoop of gelato).

Streets Beach at South Bank with golden sands and aquatic blue waters surrounded by Brisbane buildings

Picnic in the park

You can’t really say you’ve visited Brisbane until you’ve been to one of the gorgeously green parks around the city. South Bank Parklands is a well known favourite by the river, but a more secret local location is Roma Street Parkland. Set within easy walking distance from Queen Street Mall, this free, lush parkland is full of great gardens, wildlife and playgrounds for all ages. Pack a picnic lunch from home, or purchase from the licensed The Garden Room overlooking the Water Wall and relax while the kids explore all that nature has to offer.

Roma Street Parklands' full of lush gardens on a sunny afternoon in Brisbane

Embrace the power of science

Queensland’s Sciencecentre is home to incredible interactive displays that will wow both the big and little kids in us all. At SparkLab the hands-on, fully immersive activities will entertain everyone while educating kids about the science behind day-to-day things. Spend a few (air conditioned) hours learning about the human body, energy, light, sound, air, water and earth. SparkLab is perfect for kids aged between 6 and 13.

Cruise along the brown snake

One of the best (and cheapest) ways to explore Brisbane is with the hop on, hop off city ferries. Ideal if you’re staying at Oaks Felix, jump on a CityCat or the CityHopper from the Eagle Street Pier ferry terminal to explore north and south of the river. While the CityCat is a cheap public transport service option, the CityHopper is free for everyone. Jump on with the kids, feel the breeze through your hair and enjoy cruising up and down Brisbane’s “brown snake”, as the locals fondly call it.

Celebrate the silly season

Ho, ho, how could we forget that summer in Brisbane is also the most festive time of year. For the ultimate summer family escape, plan your trip to Brisbane around the city’s mammoth Christmas program. Take the kids to the annual interactive City Hall lights show, watch all the Christmas entertainment parade up Queen Street Mall, see the iconic Christmas window displays at Myer, or catch the Christmas fireworks spectacular and the Christmas markets at the South Bank Parklands.

Catch a game

Big summer sporting events take over Brisbane through the warmer months and make for a great family day out with fun in the sun. Cheer your sporting heroes to glory at the national Big Bash League competition. The kids will love the drama of watching the match in real time, and at only three-hours long the BBL is perfect to keep them entertained without getting bored. Jam-packed with action both on and off the field, the kids will be on the edge of their seats till the very last ball. There’s usually at least three matches taking place at The Gabba each summer, opposite the Oaks Woolloongabba.

The Gabba's playing field in Brisbane Jam-packed with action both on and off the field surrounded by cities in Brisbane

Players of Big Bash League competition on a river boat in Brisbane City

Oaks boasts 11 hotels and resorts in Brisbane, with every corner of the city covered. Whether you want to be in close proximity to shopping, sports, the river, South Bank, the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium or the RNA Showgrounds, we have a hotel in key locations.