School holidays have come around again (that was fast!) and fortunately, it will be a lot more enjoyable than the Easter School Holidays we had. As restrictions are easing across the country, some things have opened, some will open, and some remain closed. So what can you do these July School Holidays? We’ve put together this guide of a few of our favourite ides on what you can do…
Playgrounds.
There’s hundreds of playgrounds stretched right across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast… and they’re finally open!
Check out this list of the best playgrounds across South East Queensland from our friends at Brisbane Kids.
Freebies!
There’s a heap of free things to do in the school holidays, here’s a few of our favourites…
Mt Cootha – Take a drive (or a hike) up to Mt Cootha look out. Enjoy a picnic on the grass, or just admire the view. Plus there’s even the Botanical Gardens and Planetarium.
South Bank Parklands – 17 acres of parkland with lots of open space, BBQ and picnic areas, gardens, playgrounds, bike & walking tracks, plus cafes and shops.
Queensland Museum – Entry is free to visit, however you will still need to book your free entry online. Further details here.
Boondall Wetlands – Awesome bike & walking tracks, picnic tables, open spaces, mangroves, wetlands, tidal flats, plus the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre which is open (with a maximum of 20 people in the display areas at a time)
Head to the movies.
If you’re anything like us, we’ve missed heading out to the cinemas. Thankfully, some are starting to re-open and we can all taste the yummy popcorn and choc tops again! Keep in mind there will be social distancing measures and seat separation occurring, so occupancy will be limited.
There’s really only one child-friendly new release these holidays, Samsam, however all cinemas are showing some old family classics and recent releases like Finding Dory, Frozen 2 and Shaun The Sheep: Farmadeggon.
Five Star Cinemas – Red Hill, New Farm & Elizabeth Picture Theatre are all open. Further details here.
Cineplex – all their locations will be open in time for school holidays with a 20-patron rule per foyer & auditorium. Further details here.
Event Cinemas – Most of their locations are set to open from 2 July onwards, and they’re even offering 50% on all full price adult tickets to celebrate. Further details here.
Palace Cinemas – Palace in Brisbane is scheduled to open from 2 July onwards. Further details here.
Yatala Drive Ins – Yatala Drive-in Cinemas have re-opened and have been showing some absolute classics lately. Check out their website for session times.
Tivoli Drive-Ins – If you’re heading out Ipswich way, Tivoli Drive-in at Chuwar are open. Check their website for session times.
Hoyts – There is no official date on when Hoyts is set to reopen. They advise to follow them on social media to be the first to know.
Dendy – No official dates have been released for Dendy Coorparoo & Portside, however they are offering a home cinema experience where you can stream titles for a cost. There isn’t a huge selection of child-friendly options.
Reading – All QLD Reading Cinemas are back in action! Further details here.
Head to our biggest attractions!
Some of Queensland’s biggest attractions are set to open for the school holidays which is incredibly exciting for parents and children alike…
Seaworld & Paradise Country are reopening from Friday 26 June, and you must download their app first. Further details here.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is set to reopen on Friday 26 June, and entries must be pre-booked. Further details here.
Australia Zoo has already re-opened, but you’ll need to purchase your tickets or pre-register online. Further details here.
Sea Life Sunshine Coast has opened again, and you will need to pre-book online. Further details here.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has already re-opened, but pre-bookings are essential. Further details here.
Unfortunately, there are still some attractions that are due to reopen after the school holidays are over, including Movieworld, Wet n Wild and Dreamworld, which are all set to open later in July.
Intrastate Travel.
Borders may still be shut to other states, but our lovely state of Queensland covers over a whopping 1.7 million square kilometres of area to explore and enjoy! Queenslanders are now free to travel throughout the entire state (Except for Biosecurity Areas or Restricted Areas) for day trips and overnight stays.
There are also a large number of local Queensland tourism operators who are eager to get some business on board, so why not support local businesses by spending a few nights away, or at least a day trip to somewhere new!
Key locations we recommend include, Glass House Mountains, Mount Tambourine, Stradbroke Island, or even Brisbane’s Bayside Region for wonderful day trips.
If you’re looking for a longer stay, destinations like Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Port Douglas, Whitsundays and the Fraser Coast are also open for overnight getaways.
Don’t forget National Parks! There’s hundreds of National Parks right across this great state. Great for day trips and overnight stays. There are a few that remain close, so be sure to check here for more details.
Activities at Home!
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far to have fun these school holidays. Here’s a few ideas to keep the fun going at home…
Cooking – Bake some cakes and cookies, or even cook up some homemade pizzas. Children love getting into the kitchen!
Have a craft day – Putting together a range of recycled materials from around the house, get the pens, pencils, glue and paints out, and let your children’s imaginations run wild!
Set up a home cinema – Grab the popcorn and set up a home cinema in the lounge room.
Grow a herb/veggie garden – Why not get the kids into the garden with you. It’s easy to set up any sized herb or veggie garden with some seeds and a bit of soil in a pot.
Read together – Literacy is very important to us at Sunkids, and we encourage children of all ages to explore the amazing world of reading from an early age. Why not switch off the devices and read some amazing stories together as a family?
Take a Moment to Relax.
2020 has been a rollercoaster ride for all of us. It has never been more important to take some time out from our day to day lives to relax and enjoy a few mindful minutes to ourselves.
We recommend you head to YouTube, there’s a huge number of guided mediation videos which are absolute bliss! There are also specific guided mediation for kids videos available, which parents can join along in too.
Remember to Stay Safe.
Even though many things have reopened, and we aren’t confined to our homes this time, it’s still important we remember to stay COVID-aware these holidays…
- Regularly wash your hands with soap & water – particularly before handling food, eating and after using the toilet, and each time you return home,
- Keep some alcohol-based sanitiser handy and use it regularly,
- Stay away from sick people – if a family member or friend is feeling unwell, reschedule your plans or catch-up via Facetime instead.
- Avoid large crowds – if you can’t keep 1.5 metres away from others, come back at a quiet time or go somewhere else.
- Continue to social distance – it can be easy to forget the 1.5 metre rule when you’re out and about,
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow,
- If you’re staying away, keep benches & other surfaces clean like you would at home,
- Cancel your plans if you or anyone in your family becomes sick
Looking for more?
Want more tips & advice? Check out our news & advice page!