The final stretch of the spring school holidays is here, and Brisbane has plenty on to keep the kids busy right up until the bell rings for Term 4. From glowing lantern trails at Mt Coot-tha to free craft sessions in the city, this week's guide rounds up family-friendly things to do across Brisbane. And if you'd rather finish the holidays with a relaxed day at home, jumping castle hire Brisbane families love is an easy way to turn the backyard into the main event.
School Holiday Dates at a Glance
Queensland state school spring holidays run from Saturday 19 September to Monday 5 October 2026. Monday 5 October is also the King's Birthday public holiday, so many families get a long weekend to finish the break. Term 4 starts on Tuesday 6 October.
With that in mind, here's what's on over the next fortnight.
Free and Low-Cost Fun in the City
Museum of Brisbane Drop-In Activities
Up on Level 3 of Brisbane City Hall, the Museum of Brisbane is running school holiday drop-in activities every day until Monday 5 October, from 10am to 1pm. Fun with Ferns is a free, nature-inspired weaving activity, while Pop Badges lets kids design their own wearable badge for $2 each (or $5 for three). No bookings are needed, and the free Little Artist's Eye Spy game runs daily from 10am to 5pm.
South Bank Adventure Trail and Fun Train
Until Sunday 4 October, South Bank is running a free, self-guided Adventure Trail. Pick up a map from the Visitor Information Centre in Stanley Street Plaza (open 9am to 5pm), explore the precinct, and kids receive a certificate when they finish. The Xpress Fun Train is also back until 12 October, departing from out the front of the South Bank Piazza, with tickets sold at the station.
Art Box for Kids at GOMA
The Children's Art Centre at the Gallery of Modern Art is always a winner, and entry is free. The current Art Box for Kids features artist Shannon Brett, and invites children to design their own fashion model and outfits using card and coloured pencils. During the school holidays it's open daily from 10am to 4:30pm, and it runs until 8 November.
Big Outings Worth Planning Around
Last Chance for Croc! at Queensland Museum
If your kids love big, toothy reptiles, don't leave it too late. Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends at Queensland Museum Kurilpa closes on Monday 5 October. Tickets are $29.90 for adults, $19.90 for children aged 5 to 15, $84 for a family pass, and free for children under five. All sessions are half price on Tuesdays, and Monday afternoons from 2pm are Relaxed Hours, with the sound turned down and fewer people in each session.
Make, Believe, Magic at GOMA
The exclusive-to-Brisbane exhibition Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company opened at GOMA on 12 September. It explores the worlds behind the Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and more, with hundreds of puppets, animatronic creatures, props and costumes, plus the Great Hall set from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Timed-entry tickets range from $18 to $42, and a 10% family bundle discount applies automatically to eligible combinations. It runs until 18 April 2027, so there's no rush if the holidays are already full.
Botanic by Night: NightGlow at Mt Coot-tha
For something a little magical, Botanic by Night: NightGlow is on at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha until Saturday 10 October, from 6:30pm to 10pm. The 800-metre route features 11 illuminated animal sculptures inspired by Queensland wildlife, from koalas to green tree frogs, plus a food truck precinct. Residents of the Brisbane City Council area pay $25 for adults and $12.50 for children aged 3 to 12 (it's $30 and $15 for visitors from outside Brisbane). Tickets must be booked, and a free shuttle runs from the Legacy Way carpark for ticketholders.
Get Active Outdoors
Brisbane City Council has a busy line-up of outdoor sessions for young people these holidays, and many of them are free:
Spring hub: Flower power ? Drop in to Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha on Tuesday 29 September or Thursday 1 October between 10am and 2pm. Kids aged 4 to 16 can explore the Sensory Garden, use microscopes and make clay pollen models and seed balls. Free, no bookings needed.
Freestyle scooter clinic ? Monday 28 September at Webster Road Park, Stafford Heights, for ages 4 to 17. Free, no bookings needed ? just bring a two-wheel scooter and a helmet.
Archery adventure ? Wednesday 30 September at 7th Brigade Park, Chermside, for ages 7 to 17. Free, but bookings are required.
Come and try kayaking ? Friday 2 October at Heath Park, East Brisbane, for ages 7 to 17. Free, bookings essential.
Learn to skate ? Saturday 3 October at Quinn's Street Park, Balmoral, for ages 6 to 17. Free, bookings essential.
Nearby at Mt Coot-tha, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is free to visit and is open on Mondays during the school holidays. Its children's shows, such as Perfect Little Planet and Tycho Goes to Mars, cost $11 per person, with adults paying children's prices.
Festivals and Community Days
On Saturday 26 September, Celebrate the Moon Festival in Chinatown Mall, Fortitude Valley, from 12pm to 8:30pm. It's free and includes lion and dragon dances and lantern-making workshops.
Once school is back, the free Brisbane Emergency Services Expo is on Saturday 10 October from 9am to 2pm at 7th Brigade Park, Chermside. Kids can see emergency vehicles up close, catch Paw Patrol shows, and enjoy face painting, food trucks and more.
Got a preschooler at home once the big kids go back? Little Sparks at Queensland Museum's SparkLab runs from 6 to 10 October (no sessions on 8 October) for children aged 3 to 5, with tickets booked for timed entry.
Bring the Fun Home With Jumping Castle Hire Brisbane
After a big week of outings, many families like to finish the holidays with a relaxed day at home. The King's Birthday long weekend is the perfect excuse for a backyard catch-up with friends, cousins or school mates before Term 4 begins.
A few simple extras can make a home get-together feel special: a picnic lunch, some lawn games, a craft table inspired by what the kids made in the city, and one main activity to keep everyone busy. Our jumping castles give children somewhere to bounce and burn off energy while the adults relax nearby. For more backyard activity ideas, take a look at our guide to keeping kids entertained during the spring school holidays.
Tips for a Smooth Week Out
Book ahead for ticketed sessions, as school holiday spots fill quickly.
Check event pages on the day in case of weather changes or updates.
Pack hats, sunscreen and water bottles for outdoor activities.
Consider public transport for busy city and South Bank outings.
Make the Most of the Holidays
Whether you're making badges at City Hall, spotting glowing koalas at Mt Coot-tha or saying goodbye to the crocs at Queensland Museum, there's plenty for Brisbane kids to enjoy over the next fortnight. And when you're ready to host your own celebration, jumping castle hire Brisbane is a simple way to bring the fun to your backyard.
Event details can change, so please check with each organiser before you head out.
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