Sunshine Coast School Holiday Fun: Free Activities Guide

Need to keep the kids entertained these school holidays? Easter fun abounds with these free or low-cost Sunshine Coast Council events.

Packed with boredom-busting activities, there’s something for every bunny, big or small.

Ditch the devices and hop outside for egg-cellent adventures and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Places are limited for some events, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Celebrate Youth Week

Shining a spotlight on the talents, achievements and contribution our young people make to our community.

Youth Day

Come along and enjoy the music, art, workshops and food in Coolum. Suitable for ages 12 - 25 years.

When: Saturday, April 5, noon - 4pm.

Where: Jack Morgan Park, Perry St, Coolum Beach.

Details: Council’s website.

Youth Fest

Don’t miss the skate comps, battle of the bands and food trucks. Suitable for ages 12 - 25 years.

When: Friday, April 11, 2 - 10pm.

Where: Baringa Town Centre, 20 Edwards Tce, Baringa.

Details: Council’s website.

Boy on skate board in a skate park. Image credit @matttywarrenphotograph

Free movie screenings! Grab your friends, your favourite comfy camp chair, bean bag or blanket and head over to Beerwah Community Hall for some epic movie nights. Registration essential, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

When:

Ready Player One on Thursday, 10 April, 6 - 8.30pm.
Pride and Prejudice on Friday, 16 May, 6 - 8.30pm.
Nim's Island on Saturday, 7 June, 6 - 8.30pm.

Where: Beerwah Community Hall, 25 Peachester Road, Beerwah.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Techniquez

Dive into hands-on workshops led by super talented local artists at Beerwah Heart. Whether you're into anime, stencils, spray painting or barbecue mastery, there's something for everyone. Registration essential, workshops are for people aged 13-18.

When: Thursday, April 10 from 1 - 9pm.

Where: Beerwah Community Hall, 25 Peachester Road, Beerwah.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Artists in the rainforest

A local group of artists will be taking over the Rainforest Discovery Centre theatrette at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, sharing their creative practice and observations of fauna, flora and fungi. Come and see their work in progress or participate in a weekend 'Come and Try' session.

When: Saturday, April 5 and Sunday April 6 and Saturday April 12 and Sunday April 13, from 10am - 12.30pm.

Where: Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny.

Details: Mary Caincross Scenic Reserve website.

Celebrate science, creativity and conservation

This exhibit shares the 'wow' moments and data from the Marine BioBlitz event that took place on the Sunshine Coast in 2024.

Come and see the coastline and underwater habitats through photography, painting, audio, sculpture, and multimedia.

There will even be a model of Mudjimba Island for children to explore with projections and sounds that take them under the sea.

When: Saturday, April 5 - Saturday, April 19.

Where: Arts and Ecology Centre at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Details: Council’s website.

Guided walks on ClimateWatch trails

What is this plant flowering? What is this bird doing? What kind of bug is this? Let’s answer those questions together at a guided walk happening across the Sunshine Coast this school holidays.

Family-friendly activity in nature where participants become citizen scientists and assist researchers to record observations on the seasonal behaviour of plants and animals at the three ClimateWatch Trails.

Kawana Forest, Monday, April 7 – 8.30 - 10.30am.
Currimundi Lake, Monday, April 14 – 8.30 - 10:30am.
Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve, Wednesday, April 16 – 7.30 - 9.30am.

Details: Register online or email [email protected] for details.

Nest box monitoring

Who is living in there? Join a small group of passionate volunteers to discover Council reserves and help find out who is using nest boxes.

Family-friendly activity in nature where you become a citizen scientist and assist us better understand the use of nest boxes by local wildlife.

Yinneburra Environment Reserve, Yaroomba, Thursday, April 10, 10am - 12pm.
Gum Tree Dr Bushland Conservation Area, Saturday, April 19, 9 - 11am Saturday.

Details: Register online or email [email protected] for details.

TurtleCare hatchling club

Fun, parent-supervised school holiday activity for primary school aged children who want to learn more about turtles, run by the TurtleCare Sunshine Coast volunteer team.

For just $10 per ticket, learn about the turtles who nest here on the coast - lifecycle, biology and fun facts! Help us save the turtles. Let’s find a solution to pollution. Bring your curiosity and creativity.

This event will include both indoor and on beach activities with some teamwork required.

There will be no live turtles at this event.

All participants will require a caregiver who is required to stay but does not need a ticket.

Other children may attend but will not be able to participate in age specific activities. Please do not register children outside the specified age range, as their bookings will be cancelled and refunded.

When: Tuesday, April 15 8.30 - 10.30am (ages 5-9) and 11am - 1pm (ages 10-12).

Where: Windansea Community Clubhouse - Ballinger Beach Park, Currimundi.

Details: Eventbrite website (ages 5-9) and Eventbrite website (ages 10-12).

Bushland botanic garden wonders

Discover a world of fun these school holidays at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden. Be sure to register, places are limited.

Under the sea at the Arts and Ecology Centre

Workshop: Connecting with the Ocean, Saturday, April 12, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for ages 7 - 14. Participants will experience a guided tour the exhibition, then reflect on their oceanic inspiration through illustration and writing.
Workshop: Marine Explorers, Thursday, April 17, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for ages 7-14. Young ocean enthusiasts will 'dive' into the wonders of marine biodiversity through sound, imagery and new creative technology.

Nature craft activities in the Kurrajong Shelter

Workshop: Earth Arts, Tuesday, April 8, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for ages 7 - 12. Create colour using seeds, berries, rocks and minerals for natural art-making.
Workshop: Nature Dress Ups, Wednesday, April 9, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for age 5 and above. Create an all-natural costume from natural treasures.
Workshop: Botany Scavenger Hunt, Thursday April 10, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for age 3 and above. Explore the wonders of the plant kingdom on this bushland adventure.
Workshop: Gems of Earth, Tuesday, April 15, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for ages 10 - 17. Learn about precious stones and crystals then make your own macrame hanging.
Workshop: Easter Clay Play, Wednesday, April 16, 10am - 12pm. Suitable for age 5 and above. Shape, sculpt and decorate clay creations in this hands-on workshop.

When: Dates vary.

Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Details: Council’s website.

Cheer on the Falcons

Sunshine Coast Stadium will host a Sunshine Coast Falcons home game during the holidays.

On April 12, the Hostplus Cup side take on the Norths Devils, 2024 reigning premiers, and the U19 Mal Meninga Cup team will play the Tweed Seagulls.

Falcons home games are an affordable way to enjoy rugby league with the whole family, there’s always plenty for little ones to enjoy at the footy with the chance to run around on the field between games for young aspiring players.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for concession and children aged 13 to 17-years and children aged 12-years and under are free.

When: Saturday, April 12, Mal Meninga kick-off 3.30pm, Hostplus Cup kick-off 5pm.

Where: Sunshine Coast Stadium, 31 Sportsman Parade, Bokarina.

Details: Sunshine Coast Stadium website.

Fans gather for AFL image credit Vanessa Hafner

Museum must-do

Bankfoot House is a Council run museum, free to enter and open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-3pm.

Sunshine Coast Museums are great to visit at any time of the year. Find walks and heritage places in the Discovery Guide, your comprehensive heritage guide to the Sunshine Coast region.

Bankfoot House Easter egg hunt

Make an Easter basket and search for gold nuggets (aka Easter eggs!) at the only surviving coach station on the famous Cobb & Co. run between Brisbane and Gympie.

Bring your own basket and fossick the two-acre property for shiny wrappers in the hopes of sweet gold.

No need for blasting or open cut mining, eggs will be hidden in plain sight.

Increase your chances - be ready at 10am when the gates open. This event is free but be sure to register online.

When: Tuesday, April 15, 10-11am.

Where: Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains.

Details: Council’s website.

Free First Nations family fun day

Experience a unique day of cultural learning with Kabi Kabi and Jinibara First Nations peoples at Bankfoot House.

Enjoy games, dancing, markets, food and craft activities for all ages.

Explore the stunning grounds, tour the historic house or visit the Mary Grigor Centre.

When: Saturday, April 12, 10am - 2pm.

Where: Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains.

Details: Council’s website.

Play pickleball

Come along to Caloundra Indoor Stadium and keep active these school holidays. The indoor courts can be hired casually, so grab some friends and come down to shoot hoops or try something new like pickleball or badminton.

Popular activities include:

Pickleball - $16.25 per court per hour - BYO or hire a paddle for $5.
Badminton - $20 per court per hour – BYO or hire a racket for $5.
Casual basketball - $5.40 per person per hour - BYO ball.
Casual netball - $5.40 per person per hour - BYO ball.

If you’re looking for something more social, come down and play badminton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am – midday, or Thursdays from 6 – 8pm for $8.75 per player or enjoy walking netball on Wednesdays from 10–11am for $5.40 per player.

When: Contact the Caloundra Indoor Stadium for availability on 07 5499 6000 or visit their Facebook page.

Where: Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North St, Golden Beach.

Details: Council’s website.

Get arty at Caloundra Regional Gallery

The gallery is a free to enter accessible space open Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm and weekends 10am-2pm.

The gallery presents a changing exhibition program featuring leading local and national artists, plus the gallery store is a great place to find a unique piece of art or the perfect gift, hand-crafted on the Sunshine Coast, and beyond.

From ceramics and textiles, to jewellery, children’s toys and artist books, the gallery store celebrates the local, the handmade and the environmentally aware.

For rainy days or at home art, check out the online resources to keep young artists engaged.

Download templates, watch videos and create your own at home makers space or check out the activity instruction sheets, for use at home or in the classroom such as Eco egg dyeing and Newspaper people.

Latest Exhibitions

Two new exhibitions showcasing Sunshine Coast artists open 11 April.

Inspire your young artist with works from their peers in the Local Student Art Prize 2025 exhibition, with 2D works from up-and-coming artists.

Local Contemporary Art Prize 2025 is on showcasing 40 finalists works from local artists.

When: From April 11.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

For creative kids

Join Kids Art Attack, where kids can draw, cut, collage, paint, fold and create.

Kids Art Attack is a facilitated drop-in style art and craft activity aimed at children aged 4-10 years and their big people.

The cost is $2 per child, and all materials are supplied. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

On the first Saturday of every month, drop-in to the gallery to experience a new activity, explore different mediums, subject matters, and methods of creating.

When: Saturday, April 5, 11am - 1pm.

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

Details: Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Digital storytelling

Be a part of Horizon 2025 and have your creation feature as part of the Radical Hope Machine exhibition! A strange machine from another space and time has crash landed on Sunshine Coast, and it needs to be documented.

Create a video or digital story of the Radical Hope Machine’s crash landing and how it surprised the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy working in groups to develop creative ideas for your story. Take on roles like director, camera operator, or scriptwriter, and learn storyboarding, greenscreen techniques, and editing.

Your creation will be seen by thousands of people as part of the Horizon 2025 Festival. Free but registration is essential. All materials provided. Suitable for ages eight to 16-years.

Radical Hope Machine is presented by Horizon in partnership with Sunshine Coast Libraries.

When: Tuesday, April 8, 9.30 - 11am (Coolum) and Thursday, April 10, 9.30 - 11am (Kawana).

Where: Coolum Library and Kawana Library.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Sunshine Coast Libraries

Build, explore and survive by taking on all things Minecraft at Sunshine Coast Libraries these school holidays.

Kids can challenge themselves by completing a quest or find the hidden items in the Scavenger Hunt.

Use papercraft to make game objects and characters. Solve codes and create new character skins at the activity station. Dig out a special mineral with a take home kit or get creative at these Easter Eggcitement sessions.  

There is something for everyone so come along and join the gaming fun.

Scavenger hunt

Search for the letters hidden throughout the library! Find them all to spell out a mystery word… suitable for all ages.

When: Drop in, anytime during opening hours from April 5 to 21.

Where: All Sunshine Coast Libraries and mobile libraries.

Details: Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

MineQuest

Follow the clues and test your Minecraft knowledge in MineQuest. Can you solve the riddles, find the hidden objects and complete the quest? Suitable for ages six plus.

When: Drop in, anytime during opening hours from April 5 to 21.