Your ultimate winter school holiday guide

School holidays. Two words that can strike fear and anxiety in the hearts of parents around the world. But fear not, moms, dads, grandpas and all, you’re reading this, which means you’ve got this (fist pump emoji… and a wine glass emoji for good measure. Maybe two).

Now, the next few weeks don’t have to be all heckers – just filled with a good balance of physical, mental and creative activities to beat the boredom and maintain mental health (yours, that is). And since most of the suggestions on this list cost nothing more than the fuel to get there, just shut up and (don’t) take my money!

So grab your calendar app, come up with some cool plans, and make some memories with your mini-mes.

Pacific fair
Do school holidays feel like a drag? Take your board to the sidewalk as skate fever hits this holiday season at Pacific Fair! By popular demand, Skatefest will see the parking lot (above Target) transformed into a tasteful concrete wonderland from June 21 to July 1. Design your dream skate T-shirt at Design Skool, then develop those skills at Skate Skool with sessions for all levels. Plus, watch pro skaters tear it up and compete for a chance to win a share of over $5,000 in prizes at Demo Night and more. Who’s ready to shred!
Where: 2 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters

Robina city centre
Do little children bounce off the walls? Gather your team to Robina Town Center and let Robina Arena channel that boundless energy into a series of action-packed challenges! They throw down the gauntlet with a Jump Test, Canoe Course and Steady Skater challenge to test their sporting skills. In addition, after completing the course, little champions can decorate their own cookie medals during one of the free cookie sessions, which last half an hour every second day (24 June, 26 June, 28 June, 30 June) from 10am to 1.30pm. , July 2, July 4) bookings are essential.
Where: Robina city centreRobina City Center Drive, Robina

Paradise Center
Paradise Center really is drivewaybring even more fun this holiday season as Skate Paradise returns from June 22 to July 7, 2024. Roll into Surfers and let the groms enjoy some great skateboarding action as the beach area turns into the sickest skate hole around! Beginner boarders will go crazy with daily entertainment, free skating workshops for kids and daily skating shows from the Rock N Slide crew. Enjoy live beats with DJ sets at sunset on select dates, or attend one of the custom sneaker art sessions with Kiel Tillman from June 26 to 28. Rad!
Where: Cavillan 2, Surfers paradise

Of course GC
NaturallyGC’s holiday programs are FREE and specially designed to connect children with nature and encourage outdoor play and learning. The Totally Wild vibe workshops are suitable for all interests and ages, with a range of nature-based activities on offer during the holiday. There are Waterbugs Under the Microscope or Creepy Crawly sessions, native Wildlife Encounters, Boomerangs and Rock Art workshops, and more… but get started, the popular sessions book up quickly! Register online here.
Where: Various Gold Coast locations

SkyPoint
This school holiday period, the wow factor of SkyPoint’s award-winning destination on the 77th level will soar to new heights! Magical Circus combines the stunning 360 degree views with awe-inspiring Las Vegas-style performances, complete with energetic balancing acts, juggling and illusion. The twice-daily shows at 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from June 25 to July 18 and are included with your SkyPoint admission. Talk about improving your entertainment!
Where: SkyPoint Observation Deck, Level 77, Q1, Surfers Paradise

Currumbin Nature Reserve
Every bunny knows that Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s school holiday programs are the bees’ knees! Now aspiring zoologists offer Wild Adventurers Junior (5-8 year olds) half-day sessions and the classic full-day experience for children aged 9 to 12. They can walk on the wild side and get up close to some of the Sanctuary’s star inhabitants. For $34.50 and $69.00 per child, respectively, they can become a zoo scientist for a day, an animal trainer for a day, a veterinarian for a day or a conservationist for a day. Awesome! (90s kids know).

Tickets for holiday programs are always selling out – so if you don’t manage to get a spot, the park itself is always a hoot! Go wild with animal encounters, shows, a zipline Treetop Challenge and breakfast with the koalas five days a week. In addition, the classic feeding sessions of the Rainbow Lorikeets daily at 8am and 4pm are always a success (unless you are afraid of birds, in which case you may want to postpone them).
Where: Tomewinstraat 28, Currumbin

HOTA
Hosted by HOTA’s Children’s Gallery, multidisciplinary Australian artist Abdul Abdullah invites you to step into his immersive and whimsical sanctuary, Kingdom of Kindness. This interactive exhibition for all ages is a special place where the public is free to explore hands-on activities and make friends with the rock characters, bringing them to life with their creativity. Get lost!

From Wednesday 26 June to Wednesday 3 July, HOTA invites creative minds from 8 to 12 years old for a fantastic ARTCATION – a six-day crash course on everything related to art and culture! With a different focus every day, the multi-day program is the ultimate holiday care with an artistic twist. For $60 a day, kids can participate all week or choose from topics like “Junior Engineer Coding” and “Music Mashups.”
Where: Bundallweg 135, Surfers paradise

Dream world
There’s a chance we’ll miss Dreamworld’s coolest Winterfest yet! Put on your hat and head out between June 29 and July 4 for an amazing snowstorm full of family fun. Have a great time with sledding on ice slides, interactive winter-inspired activities, scavenger hunts and some extra special snow surprises. Float around the large pop-up ice rink, then warm up with some satisfying Euro-inspired dishes.
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera

Warner Bros. Film world
Holy smokes, Batman! Get in on the all-star action this winter school holidays as DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains descend on Warner Bros. Movie World. Main Street becomes the ultimate battleground between goodies and baddies, with performances and shows from the most legendary destroyers and defenders of justice. Keep your eyes peeled as you cruise past your favorite attractions for encounters with Batman, Robin, The Joker, Harley Quinn and more.
Where: Pacific Mwy, Oxford

ArtVo
Fun antics during the school holidays are a glow at ArtVo in June! If your minis can’t resist the chance to do a little clowning, reserving a spot for one of the Circus School sessions on Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27 June is a no-brainer. For $20 per child (use code CIRCUS), tickets include admission and a 45-minute interactive lesson covering all the basics of the big top: juggling, spinning, ball and balance skills, along with access to the interactive ArtVo exhibit when you’re done!

The fun doesn’t stop there, with an epic Glow Room Dance Party taking place daily from 10am to 4pm (5pm on weekends). Use the code FUN to get a kid’s voucher for $20 with a paying adult. Talk about having a ball!
Where: Robina city centreRobina City Center Drive, Robina

Smooth surfaces, Surface Festival
Gather the munchkins and head to Miami Marketta on Sunday, June 23 to kick-start the school holidays at Slick Surfaces! This one-day event is an all-ages activity program aimed at primary school pupils and combines DJ workshops, skateboard clinics, urban art activities, brickspert-led LEGO Masterclasses and much more. Too bad, dude – these popular tickets are now sold out, but you can still try your luck on the waiting list (note to self: book early next year!)
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

The beach
Do you have a novice baker on your hands? Certainly donut Don’t miss The Strand’s free winter-themed pampering workshops these school holidays! From Monday, July 1 to Wednesday, July 10, they will deliver the (pastry) goods with additional Cookie and Donut decorations every day between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Have your mini master chef go to town on the icing, sprinkles and snowflakes somewhere other than your house, and if you’re lucky, you can even share in the spoils without having to invoke #MumTax privileges . Plus, you can also score one of 4x $100 Baskin-Robbins vouchers for your efforts. Sweet!
Where: 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Farm & Co
This winter holiday, fun times for the whole family are on the menu at Farm & Co! With Kids Eat Free Fridays through August 30, you can pack up your crew and head out for a day of ranch-style romping. Make a day of it with a farm pass and finish with the ultimate family-friendly dining experience at Farm & Co Restaurant. Kids can run free on the restaurant lawn with a new children’s playground to explore, while parents are treated to farm-to-table dining at its finest.

Can’t get enough of Cudgen’s fresh country air? Pack the picnic blanket and return on Sunday, June 30 for the “Day on the Lawn” festivities. Every last Sunday of the month you can relax in the sun with lawn games, live music and clever activities for the kids. Admission starts at $5 and let the wise know: tickets for this day out are selling fast!
Where: 529 Cudgen Rd, Cudgen

Words by Kellie Leader