Look closely, and you’ll see that fun activities for families are everywhere.. The seemingly endless things to do in Brisbane are made all the more memorable when you bring your children along for the ride.
It doesn't matter if you're exploring vast, incredible ecosystems, meeting animals, or tackling obstacles that keep your heart pumping and the blood racing. Your whole family will be delighted and engaged no matter where you go.
These children’s activities in Brisbane inspire imagination, dare children to dream bigger, and invite them to learn and play.
Brisbane CBD
Brisbane’s Central Business District is on the northern bank of the Brisbane River, in the heart of the city. There’s so much to do, including restaurants, cafés, and museums. Check out these fan favorites for kids who need a little more activity throughout their day.
1. Roma Street Parkland
Nothing inspires children’s imaginations as much as sprawling outdoor spaces, where any kind of adventure can unfold. At Roma Street Parkland, 16 ha await, complete with various ecosystems.
Your children can lead their very own safari through rainforests, lakeside meadows, and other environments. Slides, spinners, swings, and climbing walls integrate with the vibrant plant life and expert landscaping.
The equipment draws inspiration from nature, featuring birdhouse-inspired lookout towers and natural elements, such as a passion fruit-themed tunnel. Surrounding the playground, your children will discover an edible garden filled with seasonal herbs, fruits, and veggies amid the flowers.
2. The Corner at The State Library of Queensland
A love of reading and creativity starts early at The Corner at the State Library of Queensland. This special space is suited for children aged eight and younger and their families.
Delve into numerous stories and crafts together, or check out the regular free structured events and services for a lighthearted, fun afternoon. Daily, open-ended play sessions invite children to play together, where their imaginations come to life.
From story time led by librarians to rhyme time filled with music and rhymes, all sorts of events delight children. They can engage in creative play, online games, and digital exhibitions and develop a passion for literature.
South Bank
South Bank is one of the most iconic destinations in the city. However, it’s even more astounding when seen from above.
3. The Wheel of Brisbane
On the Wheel of Brisbane, you see the city from a sky-high view that can’t be beat. Children of all ages delight as a gentle Ferris wheel slowly revolves, reaching heights of 60 meters above the ground for an unforgettable vantage point.
It’s a comfortable, leisurely adventure with fully enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas that’ll take your kids’ breath away. Up high, they can marvel at the panoramic view of the Brisbane River and the city surrounding it. The view is particularly stunning at night, when the city’s lights shimmer like stars.
Who says learning can’t be fun? During the ride, an audio tour discusses the city's landscape and its unique characteristics.
Mount Coot-tha
Slip into the western suburbs of Brisbane and discover Mount Coot-tha, where bushwalks and garden strolls inspire a love of nature.
4. Brisbane Botanic Gardens
Nestled in the foothills of Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane Botanic Gardens spreads across 56 ha, begging to be explored. Here, your children will discover plants from all sorts of ecosystems, including dry, arid deserts and warm, wet rainforests.
Take on the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail for a rainforest adventure, starting near the Japanese Garden and meandering your way through the dense foliage. Everything, from fungi on the forest floor to the highest branches stretching into the sky, invites natural exploration.
On your stroll, you’ll meet all sorts of animals, both real and pretend. Live stingless bees fly about in their endless pursuit of nectar. You might even spot some bats hanging from the tree branches.
Fig Tree Pocket
Venture to the west of Brisbane, where the riverside suburb of Fig Tree Pocket offers the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary.
5. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
It’s hard not to smile when you’re staring at an adorable koala. At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can get up close and personal with these iconic marsupials. You can even give a koala a hug for a memorable photo shoot. Owls, snakes, sheepdogs, dingoes, and barn animals await your visit.
If you have an aspiring zookeeper in your family, sign them up for the Junior Keeper for a Day experience. Children get the opportunity to care for these marvelous animals, from cleaning and feeding to training and enriching their lives.
Of course, you don’t have to jump into one of the amazing encounters to have a memorable time here. Wander through several habitats as you try to spot the animals that call this sanctuary home.
Circus Fun Awaits You!
Why juggle plans when you can watch the pros? Discover amazing circus shows in Brisbane Amazement guaranteed!
Daisy Hill
South of Brisbane, you’ll discover Daisy Hill, home to the sprawling Daisy Hill Conservation Park and adorable koalas.
6. Daisy Hill Koala Centre
The Daisy Hill Koala Centre may not allow you to hold the koalas for photos, but you can meet some other fluffy animals in their natural habitat. Watch them climb through eucalyptus trees from smooth, accessible boardwalks.
You might even see wallabies or possums if you’re quiet enough not to startle them. The entire experience is designed to be educational. Join in on some of the keeper talks, where you’ll hear firsthand stories about conserving koalas and other animals.
Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain sits an hour south of Brisbane. This iconic part of the Gold Coast promises stunning views of waterfalls, rainforests, and bushlands.
7. TreeTop Challenge Tamborine Mountain Adventure
If you have daredevils in your midst, the Tamborine Mountain Adventure at TreeTop Challenge is the place to be. As you swoop across canyons, channel your inner adventurer and witness some of the best views of the mountain's lush greenery.
If you take the Canyon Flyer Zipline Tour, you’ll tackle seven zip lines that take you up more than 70 m in the air at speeds of up to 70 km per hour. This three-hour adventure isn't for the faint of heart.
Younger children and those who prefer less adrenaline with their escapades have access to the TreeTop Challenge course. It has 120 activities spread across 9 acres of rainforest and bushland. These activities vary in difficulty and are suitable for most people aged eight and older, regardless of fitness level.
At the Juniors Adventure Park, the youngest in the group can embrace their inner explorer. Children aged 3 to 7 learn to throw caution to the wind, embrace their boldness, or face their fears. The park has 50 high rope games and four gentler zip lines that take them up into the treetops to explore and create memories they’ll never forget.
Chandler
In Chandler, children can get their hands dirty at one of the most popular pop-up events for kids in the area.
8. Gumtree Kids Sensory and Messy Play
At Gumtree Kids Sensory and Messy Play sessions, kids can embrace their inner messiness as they engage their senses. After all, the best way to learn is through hands-on investigation and exploration. Here, your children will gain access to safe spaces where they can get their hands and feet dirty.
Your children will dig into mud, kinetic sand, and other safe materials outdoors, and when it’s time to leave, you get to leave the mess behind. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Underwood
If you’re looking for a family affair everyone can enjoy, you want to be in Underwood. Here, you'll find the country’s largest indoor playground, where children and adults alike can find something to enjoy.
9. Area 51
Area 51 transports your children into a futuristic, sci-fi-themed indoor family entertainment center. The various play areas are limited by age group for safety. Each offers a chance to engage your child’s unique interests and risk tolerance.
From inflatable playgrounds and trampoline parks to ninja zones, mega slides, and high ropes, it’s a true one-size-fits-all solution. This is the perfect excursion if the weather is less than ideal or you just want to beat the heat for a day.
Hendra
Get ready to explore some of Hendra's most challenging urban obstacle courses.
10. Urban Xtreme
Venture into Urban Xtreme and let your children test their limits. This adventure park pushes your children to the extreme, presenting all sorts of fun, engaging, and exciting challenges.
Watch your older children embrace their inner ninjas across obstacles. Maybe they prefer to catch some air on the indoor trampoline park as they twist, flip, and bounce their way through their own acrobatics. They might even tackle the Launch Jump, where they can free-fall from one of three levels onto an airbag.
Even your youngest children can join in the fun. The small-scale playground is explicitly reserved for toddlers aged six and under. They can climb, slide, and jump across the course.
Tingalpa
You might still be in the city of Tingalpa, but you’ll forget about the skyscrapers and busy streets when you enter these adventure play areas.
11. Bounce
Bounce in Tingalpa keeps the blood pumping and the spirits high for the whole family. The giant free-jump arena has 50 trampolines, banked walls, and tumble tracks encouraging you to defy gravity. If you need more air, the high-performance trampolines allow for more advanced maneuvers.
Those who are feeling particularly competitive can check out the X-Park adventure. Trampolines provide the leverage needed to navigate through parkour, ninja, and rock-climbing obstacles in all sorts of levels. Here, everyone, from beginners to pros, can challenge themselves.
12. The Jungle Adventure Play
Delve into an indoor jungle, where your children will swing like monkeys through trees and put their limits to the test. The Jungle Adventure Play has everything, from toddler-sized play equipment to aerial obstacle courses and climbing walls.
The daring gravitate toward the Gorilla Warrior course, where you’ll fly through the air as you try to swing from rope to rope and push yourself to new heights. Fling yourself into gravity’s embrace as you free fall on the Jungle Jump, landing on a soft cushion below.
For an exciting day the whole family can appreciate, hop aboard the Mini Golf Safari. You'll explore caves, a deserted mine, and a wrecked plane. The entire experience will make you feel like you've been transported out of the city into the vast wilderness.
Various Locations
Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in Brisbane with children. From miniature golf courses to a myriad of kid-friendly hikes, the city offers endless possibilities for fun.
13. Mini Golf
Some of Brisbane's best mini golf courses take you into beautiful landscapes and fantastical settings. Watch your child’s face light up when exploring the Undersea Putt & Play, where black lights add a bright twist.
Try out St. Lucia’s Garden Golf Putt Putt to introduce the youngest members of your family to the excitement. With so many options, you’ll surely find one your whole family will love.
14. Aqua Parks
From the Brisbane River to Moreton Bay on the coast, aquatic activities are family-friendly staples in this city. You’ll find no shortage of aqua parks here, ranging from Flagstone Water Play Park, where your children can splash and stomp through puddles while being sprayed from all angles.
Gold Coast Wake Park pushes aquatic sports to a new level. Cable skiing, wakeboarding, and an inflatable aqua park invite visitors to jump in and enjoy the great outdoors.
15. Kid-Friendly Hikes
With such close proximity to so many stunning landscapes, it’s no wonder a family favorite is getting outdoors for a hike. The best kid-friendly hikes near Brisbane are suitable for hikers of all levels, from gentle, easy paths to those with more of a challenge.
Explore Mount Tamborine or Mount Coot-tha, or venture into the bushland and see what you find. There are so many good places to go hiking in Brisbane that you could make a weeks-long vacation out of it.
Hop, Skip, and Jump Across Brisbane’s Kid-Friendly Adventures
The adventures and wild experiences for kids never end in this city. Even beyond this list, numerous national parks, museums, and Brisbane beaches make the perfect spot to take your family. No matter where you go, you’ll enter worlds that evoke the senses.
While you’re at it, stop by to visit us. We’ll continue the trend of inspiring adventure and imagination. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as we make those ninja courses at Brisbane’s parks look like child’s play.
At our shows in Brisbane, we’ll coax you into our world, where we subvert every expectation and anything can happen. Watch as our performers rival the untamed beauty and ferocity of the surrounding bushland. Discover what dreams are made of. There’s no such thing as impossible when we take the stage.