KEEP the kids entertained during the summer holidays with activities from Sunshine Coast Council, including everything from acrobatic shows to book clubs, garden adventures and festive fun. There’s something for everyone over the summer break.
Art in a garden adventure
GET the kids outside to rediscover the elements at Elemental Kids at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha. Art workshops showcasing the five elements – earth, fire, water, air and wood – will delight and inspire ages 5-15 years.
When: January 11–15
Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha
Info: https://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/event/14714609-a/elemental-kids-earth
Catch A Bee Story
TAKE the family to A Bee Story for an Australian physical theatre extravaganza that combines circus, acrobatics, dance and live music.
Follow our heroes Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after it is destroyed by a bushfire. An unmissable show for the whole family (suitable for children 3-13 years).
When: 10-10.45am, Friday, January 14
Where: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina
Cost: $15 each or $12.50 for group of 10 or more
Bookings: https://venue114.com.au/events/a-bee-story
Reading Club
HIT the books because Sunshine Coast Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Club is back. Register for free and read for the chance to win great prizes including book, game or toy vouchers. Entries close 5pm Monday, January 21 and winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 2.
Where: Local libraries across the Sunshine Coast
Try the great botanic race
IF you have older kids, head to the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden to try the great botanic race. Grab a map at the entrance and explore the gardens on this self-guided orienteering challenge. Kids will need to find mapped points to solve the puzzle along the way. Great for ages 10 years and older.
Info: Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens
Become an agent of discovery
AGENTS of Discovery is back these school holidays for your kids to enjoy. Agents of Discovery is an educational mobile gaming platform that uses augmented reality to get youth active. Head to your app store to download the free game and try new missions at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve or Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.
Step back in time at Bankfoot House
SEIZE this chance to travel back through time to 1868 and see the wonders of yesteryear at Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct.
Give the virtual reality First Nations app a try or enjoy a free guided tour of the house and discover the ingenuity and adaptability of early settlers. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
Located at 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains.
Entry to Bankfoot House is free and is open to the public 10am-3pm, Wednesday-Sunday (excluding public holidays)
Info: https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Bankfoot-House
200 free adventures on your doorstep
ADVENTURE Sunshine Coast is the number one way to find 200 free walking, cycling, mountain bike riding, paddling and horse riding trails across the region. Whether you have teens who are up for a challenge or preppies who might need something gentler, visit Adventure Sunshine Coast and find your perfect adventure to explore today.
Info: https://adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.
Get to the gallery
STROLL through the Caloundra Regional Gallery and view the Art of Marking: art in public spaces, a collaboration with Urban Arts Projects (UAP). The exhibition highlights finished public artworks alongside conceptual processes and celebrates 28 years of creating and advocating by UAP.
The exhibition runs from December 10 to January 30. Entry is free but registration is required for the floor talk and exhibition launch.
Info: https://gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/en/Exhibitions/Art-of-Making
Unearth invertebrates
BRING the family to see the Spineless Wonders display in the Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
Get up close and personal with the unsung heroes of the animal world – invertebrates.
The Rainforest Discovery Centre is open 9.30am-3.30pm daily (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Info: https://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/See-and-do/Spineless-Wonders
