7 budget-friendly activities for kids in Brisbane
Save money but don't skimp on fun with these free and low cost activities for Brisbane kids.
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If you're looking for fun, Brisbane is the place to be. The river city is famous for its family-friendly appeal, but a day out with kids in doesn't have to drain the piggybank. We've pulled together a list of budget-friendly activities that are easy on the wallet.
1. Tour Bluey's neighbourhood
Take a relaxed family walk through Paddington - the home of Australia’s favourite cartoon blue heeler, Bluey.
Your Bluey-loving youngster/s can say ‘wackadoo’, while you explore this charming suburb by foot. Look for buildings, streets and cafes that resemble locations featured in Bluey episodes.
Stop and refuel at one of Paddington's cafes at the end of your tour.
2. Get arty in the city
Play a game of 'I spy' through Brisbane’s laneways using the artworks in the Outdoor Gallery.
While you’re in the city, duck into the Museum of Brisbane for an additional hit of art, culture and history.
3. Live the park life
With more than 2180 parks across the city and great weather year-round, Brisbane is the spot to live the park life.
Pack snacks, scooters and sunscreen and head off on a family adventure to your favourite park. Popular parks include New Farm Park, Roma Street Parkland and South Bank Parklands. Or discover a new park like Torwood Park, Auchenflower or Kidspace Playground in 7th Brigade Park, Chermside.
Kids of all ages love Brisbane’s BMX parks and skate parks. Whether they skateboard, blade, BMX or scooter, there’s a track for them to have a ‘wheely’ good time while you cheer on from the sidelines.
4. Spend the day stargazing
Send the kids to outer space at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Sit back and relax under the Cosmic Skydome as you jet off on an out of this world adventure.
Make a day of it by exploring the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha afterward.
For real-life stargazing, head to one of our lookouts after dark and explore the night sky at your own pace. Our vote goes to Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve for its 180-degree cityscape views.
5. Let the trip be your destination
Do your kids love anything that floats, flies or drives? Spend the day riding public transport. Ride a Brisbane bus, explore the river onboard a CityCat, or travel by train, or do a combination of all 3.
Do you have a plane-spotter in the family? Pack a picnic and head to one of Brisbane Airport’s dedicated plane spotting sites.
6. Spark their creative side
Keep little hands and minds busy at your local Council library. They host a range of workshops and maker spaces for kids to explore their creativity.
Head to Reverse Garbage Queensland in Woolloongabba to stock up on ideas and supplies for eco-inspired DIY projects.
7. Once upon a time...
If your kids love books, open their minds to wonder at a storytime session at a Council library. Or head to storytime at a Brisbane bookshop such as Quick Brown Fox (Grange) and the Where the Wild Things Are Bookshop (West End).
If your kids are Harry Potter fans, treat them to a visit to the Harry Potter room at Manly's Mad Hatter's Bookshop.
Keep the fun times rolling
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Editor's note: The featured content in Brisbane Explore is created to inspire residents and visitors to plan a day out exploring Brisbane. Brisbane City Council disclaims any relationship with, or endorsement of, businesses featured in this article.