Hand holding a phone
It's easier on the app!

Access your booking on the go.

15 Things To Do In Brisbane With Kids

Park overlooking Brisbane

There are so many things to do in Brisbane with kids that you might not get to all of them before you have to head home! From the moment you land at the Brisbane airport or step out into Brisbane Central Station, you will love everything about the friendly nature of this city. There are few places that are so family-friendly, and you will be thrilled that you chose to spend school holidays or family vacation here!

Make sure that you take care of your luggage properly when you arrive in Brisbane. You will want to drop your luggage off in secure storage in Brisbane so that you and your kids do not have to struggle to drag bags along while you go on adventures. Once your luggage is stored and safe, you can have the peace of mind that you need to have fun during your trip!

Swimming with kids in Brisbane

15 Things To Do in Brisbane With Kids

The Harry Potter Trail

The Harry Potter Trail in Brisbane is a really unique and special adventure that kids of all ages will love. To enjoy this family adventure, you will travel through town following a course, adding one thing at a time to your wizard's gear to prepare you to head to school at Hogwarts.

This is a great way to see the city and also to entertain your kids, and the effort that is put into this fun activity is really impressive.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

There is nothing that says Australia or Brisbane like cuddling a koala! This lovely animal sanctuary is home to 130 of these little marsupials that are protected and cared for by the team at Lone Pine. This is one of the best interactive activities that you can share with your kids while you are in Brisbane, and everyone will remember your visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for years to come.

You can get here from the city centre near a lot of the best museums and educational activities if you take a river cruise. This can add to your day enjoying native Australian animals by starting the day with a fun adventure.

Take a River Cruise

The Brisbane River can take you to many unique adventures that your kids will love during your stay. Even older kids will have fun on a river cruise, and you can head to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or to kangaroo Point Cliffs during your excursion. There is something that is so essentially Brisbane about traveling along the river, and you will love that your kids can get a new look at the city from a different angle.

This is a great choice for a hot day to relax and get a break from the heat. If your kids burn in the sun, this can be a nice day that is not spent entirely in the sun.

South Bank

This is one of the best free things to do in Brisbane with kids, and this lovely waterfront offers access to an aquativity waterpark as well as sand, sun, and a lagoon! This is actually an access point for the well-known Streets Beach, and you can let your kids run wild and have fun all day at this beautiful outdoor location.

There are lots of museums and art exhibits here in this area as well, so you can make the most of your day and follow it up with free entry to the beach.

Things to do with kids in Brisbane

Sparklab ScienCentre

If your kids love to try interactive exhibits and learn about the human body, nature, and science in general, this is one of the best kid-friendly attractions to bring them to. This is one of the best things to do in Brisbane with kids, and you can enjoy exhibits about optical illusions, space, and more when you visit.

This is a really nice South Brisbane adventure. You will also be a stone's throw from lots of really good food and enjoyable shopping if you want to make a full day out of your time in this part of the city.

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

On the topic of exciting science adventures in Brisbane, you can book a planetarium visit while you are visiting. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a great activity to enjoy in Brisbane with kids, and the shows are really amazing. Your kids will be mesmerized by the show, and you can choose from a variety of presentations that are tailored to different interests and ages.

The Wheel of Brisbane

Located in South Bank near the water, this huge Ferris wheel offers you a 360-degree view of the city, South Bank, and the Brisbane River. The Wheel rotates slowly enough that you can see all of South Bank as you ride. You can even keep small kids entertained on the Wheel as your ride because there is so much to see.

For a more romantic view of the South Bank area, you need to ride the Wheel at night and see the South Bank area with all of the lights on. The Wheel gives you a whole new perspective on the city and lets you see all of what it has to offer to people of all ages.

New Farm Park

This is a lovely location along the Brisbane River that will let your family have some quiet fun in the sun. You can enjoy the water here by kayaking or paddleboarding, or you can ride bikes and hike. This is a great place to bring a picnic and just sit down to enjoy the peace and quiet.

This location is also near locations that host live arts events, local farmer's markets on the weekend, and more! You can head here to partake of a scheduled event, or you might want to just enjoy the scenery and have a peaceful day with your kids.

Streets Beach

Streets Beach is a really fun location to play in Brisbane with kids, and you and your family can have fun here enjoying the sun, the water, and the freedom to run and play. There is also a really neat lagoon in the middle. Inner-city beaches don't exist in many other places in the world, and this special location is one of the best places to enjoy Brisbane with kids.

Australia is known for its lovely beaches, and Streets Beach will not disappoint.

Queensland Art Gallery

Another key location in Brisbane's South Bank area, this amazing art gallery is home to everything from contemporary art to permanent installations and interactive exhibits. The Queensland Art Gallery is one of the best places to head to see indigenous art as well. There are few places that are as special as this one along the South Bank area, and you will love that you and your kids can see such a wide array of art here.

This location is sometimes busy during school holidays, so plan to visit the museum earlier in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

This is one of the coolest places to visit with your kids because there is everything from a bamboo garden to a cannon exhibit and more! From river frontage and scenic walkways to concerts that are hosted on the grounds, there is so much to love about this location in the South Bank area.

The botanic gardens are a really special part of the fabric of this city, and heading to visit them during your trip is almost a must-do item.

Brisbane Ferris Wheel

Queen Street Mall

If you have older kids with you who are being a bit resistant about heading to see the cultural sites and things like museums, you will need to take them to Queen Street Mall. This is a really nice option for fun shopping in the shade and there are plenty of really nice stores here that teens will love. There is also food here in the mall, which makes this an easy place to head for everything that your family needs to enjoy an outing.

Australia Zoo

Once the home of the crocodile hunter, this zoo is still managed by Steve Irwin's family. This location is actually an hour's drive from the city center and the South Bank area, but it is well worth the trip. This is a very special experience where kids can meet the Irwin family, take part in an animal meet and greet and enjoy all the other fun things that are offered at this location.

This is a zoo that is concerned with conservation first and foremost. Your kids will learn about the ways that they can help to maintain the habitats of the animals that call the Gold Coast their home. This is a memorable adventure to add to your family holiday, and you will be so glad that you took the time to head here with your kids.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Located in Brisbane CBD, this lovely natural feature of the Brisbane area is famous for good reason. The cliffs were actually formed through mining efforts completed by early settlers to the area, and they have since become a popular place to enjoy rock climbing, picnic, and have fun in the sun. There is a park area here that is perfect for a meal or to take a walk with your family.

Brisbane CBD is a really nice area that is also home to luxury shopping and boutique areas that are not available throughout the rest of the city.

Queensland Museum

This is one of the most visited museum locations in all of Australia. This is because of the wide array of really neat exhibits that you can enjoy with your kids when you visit. Check out modern art other art galleries, and see fossils and dinosaur skeletons. The Queensland Art Gallery is also nearby, and you will be close to the Queensland Performing Arts Center as well

The Queensland Museum will offer you an inside look at the history of this unique city as well as offer your kids a wide array of exhibits that are dedicated to other native Australian animals.

Beach in Brisbane

What Are the Best Family Activities in Brisbane?

New Farm Park in Brisbane is one of the best places to spend a day as a family in this city. Farm Park and New Farm Park offer easy access to the Brisbane River, and they are great places to ride bikes, enjoy local events, and even participate in things like 5K runs.

Australia Zoo is probably one of the most popular things to do with children in this city, and this location is a favorite of local Brisbane kids for a good reason. You will also be able to count on a Brisbane River cruise to offer up family fun that you cannot get anywhere else.

What kid would not love to be able to tell their friends at home about the fun things that they did on their family holiday? When the trip includes things like cruising the river, meeting a koala, or enjoying the beach, you know that they will come home thrilled with their time in Brisbane city.

Brisbane is a Great Place to Travel With Kids

Brisbane is a really lovely city, and you will have so much fun during your visit to this part of Australia. From South Bank to the Brisbane River and the Queensland Museum, there are so many things that kids can do with their parents when they visit Brisbane.

If you have been planning a trip to this area, you can probably already tell that there are so many things to do in Brisbane with kids that you might not have enough days to enjoy them all. Make sure that you store your bags safely before you head out on your adventures. Being able to free up your hands to take part fully in all the activities that you have planned is essential. Once your bags are safe, you are free to have fun on your trip!

Related guides