Step one: save, screenshot, and plaster this list to every surface.
Step one: save, screenshot, and plaster this list to every surface.

Ah, summer school holidays, our old foe.. we meet again. Six magical, memory-filled.. very long weeks of slogging it out keeping the mini-me’s entertained (and your sanity intact, ideally)… some days, it really do be feeling like an endless summer.
Never fear, parents, carers, ‘funcles’ and ‘faunties’ – we got you. But like, not like, in a ‘child minding’ way (soz), more in a ‘thoughts, prayers, and compiling the best school holiday activities on the Gold Coast into one handy list’ kind of way.. aka, this very bible of boredom busters you have clicked upon.
Screenshot it, send it on, stash it for safe keeping and stick it to all your most important surfaces (fridge door, namely). At some point (right around day three, lbh) your (mildly exhausted) future self will be eternally grateful.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a school holiday favourite for good reason. From hands-on holiday programs for kids aged 5–16 years to animal encounters, shows and the always-popular Feed the Rainbow Lorikeets at 8am and 4pm daily, there’s plenty to keep little wildlife lovers entertained. Add in the Treetop Challenge zipline, park train and Outback Adventure Precinct and you’ve got a full-day winner.
Until 24 December, the sanctuary also hosts Wild Christmas, transforming the park into a festive family escape. Expect Christmas photo ops without the shopping centre chaos, surprise elf sightings, and meet-and-greets with Blinky Bill, Nutsy the Koalas and the Christmas Fairy, all included with day tickets (and free for National Trust members).
When the sun goes down, Astra Lumina Gold Coast lights up the sanctuary with a magical, after-dark walking trail through the bushland (ticketed separately).
Where: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin

Hold on to your HOTA’s, because the Gold Coast’s cultural hub is serving up a dreamy school holiday win for little creatives. This summer, the Children’s Gallery is home to Cloudy with a Chance of Art, a playful, imagination-fuelled exhibition that turns daydreaming into an art form. Running until 1st February, the sky’s the limit as kids explore cloud-inspired artworks by some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, alongside hands-on, interactive activities designed to spark creativity.
It’s not just about looking either, this immersive experience invites little visitors to imagine, create and play, with sky-themed activities that’ll keep tiny hands busy and minds buzzing (all in blissful air-conditioning, no less). Best of all, entry is completely free. No bookings, no tickets, just drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm.
While you’re there, make a day of it. Let the kids roam the outdoor play spaces, cool off by the lake, grab a bite at HOTA Café, or catch a family-friendly flick at HOTA Cinema. A summer must-do for curious kids and culture-loving parents alike.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

Paradise Centre is making waves these school holidays with a summer lineup designed for maximum fun in the sun. From 3–11 January, spend $50 in one transaction and take on the Beach Locker Challenge, where you can unlock a locker packed with epic prizes including pool rings, sunnies, bags, vouchers and more (find it daily from 1pm–4pm near Newsextra).
There’s also Ping Pong Paradise, serving up free table tennis action daily from 9am–8pm in the beachfront precinct – paddles, balls and bragging rights all sorted. Keep an eye out for the lively lifeguard duo, making a splash daily from 1pm–4pm, and don’t forget to swing past the Pop-up Sunscreen Station for free sunscreen and neon zinc, open 11am–2pm from 3–11 January.
And if all else fails, the rag-tag entertainment gang – Timezone, Zone Bowling and Padlock’d, have never let us down yet.
Where: 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Sanctuary Cove is turning up the summer vibes with five days of free(ish) family fun in the Marine Village from Monday 19 to Friday 23 January (10am–2pm daily). Expect inflatable chaos on the waterfront, with the Wipeout Challenge running 19, 21 & 23 January, and the Radical Run Race taking over on 20 & 22 January, perfect for kids who need to burn off that school holiday energy.
How to play? Simply spend $20+ at any Sanctuary Cove retailer and show your receipt to score a turn on the inflatables. Then stick around for waterfront dining, boutique shopping and all the breezy marina vibes.
Where: The Marine Village, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island

Need a break from all that festive cheer (and obsessively vacuuming up tinsel that just. keeps. coming)? Might we suggest tinsel town for a refreshing change of pace. On select dates until 23 December, experience White Christmas, with the park’s biggest parade, festive characters, magical precincts and rides under the stars, Movie World style.
Then, as the school holidays roll on, Hooray For Hollywood returns to the streets of Warner Bros. Movie World from 28 December to 18 January. Expect their biggest-ever Movie Magic Parade, glitzy street entertainment and cameos from an all-star cast, including classic characters and all your (we mean… your kids’) favourites.
And if you needed one more excuse to visit, the SCOOBY-DOO! Spooky Coaster has just reopened open. Case closed.
Where: Warner Bros Movie World, Pacific Mwy, Oxenford

Get ready to roll into Rollerama, the GC’s roller-skating rink at Carrara Markets. This vibrant addition to the markets transformed the existing events arena into a permanent roller-skating haven.
Picture disco lights, graffiti walls, and a live DJ, creating an electric atmosphere with over 500 pairs of light-up roller skates available for hire. Lace-up for 2-hour skating sessions every Friday and Saturday night, plus daytime fun on Saturdays and Sundays alongside the regular markets.
Calling all parents: Rollerama is the ultimate school holiday destination with skate sessions every weekday. Plus, they’re open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm during school holidays.
No need to book. Just roll up on the day or secure your spot online. Let the good times roll!
Where: Carrara Markets, 2 Market Street, Carrara

Oh, how we (and by association, our eternally ‘bored’ offspring) love the City of Gold Coast’s array of free and low-cost activities on offer thanks to the Gold Coast Active & Healthy Program. There’s stacks of stuff going down daily for all ages, so jump on their website and compare calendars stat (pro tip, filter by ‘school holidays’). Get amongst everything from junior park runs, colour blast obstacle courses and summer dance parties to hip hop workshops (one our own kidlets can attest to).
Where: Various locations across the Gold Coast

Gold Coast Recreation Precinct is shaking up school holiday fun with half-day sessions of outdoor adventure activities for kids aged 8+. This isn’t the usual holiday entertainment – it’s an opportunity to ditch the couch, step out of the comfort zone, and dive into activities like Canoeing, Kayaking and Abseiling with Quick Jumps, all in supportive and fun environment. Bookings are essential, and at just $37.45 per child, spots won’t last long. Give your kids a holiday experience they’ll never forget! Dates from 5th January.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

The NaturallyGC Kids school holiday program gives your intrepid adventurers the chance to explore.. and dare we say… learn (shhh).. about the Gold Coast’s natural environment, with a range of range of nature-based activities on offer. Book them in for heaps of free workshops, and switch screen time for green time with deep dive sessions such as ‘Mini marine biologists’, ‘Little Twitches’, ’Koala Kids’ and ‘Scaly Reptiles’ all on offer. It’s giving Totally Wild (#iykyk, 90’s kids).
Where: Various locations across the Gold Coast

As always, there’s action packed adventure days a plenty happening at KDV Sport School Holiday Camps. Kiddos aged 5–13 are catered for, with more options than you can poke a tennis racquet at – mini golf, tennis, dodge-ball, swimming, basketball, table tennis, padel tennis, arts & crafts, talent shows, rock climbing aaaand *pauses dramatically to inhale* cricket all on offer. We’re exhausted just reading all that. The kids will be begging to go back and try them all.
Where: 221 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara

Celebrate the Christmas season, Coolangatta-style, at The Strand, with festive fun for the whole family (yes, even your four-legged besties). This December, the centre is turning up the holiday cheer with a calendar of free, family-friendly experiences designed to make Christmas shopping a little more magical.
For the first time ever, Santa will be visiting The Strand until 24 December, giving families the chance to snap a festive photo while ticking off the Christmas list. There are also special Paws & Santa Claus sessions on 11, 13, 19 and 21 December, so your furry friends don’t miss out on the fun.
Kids can get hands-on at Santa’s Bake House from 20–24 December, with a free in-centre Christmas cookie decorating workshop popping up on the ground floor, the perfect sweet treat to keep little elves entertained.
Where: The Strand at Coolangatta, Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Unil 24 December, Broadbeach Mall transforms into a magical Gingerbread Village, serving up free family fun and festive cheer beside The Oasis Shopping Centre.
By day (10am–3pm daily), book into festive workshops featuring gingerbread cookie decorating, Christmas crafts and storytime theatre. At night (5pm–8pm daily), meet Santa and his elves, snap a free Santa selfie and post your wish list at Santa’s Post Office.
Don’t miss Movies Under the Stars at Kurrawa Park on Friday 19 December, with a free screening of Arthur Christmas from 7pm.
Where: Broadbeach Mall, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Although our city is known for sunshine, the weather gods have been known to frown upon us with iffy conditions in summer. Although including this in our list makes sunshine inevitable, so you’re welcome. In the event of rain, to prevent your kiddos from suffering dreary weather moods #theworst, check out our list of things to do indoors when it’s raining on the Coast.
Words by Belinda Symons