Top 5 cheap ways to entertain the kids these school holidays

THERE are plenty of things to do in the region these school holidays to entertain the kids that won’t break the bank. Here’s our top five.

School holiday fun in the Moreton Bay Region: train rides at Woodford. Photo: Dominika Lis

1. GO FOR A TRAIN RIDE

There’s something captivating about trains that kids big and small find hard to resist. In the Moreton Bay Region you’ll find two places to embrace your inner child or entertain your own little one.

Melsa Train Park at Bribie Island was started 30 years ago by the Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association. Take a delightful 500m journey around the track on the third Sunday of every month from 10am-2.30pm. Train rides are just $2. Melsa Train Park is at Toorbul St, Bongaree. Phone [phone] for more details.

The Woodford Railway also runs affordable train rides on the first and third Sunday of each month, with trains departing about every 30 minutes from 10am-3.30pm. Train rides take about 20 minutes and are also a chance to take in the Woodford scenery. The day can be an opportunity to learn about locomotives of yesteryear, or just enjoy the ride. Tickets are $6 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children and free for children under five years of age. The Woodford Railway is at Margaret St, Woodford. For more information phone [phone].

School holiday fun in Moreton Bay Region: Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine. Photo: Dominika Lis.

2. CHECK OUT A LOCAL PARK

The Moreton Bay Region is packed with parks perfect for kicking a ball and having a swing and slide. There are a couple of parks in the region which offer a little bit more.

Scarborough Beach Park at Landsborough Ave, Scarborough, is home to a pirate and train playground as well as a giant jumping pillow. The popular fenced jumping pillow is at the northern end of the park and is protected by a shade sail and row of Norfolk pine trees.

The park is a favourite for children of all ages, with a grove of cotton trees perfect for climbing, a basketball half court and geometric climbing equipment. Set on absolute beachfront, the park has barbecues, toilets, green space for kicking a ball and sandy shores for building a castle. Pack swimmers and a towel in case the little ones feel like having a dip.

Pine Rivers Park at 125 Gympie Rd, Strathpine, has something to suit children of all ages. There’s a flying fox and climbing frame nestled among Norfolk Pine trees and a garden maze surrounded by a pedal train track. There’s also a toddler playground with amusements set at their height, sandpit and swings. Pine Rivers Park has a wheelchair accessible Liberty swing so everyone can join in the fun. Big grassed areas are perfect for a game of footy.

School holiday fun in the Moreton Bay Region: hitting the waves at Woorim, Bribie Island. Photo: Dominika Lis.

3. HEAD TO THE BEACH

Whether your children like to hit the waves or paddle around in calmer waters, there’s a beach for you in the region.

Bribie’s Woorim Beach is the region’s surf beach and is patrolled by surf lifesavers. Moreton Island protects Bribie from southerly swells, so waves average between 0.5 and 1m, but can be much larger. You can break out a boogie board, paddle in the shallows or build a sandcastle on the beach. Remember to swim between the red and yellow flags. You can get to the beach from Rickman Pde, Woorim.

If calmer waters are a better fit for your child, there are plenty of options in the region, so pick one close to home or try a different spot each day. You can head to Redcliffe, Bongaree, Beachmere, Toorbul, Donnybrook, Margate, Sandstone Point, Deception Bay or Woody Point.

School holiday fun in the Moreton Bay Region: Settlement Cove, Redcliffe. Photo: Dominika Lis.

4. JOIN IN SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Moreton Bay Regional Council has organised heaps of activities to keep children entertained during the school holidays — at libraries and outdoors.

The Active Holidays program is for children aged 3-17 years and offers sessions run by qualified instructors in parks and facilities across the region. The program includes water polo, archery, fishing, sushi making, mountain biking, hip-hop, rock climbing, stand up paddleboarding, sailing and more. Activities are $5 or free. Visit moretonbay.qld.gov.au/healthy-active/active-holidays/timetable/ for details and to register.

Local libraries are also offering a program of activities for young children and teens. There’s everything from a board game Olympics and Dinosaur Roar Show to LEGO workshops and more. Visit moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries/events/kids-school-holidays/ for details and to register.

School holiday fun in the Moreton Bay Region: Settlement Cove, Redcliffe. Photo: Dominika Lis.

5. MAKE A SPLASH

The weather is warming up and if you’re looking for a fun way to cool off, here are three great options in our region’s backyard.

Check out Albany Creek Leisure Centre at the corner of Old Northern Rd and Explorer Drive. It has a water slide and “rapid river” which will keep your children entertained for hours. The Rapid River is a circle of fun, using water jets to create a current which is fun to ride. There’s also a junior water slide with water spouts and fountains. The waterslide costs $6.70 for unlimited slides, plus the entry fee of $5.50.

Settlement Cove Lagoon is a paradise beside the sea. The lagoon has sections including a fenced off pool area for younger children. The area is shaded and contains mushroom fountains and squirting lizards. The water is shallow along the edges and gets deeper the further you step in. There’s an island in the middle with inlets and rocks. Settlement Cove Lagoon is at Redcliffe Pde.

Deception Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre is home to a zero-depth splash pad, toddlers’ pool and play area and 50m Olympic pool. The centre is at Maine Tce, Deception Bay. Phone [phone].