30+ kids activities happening these Winter Holidays!

Running out of ideas at this point in the holiday mayhem? Read all the fun cheap activities happening here in Ipswich and surrounding areas to help you save some money these school holidays.

Ipswich School Holiday Fun

The last school bell rang across the state on June 24 for the start of winter holidays, leaving parents and caregivers to entertain their kids for two full weeks.

As time ticks down before school starts up again on July 10, ideas on how to keep the kids occupied might be running a little low.

For many children, school holidays is a time to rejoice as they are not trapped inside a classroom all day.

But with cost of living pressures looming over many families heads, some parents may not share the same excitement.

Here is a list of affordable school holiday fun in Brisbane’s West set to bring a smile to children’s faces and parents pockets:

The Workshops Rail Museum. Pheobe and Anita Douglass and Jason Douglass and Ryder

Workshops Railway Museum

The Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum will be host to young tradies these school holidays, with their Under Construction School Holiday Program.

Children of all ages will have the chance to create a masterpiece with LEGO, Straws and K’Nex, with programs ranging across all trades.

Kids will have the chance to design their masterpieces through several programs, like Tiny Tradies, Henry Hyde’s Toolbox, Builder’s Plate Maker Space, and Big Blue Blocks.

This program is free with the museum’s general admission, and will run all holidays from 9:30am to 4pm.

For an extra cost, there will also be a chance for miniature train rides on the Land Train which will operate from 10am to 3pm.

Entrance to the Workshops and Railway Museum will cost an adult $14.50, a child (ages 3 to 15) $11.50, with free entry to children under three.

A family of four (2 adults and 2 children) can enter the museum for less than $50.

For more information visit the website.

EPIC Ipswich

This cafe has board games galore!

Families can relax and have a meal while playing a board game of their choice, seven days a week.

There are many game options to keep families happy like trading card games, tabletop games, role-playing games, and classics like bingo and darts.

This spot makes for a cute afternoon tea out with all board/card games free to use while enjoying food and drinks.

For more information visit the website.

Booval Fair Dino Dig

Booval Fair Shopping Centre will be host to some roarsome fun these June holidays with free dinosaur digging.

Children will have the chance to make their own dinosaur fossil before trying to dig it up in a pit – like real archaeologists.

The dino dig will take place outside Woolworths from 10am to 1pm daily until June 30.

Although this event is free, Booval Fair does warn there may be significant wait times.

Snowman. Picture: Chris Hocking

Winter Fest and Christmas in July

On Saturday, July 1, the Ipswich Showgrounds will mimic a classic Winter from the Northern Hemisphere with their Christmas in July party.

The Holly Jolly night will go from 4pm to 8pm with build-your-own-snowman, food trucks, market stalls, free face painting, a jumping castle, and pony rides.

This mid-year Christmas delight will cost adults an entrance fee of $5, with children 12 and under free.

World of Music Ipswich

Orion Springfield Central and SPARK Ipswich will join forces July 9 to present a one-day world music festival, World Of Music Ipswich (WOMI).

The festival sets to showcase the vibrancy of South East Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse community.

The free event running from 9am to 4pm will also feature multicultural food and artisanal market stalls.

Six year old Kye Bell (right) skates with dad Travis Bell at the DFO ice skating rink. Photo: Brian Cassey

Redbank Plaza Winter Carnival

To continue the Winter theme, Redbank Plaza will be offering free ice skating on June 26 to July 7.

From 10am to 3pm of the event’s duration, the level one Atrium will be transformed into an enchanting Winter Wonderland with ice skating on a synthetic ice skating rink.

Experienced skate instructors will be on sight to help kids learn how to skate, so parents can sit back and relax.

All skates are provided, but it’s recommended that visitors bring their own socks.

Mark Hartmann of South Brisbane with daughters Saskia, 4 and Zadie, 18 months enjoy looking at the moon inside the Cosmic Skydome at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

For any child interested in space, a trip to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a must!

Located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, the Planetarium is home to the Cosmic Skydome – a 12.5-metre-diameter projection dome to see the stars and planets.

Families can walk around the gardens before heading to the planetarium and viewing the observatory, galaxy gift shop, and sundial courtyard.

The space will be open during the school holidays from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm and is free.

However, charges do apply for the Cosmic Skydome shows.

Cooking and Craft at The Soul Nook Collective

The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg will be host to a variety of cooking and craft classes these holidays.

These fun days will be on June 29 and July 6.

On both days there will be biscuit decorating, mini pancakes treat truck, crafts, free face painting and bracelet making fun.

The Llama Farm

Did you know Queensland’s largest herd of llamas is in Ipswich?

The farm in Pine Mountain is host to lots of fun animal friends like donkeys, giant rabbits, goats, peacocks, chickens, ponies, and camels.

The Llama Farm runs tours from 9am on tour days – or for a special experience, you and the family can experience a llama walk at 3pm on tour days.

Ipswich Libraries story time sessions, pictured Carter Taigafua. Photo: Contributed

Ipswich Libraries

The Ipswich libraries are truly the place to help keep your kids entertained these Winter holidays, with dozens of activities happening across the city all holidays.

The libraries have activities running online and in-person across their locations throughout the city at Ipswich Central, Ipswich Children’s Library, Redbank Plains, Redbank Plaza, and Springfield.

A small snapshot of the holiday programs on offer include LEGO building, VR fun, digital illustrations, SFX makeup classes, and big bang science events.

These classes are a range of prices, but there is no doubt you will find something to suit your youngsters.

To see more visit the Ipswich Libraries website.

Nicholas Street Precinct Roar-some Dinosaurs

These winter holidays Nicholas Street Precinct and Tulmur Place will come alive with prehistoric Jurassic creatures.

If your kids love fossils and dinosaurs, this event will certainly be one for your family.

The free event started on June 26 and will continue to run until July 5 – with food trucks, markets, and prizes to be won from June 28.

Naomi, Joseph, 6, and Charlie, 5, Quinn posing at Queens Park, Ipswich, 19th of August 2019. Picture: Josh Woning

Local Parks

A park can give children hours of entertainment, and the best part is they are completely free!

There are so many options throughout Ipswich for the perfect park.

Green spaces, bicycle tracks, and BBQ spots are all facilities which help create the perfect park experience for families.

Some favourite parks among locals in Ipswich include:

• Queens Park – Ipswich
• Joseph Brady Park – Barallen Point
• Rotary Bicentennial Park – Redbank Plains
  
• Lobley Park – Churchill
• Sutton Park – Brassall
• Discovery Park – Springfield Lakes
  
• Robelle Domain – Springfield

Ewe Nique Hobby Farm

The Ewe Nique Hobby Farm will be open all winter school holidays with farm and native Australian animals ready for a cuddle.

On July 2, the farm will have a ‘wildlife extravaganza’ where children can pat a koala and other native Australian animals, along with farm’s usual animals.

There are two cuddle sessions per day throughout the holidays at 9am or 10.30am – but bookings are essential.

The farm also has a coffee shop to help adults wake up called Baa Baa Cafe.

Ipswich Nature Centre.

Ipswich Nature Centre

The Ipswich Nature Centre in Queens Park is also home to many fun animal friends.

The centre is home to many native Aussie animals like dingoes, wallabies, a wombat, bilbies, and a bird aviary.

This zoo is completely free and open seven days a week these school holidays.

YMCA School Holiday Program

YCMA Springfield is ensuring kids have a ton of fun these holidays with group activities.

At the YCMA Springfield Central Community Centre, free sport and craft workshops will run all holidays.

From basketball workshops to Brightdaze an all ages festival, there is certainly some fun to be found be every child!

By Emily Kate Studio School Holiday Art Classes

By Emily Kate Studio will help your child’s artistic visions come to life.

The art studio at 135 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, is a space to learn and create.

There are workshops on offer everyday of the holidays from polymer clay classes to painting classes to drawing classes.

Kids will have the freedom to explore, while bringing to life their favourite characters from Minecraft, Pokemon, and so many more.

Bookings can be made via the website here.

Hidden Vale Adventure Park, Ipswich.

Hidden Vale Adventure Park

Hiking is another great free option for families these school holidays, and Hidden Vale Adventure Park in Grandchester has 110km of trails to explore.

Entry is $10 and the tracks are suitable for beginners to experienced bike riders – ensuring everyone has fun.

The grounds are open from 7am to 3pm daily and everyone is issued a map so they don’t get lost.

SPARK Ipswich

The 2023 SPARK Ipswich program is host to many activities across the city.

The 11-day event running from July 6 t0 16 will celebrate the people, places, arts and culture of Ipswich.

This year’s program includes music, comedy, exhibitions, circus acts, technology, and so much more.

See the events being featured below:

• Ignite
• Spark On Tour
• Spark After Dark
• Industry Development
• Immerse
• Brightdaze
• WOMI
• Little Day Out
• Dance Eisteddfods
• Art Shows
• Exhibits

See the SPARK Ipswich website here.

Originally published as 30+ kids activities happening these Winter Holidays!