Brisbane City Council is running 13 basketball sessions across nine locations these September holidays, and that’s only the start. Kids can try soccer, pickleball or martial arts, teens can have a go at non-contact boxing, and the ones who’d rather compete against an obstacle course than another child can do that too. Best of all, every activity in this guide is free.
There are quieter ways to keep moving as well, including kids yoga in Keperra, Zumba in Kalinga and Sandgate, and hula-hoop workshops with Vulcana Circus at South Bank. Some sessions need to be booked, while others, including the obstacle challenge and junior run squad, let you simply turn up.
We’ve put the dates, ages, locations and booking details for all 12 activities into one card below. Screenshot it now — preferably before the basketball makes its way back into the house.
All 12 sessions fit on this one card. Save it now and you won’t need signal later.
Basketball skills and drills
That persistent hallway bouncing could become actual practice. With 13 sessions across nine locations, basketball is a practical option for families to go to a court nearby.
When: 13 sessions between 21 September and 1 October – Times vary by venue.
Where: Nine parks: Boyd Park, Nundah – Carole Park Community Park, Ellen Grove – Maisie Dixon Park, Eight Mile Plains – Ed Devenport Rotary Park, Lota. Meet at the basketball court.
Ages: 6–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential through Made Concepts
More information: Basketball skills and drills
Soccer sessions for different age groups
Age-banded soccer sessions let younger players join a suitable group. Separate GOLD’n’Kids sessions welcome seniors and children for gentle activities together. Choose the age group first, then confirm the park and start time.
When: Age-banded sessions between 21 and 29 September – Confirm times for your chosen group. Calamvale seniors-and-kids sessions run Tuesday 22 September, 3:30pm–4pm and 4:05pm–4:35pm.
Where: Nixon Park, Oxley – Teralba Park, Everton Park – Calamvale District Park – Yeronga Memorial Park
Ages: Separate groups for 5–6, 7–8 and 9–12 – Seniors-and-kids groups for 4–5 and 6–7
Cost and bookings: Free – Book through Ginger Sport on 07 3890 3338. Check duration by age group
More information: Ages 5–6 | Ages 7–8 | Ages 9–12 | Seniors and kids aged 4–5 | Seniors and kids aged 6–7
Pickleball at Shaw Park
These two Tuesday-afternoon sessions at Shaw Park give kids aged 10 to 17 a first try at pickleball, a racquet sport most haven’t played before.
When: Tuesday 22 and Tuesday 29 September, 4pm–5pm
Where: Shaw Park Tennis Centre, 128 Shaw Road, Wooloowin – Meet at the Pro Shop.
Ages: 10–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential. Phone 07 3266 1660 two days before your preferred session
More information: Pickleball for young people
Obstacle challenge
Keep this one handy for a morning when everyone needs to leave the house. The obstacle challenge is free and doesn’t require a booking, with sessions at Whites Hill Reserve and Teralba Park.
When: Tuesday 22 September at Camp Hill and Thursday 24 September at Everton Park, 9:30am–11:30am
Where: Whites Hill Reserve, 205 Jones Road, Camp Hill – Meet at the obstacle course. Also at Teralba Park, Everton Park
Ages: 7–17
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required
More information: Obstacle challenge
Survivor challenge
Teams work through games and physical challenges to earn clues or rewards, at sessions in West End, Carindale and Manly — a pick for kids who’d rather solve a problem as a group than race solo.
When: Friday 25 September, 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm; Wednesday 30 September, 10am–12pm
Where: Orleigh Park, West End; Carindale Recreation Reserve, Carindale; and Drevesen Park, Manly
Ages: 8–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential through Life. Be in it Funworks
More information: Survivor Challenge
Martial arts in the park
For children curious about martial arts, a free session is a low-cost way to see whether it’s worth signing up for regular classes.
When: Ten sessions between 21 and 25 September – Times vary by venue
Where: New Farm Park, near the playground – Bulimba Memorial Park – Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point – Frew Park, Milton – Svoboda Park, Kuraby
Ages: 5–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential through KMA Martial Arts
More information: Martial arts
Intro to boxing
Non-contact drills and bag work introduce beginners to boxing at Mt Gravatt PCYC — indoors, and without sparring, for teens who want to try the sport before committing to regular training.
When: Six sessions between 22 September and 1 October – Times vary
Where: Mt Gravatt PCYC, 90 Klumpp Road, Upper Mount Gravatt – Meet at reception
Ages: 12–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential. Phone 07 3420 4655
More information: Intro to boxing
Junior run squad
Some kids run everywhere already. A coached session gives that enthusiasm a bit of direction in a group environment, with other young runners.
When: Six sessions between 24 September and 2 October – Times vary by venue
Where: Bayside Park, Manly – Carindale Recreation Reserve – Hawthorne Park – Kianawah Park, Tingalpa – Lota Camping Reserve, near the playground – Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill
Ages: 8–17
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required
More information: Junior run squad
Zumba Kids in Kalinga and Sandgate
For the child who turns every song into a performance, Zumba Kids puts that enthusiasm to work. These hour-long dance sessions offer an active afternoon without a ball or racquet in sight.
When: Monday 21 September at Kalinga and Wednesday 30 September at Sandgate, 3:30pm–4:30pm
Where: Kalinga Park, 48 Kalinga Street, Kalinga – Meet near the playground. Also at Arthur Davis Park, Sandgate
Ages: 7–11
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential by email through Energetic Music
More information: Zumba Kids
Kids yoga in Keperra
A 45-minute yoga session makes a gentler addition to a week of running and ball sports. At Kings Park, younger children can try movement at a different pace, with animal poses giving them something familiar to work with.
When: Tuesday 22 and Tuesday 29 September, 9am–9:45am
Where: Kings Park, 72 Cobalt Street, Keperra
Ages: 5–11
Cost and bookings: Free – Contact Good Health Yoga to confirm booking requirements.
More information: Kids yoga
Hula hooping with Vulcana Circus at South Bank
Vulcana Circus runs free drop-in hula-hoop workshops on the Festival Village lawn, with all experience levels welcome. Confirm the start time before planning your South Bank visit.
When: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September – 60-minute sessions. Phone 07 3833 5400 or ask at the village for start times.
Where: Village Green, Festival Village, South Bank
Ages: Not specified – All experience levels welcome
Cost and bookings: Free – Drop in, no booking required
More information: Vulcana Circus hula-hoop workshops
Creature kids
Movement, drama and beginner circus skills turn this nature-themed session into something closer to play than a workshop — a fit for kids who’d rather move than sit still.
When: Monday 21 September at New Farm Park and Thursday 1 October at Sherwood Arboretum, 9am–10am
Where: New Farm Park, by the river to the right of Brisbane Powerhouse, and Sherwood Arboretum
Ages: 5–14
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential through Playscape
Bring: Hat, enclosed shoes and water
More information: Creature kids
