That sets the tone for a school holiday line-up built around looking closer. Kids can meet resident insects before heading into the bush to investigate bugs and their habitats, make a frog hotel or lizard lounge, peer at flowers under a microscope and build a terrarium small enough to carry home. At Corinda Library, they’ll leave with a jar of bean sprouts to keep growing. At Mt Coot-tha, a smartphone becomes a reason to notice what they’d usually walk straight past.
There’s room to roam, too. Families can follow a map around New Farm Park, walk through the Fernberg estate or head to Harrisville, where Little Farmer Humpty Day includes camel patting and a tour of a working camel dairy.
Most activities are free, but bookings and age requirements vary. We’ve gathered the practical details for all 11 below… although the length of time it will take once someone starts inspecting every bug, seed and interesting-looking leaf is harder to predict.
Keep this one on your phone, the whole nature line-up in a single glance.
Senses Alive at Karawatha Forest
Stories, songs and creative activities shape this sensory walk at Karawatha Forest, paced for children who’d rather stop and examine something than keep walking.
When: Thursday 24 September, 10am–12pm
Where: Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Road, Karawatha
Ages: 3 and over
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required through Bazil Grumble
More information: Senses Alive: see, hear and touch nature
Junior Explorers: Bug Detectives
Meet some of Downfall Creek Bushland Centre’s resident insects and other mini-beasts before putting those detective skills to work outside. After a bug show, kids head out on a short walk to investigate bugs and their habitats, learning why these tiny creatures play such an important role in the environment.
When: Wednesday 23 September, 10am–11am
Where: Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, 815 Rode Road, Chermside West
Ages: 6 and over
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required via Eventbrite. All adults and children require a ticket, with a maximum of five tickets per booking and a ratio of one adult per four children.
Bring: Water, sun-safe clothing, fully enclosed shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. Arrive 10 minutes before the session.
More information: Junior Explorers: Bug Detectives
Habitat gardening
A frog hotel, lizard lounge and insect hotel are the examples ecologist and gardener Kate Wall brings to this workshop on turning a garden into a wildlife habitat.
When: Wednesday 30 September, 2pm–3pm
Where: Grange Library, 79 Evelyn Street, Grange
Ages: 5–12, with their carers
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required. Phone Grange Library on 07 3407 2523.
More information: Habitat gardening
Make your own bean sprout farm
A sprouting jar gives children something to keep observing after the workshop ends. Sustainable design expert Roman Spur leads this session at Corinda Library, with each child taking a sprouting jar home.
When: Friday 2 October, 1:30pm–2:30pm
Where: Corinda Library, 641 Oxley Road, Corinda
Ages: 5–12, with their carers
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required. Phone Corinda Library on 07 3407 7701.
More information: Make your own bean sprout farm
Terrarium workshop
Children build a small planted world with EnviroMentoring, layering plants, rocks and sand before adding a miniature figurine.
When: Wednesday 23 September, 11am–12pm at Mitchelton and 2pm–3pm at Indooroopilly. Friday 25 September, 10:30am–11:30am at Holland Park and 2pm–3pm at Coopers Plains
Where: Mitchelton Library, Indooroopilly Library, Holland Park Library and Coopers Plains Library
Ages: 8–12
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required through the host library
More information: Terrarium workshop
Active eco photography
A smartphone becomes a tool for looking more closely at the Botanic Gardens in this two-hour session, for kids aged 10 to 17 who already like taking pictures.
When: Monday 28 September, 1:30pm–3:30pm
Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Meet outside the Auditorium by the water lily ponds.
Ages: 10–17
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings essential through Bazil Grumble
Bring: Smartphone
More information: Active eco photography
Spring hub: Flower power
The Sensory Garden is the starting point for this Botanic Gardens activity. Children can explore, examine their finds under microscopes and make clay pollen models and seed balls.
When: Tuesday 22 and Thursday 24 September, Tuesday 29 September and Thursday 1 October, 10am–2pm
Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, 152 Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong
Ages: 4–16. Under-16s need an accompanying adult
Cost and bookings: Free. No booking required, although free tickets can be reserved online
More information: Spring hub: Flower power
The Tiny Seed at Robertson Park
Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed provides the starting point for stories and games about caring for plants, animals and people, at Robertson Park in Taringa.
When: Friday 25 September, 10am–12pm
Where: Robertson Park, 249 Indooroopilly Road, Taringa
Ages: 4 and over
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings essential through Bazil Grumble
More information: The Tiny Seed
Orienteering at New Farm Park
Follow a supplied map around New Farm Park, walking or running the course. This GOLD’n’Kids session brings seniors and young people together, with no booking required.
When: Thursday 24 September, 10am–11am
Where: New Farm Park, 137 Sydney Street. Meet at the rotunda
Ages: Seniors and young people
Cost and bookings: $6 per person or $12 per group. No booking required
More information: Orienteering
Footy Finals Fever Bushland Walk at Fernberg
This hour-long walk crosses the Government House estate in Paddington, over hills and uneven ground that need a medium level of fitness. The route doesn’t suit wheelchairs or prams.
When: Friday 25 September, starting at 9am sharp. Approximately one hour
Date note: The supplied information flags a conflicting date in the Eventbrite description. Confirm Friday 25 September with the organiser when registering.
Where: Government House, Fernberg Road, Paddington
Suitability: All welcome, but a medium level of fitness is required. No pets except assistance dogs
Cost and bookings: Free. Registration essential through Eventbrite
Bring: Water bottle and hat
Terrain: Hills and uneven ground unsuitable for wheelchairs or prams
More information: Footy Finals Fever Walk
Little Farmer Humpty Day
Camel patting, dress-ups and a 30-minute tour of how the camel dairy works fill Little Farmer Humpty Day at Harrisville. Timed sessions run about two and a half hours.
When: Wednesday 30 September. Timed sessions of approximately 2.5hrs
Where: Summer Land Camels, Harrisville
Ages: Family event. Check ticket categories for younger children when booking
Cost and bookings: Adult and child tickets from $10. Online booking essential. Children’s bundles, including a camel ride, start at $35. Check the booking page for the young-child free-entry age limit.
Bring: Closed-in footwear. Arrive 15 mins before your session
More information: Little Farmer Humpty Day