A dinosaur bone needs inspecting. A live snake raises at least six immediate questions. A giant cockroach may require everyone else to come over and look at it too. Queensland Museum Kurilpa gives that curiosity plenty of room these holidays, with free dinosaurs downstairs and live creatures in the Discovery Centre upstairs… no need to hurry them past either.
And once an interest takes hold, there are plenty of directions to follow it. Crocodile kids can spend around 90 minutes with Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends. Young makers can explore Jim Henson’s creative worlds at GOMA before making a sock puppet of their own. Ancient Egypt enthusiasts can head to Caboolture for archaeological digging, archery and crafts at the Abbey Museum.
We’ve put the prices, ages and booking details below. Pick the subject that currently has your child asking the most questions and give them time to investigate it properly. The best museum days tend to be the ones where you stop keeping track of how long they’ve been looking.
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Dinosaurs Unearthed at Queensland Museum
Queensland’s dinosaurs are the focus of this free gallery, with interactive displays and objects children can touch. It’s a useful starting point for a museum visit, particularly if dinosaurs already occupy a substantial portion of your child’s bedroom.
When: Daily, 9:30am–5pm
Where: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, entry via Level 2, South Brisbane
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required for general visitors
More information: Dinosaurs Unearthed
The Discovery Centre
Live snakes, stick insects and giant cockroaches are the drawcard at the Discovery Centre, upstairs from the dinosaurs — worth the extra flight of stairs if your child prefers small living creatures to enormous extinct ones.
When: Daily, 9:30am–5pm – Check curator session times with the museum.
Where: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Level 4, South Brisbane
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required
More information: The Discovery Centre
First Nations Stories: Children’s Activity Trail
A downloadable activity sheet guides children through First Nations stories on this self-guided museum trail.
When: Daily, 9:30am–5pm
Where: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane
Ages: Recommended for 5–12
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required
More information: First Nations Stories: Children’s Activity Trail
Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends
Crocodiles past and present take centre stage in this Queensland Museum exhibition. Allow around 90 minutes to explore, with timed sessions starting in the morning.
When: Daily, with sessions starting at 9:40am. Half-price Tuesdays fall on 22 and 29 September – Relaxed Hours run Mondays from 2pm
Where: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Level 3, South Brisbane
Ages: All ages – Children under 12 need an adult
Cost and bookings: Standard prices are $29.90 adult, $19.90 child aged 5–15, $27 concession and $84 family – Under-fives free. Bookings essential
More information: Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends
Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
GOMA’s Jim Henson exhibition includes access to the Sock Puppet Studio during the holidays. We suggest comparing timed entry and multi-visit options against the visit you actually want to make, rather than automatically choosing a pass.
When: Daily during the holidays – Timed entry available
Where: GOMA, Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Timed entry $18–$42, Flexi day pass $56, five-visit Multi Pass $57–$120. A 10% discount applies to eligible family ticket combinations. Book through QTIX.
Sock Puppet Studio: Daily, 19 September–5 October, 10am–3:30pm, Sue and Brian King River Room. Included with exhibition admission – No separate booking. Children under 12 must be supervised.
More information: Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
Kids Dig It! Ancient Egypt Family Fun Week
An archaeological dig, archery and Egyptian crafts run for three days at the Abbey Museum in Caboolture — more hands-on than a standard gallery visit.
When: Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 September – Check-in from 9:30am for a 10am start. Wednesday finishes at 3pm – Confirm finishing times for other dates.
Where: Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, Caboolture
Ages: Recommended for 5–12 – Archery is unsuitable for under-fours.
Cost and bookings: From $33 for one adult and one child, including the activity pass. Additional children $10 and adults $15 – under-fours free if not participating – Select an activity session group in the booking add-ons.
More information: Kids Dig It! Ancient Egypt Family Fun Week