These September school holidays, kids can see police cars, fire trucks and ambulances at Bribie Island’s Emergency Services Expo, watch artists draw at Brisbane Illustration Fair or spend two hours bouncing and sliding through Monster Jump at Sandstone Point. The illustration fair brings more than 180 artists to the Showgrounds, with creative zones for children keen to have a go themselves.
Closer to town, GOMA has a day of family activities and Robinson Road Marketplace has craft, face painting and balloon twisting. There are carnival games among Beenleigh’s heritage buildings, a petting zoo at Pine Rivers’ spring carnival and Pacific music, food and children’s workshops at Pasifika Vibes. South Bank’s Festival Village rounds out the list with free activities including the Giant Sing Along.
We’ve gathered nine outings across Brisbane and nearby, with dates, ages, prices and booking details below. Several are free to enter; check the extras and session times before heading out.
Screenshot this card and you’ve got all nine dates without digging back through the guide.
Family Fun Days at GOMA
GOMA’s Family Fun Day offers activities across the day, most free to drop in to. Some performances and experiences need separate tickets. We suggest you choose a manageable visit and check any booked session times before adding more.
When: Saturday 26 September, 10am–5pm
Where: GOMA, Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Ages: All ages- Children under 12 must be supervised
Cost and bookings: Most activities are free with no booking required. Some experiences require tickets through QTIX.
More information: Family Fun Days
Moreton Bay Emergency Services Expo
Police cars, fire trucks and ambulances are the drawcards at this free Bribie Island event, alongside water safety demonstrations — built for children fascinated by emergency services.
When: Sunday 27 September, 9am–1pm
Where: Brennan Park, Welsby Parade, Bongaree, Bribie Island
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Free entry and activities – No booking required
More information: Moreton Bay Emergency Services Expo
Pine Rivers Community Spring Carnival
Encircle’s neighbourhood carnival brings face painting, a petting zoo and live music to Lawnton, with free food and community stalls also on the program.
When: Friday 25 September, 10am–2pm
Where: Encircle Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre, Lawnton
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Free – Registration required
More information: Pine Rivers Community Spring Carnival
Beenleigh Historical Village Carnival
Carnival games, stilt walkers and acrobats join market stalls at the heritage buildings of Beenleigh Historical Village.
When: Saturday 26 September, 9am–2pm
Where: Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, 205 Main Street, Beenleigh
Ages: All ages – Under-threes free
Cost and bookings: Adults $10 and children under 12 $5, each including five game tickets. A family ticket for two adults and three children is $30 with ten game tickets. A booking fee applies – Book through Humanitix.
More information: Village Carnival
Family Fun Day at Robinson Road Marketplace
Craft, face painting and balloon twisting give younger children plenty to try at this Aspley shopping-centre event. There’s also a photobooth, live music and roving performers.
When: Saturday 26 September, 10am–2pm
Where: Robinson Road Marketplace, Aspley
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required. Show bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
More information: Family Fun Day
Brisbane Illustration Fair
More than 180 artists, live drawing demonstrations and interactive children’s creative zones make this a strong choice for kids who are always filling another sketchbook.
When: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, 10am–4pm
Where: John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Ages: All ages – Dedicated children’s creative zones
Cost and bookings: $2 entry – Children under 12 free. Check the event page for booking arrangements.
More information: Brisbane Illustration Fair
Pasifika Vibes Festival
Pacific music, dance and food fill Pine Rivers Showground across two days, with a children’s village offering activities, games and workshops.
When: Sunday 4 and Monday 5 October, 8:30am–3:30pm
Where: Pine Rivers Showground, 757 Gympie Road, Lawnton
Ages: All ages
Cost and bookings: $5 general admission – Ages 0–5 free – Confirm family and two-day pass prices when booking.
More information: Pasifika Vibes Festival
The Monster Jump at Sandstone Point
A giant inflatable park, shark waterslide and dino run make up this two-hour session at Sandstone Point Hotel — the shark slide has a 90cm height minimum, and the dino run is for under-16s.
When: Daily, Saturday 19 September to Monday 5 October – Two-hour sessions starting from 9:30am, with the last beginning at 1:30pm
Where: Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
Ages: Attraction restrictions apply: Shark waterslide minimum height 90cm, dino run for under-16s
Cost and bookings: $35–$60 depending on the session – Pre-booking strongly recommended
More information: The Monster Jump
Brisbane Festival Village at South Bank
Free activities at Festival Village include the Giant Sing Along, Flipside Circus and The Knock ’Em Downs. Check their individual schedules before visiting; village entry does not mean every activity is running.
When: Until Saturday 26 September – Activity times vary
Where: Village Green and Verso Projects, Festival Village, South Bank
Ages: All ages – Carers can join the Flipside activities.
Cost and bookings: Listed activities are free with no booking required.
Sensory information: The Knock ’Em Downs uses haze and strobe.
More information: Brisbane Festival program