What's on for kids these school holidays
Leave it to us: we’ve rounded up what’s on in town to keep the kids entertained these holidays, no matter if they’re into animals or art.
Published 5 January 2022
Written by Nicola Clark
Photography: Cobb+Co Museum
If you’ve been scratching your head thinking of ways to keep the little ones happy, you’ve come to the right place. Say goodbye to choruses of “I’m bored!” with these fun, local activities, all happening before school’s back.
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Painting Workshops at Tinker Art
Calling all future Picassos! Tinker is hosting a handful of art workshops these school holidays. Let them paint a watercolour portrait or an oil pastel jungle in these social sessions hosted by artist Alex Stalling and the crew. They can also host your child’s birthday party, so their friends can leave with their very own masterpiece.
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integratedSTEM’s Great Engineering Challenge
Are your kids obsessed with science, technology, or simply just love making stuff? Well, they’re in luck with integratedSTEM’s Great Engineering Challenge kicking off soon. Designed for students in grades 1-8, the challenge takes place over five days and explores 3D printing, electric circuits, and robotics, just to name a few. Register your child for any or all of the jam-packed days, held from 17-21 January.
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GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MARINE ANIMALS AT Cobb+Co
Under the Sea by Ocean Life Education will let your family meet real sea life, and learn all about how they live and how we can care for the ecosystem. Meet marine animals including baby sharks, sea cucumbers, sea stars, sea urchins, and coral. There are live shows daily at 10.00am, 11.30am and 1.00pm, running til Friday, 14 January. Tickets are $10 per child, which includes photo opportunities.
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Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery’s Strange and Curious Creatures Workshop
Inspired by Melbourne-based artist Patricia Piccinini’s recent Curious Affection exhibition, this workshop encourages children to create their own creature while exploring some of the exhibition’s key themes of love, empathy, and friendship. There are three sessions available, running from 11.00am-12.00pm on 11, 15, and 18 January. Plus, this event is free! Just register online.
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Bunnings Kids’ Activities
Running every Saturday and Sunday, Bunnings stores host interactive projects for kids to make toolboxes, planter boxes, mosaics, and much more. These workshops are free for kids aged 5 and over. Check out their website for the full roster of events at both local stores.
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Animal Feeding Sessions at Darling Downs Zoo
Located 40 minutes south of Toowoomba near Clifton, Darling Downs Zoo makes for a fun day out for all ages. There’s daily (free!) animal feedings and talks throughout the day, from baby crocodiles to meerkats. Make sure to see the website above for all the animal show times, so you can start planning your day trip. Don’t forget to bring a hat and sunscreen.
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Empire Theatre Performances and Programs
The Empire Theatre offers a handful of workshops throughout the year designed for kids with a passion for arts, drama, singing and dance. These holidays, your teenagers can join the 18 Hour Play Project. Across three days, they’ll get to build a unique performance from the ground up and develop their acting, script-writing, and creative skills. There’s also two live performances of The Bear Who Loved to Dance thanks to the Toowoomba Concert Orchestra, which brings the popular children’s book to life on the stage.
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SUMMER READING CLUB at THE City Library
The Summer Reading Club is a fun and free program delivered at our city library to encourage children to keep reading through the school holidays. Your child will get to discover new books, and can also share book reviews and artwork online with other youngsters in the club. This one’s running til 31 January - so get reading.
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Marvel at Grand Central’s Mini Beasts
From January 10, your family can ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the luminous Mini Beasts scattered across the centre – these neon, glowing statues of insects will take your breath away with an augmented reality experience, and make for a perfect photo too. There’s a singing cicada, jumping spider, butterfly and bee, plus crafts and activities for the kids to do too.
Have you got an event we should know about? Let us know!
