Lots of activities to keep the kids occupied these school holidays

Keeping children entertained over the school holidays can be a challenge.

Council is hosting a range of activities at its libraries to keep the inevitable “I’m bored” comments at bay, while there are also plenty of outdoor options to have children engaged, from walking tracks to stunning gardens, swimming pools and playgrounds.

Here are a few ideas for parents and carers these school holidays.

Escape the summer heat at Cairns Libraries this school holidays with daily activities for children of all ages.

The packed School Holiday Program runs from 14 December to 25 January 2025 and includes creative workshops, reading sessions and informative sessions on a range of topics.

Workshops range from art and drawing classes to Christmas card making, re-purposing of single-use plastics to Lego challenges.

Children can learn about bats, ants and sea turtles at a host of sessions, step back in time and discover how Tutankhaten became the boy king of ancient Egypt and experience the mystical sounds of the steel tongue drum.

Check out the full program at the Cairns Libraries website.

A great way to keep the children reading during the holidays is with the Summer Reads Program, which runs until 31 January 2024.

The free online and in-library holiday program encourages children to read and gives them the chance to win prizes by borrowing books from the collection or writing a review.

Visit the Cairns Libraries website for more details.

There is always lots to do and see for free at the Esplanade.

Swim at the Lagoon, play at Muddy’s Playground, go for a stroll or a bike ride, play at the fun ship, have a barbecue or enjoy live music – there’s a lot for youngsters to do at the Cairns Esplanade.

Lifeguards are on duty while the Lagoon is open, and toilets and showers are located in the amenities block alongside the aquatic facility.

The Lagoon will be open every day from 6am to 9pm, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The Lagoon will be closed every other Wednesday from 6am to midday for regular cleaning and maintenance,

Explore the beauty of tropical plant life at Cairns Botanic Gardens and Cattana Wetlands.

Renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia, relax in stunning surroundings at the Botanic Gardens and learn about local flora and horticulture.

Discover more about the plants and animals with a tour. The Friends of the Botanic Gardens conduct free guided tours of Flecker Gardens or take advantage of the series of audio tours and become your own tour guide.

Children will also love the Nature Playground, located at Freshwater Lake on Greenslopes St (near the Zhanjiang Friendship Garden).

Integrating creative play elements with the natural lakeside environment, the Nature Playground encourages children to interact with nature, to explore and learn about their surroundings.

There are dinosaur bones to uncover, ropes to climb, play huts to build, a fairy garden, rope climb, tunnels, balance logs, a digging patch and plants known for their bright colours, smells and textures to encourage sensory play.

Cattana Wetlands is a rich natural wonderland with five flat walking trails.

Each one takes you on a different experience with interpretive signage provided along the way that informs you of the special features, plants and animals at the site.

Bird hides, viewing decks, a board walk, picnic areas, BBQs, shelters and bubblers are all provided to enhance your experience.

More information is available on the Council website.

Cairns is a great place to get outdoors and be active.

There are a range of paths and cycleways that allow you to explore this beautiful region at your own pace.

Unless otherwise marked, the cycleways are also walking paths. Detailed maps of the city’s cycling tracks can be found online.

For younger riders, check out the Learn to Ride Road Safety Training Tracks at the Moody Creek Detention Basin (off Ramsay Dr in Kanimbla), and the other at the Brinsmead Park Reserve.

The bike tracks feature miniature versions of common street signs and is a great place for children to learn about riding safely around the city.

Get outside and challenge yourself and the kids on the popular Red Arrow, Blue Arrow, Green Arrow and Yellow Arrow walking tracks that wind through Mt Whitfield Conservation Park, behind the Cairns Botanic Gardens in Edge Hill.

The Park is a 300-hectare forested mountain range, home to rainforest, eucalyptus and grasslands.

The Arrow tracks vary in length and difficulty, from the 1.5km Red Arrow, through to the 6km, Grade 4, Blue Arrow. More details online.

Other hikes to consider include the 2.4km (return) Ivan Evans Trail in Bayview Heights, and the popular Earl Hill track in Trinity Beach.

There is also the recently opened first stage of the Wangetti Trail, from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach. The 7.8-kilometre section is suitable for both hiking and mountain biking.

The region’s highest profile swimming complex includes a 50-metre pool for lap swimming, 25-metre program pool for warm up/warm down (events), 25-metre pool for warm water activities and learn to swim, toddler water play pool, Flow Rider (artificial wave rider), and café and retail shop.

Along with Tobruk, other public swimming pools for use by the general public for a small fee are located at Babinda, Gordonvale, Woree and the Marlin Coast Bicentennial Pool at Smithfield.

Visit the Tobruk Memorial Pool website for opening times.

Escape the heat at Cairns' coolest water park.

With gentle rides and slides for the littlies, shaded resort-style pools and heart-pumping waterslide action for the daring thrill seekers, Sugarworld Adventure Park is fun for the whole family.

The Edmonton facility also includes a 9-hole mini golf course, resort style pools and a licensed cafe with undercover dining area.

Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Sugar World is open 10am to 4.30pm every weekend, most public holidays and school holidays.

Visit their website for more details.