The City:
Things to do with kids
Do you remember visiting the big City as a kid? Towering skyscrapers, bright lights, chic shops, people in suits, sweet treats – it was a new adventure with plenty of rewards (hello, ice cream). Travelling into The City is an exciting and memorable way to spend a day together as a family and Brisbane has plenty to offer. From hands-on activities for young children to free live gigs and a thrifty clothing market that will even keep tricky teenagers entertained, we’ve rounded up 21 things you can do in Brisbane City with kids, tweens, teens and those who never grew up.
01. Relax in the City Botanic Gardens
Originally planted with food crops by convicts in 1825 to feed the prison colony, the City Botanic Gardens is Brisbane's oldest park. Fast-forward to today and it is the go-to spot in the heart of The City to take the kids for a picnic or a play. Picture ancient trees, rainforest glades and exotic species as well as bike tracks, walking paths and playgrounds. Located next to the Queensland University of Technology, the park is bordered by Alice Street and the Brisbane River. Don’t forget to stop by on Sundays between 8am and 3pm for the weekly Riverside Markets where you can treat yourself and your little ones.
02. Head to the Museum of Brisbane
There is always something new, fun and cool happening at the Museum of Brisbane. Let your children's imaginations run wild with the MoB Kids Activities including Clock Tower Tours, Little Artist’s Eye Spy, Storytime, and a BYO Baby Tour. As an extra bonus, school holidays are always sorted with special activities scheduled to coincide with current exhibitions.
03. Tee-off for putt-putt fun
Let your family's competitive side loose and see who can putt their way to victory at Australia's craziest and coolest mini-golf course. Holey Moley Golf Club has a nine-hole putt-putt course and a karaoke room inside Wintergarden.
04. Check out City Sounds
Have you got a music lover in the family? Then you’ll love City Sounds. Every week, Australia’s largest free live music program presents local and touring bands and artists on stages in the Queen Street Mall, Post Office Square and other locations around The City. Expect everything from alternative and folk, to jazz and electro.
05. Rediscover The City with a Brisbane Greeter
Have you ever noticed the brass animals above your head as you walk along Adelaide Street? It’s amazing how many fun facts and city secrets the Greeters know. Book a free walking tour with a Brisbane Greeter and have them show you and your family a new side of The City. You can book a general tour or request a specific topic such as street art, architecture or war history to suit your family’s interests.
Churros at the Brisbane City Markets
06. Eat your way through the Brisbane City Markets
The country comes to The City when one of Brisbane’s best farmers markets pops up in Reddacliff Place from 8am to 6pm on Wednesdays and 8am to 2pm on Thursdays at Cathedral Square. Take the kids along to the Brisbane City Markets to meet farmers and producers, buy fresh produce and pasta, taste cheese and jams and find meat, seafood and hot smoked salmon to take home. Arrive hungry for the hand-picked food stalls, where you’ll find everything from fresh juices to falafel pita wraps to indulge in for lunch.
07. Find new threads at the Suitcase Rummage
Everything old is new again at Suitcase Rummage. Twice a month, this market sells vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, artwork, books, jewellery, shoes, records, handmade goods and more in Reddacliff Place. Each stallholder brings along a couple of suitcases with goods to sell and while some peddle handmade creations, others are clearing out their wardrobes so it’s a great place to pick up cheap second-hand fashion. Hot tip: Bargaining, swapping and haggling for a good deal is common.
08. Discover Brisbane’s history
Step out of the classroom and learn about Brisbane’s fascinating history up close including the role The City played in the Second World War at the MacArthur Museum Brisbane. Located in the Heritage-listed MacArthur Chambers, step behind the front lines to hear stories about the war.
Built by convicts between 1828 and 1829, the Commissariat Store Museum is significant as Queensland’s oldest habitable building. With rotating exhibitions and permanent rooms that explore the colonial period of our history, tell your kids to keep an eye out for the famous “convict finger”.
09. Cruise the river on a CityCat or CityHopper
Feel the wind in your hair as you explore Brisbane from its iconic river. You can travel from The University of Queensland at St Lucia, downstream to Northshore and Bulimba, passing landmarks including New Farm Riverwalk, the Story Bridge and South Bank as you go. Check the Translink website for fares and timetable information.
10. Take the kids to the theatre
Keep the little ones out of mischief by taking them to a show at QUT Gardens Theatre. This theatre supports independent artists, producers and theatre companies by bringing quality touring productions from around Australia to Brisbane audiences.
11. Check out The Cube at QUT
Explore one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces for free at QUT. The Cube gives the public a chance to play “citizen scientist” with its 48 multi-touch screens stacked two storeys high. It shows scientific work from QUT’s Science and Engineering research in an inspiring, explorative and participatory way, projecting real-world scenes and collecting data.
Strike Bowling, Wintergarden
12. Level up your game nights
Bowling, laser tag, escape rooms, arcade games and karaoke – you can do them all in The City. Strike Wintergarden is home to 12 bowling lanes, a laser tag arena, pool tables, private karaoke rooms and three escape rooms. Parents are well looked after too with a bar for snacks and treats.
There is a whole world of gaming fun at FunHouse on the top floor of Uptown. Let the kids loose with a handful of game tokens, watch them test their skills on the arcade games then cash in their tickets for awesome prizes they’ll be bragging about for days.
13. High tea for all ages
The City has many tea rooms ready to welcome young customers for a fancy afternoon tea. Located inside Brisbane City Hall, the original Shingle Inn has antique wooden panelling and does a Teddy Bear High Tea for those under 12. On the top level of the historic Brisbane Arcade, Room With Roses is a specialty tea house with featherlight scones plus high teas, sandwiches, cakes and more. Not to mention this list of places that offer both traditional and modern high teas, which all offer exquisite high tea options in The City. This is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to pop on that special outfit and enjoy an afternoon in The City
14. Pop into the Brisbane Square Library
The multi-storey Brisbane Square Library is a bookworm’s dream – a cool, air-conditioned oasis with awesome river views, spaces to hide and hang out with a book and great events happening year-round. Keep an eye out for toddler playtime and storytelling sessions, craft activities for primary-aged kids, hands-on robot tech workshops, animated movie screenings and more.
15. Catch a movie on the big screen
Speaking of movies, watch family-friendly films on the big screen at Event Cinemas on the top level of Uptown or the chic independent Elizabeth Picture Theatre. Whether it’s school holiday family flicks for kids or big blockbusters for teens, movies are a great excuse to get out of the house, treat yourself to a tub of popcorn and spend time together.
16. Dine out with the family
Keep little tummies happy with family-friendly dining. The City is a smorgasbord of flavours and venues from 24/7 pancakes at the Pancake Manor to watching pizza and pasta made right before you at Vapiano. Don't forget to keep space for a sweet treat afterwards. Check out our full list of family-friendly dining options in The City.
Brisbane's Queen Street Mall
17. Hit the Queen Street Mall
From the latest looks and toys for kids to cool streetwear and tech for teens, there are shops throughout The City bursting with products and specials guaranteed to delight and entertain. There are big department stores for all budgets, great Australian boutiques such as Seed Heritage, Country Road and Cotton On Kids and big international brands including Zara and H&M. And of course, something fun for all ages can be found at MindGames, Toys R Us and EB Games.
18. Explore The City by bicycle
Forget four wheels, one of the best ways to move around The City is by bicycle. You can take a fairly flat lap around the river's edge, perhaps crossing over to South Bank or taking the Riverwalk to New Farm. Cycling around The City is a great way to both keep fit and get a new perspective on The City. Don't worry if you don’t have a bike for everyone, you can hire a bike and take as much time as you need.
19. Try a family escape room
Head to Fox in a Box Brisbane for escape rooms that will delight the whole family. With six themed escape rooms on site, your family will have one hour to solve the puzzles as a team. Each room can accommodate up to six players and the escape rooms are perfectly suited for kids of all ages with children under seven playing for free.
20. Bring your dog into The City
We love our four-legged friends and don’t want them to miss out on a big day out in The City. Dogs can be walked on a leash along most city streets but are not allowed in Queen Street Mall. We recommend taking the scenic route and strolling along the Riverwalk, stretching from the City Reach Boardwalk at the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street, to Bunya Walk in the Botanic Gardens. Or treat them to a pup-uccino at the markets?
21. Picnic in the park while listening to free tunes
A local favourite, Gigs & Picnics returns on the last Saturday of the month from August to October, featuring food trucks and free live music in the City Botanic Gardens. Pack a picnic blanket, the family pooch, and soak up the atmosphere of this fun event!
Getting there
Parking in the City
Travelling to The City with the family in tow can be tricky at times but we’ve got a few recommendations to make it easy and breezy.
The cheapest parking in The City is at the Brisbane City Council-run King George Square car parks. It’s only $5 to park after 4.30pm on weekdays and weekend parking also starts at $5 for up to four hours. Find out more about parking in The City here.
Public Transport
Brisbane’s buses, trains and ferries all service The City as a central point. You can use the official Translink Journey Planner to find the best way to travel to The City from your location. Many suburban train stations have free park ‘n’ ride facilities so you can leave the car and take the train to Central or Roma Street Stations. Catching the CityCat or free CityHopper is also a delightful way to arrive in The City (see point 9).
