Easter School Holidays Activities - April 7, 2026

There is something for everyone these school holidays at no extra cost for parents!

Your kids can enjoy nature craft sessions, traditional weaving workshops, painting with a professional and decorating a flowerpot. There are also indoor and outdoor movies, an Easter Gnome Hunt, markets and live music. You can also take part in the first Easter Escape Room designed by local youth for an exciting holiday challenge.

These free school holiday activities offer kids across the Mackay region a fun-packed mix of creativity, adventure and entertainment, with hands-on experiences designed to inspire young minds.

Make sure to check out all the activities and follow the Facebook pages of the facilities for more information and updates.

Botanic Gardens Autumn Holiday Fun!

Nature Craft Session

Thursday, April 16, 10am to 11am
Tropical Sun Lawn

Take a short stroll, get inspired and create a creature to take home for your garden. FREE Kids craft workshop, suitable for kids aged 6 to 12 years old. Call or email the office on 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

Books in the Botanics - Queens Park

Wednesday, April 8, 9.30am to 11.30am
Main playground area, Queens Park

Story time in the Botanic Gardens

Tuesday, April 14, 9.30am to 10am
Meet at Visitor Information for Tropical Sun Lawn

Outdoor Games

Wednesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 15, 10am to noon
Tropical Sun Lawn

Get some fresh air and have fun with your family and friends with a range of outdoor games. There's bag toss, chess, giant Jenga and more to discover!

Family Friendly Yoga and Meditation

Thursday, April 9, 10am to 1pm
Tropical Sun Lawn

Let the little ones stretch, breathe and unwind outdoors in the Botanic Gardens. Perfect for ages 5 to 15years. No experience needed. It’s the perfect way to start the day. Bring a mat, water bottle and comfortable clothing. Parents and children alike are welcome to get involved. Contact the gardens to book a spot, but be quick as spots are limited. Email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au or phone 4952 7300.

School Holiday Fun at Your Local Libraries!

Mackay Regional Council Libraries are hosting a fantastic range of free, family‑friendly activities these school holidays. With creative workshops, storytelling sessions, movies, and hands‑on experiences across all library branches, there’s something for every child.

What’s On

• Kids Weaving Workshop In this engaging, hands‑on workshop, children will learn traditional weaving techniques with Hannah “Goanna” Jones from Yuluwirring Weaving.
• Paint with Kate Join professional artist Kate Kennedy for a hands‑on painting workshop. This joyful morning session encourages creativity, imagination and confidence and every child will take home their very own masterpiece!
• Flowerpot painting for kids Join us for a relaxed and colourful morning of creativity! Children aged 6 to 12 can paint their own flowerpot, decorate it their way, and take home a bright, personalised keepsake to enjoy.
• Bedtime Stories Evening story sessions perfect for winding down with tales, songs and rhymes at Gordon White Library.
• Movie Matinees Free movie sessions, ideal for a relaxed family outing.

Browse the full schedule and book your holiday fun here at MyLibrary School Holiday Activities

Mackay City and Waterfront

Pioneer Potters Easter Gnome Hunt

Friday, Saturday, April 10 and 11
Bluewater Quay

The Pioneer potters have been busy making another lot of gnomes for this great city, and they’re excited to hide them out for you to find. The Pioneer Potters 2026 Easter Gnome Hunt kicks off on the weekend starting April 10. The gnomes will be hidden in the city and Bluewater Quay.

Friday Flow

Friday, April 10, 6pm to 8.30pm
Bluewater Quay

Friday Flow brings the Bluewater Quay to life, providing an outdoor lounge room for community fun, eat street, community jam, live music, kids' craft and an airtrack.

Barrier Reef Markets

Friday, April 10, 5pm to 8pm

The Barrier Reef Markets will hold their first evening quarterly market in the city heart.

• Handmade goods
• Local art and crafts
• Boutique products
• Unique small businesses
• Gifts, homewares and specialty items
• Face painting

Moonlight Cinema under the Stars – Despicable Me

Saturday, April 11, 6.30pm
Bluewater Quay

Pack up the family, bring your blankets and snacks and enjoy a night of entertainment at the Bluewater Quay. Reserve your spot from 5.30pm and enjoy takeaway dinner options from Red Dog and ice-cream vans. See you there!

Kids Fun at River Wharves

Wednesday, April 15, 9am to 11am
River Wharves

Join in lots of FREE kids' fun including face painting and Active Squirtz Mackay as well as Storytime and Playtime with the team from Mackay Regional Council Libraries.

Pop-up Parklet

Trial commences April 9 and 10, until end of June
Bluewater Quay
Meet, relax and connect at this pop‑up mini park beside the blue water Pioneer River, featuring shaded spaces, lush greenery, decorative lighting, seating, picnic tables and stencil play activities for all ages. This trial is part of the reactivation of the Riverfront Precinct. Have your say on your experiences at the Parklet these holidays.

Visit What's on | Mackay Waterfront for activities schedule.

Sarina Youth Centre

All programs are for young people age 10 to 21. Call PJ on 4961 9278 or text 0448 941 077 to register!

Easter Escape Room

Tuesday April 7, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Darts Hall

Crack the codes and unlock the puzzles. Bring a friend and join in the challenge of an Easter-themed escape room! Designed by local young people.

Paint and Sip

Wednesday April 8, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Youth Centre

Relax and enjoy a guided painting with juice, cordial and soft drinks.

Modeling Clay

Thursday April 9, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Youth Centre

Make little creations from clay!

Game On!

Tuesday April 14, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Youth Centre

Verse friends in various outdoor sports, group games, and board games.

String Art

Wednesday April 15, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Youth Centre

Make a DIY craft item to hang in your room

Cyanotype Printing

Thursday April 16, 11am to 2pm
Sarina Youth Centre

Harness the sun to create beautiful art works!

Special kids' Tours Sarina Sugar Shed

10.30am every day of the school holidays, except Good Friday (April 3)
Normal tours run 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm
Cost: Adults at children’s prices $13.30 (bookings essential)

This fun, interactive session focuses on the kids, with the added bonus of adults being welcome at kids' prices!

During the 45-minute tour, the kids will discover the growing and harvesting of the sugar cane and complete a hunt for the critters that live in our sugar cane patch. They’ll enter our miniature sugar mill to see how sugar cane is crushed, and sample deliciously sweet sugar cane juice straight from our miniature mill, 'Bill the Mill Junior’.

Special stickers help the kids to understand the machines that work in the process from turning juice into sugar – they can touch and feel the different stages of the production from the bagasse to the sugar and taste the molasses! They’ll also receive a free information sheet at the end and a quick, fun quiz. Finally, everyone gets to a chance to taste our non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed onsite, and freshly spun fairy floss.

For more information or to book a tour online visit sarinasugarshed.com.au.

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