Get ready for school holiday fun across the region
Published on 24 June 2025
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays? We've got you covered with an awesome fun-filled program of creative, educational and nature-based activities designed to keep young minds and bodies active.
Make sure to also check out school holiday activities on Mackay's new events calendar at www.mackayevents.com.au.
Bookings for school holiday activities can now be made online via their website or by downloading the new MyLibrary app.
Read your way through the school holidays!
Looking for a fun and enriching way to spend the July school break? Dive into the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year Notables! With stories for all ages — from thrilling adventures to heartwarming tales — there’s something for every young reader to enjoy. Come explore, read and be inspired!
FELTED FISH WORKSHOP
Tuesday, July 1, 10am to 12pm, Gordon White Library
For young and old alike, come along and learn the art of felting with Cordell from Fumbled Felts. Parents and grandparents why not join your child in the workshop and take home your very own felted fish masterpiece! Book above.
PARKER THE LIBRARY VAN
Tuesday, July 1, 10am to 11.30am – Finch Hatton
Tuesday, July 1, 12.30pm to 2pm – Eungella
Parker the Library Van is excited to present an amazing selection from our collection just for you! Explore a world of free programs for every age, and don't miss out on the innovative Library of Things, where you can borrow everything from games and puzzles to binoculars and much more! We’re all about igniting creativity, fostering literacy, and encouraging learning for everyone.
MOVIE MATINEE
Friday, July 4, 2pm to 4pm, Gordon White Library
Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn as the world’s favourite supervillain – turned-anti-villain- league agent returns for a bold new era of mayhem! This event is for children aged five to 12 years. Book above.
CALLING ALL LEGO® ENTHUSIASTS
Dudley Denny City Library (9am to 5.30pm)
Monday, June 30 | Tuesday, July 1
Gordon White Library (9am to 5.30pm)
Monday, July 7 | Tuesday, July 8 | Wednesday, July 9
Unleash your creativity with thousands of LEGO® pieces at your fingertips. Whether you're building a masterpiece or just having fun, the possibilities are endless — no registration needed, just come and build to your heart’s content! Suitable for ages 6+ years. Book above.
3D TEEN PRINTING
Dive into the creative world of 3D printing!
Wednesday, July 2, 10am to 11.30am, Gordon White Library
Learn the basics of using a 3D printer, and how to get started bringing your ideas to life with projects like keychains, earrings or your own custom bookmarks. We’ll guide you through the design process for beginners and share some tips and tricks along the way. What will you create? For teens aged 12 to 18 years old. Book above.
CAR CARE 101 FOR NEW DRIVERS
Tuesday, July 8, 2pm to 3pm - Treadwell Tyres, 169 Boundary Road, Paget
Have you ever changed a tyre? Checked your oil? Do you even know how? We can help!
We are collaborating with Treadwell Tyres to give you the hands-on experience you need to know how to do the basics of car care. This session is for those that have just or are just about to get their Learners permit or licence. Closed in shoes and sensible clothing are a must. Book above.
All activities require adult supervision and are free unless otherwise stated. For bookings or questions, call 4952 7300.
OUTDOOR GAMES
Wednesday, July 2 and Wednesday, July 9, 10am to noon
Tropical Sun Lawn
Get some fresh air and have some fun with a range of outdoor games. Please note short wait times may apply during busy periods.
KIDS PAINTING CLASS WITH KATE KENNEDY - BOOKED OUT
Thursday, July 3
Botanic Gardens Meeting Room
Cost: $10 per child, ages 8 to 16 years
Workshop 1 (10am to 11am) - create a landscape painting. BOOKED OUT
Workshop 2 (1pm to 2pm) - create a mountain peak landscape painting. BOOKED OUT
Get creative with Kate Kennedy and create your masterpiece to take home! BOOKED OUT
Garden Friends drop-in activity – Secret lives of leaves
Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, 10am to 3pm
Botanic Gardens Meeting Room
Come and enjoy some leaf focussed activities in the meeting room and outdoors in the gardens, including hunts, 'things you see on a leaf' drawing walk, watercolour-resist leaf art, leaf creature craft and more! Free family friendly activity.
Strolling Stories – The Bungee Jumping Caterpillar
Follow the latest strolling story on offer and discover the adventures of AK and Zody. The story panels are placed on a 350m looped circuit, just past the Malta Garden.
Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 11, between 9am and 4pm
Look for the caterpillar painted rock hidden along the looped circuit and return to the Visitor Information Centre to win your very own copy of the Bungee Jumping Caterpillar book!
Bocce with a Buddy
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (except public holidays)
Malta Garden’s Bocce Court
$5 for hire of bocce set
Did you know that bocce is one of the most popular and oldest games throughout European countries? Test your skills at our bocce court in the Malta Garden. Bocce sets are available to hire ($5 per set) from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre. Bookings are not required.
Kids Fun at River Wharves - FREE Kids Activities
Wednesday, July 2, 9am to 11am
River Wharves, River Street
Don't miss the FREE kids' fun at River Wharves these school holidays with...
9am to 10.30am - Facepainting
9.15am to 10am - Active Squirtz awesome kids adventures
10am to 10.30am - Mackay Regional Council Libraries 'Storytime' with songs, rhymes and dance
10.30am to 11am - Mackay Regional Council Libraries 'Playtime' with toys and activities
Follow their Facebook page to find out more.
Mackay Festival of Arts 2025 - Savour the Suburbs
Sunday, July 6 - Bucasia Beach, noon – 4pm
Sunday, July 13 - Pinnacle Cricket Grounds, noon – 4pm
Free, all ages event
A series of suburban Sunday afternoon shows hosted at the iconic beachfront and valley locations throughout the region. Featuring local music, markets, produce and fanfare, Savour the Suburbs celebrates the regions unique communities, natural attractions and culture enticing locals and visitors out of the city and into the beauty of our regional areas Bucasia, Pinnacle and Grasstree Beach. Find out more at Mackay Festival of Arts.
Special kids tours of the Sarina Sugar Shed
10.30am every day of the school holidays except Good Friday (April 18)
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.
A variety of school holiday activities are on offer for youth aged ten to 21 years. Bookings are required with 12 spaces available per program. Contact Sarina Youth Centre on 4951 9278, mobile 0448 941 077 or email sarinayouthcentre@mackay.qld.gov.au. Keep up to date, follow them on Facebook.
WEEK ONE
Monday, June 30
Yoga in the Park with Earthside Yoga & Wellness (11am – 12:30pm at Field of Dreams, Sarina)
Tuesday, July 1
Coming of the Light (Zulai Wan) – Torres Strait Islander celebration (11am – 2pm at Sarina Youth Centre)
Wednesday, July 2
Paint and sip for teens (2pm – 4pm at Hector Hall, Louisa Creek)
Thursday, July 3
Print making workshop - foam and lino printing (1pm – 3pm at Field of Dreams, Sarina)
WEEK TWO
Monday, July 7
Song writing and singing workshop (11:30am – 3pm at Bob Wood Cultural Hall)
Thursday, July 10
Pool tournament (1pm – 3pm at Sarina Youth Centre)
