The complete list of school holiday activities

> Artspace Mackay  

Collage, Stamp and Draw

Until Sunday, July 10
Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm
Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay
Drop-in to Artspace during the June/July school holidays and experiment with the art of mixed media. Inspired by the art and exhibition ‘Looking for Paradise’ by NSW artist, Nathalie Hartog-Gautier, this activity gives visitors of all ages and abilities an opportunity to combine collage, drawing and letter stamping techniques by adding to a wonderful collaborative paper wall in our Artspace workshop room. Parental supervision for children is essential. Stay for a few minutes or a few hours, no bookings necessary. Visit their Facebook event.

> Libraries

Harry Potter Craft

Tuesday, June 28, 10am to 11am at Walkerston Library Book tickets
Tuesday, June 28, 2pm to 3pm at Mirani Library Book tickets
Wednesday, June 29, 10am to 11am at Gordon White Library Book tickets
Thursday, June 30, 10.30am to 11.30am at Dudley Denny City Library Book tickets
Friday, July 1, 10am to 11am at Sarina Library Book tickets
To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, create some magical accessories essential for every wizard in training. These craft activities are suitable for junior wizards aged 5 to 12 years old.

Bedtime Stories

Thursday, June 30, 5pm to 6pm at Gordon White Library Book tickets
Thursday, June 30, 5pm to 6pm at Dudley Denny City Library Book tickets
A fun evening for children aged from birth to eight years-of-age and their families. This session features nursery rhymes, stories, songs and a craft activity. Don’t forget to wear your pyjamas!

Ukulele for kids

Thursday, July 7, 3.40pm to 4.40pm at Gordon White Library Book tickets
This program is the perfect opportunity for children and their parents to come along and have a go at playing the ukulele and learn some basic musical skills in a fun environment. Specifically designed for children aged eight to 12 years and their parent/guardian. This program will run on the first Thursday of the month at Gordon White Library.

Clifford the Big Red Dog (PG)

Friday, July 1, 2pm to 4pm at Gordon White Library Book tickets
Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn. This event is for children aged five to 12 years.When Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gives her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant, 10-foot hound in her small New York City apartment.

> Free Compost & Worm Farming Workshop

> MECC & Mackay Festivals  

The Festival Hub

Thursday, June 30 to Sunday, July 3, 6pm to 9pm daily
Thursday, July 7 to Friday, July 8, 6pm to 9pm daily
Bluewater Quay, Brisbane Steet Mackay
Festival Hub, located on our picturesque Pioneer River will feature live entertainment and family fun for all ages on select dates during the July school holidays.  With live musicians, roving street performers, food options and a licenced bar – take a seat, relax, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. This is a free ticketed event for all ages. Get your tickets.

Daly Bay Illuminate

Thursday, June 30 to Sunday, July 3, 6pm to 9pm
Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, Mackay
For four nights during the July school holidays, Mackay’s iconic Queens Park will come to life with incredible light installations designed to captivate the young and old for Daly Bay’s Illuminate. Enhancing the parks natural landmarks and beauty, expect to see botanicals, insects, fairies, and don’t forget to pat the neon dogs while you’re there. More information.

> Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  

‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ drop in activity

Wednesday, June 29, 10am to 2pm
Thursday, June 30, 10am to 2pm
Meeting Room, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  
Explore with the Garden Friends some real fossils on display, pretend to be a Palaeontologist and make your own plant fossil using clay. Please note this is a drop-in activity, waiting times will apply if busy. Parental supervision is required. For more information visit their Facebook event.

‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ self-guided quiz

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm during school holidays
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  
Calling all dinosaur lovers! Have you ever wondered about the type of plants dinosaurs ate? Grab a ‘Dinosaurs Ruled’ quiz sheet from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information (Administration) and find out as you venture along the Coal Garden pathways, exploring dinosaur footprints, petrified wood and plants like those from ancient times. Visit their Facebook event.

Tibbles Hunt in the Tropical Shade Garden

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Tropical Shade Garden  
Pick up your activity sheet and wander the pathways to find Tibbles and decode the latest message he has for you! Visit their Facebook event.

Other self-guided activities

Anytime during school holidays
There are a range of other free self-guided family friendly activities available these holidays. Choose an activity sheet from the self-guided activities table in the Tropical Shade Garden deck weekdays, or limited numbers available from the brochure holders at the noticeboard outside Visitor Information on weekends.

Bocce in the Gardens

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm       
Malta Garden’s Bocce Court
Did you know we have a sand bocce court in the Malta Garden? Bring your own set and play or hire a set of bocce balls from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information for just $5 a set. Hire is available weekdays 9am to 4pm or play at your leisure with your own set at any time.

Black & White Photo Competition (Facebook)  

Saturday, June 25, to Sunday, July 10
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens 
Black and white images can add mystery and depth to a photograph. Whether it be a landscape, portrait, architecture, nature or wildlife we want to see your best black and white photograph taken in the Mackay Botanic Gardens! This photo competition is aimed to be a family friendly activity. All photos can be posted to the Facebook Photo Competition page. A winner will be announced after the school holidays. For more information, please contact the Botanic Gardens on phone 4952 7300, email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au.

> Sarina Sugar Shed  

Special kids tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed

Saturday, June 25, to Sunday, July 10, 10.30am every day
Adults at children’s prices (bookings essential)
Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina
(Please note this tour does not include a full tasting of products for the adults)
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 the sugar cane patch. Enter the miniature sugar mill to see how sugar cane is crushed, and sample deliciously sweet sugar cane juice straight from the 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 will also receive a free information sheet at the end, which is great for school projects, and the quicky, fun quiz will help to keep the young ones engaged - they are guaranteed to learn something! Finally, everyone gets a chance to taste the non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed onsite and freshly spun fairy floss. Book tickets.

> Sarina Youth Centre

School holiday activities

All events run 10am to 2pm
A variety of school holiday activities are on offer for youth aged ten to 21 years. You must register for a spot and please indicate what day/program you would like to attend. Contact Sarina Youth Centre on 4961 9277 or email sarinayouthcentre@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Monday, June 27: Winter treats – cooking for warmth
Tuesday, June 28: Art with Amber (ages 10 to 15)
Wednesday, June 29: Art with Amber (ages 10 to 15)
Thursday, June 30: Centre closed
Friday, June 31: Chillaxing and game day
Monday, July 4: Winter NAIDOC treats
Tuesday, July 5: NAIDOC Activities – games, arts and crafts
Wednesday, July 6: NAIDOC Activities – games, arts and crafts
Thursday, July 7: Movie day
Friday, July 8: Centre closed

> Ken Burgess Orchid House

Monday to Friday, 10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm
Sunday, 10am to 2pm
Closed public holidays
Kids and adults alike will love the beautiful and rare orchids on display at the Ken Burgess Display House within the beautiful Queens Park. Stroll through the display which houses an astounding variety of orchids, all flowering at different times of the year.