You don’t have to break the bank these school holidays to show the kids a fun day out in Ipswich.
With COVID-19 restrictions easing across the city, there are lots of things you can do for free, while the others won’t set you back more than the cost of a couple of pizzas.
Here’s some great ideas we’ve put together to help you get the kids out of isolation and back on the Family Fun Highway and you’ll be supporting local business at the same time.
So, pack up the kids in the car, crank up the singalong songs and Discover Ipswich!
Ipswich Art Gallery
One of the most popular attractions in Ipswich is open again!
As usual they have a great school holiday attraction which will run until the end of August.
Colour: See the World in A Whole New Light will have your children engage with more than 20 interactive experiences, ranging from iridescent insects to colour illusions. Explore how light influences colour and compare your perception of colour with your family and friends. See like a bee with the ultraviolet camera and see glowing quantum nanomaterials that change their colour with crystal size.
The exhibition will show the power colour has on the choices we make every day, and on our responses to our environment.
The Ipswich Art Gallery is welcoming families for the holidays and all you have to do is ring and book in advance to secure your spot. Free entry until August 31.
Just Jump Redbank
How does the idea of bouncing around like mad sound to your kids?
This indoor trampoline park is an amazing experience guaranteed to have your kids reach new heights.
For $7 you get an hour of trampoline hire and unlimited indoor play in the jumping castle and inflatable pirate ship. Bookings are essential, phone 3437 8588.
The Workshops Rail Museum
The winner of multiple state and national tourism awards, The Workshops Rail Museum is a delight for anyone with an interest in history, trains and fun!
There’s 15 larger than life exhibits, interactive exhibits, Nippers Railway, model railways, a café and lots more!
There’s tons of free parking and as part of the Queensland Museum network, you’ll want to come back with friends and family again and again.
Bookings are essential due to restrictions, and enjoy free entry until August 30.
Kids Eat Free
Lunch just got a whole lot cheaper as The Retro Diner in the Top of Town has brought back one of its most popular promotions for the school holidays.
Simply spend $15 or more and one child can eat lunch for free! How’s that for an affordable date with the kids? The offer goes Monday to Friday and is only during the holidays, so get in quick to 195 Brisbane Road in the Ipswich CBD.
Open for breakfast and lunch, The Retro Diner is a perfect spot for hungry nippers, who can now eat for FREE!
Animal Encounters
It’s one of the most popular spots in Ipswich and it never disappoints.
Located at Queen’s Park this is your chance to experience the wildlife of Australia the way it was intended. See wombats, wallabies, bilbies, an array of birds, the odd lizard and plenty more as you make your way through the lush gardens which are cared for by the keepers and gardeners who dedicate their time to make this one of the best days out in Ipswich.
For a small fee there are special walking guided tours for those who want to learn from the experts, the only way to gain entry until restrictions ease.
Bring a hat, a water bottle and sensible shoes for a wonderful Animal Encounter Tour Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during school holidays.
Cost is $8 for the tour during school holidays for adults and children.
Kids Art Classes
The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg are holding Kids Workshops with a difference.
On Wednesday July 1 there was a workshop on how to paint a Llama. Indigenous Dot Art on Wednesday July 8 and on July 9 a Macrame Keyring and Arm Band Making session.
There’s a shop and coffee for parents while the kids enjoy their new skills in a delightful, country environment.
If you like the idea of learning to paint yourself, there are also painting classes for adults available. Kids classes are $20 and run by Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich.
See Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich’s website or The Soul Nook Collective on Facebook to book.
Haigslea Ewe Nique
If you missed the chance in 2020 to get up close to farm animals at the Ipswich Show, don’t fret, because now there is a unique and fun day out, just up the road at Haigslea.
Let the children get up close and pat the animals including geese, goats, lambs, sheep and alpacas, plus enjoy the wandering chickens.
Parents can enjoy yummy treats and coffee while the kids enjoy time with the animals.
Bookings to see the animals at Haigslea Ewe Nique are essential, entry costs $5, call 0410 487 263 for more information or find them on Facebook.
Get in the swim
Just because the mornings are cool over the winter holidays doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a good swim.
During the day the temperatures are just right for a splash, and the kids will love the children’s areas at each of Ipswich’s four swim centres. Best of all, the pools at Bundamba, Goodna and Leichhardt are heated, so you can swim all year round.
Colour Scavenger Hunt
It’s time to brighten up the school holidays with a Colour Scavenger Hunt at Orion!
To enter the Colour Hunt, simply message Orion Springfield Central on Facebook and type “Colour” to play. Then follow the clues on a colour adventure through the centre. Every child who finishes the hunt will receive a cinni donut from Donut King to celebrate.
Plus you’ll go in the draw for a chance to WIN a $100 Orion Springfield Central gift card. The Colour Hunt will run from Saturday June 27 to Sunday July 12. Participation is at your leisure, no bookings required.
See the dinos
Jurassic Creatures have landed at Riverlink Shopping Centre these school holidays until July 12. You can explore a prehistoric world full of life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar throughout the centre. There are six dinosaurs on display including a T-Rex, Allosaurus, Orintholestes, Stegosaurus, Blue Raptor and Triceratops.
Visit the Jurassic attendant in the food court between 10am – 1pm to receive a take-home 3D Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzle – available from June 29 to July 12.
