The ‘gig guide’ for fam-friendly Easter fun!
The ‘gig guide’ for fam-friendly Easter fun!
Ahhh school holidays. That special time when we get to do fun things with our mini-me’s …only to run out of entertainment inspo three days in and panic #RocksInCornerWithGlassOfSav.
Never fear Gold Coast mums and dads, as we have a list of to-do’s to keep your kiddos occupied (and you sane) across the whole Easter school holidays. And wanna know the best part? The majority are free, or super cheap and cheerful!
Here we go (listed north to south)…
Looking for a fun and creative way to keep the kids busy these school holidays? Sanctuary Cove Marine Village has you covered with hands-on craft workshops designed to spark creativity and unleash their inner artist! For just $20 per child, per session, little creators can dive into a world of colour, imagination, and fun, making a special keepsake to take home. Each session runs twice daily (9am –10:30am & 10:30am–12am) at Shop 39C (opposite Reds Kitchen), with a fresh new craft each day:
• Canvas Painting – 7th & 14th April
• Pot Plant Painting – 9th April
• Shrinkie Keychain Making – 11th April
Whether they join for one or experience them all, these workshops are the perfect way to let imagination run wild. Spaces are limited, so book early to secure a spot!
The fun doesn’t stop there, Sanctuary Cove’s Easter Eggstravaganza is back on Sunday 20th April! From 10am–2pm, The Marine Village will transform into an Easter wonderland filled with pony rides, an animal petting zoo, face painting, craft activities, and even a visit from the Easter Bunny. Instead of hunting for chocolate, kids can search for hidden codewords around the precinct for a chance to win amazing prizes!
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
We wouldn’t dream of omitting the home of all things thrills this school holidays. For an explosion of taste, scent and entertainment, Dreamworld’s Street Food Festival is back from April 5th to 27th. Bringing exciting new options to your favourite outlets, refuel post adrenalin rush with everything from Po-Boy’s, Karaage chicken and empanadas; to churros and matcha desserts.
Where: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
Hop into Harbour Town these Easter school holidays for two weeks of free family fun, delicious treats, and unbeatable shopping deals! From April 3, the centre will be buzzing with activities, including face painting, bubble art, magicians, and special appearances from the Easter Bunny. Kids can also fuel up on chocolate at the brand-new Chocolate Fuel Station, because nothing says Easter like a sweet treat (or ten).
While the little ones enjoy the fun, parents can take advantage of up to 70% off iconic Australian and international brands. Need a bite between bargain hunting? There are $10 Kids Meal Deals at Crafty’s Sports Bar, Lindt Gold Bunnies to nibble on, and sweet treats from Crumbs Cookie, Cayman Cafe, and Swieeties. Whether you’re here for the fun, the food, or the fashion, Harbour Town is your ultimate Easter holiday destination!
Where: 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Hop to it, because the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are going full Easter mode this long weekend! On Friday, 18th and Saturday 19th April from 4pm–9pm, the iconic Esplanade will be buzzing with over 100 artisan stalls, live music, and festive fun. Think handmade treasures, coastal breezes, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to wander with a snack in hand. The Easter Bunny himself will be making a grand appearance from 5pm–8pm both nights, so get ready for some egg-stra special photo ops. Whether you’re browsing for unique finds, soaking up the vibes, or just in it for the chocolate, this is the ultimate way to spend an Easter evening by the beach. Best part? It’s totally free. So grab your crew and hop on over!
Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Hop into the Easter spirit at Paradise Centre from 5–20 April, where school holiday fun is in full swing! With free treats, epic giveaways, and sweet activities, there’s something for every bunny.
Start with free hot cross buns on 5th April (while stocks last), then try your luck at winning a chocolate-stuffed Easter hamper (7–16 April). Ice cream lovers can score a free cone from Ben & Jerry’s on 8th April, and little pastry chefs can decorate their own Krispy Kreme doughnuts on 8th, 10th, 15th & 16th April. Feeling lucky? Spend $100 in one go between 14–17 April and crack an egg for a surprise $50 gift voucher!
From 14–20 April (excluding Good Friday), the Easter Bunny will be roaming the centre, handing out chocolate and retailer vouchers, while free face painting keeps the fun going on Level 1. Once you’ve loaded up on treats from All Sorts of Sweets, Woolworths, Newsextra, Priceline and more, take the excitement up a notch at Timezone, Freak VR, MANIAX Axe Throwing, or Padlock’d Escape Room.
Now that’s what we call an egg-cellent holiday lineup! Find out all the details here.
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Mirror, mirror on the wall, where’s the fairest high tea of them all? To coincide with the release of Snow White in cinemas, QT Gold Coast is serving up a high tea fit for a fairytale. Step into a world of enchanted bites and whimsical delights with a Snow White-inspired spread that’s almost too pretty to eat, served daily throughout April from 11am until 2pm
Expect apple-infused treats, delicate pastries, and a sprinkle of QT magic, all paired with premium teas and a touch of mischief. Whether you’re a princess, a wicked queen, or just here for the sweets, this themed high tea is the perfect way to add a little fairytale flair to your school holidays.
On select days during the April school holidays, round up the munchkins to bedazzle their own chocolate creation with the ‘Shake and Create’ kids Easter egg decorating classes. $30 per child includes a festive milkshake and everything they need to create their candy-covered masterpiece. Held on Friday 11th, Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th April from 12pm until 2pm.
Where: 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Get ready for a whirlwind of creativity and fun this Easter at HOTA! From April 5th to 13th, the Asia Pacific Triennial Kids on Tour brings free hands-on art-making activities for families, offering a chance to get creative with seven interactive projects by talented artists from across Asia and the Pacific. This exciting program coincides with the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial and features collaborative works with artists from Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, New Zealand, and more. Drop by anytime between 10am and 1pm for a unique artistic adventure that’s perfect for little creatives.
If you’re looking for more Easter fun, join in the Easter Wonderland Dress Up Day on April 19th with a Mad Hatter Easter Bonnet Workshop and Parade! Whether you bring your own hat or craft one from a template, this is your chance to show off your style in a fun-filled parade.
Hop into the Gold Coast’s Biggest Easter Egg Hunt, where kids can collect up to 50 eggs and join the Easter Bingo for a chance to win a golden egg. The hunt kicks off at 9am on April 19th and there’s plenty more fun to be had with face painting, free movies like Alice in Wonderland, and lots of chances to win fantastic prizes. Don’t miss this epic Easter celebration!
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
It’s all happening these school holidays at the Oasis with free school holiday activities plus confirmed sightings of the fluffy fellow himself.
Put your detective skills to the test with the Broadbeach Bricks Treasure Hunt! Follow the clues, explore the vibrant precinct, and uncover the hidden secret code for your chance to win fabulous prizes. Running on April 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th from 10:30am–2:30pm at Broadbeach Mall (opposite Base Cafe), this free adventure is open to the first 50 participants per day, so hop to it!
Meet the Easter Bunny – Grab a photo with the adorable bunny on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April between 11am and 2pm.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Guess what’s hopping back into action this school hols? The Little Paccas Easter Scramble is bringing the chocolate-fuelled chaos at 8am on Friday 11th April! Kiddos can dive into a giant Easter Egg Hunt in The Resort, swapping their colourful finds for free Cadbury chocolate, aka the ultimate treasure. And because it wouldn’t be Easter without a VIP guest, the Easter Bunny is making a special appearance too! The scramble is exclusive to Little Paccas members. Keep an eye on your inbox at 10am, Friday 4th April for tickets. Not a member? Time to sign up!
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 2/32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters
Workshops
Get ready to experience the buzz of Tokyo right here on the Gold Coast! A Taste of Tokyo is taking over Robina Town Centre from April 5th–17th, bringing Japanese culture, food, and creativity to life this school holidays.
Families can dive into free workshops, including origami, paper fan decorating, and sushi rolling, while also enjoying the mesmerizing Koi Fish Projection Tunnel, participating in a Japanese stamp rally, and entering a draw to win a family trip to Japan.
The fun starts with origami workshops from April 5th–6th and 9th–11th, followed by paper fan decorating from April 12th–17th, all taking place on the ground floor outside Myer and Kookai. Sushi workshops run from April 7th–8th, with free 45-minute sessions available throughout the day, but be sure to book in advance.
It’s the perfect way to bring a little bit of Japan to your school holidays!
Kids Night Out
Treat the whipper snappers to a parent-free arvo of living it up at the movies, and your frazzled eardrums to several hours of serenity in the process… it’s #winwin for all involved. Hosted by Robina Town Centre on the reg, this month Kids Night Out falls on Saturday 5th April, with a screening of A Minecraft Movie they’re sure to be razzed about. It’ll only run you $20 per child (plus candy bar spending money, if you’re feeling generous) which includes their ticket, kids meal and 3 hours of babysitting service. Skadoosh those school hols, y’all!
Where: Event Cinemas Robina, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Every-bunny knows Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s school holiday programs are the bee’s knees, and they’ve added a third age group for triple the fun! Little sis/bro no longer have to miss out on the BTS action, with Wild Adventurers Junior (5-8 year olds) half day sessions to complement the classic full day experience for kiddos aged 9–12. There’s also a teen program for kids aged 13-16 years. For $36, $72 and $95 per child respectively, budding zoologists can walk on the wild side and get up close to some of the Sanctuary’s star inhabitants. Smashing! (90’s kids know).
Where: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
Hop into a world of egg-citing fun at The Strand’s Secret Garden these school holidays! From 9th–19th April, kids can get crafty with free Easter workshops, creating everything from Easter peg characters to bunny biscuits and wooden egg baskets. With a new hands-on activity each day, there’s plenty of fun to go around, so why not try them all?
The grand finale is the Secret Garden Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 19th April, where little bunnies can grab a hunt card, track down eight hidden eggs, and return to the host desk for an extra treat. Plus, there’s a chance to win one of two $125 Truckloads Gift Cards, because Easter fun shouldn’t end when the holidays do!
Get ready for a hoppin’ good time and don’t forget to build your Easter basket before the big hunt!
Where: 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
NaturallyGC holiday programs are FREE and specifically designed to connect kids with nature and encourage outdoor play and learning. The Totally Wild vibing workshops cater to all interests and ages with a range of nature-based activities on offer across the holidays. There’s Scaly Reptiles or Make a Bug Hotel for the creepy crawly fans to slither in to, Creatures of the Sea to captivate the budding marine biologists, raft building sessions, and more.
Where: Various Gold Coast locations
Hop on over to Tweed City these school holidays for some egg-stra special fun! From 14–21 April (excluding Good Friday), Paw Springs is the place to be for a free photo with real live Easter Bunnies. Capture the moment with a paw-fect print that the whole family will love. No bookings required, just bring your best bunny smiles and let the magic happen!
For more hands-on fun, Charm’d Studio is bringing free creative workshops from 14–27 April (excluding public holidays). Kids and big kids alike can customise their own charm keyring or bracelet with colourful accessories, making a keepsake as unique as they are. Swing by outside Coles from 11am–2pm daily and add a little sparkle to your school holidays!
Where: 54 Minjungbal Dr, Tweed Heads South
Words by Belinda Symons
