Brisbane and Surrounds

Brisbane and Surrounds Family

Brisbane and its surrounding areas give families plenty of practical ways to spend time together, from free library sessions and hands-on art to holiday workshops, toy borrowing and science discovery. When more specialised help is needed, families can also find development, disability, parenting, youth and carer support through local and Queensland-wide services.

✨ Play, reading and creative activities

Brisbane Libraries children’s programs

Families across the Brisbane City Council area can join free First 5 Forever activities designed for children and their parents or carers. Babies, Books and Rhymes is for babies up to one year, Toddler Time suits ages one to two, and children’s storytime is for ages three to five. Young readers can also take part in Little Stars Reading Club for ages zero to five or Gold Star Reading Club for ages six to 12.

Brisbane City Council school holiday events

During the school holidays, Council’s calendar is a useful starting point for finding workshops, outdoor activities, library programs, creative sessions, shows and exhibitions across Brisbane. Families can filter listings by date, location and age group, as well as look specifically for free or low-cost options. Check the individual event before setting out, as some activities require advance bookings.

Brisbane South Toy Library

Based at Richlands Community Centre, this volunteer-run toy library lets members borrow from more than 2,000 toys, games and play materials. The collection serves children from six months to 12 years, giving families a way to rotate play resources without buying every item. Bookable party-hire equipment is also available, with membership and hire conditions applying.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Children’s Art Centre

At the Gallery of Modern Art in South Brisbane, the Children’s Art Centre presents interactive artworks created for children and families. General entry to QAGOMA and the Children’s Art Centre is free, making it suitable for a flexible cultural outing. Some exhibitions and special events are ticketed, so families should check the current program and admission details beforehand.

Queensland Museum Kurilpa and SparkLab

Queensland Museum Kurilpa in South Brisbane offers free general museum admission. For a more structured experience, SparkLab is an interactive science space with timed, paid entry. Tickets are recommended to reduce waiting times, and separate fees may apply to certain exhibitions or events.

Backbone Youth Arts programs

Children and teenagers interested in making and performing can explore Backbone Youth Arts programs at Seven Hills. Its term-based Young Creator Workshops serve ages eight to 18, while school-holiday workshops provide additional creative opportunities. Theatre for Babies events and workshops welcome children aged zero to three with their parents. Availability and enrolment arrangements differ between activities.

🌈 Early childhood, development and disability support

Jajumbora Children & Family Centre

ATSICHS Brisbane’s Waterford West centre supports families in the Logan area through early childhood, parenting, health and family programs. Offerings include playgroups, home visits, counselling, nutrition activities and Circle of Security Parenting for parents of children aged zero to eight. Free transport is available for appointments and programs held at the centre.

Children’s Health Queensland Child Development Service

This community-based service supports Greater Brisbane families whose children, aged zero to nine, have complex developmental concerns. Access is not by general walk-in enquiry: a specialist referral is required, and eligibility criteria apply. Queensland Health provides the relevant referral pathway and local contact information.

Xavier Children’s Support Network

Xavier works with children and young people who have complex disability and related health needs, alongside their families, across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and Moreton Bay. Its services include allied health therapy, nursing, support workers, community therapy clinics, and equipment and modification advice. Short-term respite is available at Xavier Place in Yeerongpilly. Funding and access conditions vary between services.

Hear and Say

Children can access hearing tests, speech and language assessments, and listening and spoken language therapy at Hear and Say’s Ashgrove centre. Speech therapy and speech and language assessment are also offered at Upper Mount Gravatt. For children with hearing loss and their families, resilience and wellbeing programs include parent education and peer groups organised by age.

PlayConnect+

PlayConnect+ provides fully funded, inclusive playgroups for children aged zero to eight with disability or developmental concerns. Parents, carers and siblings are included, and children do not need a formal diagnosis to participate. Facilitated groups generally operate during school terms, with some holiday sessions and online playgroups available. Queensland families can search for a location or use the program’s state contact pathway to register interest.

💡 Parenting, youth and family support

Family and Child Connect

Families dealing with parenting, relationships, housing, money, school attendance, alcohol or other pressures can seek free and confidential support and referrals. The listed Brisbane provider is Kurbingui Youth and Family Development in Zillmere. Families may call 13 FAMILY (13 32 64), submit an online referral or ask for an interpreter.

Brisbane Youth Service – Family Support

This support is for young people aged 12 to 25 and their children who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of it. Options include a weekly Young Families Group during school terms and individual support for young fathers. Ruby’s reunification program works with young people aged 12 to 15 and their families. Brisbane Youth Service assesses access and the suitability of each program.

Parentline

Parents, carers, grandparents and other family members anywhere in Queensland can contact Parentline for confidential counselling and support by phone or WebChat. Qualified counsellors discuss parenting, co-parenting, family relationships and other concerns. Eligible Queensland state-school families may also be referred to Parent Navigator for support related to bullying.

Youth and Family Support Service

This Queensland Government service assists at-risk young people aged 10 to 17 and their families in the Brisbane region, including where there is a risk of offending or reoffending. It provides short- to medium-term assistance through home or community visits, group sessions and referrals. Families may self-refer by calling (07) 3097 1305.

Carers Queensland Carer Program

Unpaid carers across Queensland can obtain information, advice and referrals, including parents caring for a child with disability or health needs and young carers. The program does not provide case management, respite or crisis assistance. Carer Services can be contacted on 1300 747 636.

📌 Before you book or attend

• Check the age range: programs vary from baby sessions to support for young adults, and age limits can determine eligibility.
• Confirm access requirements: ask whether enrolment, membership, a referral, an eligibility assessment or particular funding is needed.
• Review current costs: free general entry does not always include special exhibitions, timed experiences, equipment hire or ticketed events.
• Discuss accessibility: contact the provider about mobility, sensory, communication, transport or support needs before visiting.
• Clarify supervision: find out whether an adult must stay, particularly for playgroups, early-years sessions, workshops and holiday activities.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Brisbane and surrounds, you are warmly invited to add your listing or update its details so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on brisbane.queensland.place.