Cairns Regional Council is hosting a range of activities to keep the kids occupied these school holidays.
From workshops to reading activities, traversing walking tracks and learning about our native flora and fauna, there are a host of facilities and activities to keep the whole family occupied.
Here are a few ideas for parents these school holidays.
Cairns Libraries
For those wanting to be creative indoors, Cairns Libraries is offering a host of programs and events to suit children of all ages.
Children can get involved in the Summer Reading Club’s Uncover and Discover Reading Challenge either at a Cairns Libraries branch or from home via the online website.
The Summer Reading Club is a free online and in-library holiday program, run in partnership with State Library of Queensland, the Australian Library and Information Association, and the Australian Public Library Alliance.
Cairns Libraries’ School Holiday Program runs from 11 December to 21 January 2022 and includes:
- S.T.E.A.M Explore Stations: Stations are designed to promote curiosity, self-directed exploration and engage school aged children in learning.
- LEGO Spy Marina: Children can create their own secret agent hideout, build a fort or even make a spy car out of LEGO, then write a story about their creation.
- Movie: Santa’s Castle: Based on L. Frank Baum’s Christmas tales, this movie follows the kidnapping of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve by a group of creatures set on sabotaging Christmas.
- Who dunnit?? Augmented Reality Crime Scene: Participants will need to use their super-sleuth skills and the QPM Forensics AR App to collect clues and conduct a crime investigation.
- World Storywaters – Michael Quinn: Enjoy tales of mystery and wonder as master storyteller Michael Quinn works his magic, bringing alive ancient tales from a variety of places and cultures.
- Zoo to You – An exciting wildlife experience with Zoo to You. Get up close to Australian animals and learn about their habitats.
Check out the Cairns Libraries website for details of all the events, activities and programs.
Coding at the Court House
Children are invited to create and animate a unique story about themselves using the web-based coding and animation software, SCRATCH.
Participants can put pencils to paper and get their creative ideas going at special creative planning stations being held at the Court House from 14-24 December, between 10am and 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Finished Scratch animations will be on display at the Court House with the Cairns Scratch Up Studio being updated daily.
Minecraft workshops
Council is hosting Minecraft workshops in December and January, catering to new players through to advanced exponents.
- Beginners Minecraft for Kids and Carers (ages 6 and up), one-day workshops at Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre: Designed for new Minecraft players, there will be a basic introduction to the game, tips on how to survive through the night without being destroyed by zombies and lots of fun gameplay. The workshops cost $30 and will be held 14-17 December, from 10am to 2pm. Participants must bring a water bottle and lunch.
- Advanced scale build workshop (ages 12 and up), four-day workshop at The Court House: For experienced builders, participants will be working as a team to build the Cairns Gallery Precinct to scale. The build will be used to showcase young people’s ideas on the future of the precinct. The workshop costs $90 and will be held 4-7 January 2022, 10am to 2pm each day. Participants must bring a water bottle and lunch.
- Mini game design (ages 8 and up), two-workshops at Botanic Garden Visitors Centre: For intermediate to advanced players, participants will explore all the minigames currently on the Cairns Minecraft Creative server and research new minigame plugins, install them, set up arenas and test the gameplay. Two workshops are available, 18-19 January and 20-21 January, from 10am to 2pm each day. Cost of the workshop is $60 and participants must bring a water bottle and lunch.
