Alternate Activities to Social Media -- School Holidays--Wynnum Manly
Does anyone have activity ideas for young people under 16 years of age?
In Australia, the social media ban comes into force for children under 16 years of age on 10 December 2025. I asked the Wynnum Manly Facebook group for ideas of alternate activities. This is the list of activities generated from brainstorming online:
Walking on the waterfront or having fish and chips at Wynnum is popular in school holidays (image by Graham Cook cc).
Board games: the game Sequence was suggested. Sequence is available from K mart for $25.
Movies: 'Wicked for Good' is showing at Bayside Cinemas--the sequel to the first Wicked movie.
Bush walks: Wynnum Manly bush and bay walks are listed on the Weekend Notes blog.
Museum: Museum of Brisbane--Stories You Wear--Magpie Goose. Museum of Brisbane is excited to collaborate with Magpie Goose, a proudly Aboriginal owned and led fashion and social enterprise, to celebrate extraordinary First Peoples cultural stories and designs.
Galleries: Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) featured exhibitions. Together the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) are home to ever-changing exhibitions, immersive cultural experiences and a rich collection of art from diverse cultures across Australia and around the world.
The Quandamooka Arts and Culture Centre – known as QUAMPI, was officially opened on 11 September 2025 and includes an exhibition, event and performing spaces, as well as cafe and gift shop space.
Card games: Playing cards cost $3 at K Mart. Charles Dickens and/or Sherlock Holmes cards and trivia game from Mad Hatter Bookshop at Manly (cost $15 each).
Swimming: Manly Pool entry costs $2 (Brisbane City Council subsidises pool entry for BCC pools from 1 December). Free swimming at Southbank, and Orion/Robelle Domain at Springfield. Water Parks in Brisbane are listed online.
Visiting friends: Send some Christmas messages or cards to family / friends and arrange visits. Messenger is still available online. Translink provides $0.50 fares for trains, ferries, buses in south-east Qld. Trains go as far as Gympie North, and Robina / Varsity Lakes / Cleveland / Shorncliffe.
Library visit: Brisbane City Council libraries are listed online. Some libraries run activities in school holidays, and/or have Maker Spaces with digital technologies. The Maker Spaces encourage socialisation in air conditioning. Most are free of charge. Items can be borrowed and read/viewed on devices.
Digital Technologies
The Edge at Southbank: The Edge is your home for creativity, ideas and experimentation. Visit our hub at State Library Queensland to access cutting-edge facilities, workshops, meetups, and exhibitions. What will you make at The Edge?
QUT The Cube: The Cube is one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces consisting of 26 multi-touch screens and soaring across two storeys in QUT's Science and Engineering Centre. The Cube delivers unique interactive digital learning experiences which communicate science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) concepts and bring research to the public. The Cube is located in the Science and Engineering Centre at Gardens Point campus, 2 George Street, next to the City Botanic Gardens (a short walk from the city centre). The Cube is on Level 4 of the Centre (P Block on Gardens Point map) and is accessible via lifts.
Gardening, lawn mowing: Ask family / friends / neighbours if they need a hand. Parents may arrange working bees to help out in the school holidays. Some earn extra pocket money for chores.
Cleaning house: Consider decluttering, cleaning, helping out, decorating, Christmas arts and crafts. Learning new skills--using the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, cooking.
Volunteering: Ask family / friends for ideas of how to be helpful and find out where volunteers are needed. Parents/guardians may set up connections that are safe and well supervised.
My Community Directory lists organisations and activities for each neighbourhood.
Skating: Skate Paradise Roller Skating Rink at 38 Johnson Road, Hillcrest 4118.
Dance and Acrobatics: Frontier Studios Tingalpa has a Christmas Edition Workshop (Dance & Acrobatics!).
Basket Weaving and traditional art/craft -- Traditional Quandamooka art/craft revived.
Scripture Union Camps -- Alexandra Park SU Camp Qld.
PCYC Bayside -- have youth programs and activities on offer.
Shopping--Eumundi Markets. It's a little-known secret that you can catch a Cleveland train into Brisbane City and hop on a Sunshine Coast train to Eumundi for $0.50 fare. The Eumundi Markets are on Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30am to 2pm. There is plenty of entertainment, food/drinks, gifts for Christmas shopping. It is about 5-minute walk from Eumundi rail station to Eumundi Markets. Sure beats driving up there and back!
Australia Zoo -- it is a $0.50 train fare to travel to Australia Zoo from Brisbane City. They have a Summer Holiday program there. Parents/guardians may be able to get a discount through a RACQ membership deal.
City Cats and Ferries - Brisbane River trips: The fares on City Cats and cross-river Kitty Cats are $0.50. Take a trip to explore all the destinations along the river and save on petrol.
Fishing School and Events: 2 Bent Rods are a fishing school that provides lessons and events for South-East Queensland. Learn to fish in the school holidays. Wynnum fishing event (all ages) on 13 December from 1:30 to 4:30pm at Pandanus Beach.
Other ideas are welcome. Let's keep the brainstorming going.
Angela’s Awesome Ideas
Outdoor
& Adventure Activities
Tamborine
National Park – Curtis Falls, Cedar Creek.
Springbrook
– Natural Bridge, Purling Brook Falls.
Glass
House Mountains – Mount Ngungun for beginners.
Daisy
Hill Conservation Park – easy trails + koala centre.
Swimming
holes & water spots
Enoggera
Reservoir (The Gap) – swimming + paddleboarding.
Cedar
Creek (Samford or Mount Tamborine sections).
Bunya
Crossing Reserve (Albany Creek).
Beaches
& Lookouts
Tallebudgera
Creek – hire SUPs or just swim.
Burleigh
Hill – sunset picnics.
Point
Lookout (North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah) – great day trip.
Free
or cheap adventure parks
Hinze
Dam Parklands (Gold Coast) – bikes & trails.
Redlands
IndigiScapes – nature trails + workshops.
Boondall
Wetlands – cycling tracks.
Active
& Sporty Options, Skate, ride or scooter
Nerang
BMX Track
Alexandra
Hills Skate Park
Kuraby
Skate Park
Bracken
Ridge BMX Facility
Rock
climbing / bouldering
Indoor
options great on hot days:
Urban
Xtreme (Hendra)
Bloc
Haus (West End)
Core
Climbing (Carrara)
Aqua
parks
GC
Aqua Park (Southport)
Waterfront
inflatable parks at Redcliffe & Loganholme.
Public
pools & lagoons
South
Bank Streets Beach
Wynnum
Water Park
Orion
Lagoon (Springfield)
Creative
& Skill-Building Activities
Council-run holiday workshops usually free or $5–$10. Options include:
Brisbane
City Council “Skilling Queenslanders” holiday programs
Gold
Coast Libraries youth workshops
Logan Art Gallery creative sessions topics range from:
Photography
Manga
drawing
Podcasting
Street
art
Robotics
Digital
music production
Learn
to make something
Pottery
studios in Brisbane & Gold Coast offer teen classes.
Cooking
classes at The Source Bulk Foods, Jamie’s Kitchen pop-up sessions.
Learn
sewing or upcycling clothes at local community centres (Wynnum, Logan,
Redlands).
Social,
Fun & Community-Based Activities
Theme
parks (if budget allows)
Movie
World
Dreamworld
Wet’n’Wild
Aussie
World (cheaper)
Volunteering
opportunities for teens
RSPCA
Op Shops (14+ with adult permission)
Foodbank
Queensland
Bushcare
volunteer mornings (many councils)
Red
Cross shops
Youth
centres
Many
run free gaming, art, cooking, and sport sessions:
Logan
Youth Hub
PCYC
Queensland (low-cost membership)--see Manly PCYC programs
Redlands
Youth Plaza
Upper
Coomera Youth Hub
Scavenger
hunts or city adventures
DIY
scavenger hunt across South Bank, Roma Street Parklands, GC Broadwater
Parklands.
Try
CityHopper ferry hop with friends — free and fun.
Quiet,
Productive or Independent Activities
Library
chill days
Most
SEQ libraries run teen-only hangouts, maker spaces, 3D printing, coding, board
games.
Start
a holiday project
Build
a herb garden
Make a
short film
Learn
guitar/keyboard via YouTube
Set a
reading challenge
Try
Geocaching (great outdoor alternative to screens)
Join a
summer sports camp
Local
clubs often offer soccer, netball, basketball or AFL programs during school
holidays.
Atomic
School: Hands-on science workshops.
Colour
My Pot: Pottery painting studio.
Circus
Skills: Classes in juggling, acrobatics, etc..
Community
Centres: Local centres (like those on the Gold Coast) offer diverse programs.
Local
Council Programs (Check Your Area)
City
of Moreton Bay (Active Holidays): Free/low-cost activities, skill development.
Redland
City Council: Various classes, music, events (e.g., Capalaba Library).
City
of Gold Coast: Community centre programs and events.
Adventure
& Outdoors
Riverlife
Adventure Centre (Brisbane): Rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking on the Brisbane
River.
Cycling
Brisbane: Free learn-to-ride classes.
Tangalooma:
Island hopping with snorkelling, ATV rides, sandboarding.
Animals
& Wildlife
Lone
Pine Koala Sanctuary (Brisbane): Teen Keeper for a Day program (ages 13-17) for
hands-on animal care.
Caversham
Wildlife Park (Perth): Animal encounters and nature learning (example of
location-specific options).
Other
Fun Ideas
Escape
Rooms: Teamwork, logic, and immersive fun.
Trampoline
Parks & Indoor Play Centres: Active indoor fun.
More Ideas -- Suggestions from the Wynnum Manly FB group
'Bring back blue light discos! 🪩Remember those. So fun!' Dana.
'Board games, movies, bush walks, museum, card games, swimming, visiting friends, library visit, gardening, lawn mowing, cleaning house, volunteering etc.' Rae.
'E-bikes' Chris. If safe to do so. Check out E-Bike Safety Australia and courses available online. ABC report on 'E-Bikes: What's Legal and Safe?'
'The fact this question needs to be asked is just one of the reasons why this ban might be a good idea!' Anonymous.
Occupational Therapy Telehealth is available through Medicare Mental Health Care Plans to support young people with the social media ban. Request GP referral for Occupational Therapy for young people who are having difficulties and need support. No wait list at present for telehealth appointments with Wynnum Manly Occupational Therapy.
Sandra Kirkwood,
Occupational Therapist (Grad Cert Education -- Digital Learning & Leadership in Education)
Wynnum Manly Occupational Therapy
m. 0488 624 362
References
Alexandra Park, Qld, Scripture Union Camp https://su.org.au/events/summersmadd/
Australia Zoo website https://australiazoo.com.au/
Bayside Cinemas web page https://www.baysidecinemas.com.au/home
Brisbane City Council Libraries https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-and-facilities/libraries
Charles Dicken cards and trivia game at Mad Hatter Bookshop: https://madhattersbookshop.com.au/p/charles-dickens-a-card-and-trivia-game-52-illustrated-cards-with-games-and-trivia-inspired-by-classics
Christmas Edition Workshop, Frontier Studios (https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/christmas-edition-workshop-dance-acrobatics-tickets-1976795481499
City Cats and Ferries website (Brisbane City Council) https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/transport-and-parking/public-transport/citycats-and-ferries
E-Bike Safety Australia website https://ebikesafetyaustralia.com.au/
E-Bikes--ABC report on What's Legal and Safe? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-10/e-scooters-e-bikes-legal-kids-australia/105977472
The Edge, State Library of Qld website https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/visit/spaces/edge
Eumundi Markets website: https://eumundimarkets.com.au/
Fishing School 2 Bent Rods website: https://www.2bentrods.com.au/
Gallery of Modern Art web page https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/ Featured exhibitions https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/
Museum of Brisbane web page https://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/
My Community Directory web page https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/
Playing cards from K Mart https://www.kmart.com.au/product/52's-playing-cards-42999171/
PCYC Bayside website https://www.pcyc.org.au/location/pcyc-bayside/
QUAMPI Quandamooka Arts and Cultural Centre https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/tourism/tourism-development/first-nations/minjerribah-futures/quampi
QUT The Cube website https://www.thecube.qut.edu.au/
Sequence game available from K Mart https://www.kmart.com.au/product/sequence-board-game-42769934/
Sherlock Holmes cards and trivia game at Mad Hatter Bookshop: https://madhattersbookshop.com.au/p/sherlock-holmes-a-card-and-trivia-game-52-illustrated-cards-with-games-and-trivia-inspired-by-classics
Skate Paradise Roller Skating Rink website https://www.skateparadise.com.au/
Water Parks in Brisbane are listed on Brisbane Kids Website: https://brisbanekids.com.au/waterparks-in-brisbane/
Weekend notes blog https://www.weekendnotes.com/manly-to-wynnum-walk/
Wynnum Fishing event by 2 Bent Rods Fishing School https://www.2bentrods.com.au/events-humanitix/
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