Prime time for kids to catch the holiday buzz
FAMILIES have been quick on the draw to embrace creative school holiday activities, with kids’ workshops at Cairns Art Gallery completely booked out.
Cairns artist Hayley Gillespie’s children’s art workshops, normally a staple of the school holiday calendar, have come down in size due to COVID restrictions.
Nonetheless, Ms Gillespie said she was committed to making this holiday’s classes fun and engaging for all the kids involved.
“We used to have 12-15 kids, now we’re down to 10 children,” she said.
“To be honest, it’s not a huge drop, but the less children there are, the more personal time you get with them.
“I was doing non-stop school holiday programs before COVID. It was really busy but they’re quiet at the moment. I’m having a quieter school holidays myself, even getting a few days to myself.”
For those still looking to enjoy creative activities over the school holidays, Cairns Museum is hosting a range of events from Monday onward.
Kids aged 5-12 will be able to tour the museum’s Surf Life Saving Exhibition and take part in free Sea-Riffic Science workshops on Monday and Tuesday.
The museum also will be running guided tours on Wednesday and Junior Surf Life Saving programs on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first week of fun activities at the museum will wrap with a Surf Slime and Sand Dough-making workshop on Friday.
These activities will be free with museum entry ($6 kids and $15/$12 adults). Book at trybooking.com.
Families can also take advantage of the newly reopened Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where colourful butterflies are wowing guests. Skyrail’s environment manager, Tim Hackwood, said the spring school holidays were the perfect time for families to explore the region’s natural wonders.
“As we transition from our traditional dry winter period, a flourish of new life and growth is clearly evident after the first rainfall of the new season,” he said.
“The rainforest really is at its best in the Wet, and as we progress towards the wet season, we anticipate greater wildlife activity.”
Cairns shopping centres are also taking advantage of the holiday buzz with indoor activities and deals to keep kids entertained weather.
Cairns Central Shopping Centre is running Little Growers gardening workshops and fun outdoor scavenger hunts until October 4.
Smithfield Shopping Centre is selling kids and adults Super Saver Fun Passes, valid until November 20, entitling holders to discounts on dining and movies.
From September 28, Stockland Cairns will be running virtual school holiday classes, letting kids learn how to make cool paper planes and study astronomy, coding and animation from the comfort of their own home. during the wet