Immerse the kids in activities this break
WITH showers expected for at least some of this week, parents may need a few wetweather options up their sleeve to keep the kids occupied during the school holidays.
Cairns Aquarium could be a good place to start.
Home to more than 15,000 animals, fish, plants and other organisms from the reef and rainforest, it offers the chance to learn more about the life aquatic.
Touch and talk exhibitions feature harmless sea animals such as vivid blue sea stars and fat sea cucumbers, or there’s a turtle rehabilitation tour to teach visitors about the plight of sea turtles.
The deep reef exhibit gives a peek into colourful marine life usually only seen by experienced scuba divers. And if one visit isn’t enough, consider an annual pass, with rates available for children, adults, seniors and families.
Cairns Art Gallery has organised some interesting activities and workshops for both weeks of the holiday break. Some are already booked out, but classes in woodblock printing, embossing, watercolour painting, mixed media construction and string drawing are still available.
Turning electronics into everyday fashion is available at 1pm today for students aged 9-14 with artist Dannie Wei. Bring your own T-shirt from home for your design or choose to make a blinking bag.
Artist Jim Rae will take 9-15 year olds through the technical skills in painting with watercolour on July 4 and participants will complete a painting to take home.
Dannie Wei will be back on Thursday to take a class in kinetic sculpture for older children, using simple materials to bring stories to life.
Cairns Art Gallery is on the corner of Shields and Abbott streets. Entry is free. To book a class, visit www.cairnsartgallery.com.au online or call 4046 4800. Cairns Aquarium is at 5 Florence St and open 9am-5pm Saturday-Thursday or 9am-7pm Fridays. Ph: 4044 7300.