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Holiday fun for kids: hidden worlds, bat night, botany, art and adventure trails

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Plan your Easter school holiday activities with workshops, events, take-home activities and fun days out.

There is plenty on offer, from Sunshine Coast Council, to keep the kids busy in April.

Kids can discover a hidden world at Animals Unseen.

Book into an Animals Unseen workshop

Book now for school holiday fun at Animals Unseen.

Discover a hidden world at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden this April.

From giant moths, frogs with tusks, wriggly worms, burrowing wombats, insects to stripy snakes who climb trees, explore the masters of hide and seek in awesome workshops for ages 4 to 15.

Bookings are essential on council’s what’s on page with spaces limited. Workshops cost $8.

When: April 7 to April 16, 9am-12.30pm.

Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha.

Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com.au

Children will love Bat Night.

Book now for Bat Night

A free event for adults and kids, the 7th Annual Australasian Bat Night at the Maleny Showgrounds, Maleny promises to be lots of batty fun.

It will be held on Saturday April 17, from 1pm – 8.30pm.

Join #frankietheflyingfox and learn about all the amazing things she and our other Little Aussie BAT-tlers do to keep our environment healthy.

Dress up in your favourite batty costume, see native animals up close, go on a guided roost tours, try out the kid’s art activities and aerial workshop, settle down for the free outdoor movie and much more.

When: April 17, 1pm – 8.30pm.

Where: Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Maleny Stanley River Road, Maleny

Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/7th-annual-australasian-bat-night-maleny-tickets-142187774461

Try the great botanic race

If you’ve got older kids, head to the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden to try the great botanic race.

Grab a map from the front entry and explore the gardens on this self-guided orienteering challenge.

Kids will need to find the mapped points to solve the puzzle along the way. Great for ages 10 years and older.

When: April 2 to April 16, 7am.

Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens,51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha.

Tickets: Free, more details http://fb.me/e/cUIXqH0qt

Get arty with free art packs thanks to Caloundra Regional Gallery

Grab an art-in-a-bag give-away, containing a t-shirt and placard activity from Caloundra Regional Gallery.

This includes instructions, materials as well as a set of felt tip pens for creating the works.

There’s also a self-guided activity, a QAGOMA designed “collaborative protest wall” activity in the Caloundra Regional Gallery Artroom.

When: During Easter holidays, April 2 to April 18.

Where: Pick up from Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra.

More details: http://gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Kids-Programs/Art-in-a-Bag

Step back in time at Bankfoot House

These school holidays, experience the wonder of Bankfoot House and what life was like back then.

Check out the latest virtual reality experience, play old fashioned wooden games and explore the old house.

Pack a picnic for the best views in the Glass House Mountains.

When: During Easter holidays, April 2 to April 18.

Where: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains.

More details: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Book now for The Owl and the Pussycat at Venue 114

The Owl and the Pussycat is an intimate and charming opera for families.

Book now for a magical journey at Venue 114, Bokarina on Tuesday, April 13 at either 10am or 1pm.

The show is suitable for children aged four to 10 years old and tickets are $25 each, family of four $90, under two free on knee.

When: April 13, at either 10am or 1pm.

Where: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina.

Tickets: venue114.com.au or call 5413 1400.

There are several trails around the region, to have an adventure.

Try a new trail on Adventure Sunshine Coast

Adventure Sunshine Coast has more than 200 free adventures covering walking, cycling, paddling and riding trails right across the region.

From exploring a community playground loop with your toddler to discovering a hidden hinterland trail with an adventurous tween-ager, find your next adventure at adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au today.

When: Anytime.

Where: Across the region.

More details: adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Try the ClimateWatch Trail at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary

Become a citizen scientist at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary and contribute to understanding how climate change is affecting our environment.

To get started:

  • Download the free ClimateWatch app
  • Grab a ClimateWatch field guide highlighting the wetland’s indicator species.
  • Look for indicator species along your walk
  • Using the app, take photos and notes seasonal behaviours
  • Return your field guide for reuse.

Visit the ClimateWatch website for details. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent.

When: Anytime.

Where: Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary, Sports Rd, Bli Bli.

More details: http://www.climatewatch.org.au/trails/sunshine-coast-council-maroochy-wetlands-sanctuary

The Mary Cairncross team test out a new exhibit.

Go undercover with Operation Botanica

Head to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve to become a Junior Ranger Detective for free these school holidays.

Go undercover in the rainforest to solve the Operation Botanica mystery.

Some of the plants in the rainforest are under threat and others are strangling each other.

Use your observation skills to answer the questions, document your evidence and find the answers to complete the mission.

When: Daily 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Where: Rainforest Discovery Centre, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Mountain View Rd, Maleny.

More details: http://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/See-and-do/Whats-on

Grab a school holiday pack from Sunshine Coast libraries

Register to secure an At Home Holiday Camping Activity Pack that includes cool resources like a paddle ball, miniature puzzle cube or slinky, activity book from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, paper airplane and chatterbox templates.

Age limits apply for these packs as they’ve been designed to suit specific age groups and respond to children’s motor and literacy skills, as well as their developmental age.

To book your activity pack visit the library website: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

When: Bookings from March 22 5pm, collection from March 27.

Where: From Sunshine Coast libraries, Beerwah, Caloundra, Coolum, Kawana, Kenilworth, Maleny, Maroochydore, Nambour.

To book: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

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