Here on the Gold Coast, we're lucky to have a number of different options available to us for our kids to join in on messy play. Each week you'll find new themes and tray set ups, each carefully thought out and designed to excite and engage all of your children's senses. So what are you waiting for - get those old clothes out, pack the towels and head on over to one of these great Messy Play options!
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Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach
The Cascade Gardens at Broadbeach has always been a family friendly spot for picnics, bbqs or just a play in the park. Explore the sensory garden, lay out a picnic blanket in the sun by the river, and enjoy a great family outing!
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Ipswich Nature Centre, Queens Park, Ipswich
Queens Park in Ipswich might be a bit of a drive from the Gold Coast, but it is worth it for the perfect weekend drive. Here you'll find a free (gold coin donation appreciated) nature centre packed with native animals to see, a great cafe and a huge playground.
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Schuster Park, Tallebudgera
Schuster Park at Tallebudgera is a Jungle themed park best suited to children aged 4 and over. With a heavy focus on climbing, each playground piece has a number of climbing nets leading to slides, towers and platforms.
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Home of the Arts (HOTA), Surfers Paradise
HOTA is the Gold Coast's home for all things creative! Formally known as Home of the Arts, HOTA is a cultural precinct bringing people together. Here you can experience shows in the theatres, performances on the outdoor stage, exhibitions in the Gallery, immersive events, workshops and more. If the arts aren't your thing, the parklands around HOTA are hugely popular. Whether you're visiting the Farmers Market each Sunday, swimming in Evandale Lake, playing on the playground or relaxing with a picnic under the trees by the river, you're bound to enjoy a day out at HOTA.
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Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang
Country Paradise Parklands at Nerang features an incredible adventure playground incorporating water play and nature play - with something to do for everyone! This is going to be the hottest playground to visit on the Gold Coast in 2021!
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Gilston Hall Park, Gilston
Gilston Hall Park is a very popular spot with the locals, and it's easy to see why. This beautiful nature play park spread out over many levels will capture imaginations, encourage exploration and lead to many new adventures!
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Bamboo Down Under, Wongawallan
Bamboo Down Under at Wongawallan is a garden centre with a difference. The perfect weekend outing, here you can stroll through their rainforest walk, explore the meditation garden, enchanted forest and bamboo tunnel, and get bamboozled in the bamboo maze!
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Sensory Gardens, Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang
Looking for a quiet picnic spot that will keep the kids entertained too?? The Sensory Gardens by Gold Coast Green Living at Country Paradise Parklands in Nerang has been put together by a group of volunteers and is now an all-abilities sensory garden that is open from early til late (basically dawn to dusk) and free for everyone to visit. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and settle in for a nice catch up with friends while the kids explore.
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Gibirrngaan (Black Snake) Park, Maudsland
This nature inspired playground is one of our favourites on the Gold Coast! Gibirrngaan Park (Black Snake Park) has a contemporary dreamtime theme, and is filled with play pieces for kids of all ages. Younger kids will be in their element as they balance along the giant Red Bellied Black snake, dig for dinosaur fossils or explore the playhouse with slide, shop front, and talking teletube. Older kids can climb the net to the wooden birdsnest for views across the park, and then race down the mega slide! Little explorers will love the dry creek bed and giant snake eggs, and the giant ring swing lets both kids and parents…