Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Lara Suddards Mrslardeedah 2
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
Keep your cool this summer on the Gold Coast!

Are you looking for low-cost options to help the family stay cool this summer? The Gold Coast is home to a host of free or low-cost, family-friendly swimming spots that are sure to cool everyone off and provide hours of fun entertainment. Here are 8 spots to try this summer, from the northern most parts of the Gold Coast, right down to the southern Gold Coast.

Lions Park is located at the Jacobs Well Boat Ramp, and is a council-managed, netted swimming enclosure nearby the mouth of the Pimpama River. Here you will find a small sandy beach area with shade sails right up to the water’s edge, as well as barbeque and picnic facilities. This spot is great for younger children, as they can get a taste of the beach without large waves or long walks from the car to the water. Best visited at high tide, it can be a bit muddy at low tide.

Cabbage Tree Point

Cabbage Tree Point is a small town just near Jacobs Well, with a boat ramp, small beach and Charlie Hammel Park. This is a great spot for the family to spend a morning – set up a picnic blanket under the trees by the ship-themed playground and enjoy a swim at the small, sandy beach. Again, being on the river this is best visited at high tide, but enjoyable all day long.

Pimpama Sports Hub

The Pimpama Sports Hub is the northern Gold Coast’s largest aquatic centre, with a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, learn to swim pool and a hydrotherapy pool. The children’s splash pad is exceptional, with water fountains, bubbling brooks and water at ankle depth – it’s ideal for toddler and primary school aged children.

The Backyard Coomera

A splash pad might be the last thing you would expect to find at a shopping centre, but Westfield Coomera has one of the best free waterplay areas on the Gold Coast. Designed to resemble a billabong, waterways weave around interactive play stations where children can play with squirting frogs and jump across stepping stones. There are excellent change room facilities available and a café next door.

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Ian Dipple Lagoon is a great place to go for a swim. Protected by a large sandbank, this lagoon is wave free and perfect for little ones. There are shower and toilet facilities along the shore as well, making the pack up easy. In the evenings, the lagoon is floodlit, so it’s also a great spot for dinner time fish and chips.

Broadwater Parklands

The Broadwater Rockpools might be the most popular water play space on the Gold Coast, with plenty of water fountains and vibrant marine-themed equipment to play with. The water play is built to resemble a creek bed, and it works like tidal rockpools with the water receding every 5-10 minutes and then returning again. The Rockpools are watched over by lifeguards during opening hours and it’s completely free to play.

Evandale Lake

Located within the Home of the Arts precinct, Evandale Lake is a popular swimming spot for Gold Coasters. With a sandy beach around the outside, the lake has shallow edges but can be deceptively deep as you get further in. Families love to spend the day here, making the most of weekend food markets or a picnic lunch. There is a fun shaded playground by the lagoon too.

Palm Beach Aquatic Centre

The newest water play destination on the Gold Coast, the Palm Beach Aquatic Centre opened at the end of October and now has a 50m outdoor pool, 25m outdoor pool, indoor warm water program pool, 25m indoor learn to swim pool, and an outdoor splash pad. The splash pad at Palm Beach is fairly simple in design, with plenty of sprayers along the ground as well as a few water play towers and spinners, but it is made entirely of a rubber base which is absolutely ideal for those crawling or learning to walk!  

If you’re looking for early education and care for your young family, look no further than Little Scholars!  

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We also believe in fun, wide-ranging experiences so that children can begin to develop interests and passions of their own, from Bush Kinder adventures to our broad extracurricular program which includes swimming for our kindergarten children, we believe in keeping wonder and magic in childhood.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Svg Bg 1
Lara Suddards Mrslardeedah 2
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
12 wonderful 2025 events throughout South East Queensland for the whole family

Grandparents have always shared a special bond with their grandchildren, but nowadays they are also playing an increasingly important role as a caregiver, as children spend much more time with their grandparents than ever before. Sometimes however, the generation gap can make it hard to think of new and fun things to do together that appeal to everyone.

Whether the grandchildren are spending an afternoon, a weekend, or the school holidays with you, this list is sure to keep children and grandparents of all interests and physical abilities, entertained and making memories year-round.

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Image via World Science Festival Brisbane

Each year, World Science Festival Brisbane paints the town red and takes science out of the laboratory and into the streets, parks, museums, galleries and performing arts venues of Brisbane and regional Queensland! World Science Festival Brisbane offers interactive and informative experiences for inquisitive young minds, with a huge range of family-friendly events and workshops.

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Image via Kalbar Sunflower Festival

Gather your family and friends and join in a fun weekend in the Scenic Rim region, filled with live entertainment, workshops for children, cooking classes, mini photo sessions, arts, crafts and much more. Don’t forget the star of the show – strolling through beautiful sunflower fields and picking your own to take home.

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Shutterstock

Surfers Paradise beach becomes a playground of light, music and entertainment at SeaFire, Australia’s only international fireworks competition. Nations compete to take home the SeaFire Championship title, so this is a chance to see choreographed fireworks displays fired off ocean barges. Bring your picnic blanket and set up in the sand for beautiful firework vistas. There is also plenty of pre-entertainment including food trucks, music and roving performances.

 5-8 pm, free!

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Kalfresh Vegetables throw open the doors to their farm and factory and welcome carrot-loving visitors each June!

See how they grow, pick, wash and pack carrots, as well as celebrate all things carrot with carrot juice, carrot sausages, carrot cake and carrot bread!  Everyone can get their hands dirty with carrot picking on the farm, taking home as many as you can carry.

This year’s date has yet to be released, so keep an eye on Kalfresh’s social media channels for its official date. This is held on the Scenic Rim, at Kalbar on the Cunningham Highway in the Fassifern Valley.

Winter Harvest Festival 2024 Kids Activities 3

The Winter Harvest Festival is the Scenic Rim’s signature event where you can experience Eat Local Month in one glorious, flavour-filled day! Chefs, growers. producers, and artisans come together to showcase the region’s culinary treasures. There will be more than 60 market stalls offering fresh seasonal produce, local wines, beers and spirits, cheeses, meats, and more. Alongside these culinary delights, you’ll find a variety of handcrafted goods and local creations, all crafted by the region’s skilled artisans.

There are food displays, workshops, produce stalls and a huge festival environment where the children can take part in a variety of games, activities and food related fun.nteractive activities like tractor pulling, carrot tossing, and farm animal cuddles. They’ll enjoy face painting, garden games, and fun, educational experiences that teach them about agriculture and food in a hands-on way.

Don’t miss the annual Tractor Pull competition!

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Image via mudgeerabashow.org.au

Where country meets the Gold Coast! Get up close and personal with cute animals, meet the farmers and exhibitors and taste delicious foods made from locally sourced ingredients. Watch the woodchop, and enjoy the equestrian program. Wander through the pavilions, check out the crafts and cooking, from honey to homebrew, lace to LEGO, fine arts to photography, and flowers to fruit sculptures and explore the best agriculture has to offer. Finish the day off with an incredible fireworks display!

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Photo via The Ekka Facebook page

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is Queensland’s largest and most loved annual event, now in its 149th year, bringing the country and the city together for a big celebration of agriculture. Enjoy competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, there’s 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more.

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Image via the Pacific Airshow Facebook page

The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a three-day weekend event that features aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s best aviators. Attendees can join in meet and greets with the pilots, check out the family zone packed with aviation themed games and activities, and relax beachfront while watching paratroopers, stunt planes, helicopters, military planes and more from around the world perform. 

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Image via Gold Coast Show Facebook page

Immerse yourself in the family fun and excitement of the Gold Coast Show! Set on the beautiful Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast, this FREE show attracts tens of thousands of families annually. Enjoy woodchop, equestrian, food and beverage stalls, exhibits, games and rides. Each night also concludes with an incredible fireworks show.

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Image via Brisbane Festival

Riverfire is Brisbane’s most spectacular night of the year. The launch event for the three-week Brisbane Festival, Riverfire brings families from across south-east Queensland to South Bank for a night that lights up the skies. Entertainment begins from 4pm, including an RAAF aerial display, with the main event – the state’s most spectacular annual fireworks display – lighting up the sky at 7pm.

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Image via Redfest Facebook page

RedFest is Redland City’s main event, showcasing musicians and artists from across the region. For two days, the Redlands Showground becomes a celebration of the amazing community, with performers sharing their skills across the showground. Families are also taken care of, with a children’s program, featuring a range of free activities including farm animals, puppet shows, rock climbing and free face painting, Sideshow alley and spectacular fireworks.

The date is still in the works, check RedFest’s social media channels for date confirmation.

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SWELL is Queensland’s premier outdoor sculpture exhibition, set along Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach. For 10 days, more than 60 small, medium and large-scale sculptures will be set up along the beachfront and boardwalk for families to view.

The Family Zone activation is always popular, with workshops, activities, a BookFest setup where children can take home a free pre-loved book, live music and chill out zones set up under the leafy trees. Go at sunrise or sunset to beat the heat and experience the sculptures in a different light.

When considering how to look after your family during the work week, look no further than Little Scholars!  

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We also believe in fun, wide-ranging experiences so that children can begin to develop interests and passions of their own, from Bush Kinder adventures to our broad extracurricular program which includes swimming for our kindergarten children, we believe in keeping wonder and magic in childhood.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Svg Bg 1
Lara Suddards Mrslardeedah 2
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
14 fabulously festive ways to celebrate Christmas on the Gold Coast, Logan and Redlands

The festive season is here and the opportunities to get in the spirit are endless! Why not check your shopping list off at a Christmas market, jingle along at a carols concert or putt your way through a Christmas wonderland. To make sure you do not miss out on the festive cheer, here is your go-to guide with only the best of the best Christmas happenings picked out for you. Be sure to add these dates to your calendar!

 Get ready for an exciting and interactive Santa show! Join Santa, Mrs Claus and Rudolf for a Christmas extravaganza that includes a mix of traditional carols and current pop songs.

Pacific Pines Central Park, 4-8:30pm

Image via City of Gold Coast

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This free family festivity will feature live music, market stalls, inflatable fun, local restaurant specials, games and activities, plus a visit from Santa Claus.

Ron Short Park, 4-8pm

Image via Alicia Street Christmas Fair Facebook page

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Bring your family for the largest carols event on the northern Gold Coast, an unforgettable night with fireworks, food vans, and festive sing-alongs.

Brien Harris Oval, from 4pm

Image via Northern Gold Coast Carols Facebook page

Carols On The Beach

One of the all-time favourite Christmas carols will be performed in a 2-hour celebration of song and dance on the beach, with a visit from Santa, and a fireworks finale!

Surfers Paradise Beach, 5-8pm

Image via City of Gold Coast

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Wind your way through the Market lanes to the sweet serenades of stunning live music, spot roving performers, snap a selfie with an elf… or meet Santa himself!

Home of the Arts, 4-9pm

Image via Queensland.com

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The elves have been busy transforming the 9-hole mini golf course into a spectacular Christmas wonderland! 

76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood

Image via The Club at Parkwood

Southern Gold Coast

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Free live music on stage, roving performers, children’s entertainment, fantastic food trucks, and Christmas market stalls. Plus see Santa making a special appearance alongside a fireworks display.

Ed Hardy Park, 4-8pm

Image via North Burleigh Carols by the Sea Facebook page

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Dine under the stars at one of the fantastic local eateries, check out the local business offerings, and visit the Christmas market stalls. Plenty of free children’s entertainment on offer throughout the program with Santa making a special appearance!

Toolona Street, Tugan, 4-8:30pm

Image via Tugan Lights Up Facebook page

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Sing along to your all-time favourite carols, enjoy a delicious assortment of food trucks, watch Santa fly in and watch a sparkling fireworks finale! 

Queen Elizabeth Park, 5:30-7:30pm

Image via Shutterstock

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A truly unique festive celebration, this event will feature live stage entertainment, Christmas carols, Santa, Fireworks over the beautiful Lake Orr and much more!

Waterfront Stage, Varsity Lakes, 4-8pm

Image via Carols on the Lake Facebook page

 

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A fabulous, family Christmas event with market stalls, food trucks, Santa, Christmas carols, live music, facepainting and free children’s craft area.

Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, 3-8pm

Image via BWP Markets’ Facebook page

Logan & Redlands

City Of Logan Christmas Carols Hero

The City of Logan Christmas Carols is the city’s biggest annual Christmas event. This free, family-friendly event features hours of on-stage entertainment, festive activities, food trucks, and markets, all jam-packed into one magical day.

Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, 3-8:30pm

Image via Must Do Brisbane

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Experience a pop-up Christmas market brimming with a variety of local vendors, a special visit from Santa’s elves, and Mr & Mrs Claus will drop by for photos under a larger-than-life wreath, suspended above the Market Hall.

Distillery Road Market, 11am-9pm

Image via Facebook event

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A free 7-minute light and sound show running at 6:30pm, 6:45pm, 7pm & 7:15pm. Get ready to catch all the “bubble snow” at the end!

Image via Redland Performing Arts Centre

If you’re looking for early education and care for your young family, look no further than Little Scholars!  

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We also believe in fun, wide-ranging experiences so that children can begin to develop interests and passions of their own, from Bush Kinder adventures to our broad extracurricular program which includes swimming for our kindergarten children, we believe in keeping wonder and magic in childhood.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Svg Bg 1
Lara Suddards Mrslardeedah 2
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
7 wonderful opportunities to create memories with grandchildren
Grandparentsday

Grandparents have always shared a special bond with their grandchildren, but nowadays they are also playing an increasingly important role as a caregiver, as children spend much more time with their grandparents than ever before. Sometimes however, the generation gap can make it hard to think of new and fun things to do together that appeal to everyone.

Whether the grandchildren are spending an afternoon, a weekend, or the school holidays with you, this list is sure to keep children and grandparents of all interests and physical abilities, entertained and making memories year-round.

A beautiful day on the Gold Coast’s waterways make for some stunning views and great sight-seeing! The Gold Coast’s very own hop-on hop-off ferry is the perfect multi-generational way to spend a day. Departing hourly from five iconic Gold Coast destinations, including the famous Surfers Paradise and HOTA, Home of the Arts, you can hop on at any of the five stops, and stay aboard for the full loop (two hours) or explore the hop-off destinations at your leisure. Enjoy a drink from the onboard bar whilst the friendly captain keeps you entertained with informative commentary, music, local tips and wildlife spotting. Children can also meet the captain and have a turn driving the boat. There are a range of ticket options available, from day passes to long hops and short hops – depending on your budget and timeframes. Children under five always travel for free too!

Aquaduck

Another way to take to the water is with the iconic AquaDuck, and while it’s touristy, it’s a really great family outing, and perfect for multigenerational passengers. Embarking in the heart of Surfers Paradise, drive down the Esplanade overlooking the beautiful beaches and head towards The Spit. Once you reach the boat ramp just past SeaWorld, the tour changes pace and you’re heading for the water! Watch as the amphibious ‘duck’ changes from bus to boat and gently glides into the water. Now you’ll head through the Broadwater to check out how the millionaires live. You’ll finally return to land and drive down Tedder Avenue, before finishing back up at Cavill Avenue. The tour takes about an hour and is very family friendly, with children offered the chance to drive the boat and get their Captain’s certificate!

Children's Gallery Hota

While the HOTA Gallery may be designed to cater for international art exhibitions, grandparents looking to give the grandchildren some culture will feel right at home! The Children’s Gallery at HOTA Gallery lets little artists get hands on – you won’t find any “do not touch” signs here! The Children’s Gallery changes every few months, each time offering a variety of interactive exhibits that complement the main galleries. After visiting the Children’s Gallery, take a stroll through the other free Galleries where you’ll find a few installations that are interactive and the children will love. Be sure to also ride the lift to the top floor and take in the Gold Coast skyline view! Fabulous 270 degree views await and there’s a guide you can use to work out what all the buildings are.

Bamboo Down Under

Bamboo Down Under at Wongawallan is a garden centre with a difference. The perfect grandparent’s day out, here you can explore a species garden, meditation garden, labyrinth, sensory garden and bamboo tunnel, and get bamboozled in the bamboo maze! Children can take on the Scavenger Hunt to discover the hidden pandas, all the while having a look at some incredible ornamental species of bamboo. Don’t miss the Rainforest Walk, a very peaceful stroll through a forest of enormous bamboo varieties. Dotted throughout are information signs about bamboo, little panda ornaments and other garden statues. Don’t miss the enchanted hollow at the end of the Tunnel.

Cascade Gardens Broadbeach

The Cascade Gardens at Broadbeach has a special addition of a sensory garden designed for seniors, but it also makes for great fun for little ones! In the sensory garden you’ll find elements including a musical gong, wayfinding design and productive gardens that encourage you to interact with the gardens through sight, touch and smell. It’s a beautiful addition to the Gardens and makes this spot perfect for multi-generational get togethers! The playground is older in style, but the children don’t seem to mind. You’ll find a flying fox, rope bridge, rock climbing wall and a carousel.

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For the more active grandparents, a visit to Tropical Fruit World just over the NSW border in Duranbah is a fabulous day out for the family! Book a Farm Tour and experience a fruit tasting and a tractor-driven guided park tour. On the tour you can pick and eat bananas straight from the tree, crack macadamia nuts, feed and pat kangaroos, sheep, alpacas and miniature horses, and enjoy a short wildlife boat cruise too! At the end of the tour visit Wildlife Island and burn some energy on the flying fox, mini golf course and volleyball court. Then, check out the fruit market, café, and the huge sandpit by the grassed lawn to relax. If you live in the Tweed, Gold Coast, Byron, Lismore and Ballina, you can purchase tours at a discounted rate.

(Image with thanks to Tropical Fruit World)

The Messy Place

The generational gap can sometimes be hardest when the grandparents are tasked with spending time with energetic little toddlers. Keeping up with their ever-changing attention span, endless energy and natural curiosity is challenging for everyone! The Messy Place at Ashmore is the ultimate creative sensory play centre on the Gold Coast, designed exclusively for children under six years of age. They offer creative and messy play sessions in a safe and enjoyable environment, where they can unleash their imagination and make a mess. Exploration is encouraged, and grandparents can feel reassured being indoors in a secure, enclosed space. Sessions are booked on a casual basis and run five days per week.

National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday of October. But as we all know, Grandparents Day is any day that the grandchildren can spend precious time with their grandparents. Whether you are a parent looking for how your child can have fun with grandma and grandpa or a grandparent seeking things to do with your grandchildren, we hope these ideas will inspire your time together.

We wholeheartedly believe in the proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Little Scholars is proud to be a part of communities across South East Queensland, and we’re happy to play a small role in childhoods across the Gold Coast, Redlands and Brisbane.

We offer you and your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. Our belief is that through quality education and care for children we can also encourage, assist and support the entire family.

Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.

We aim to be like an extension of your family and are very relationship-driven. We support nurturing relationships between our educators and your child, the relationships your child has with the other children who attend, and we value our relationship with you as the parent and other family members. So book a tour today to get started!

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

 

Deception Bay is a vibrant community in the City of Moreton Bay, just 45 minutes from Brisbane. Little Scholars has proudly been a part of this community since 2018. As we gear up to open our second campus, Little Scholars Deception Bay North, in January 2025, we’re excited to share some of our favourite family-friendly activities in the Moreton Bay area. After all, we’d like to think we’re more than just early learning, we’re proud members of this vibrant community. We cherish our families and believe in building treasured memories throughout childhood.

Check out our list of 17 fun family activities, though it’s just a glimpse of what this lively community has to offer.

Images and information courtesy of the organisations mentioned below, as well as City of Moreton BayVisit Moreton Bay and Brisbane Kids

Art galleries

Moreton Bay and surrounding areas host a number of art and culture galleries, a terrific addition to an area of about 500,000 people!

Caboolture Regional Art Gallery – In a contemporary gallery space, visitors can explore an exhibition program featuring significant Australian and international artists. The gallery showcases in-house curated exhibitions alongside touring shows from Australia’s leading visual art institutions, bringing the best of Australian art to the region for everyone to enjoy. Notably, a variety of family-friendly activities, including artist talks, workshops, and tours, are available throughout the year, making it a welcoming space for families to engage with art and creativity together.

Redcliffe Art Gallery – Redcliffe Art Gallery is the Peninsula’s premier family-friendly arts destination! With four exhibition spaces, families can enjoy a diverse range of works by local, emerging, and established Australian artists. The Studio, a dedicated public program space, frequently hosts artist-led workshops and transforms into a vibrant and popular art space for kids and families during school holidays. It’s the perfect place for families to explore art together and spark creativity in a welcoming environment!

Pine Rivers Art Gallery – a welcoming family-friendly space located on Turrbal Country. The gallery features an immersive exhibition program centered around an annual theme, showcasing collaborations with local and national artists. Families can enjoy art experiences that inspire curiosity and creativity together. Visitors of all ages can enhance their experience in the gallery’s dedicated engagement space, which hosts a diverse range of events and activities throughout the year. From hands-on artist-led workshops to fun, family-friendly programs during school holidays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

 

Museums

Bribie Island Seaside Museum  – Plan your next outing at the picturesque Bribie Island Seaside Museum! Located near the waterfront and overlooking the iconic Pumicestone Passage, this museum showcases the rich and fascinating history of Bribie Island, including: video archives with stories from First Nations elders, a theatre screening films about the famous S.S. Koopa (1911-1953), insights into Bribie Island’s significant role during World War II and the story of internationally acclaimed artist Ian FairweatherVisitors can learn about the intriguing history of Bribie Island through a variety of immersive and interactive displays, along with heaps of events and workshops throughout the year.

Redcliffe Museum – is a family-friendly destination that offers children a unique and contemporary glimpse into the people, places, and stories that have shaped this historical seaside town. The museum features: a First Nations video archive with stories about language and culture, films about the early days of the Peninsula, including the famous Rollerdome, offers a chance to rummage through memory boxes to uncover items and stories from the past. Throughout the year, families can enjoy a vibrant program of ever-changing exhibitions, events, and workshops, including the exciting Imaginarium, a dedicated children’s play space filled with various activities and crafts designed for children to create, learn, and explore.

Pine Rivers Heritage Museum is a fantastic family-friendly destination that invites children to explore the stories and significance of the district throughout history. The museum features an 1890s kit home produced by the renowned timber merchant James Campbell and Sons, the Skyring Clock Collection, showcasing 50 hand-crafted clocks, short films detailing the history of Normanby Rum, the Australian Paper Mill, and other early industries in the region, and a collection items that highlight Pine Rivers’ role during WWII. 

Woodford Museum – Right in the heart of Woodford Village and only about half an hour from our Deception Bay campus is the Woodford Historical Society’s Museum. The Museum is a community exhibition hub for the history of Woodford’s early explorers and home of the Mick and Val Draper collection of miniature buildings.

Get outdoors!

The Hills District All Abilities Playground – Leslie Patrick Park is an ideal spot for a fun-filled day for all little ones! This all-abilities playground ensures that children of all physical and intellectual abilities can join in the excitement and play together.

Bray Farm “Harry Potter” Park, Griffin – Mentioned in our popular blog post about playgrounds across South East Queensland, Bray Farm Park is commonly known as the ‘Harry Potter’ park in Griffin, north of Brisbane, this destination blends art, culture, nature, and fun for the entire family. There’s two whimsical ‘cottage style’ play structures, a climbing sphere, slides, swings, and charming bridges. With a magical forest backdrop, plenty of park benches, winding paths, and a large grassy area for games, this park is sure to be a fun day out for all! Parents take note, there aren’t toilets, the park isn’t fenced and it’s close to a road, so keep an eye on your youngsters while they play!

Lightwood Parklands in Caboolture South is an impressive multistorey playground designed for older children, making it perfect for primary school age and above. The playground features a challenging multi-storey fort with a thrilling three-story tunnel slide, swings for younger children, climbing nets, and a pump track that connects to wide pathways—ideal for bikes and scooters. Additional amenities include playing fields, a basketball half court, BBQs, and accessible toilets, ensuring a fun and inclusive experience for all.

Brisbane Kids has a fantastic blog on the best parks in Moreton Bay – check it out!

Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC) – With more than 18 hectares of diverse native vegetation near Burpengary Creek, the CREEC has plenty of wide open spaces, as well as shady, tucked away areas for hotter days. Discover the nocturnal room, interactive educational displays, and native stingless beehive inside the centre. Entry is free. With its manicured greens, a large fully fenced, all-abilities playground, BBQs and other family-friendly facilities, a nursery, and forest trails, the iconic CREEC has something for almost everyone!

Trevena Glen Farm at Mount Samson – a great escape from the city, Trevena Glen Farm gives an authentic farm experience for families with a dozen animals on the 16 acre family farm. Families can pay to tour the farm and see horses, rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs, goats, alpacas, llama, pigs, sheep, donkeys, mini horses and a dog. Pony rides are also an option and At the heart of the farm is Trevena Glen’s iconic 130 year old Moreton bay fig tree. This beautiful tree has a multi-level tree house. 

Dolphin Wild Island Cruises Moreton Island – For the adventurous types, why not try a Moreton Island cruise and snorkel experience? Enjoy an eco-cruise around the area spotting marine life including dolphins, sea turtles and  dugongs feeding on the seagrass during a marine eco-tour. The company welcomes families to bring their prams on board, ensuring that parents and guardians can easily navigate the vessel with their little ones. The minimum age to participate in the snorkelling activity is six years with an ability to swim and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Lucy, the operations manager, says they do the guided snorkel tour in rotations of smaller groups so both carers can have an opportunity to snorkel if looking after children who can’t participate. Those who can’t participate in the snorkel tour can either remain on the boat or get ferried to Moreton Island beach to experience the sand dunes and shallower waters. 

Osprey House Environmental Centre – The interpretive centre includes a life size dugong, bird and animal displays and the live streaming video from the osprey nest. You’ll find interesting educational displays, ‘touch’ tables and information provided in numerous and novel ways. They also offer story time sessions and school holiday programs. Explore the mangroves, Wildlife can be seen from the Mudflats, and in the Eucalypt Forest, the dominant trees above the tidal zone are Queensland Blue Gums and Grey Ironbarks – major Koala food species. Look out for the Koala that sometimes visits.

Kumbartcho Sanctuary and NurseryThis beautiful 6-hectare sanctuary, located next to the South Pine River, preserves the remaining pockets of riverine rainforest. Kumbartcho is home to an array of wildlife, including koalas, frogs, snakes, turtles, and possums. The nearby river provides opportunities to spot waterbirds, shorebirds, and even predatory raptors. Visitors are welcome to explore the sanctuary, enjoy the playground, and visit the plant nursery for a wonderful day surrounded by nature.

Settlement Cove Lagoon is a picturesque, tropical-style public pool situated on the Redcliffe Peninsula. With palms and fig trees lining the area, the lagoon and wading pools provide a perfect spot for families to relax and enjoy during the summer months. Young children will love the fenced-off water park with mushroom fountains, and a nearby playground. Settlement Cove is a great picnic spot, with barbeque areas, picnic shelters, and plenty of shade.

The Convict Trail – To learn a quirkier lesson, why not take the family along the convict trail? In 1824, Queensland’s first penal colony was founded on the Redcliffe Peninsula, marking the start of the state’s colonial history. The settlement included soldier barracks, a jail, the Commandant’s House, and various smaller buildings. Despite early progress, food and water shortages forced the abandonment of the site, leading to the relocation of the colony to the banks of the Brisbane River, now the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. Today, you can explore this fascinating chapter of history along the 1.7km Redcliffe Convict Trail, where the legacy of Queensland’s earliest settlers comes to life.

There you have it! We hope you enjoyed our list of the best things to do with your family in Moreton Bay. If you’re after the best childcare in Deception Bay, look no further than Little Scholars Deception Bay and Deception Bay North, due to open January 2025!

Contact us or book a tour today to ensure your little one gets the best start to life that they can.

Do you have a family friendly Ipswich place to visit that should be on this list? Let us know on our socials @littlescholarsearlylearning!
*Images courtesy of facilities listed as well as City of Moreton Bay, Visit Moreton Bay Region, and Brisbanekids.com.

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.
Your family-friendly guide to the northern Gold Coast

While many Gold Coasters head to the southern suburbs on the weekend, the northern suburbs should not be overlooked for family-friendly weekend adventures! Starting in Stapylton and reaching to Pimpama, the most northerly suburbs of the Gold Coast also include Yatala, Alberton, Steiglitz, Gilberton, Norwell, Ormeau and Jacobs Well. Here you will find unique family activities, a range of family-friendly dining options, and some of the Gold Coast’s most unique play spaces. Here is your guide to getting the most out of a day in the Northern most parts of the Gold Coast.

Unique family adventures

Yatala Drive In Cinema

South-east Queensland’s last original open-air Drive-In Cinema is located in Yatala, and boasts three massive screens accommodating up to 700 cars each night. Bring your camp chairs and sit out the back of your car to watch a movie, or bundle up the blankets, pillows and sleeping bags to make yourself comfortable in the back of your van, ute or car. Perfect for wriggly children, the privacy of sitting in your own vehicle means there is no need to worry if their bouncing around is bothering other cinema patrons. Movies screen every night of the week and they often host special event screenings too.

Diy Invasion

If your family is feeling creative, or looking to get messy, a workshop at DIY Invasion is sure to tick the box. Located at Staplyton, DIY Invasion run craft workshops ranging from resin art to painting, macrame and slime making – with their School Holiday Workshops always extremely popular for children. Another unique feature is their Splatter and Splash Room, which families can book for a private experience! Choose your own dance music, while letting your creativity run wild as you fling, flick, and splash paint around the room and over your fellow participants! This is a great space to unwind and tap into creativity.

Ormeau Community Lounge & Library

The only library located in the far northern suburbs, the Ormeau Community Lounge & Library is a hidden gem. Here you can visit the Gold Coast’s only Book Box corner, an early year’s library and play-based learning space delivered in partnership with Queensland State Library’s First 5 Forever program. Here children do not have to worry about being quiet, and they are actively encouraged to play with the many games and play resources available. Open six days a week, families can join in Story Time on Friday and Saturday mornings, or participate in Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time sessions during the week.

Dining for the whole family

Distillery Road Market The Fed

Distillery Road Market is a fresh and exciting new venue located in Eagleby, home to The F.E.D, a 2000-person food and entertainment space. Here you’ll find an expansive indoor/outdoor dining area, with a range of on-site eateries to choose from. Open Thursday – Sunday, the venue is family friendly with live music each evening and long beerhall-style tables to choose from. The best part is that diners can choose meals from six different food outlets, meaning that all tastes and dietary requirements can be catered for! The casual vibe of this venue is perfect for an early dinner with the family, where children and parents can relax, move around, dance and enjoy a great meal together.

Yatala Pies

Yatala Pies has been a landmark in the Yatala area for more than 130 years, these days selling around 3,500 pies daily! Well known as a halfway stop on the journey between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, northern Gold Coast locals are lucky to have this icon right here in their backyard. Selling some of the best pies on the Gold Coast, the quality is exceptional and the range delicious. Choose from dine in or takeaway, you can grab a hot, ready-to-eat snack pie, or take-home, oven-ready family pies and snack pie packs. With something for everyone, the family will love a stop in at Yatala Pies any time of the day.

Norfolk Tavern

The Norfolk Tavern has got to be the most family-friendly dining option in the northern Gold Coast. Indoors you will find a bright and spacious dining room, while outside there is a wraparound veranda with ample space for dining, opening on to a huge children’s playground. The award-winning Bistro has menu options to suit every taste, from fresh seafood to steaks, pastas, salads and all the traditional pub fare. Extremely popular on weekends, be sure to book a spot on the deck if you are dining with children for easy line of sight from your table to the playground.

 

Places to play

Calypso Bay Playground

A nautical themed playground appropriate for its position by the water and close by the Calypso Bay Marina, here you’ll find a pirate ship brimming with bridges, wheels, slides and nets – be careful, you might even be asked to walk the plank! Underneath the pirate ship the imaginative play space is further extended, with a small shop counter set up, tunnel frames and other interactive game panels. The swing set with all abilities swing is always popular, as is the spinners and hammock swing. There’s also a little boat for children to pretend to fish or start the engine!

Lions Park Jacobs Well

While many think the most northern beach area for children to swim is at Paradise Point, there is a lesser-known spot at the very northern edge of the Gold Coast – Lions Park at Jacobs Well. With easy access from the carpark, you are at a small, shaded beach in just a few steps. The swimming enclosure here has a small sandy beach, a large shade sail over the sand, and few waves, making it ideal for toddlers and younger children gaining confidence in the ocean. Parents will love the ability to sit on a blanket under the shade and still be close enough to their children in the water.  

Outlook Park

While the playground at Outlook Park, Ormeau may be tiny, pack the bicycles and prepare yourselves for the surprise bike tracks that make this a fabulous spot to visit! Set on a steep slope, Outlook Park is laid out over three levels. At the top you’ll find a small playground best suited for toddlers, and then on the middle and lower level there are two bike tracks, perfect for racing on. While the playground is very small, the bike tracks are great for bicycles, skateboards or scooters, and children will love lining up at the start line and racing the loops to the finish. Celebrate with some pretend play medal ceremonies on the dais at the track!

Hilltop Park

Hilltop Park in Ormeau is an older park, but still delivers a great time. Split into two sections, toddlers will love the smaller, shady play area with a car, climbing frame and mini playground with slide and swing. The main playground space is better suited for children over five, with a larger playground and slide, large climbing net, balance beams, spinners and swings. Children can also climb the ramp up to the old water tower, which has been converted into a play structure.

The northern Gold Coast offers a variety of unique and exciting activities for the whole family. From classic drive-in movies to hands-on creative workshops, scenic playgrounds, and delicious dining options, these suburbs have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the water or a more adventurous outing, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Next time you’re planning a family day out, consider exploring the hidden gems of Stapylton, Ormeau, Yatala, and beyond—you might just discover your new favourite weekend spot!

Little Scholars provides quality early education and care for children across South East Queensland, including five early learning campuses in Stapylton, Yatala and Ormeau.

We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We believe that through quality education and care for children, we can also encourage, assist, and support the entire family.

Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Lara Suddards

Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
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Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our new guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun things to do for the whole family.

The Gold Coast is known for its abundance of good food and stunning dining options, but when you have young children in tow – often the thought of dining out can be daunting. Thankfully, many local restauranteurs have heard the call of parents seeking family-friendly dining options. We’re now seeing dining venues with amazing menus, family-friendly fit outs and features to help keep the children occupied while you enjoy a hot meal. Whether it be a playground, a simple children’s corner, or open spaces to move around safely, there are plenty of choices for you to enjoy your next meal out. Here are my top six family-friendly dining venues on the Gold Coast that you should be sure to visit!

Northern Gold Coast

Cafe 63 Coomera

This shopping centre café is a hidden gem, saving the sanity of parents for many years now. With opening hours stretching from 5.30am – 9pm, you can often find those parents with early-risers enjoying a hot coffee at Café 63 in the early hours. Located in the incredible “Backyard” precinct at Westfield Coomera, the outdoor dining area overlooks a fun-filled obstacle course with adventure play suited to four-eight year olds. For the youngest children, a nearby splash pad and toddler sensory zone also serve as great spaces to stretch the legs while waiting for your meals to be served. The menu here is extensive and well-priced, including a fabulous children’s menu that will please everyone.

The Wattle Hotel

Here you will find a huge indoor children’s playground for four-12 year olds, with a family specific dining space attached. Separate from the rest of The Wattle Hotel’s restaurant, this glassed-off dining room overlooks the playground and contains about 15 tables. Here children can easily move back and forth between the playground and the table while their parents can see them at all times. There is a great children’s menu and delicious daily specials to enjoy, this is modern bistro dining that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Central Gold Coast

Cadence Cafe

A café best known amongst the Coast’s cyclists thanks to its location near the Velodrome and bike shops, Cadence Café also caters beautifully to families seeking great food. Set across three terraced levels, the venue is connected by a central path and steps – at the top is the café, the middle level has plenty of dining tables and chairs, and the lower level is home to high bar tables overlooking a fenced children’s play space. All levels are shaded by a beautiful fig tree, have ramp access, and dogs are also welcome in the outdoor areas. Serving breakfast and lunch, the menu caters well to families, and you are sure to enjoy a delicious meal.

Latte Lounge

Just off the hustle and bustle of Olsen Avenue sits the Latte Lounge, a family-friendly oasis amongst the gum trees. Here you will find house-roasted specialty coffee and a delectable brunch menu, plus one of the best children’s menus you will find at a café. The open-air café is almost the second-best attraction, when you see the large, easily accessible playground right in the middle of the café. Designed for all ages, this fenced café and playground is covered by large shade sails and offers plenty of shady spots to enjoy your meal. With its central Gold Coast location, this is also an extremely popular spot for birthday parties and play dates. Thankfully, due to the size of the café and playground it never feels overly busy or crowded and is always a delightful outing.

Southern Gold Coast

Nobbys Shack

This hidden gem on the southern end at first appears to be a juice bar, but venture inside and you will find a breezy indoor/outdoor café with children’s playground! Popular with the locals, this unassuming little spot is filled with sunshine, great food and service with a smile. This is a family-run café with its roots in healthy superfoods that taste phenomenal. Dog friendly, the outdoor deck is the place to be, with easy line of site to the children’s playground. The café kitchen is only open Thursday – Monday, but the juice and smoothie bar is open 7 days.

Bskt

With beautiful coastal vibes, indoor/outdoor dining is essential on the Gold Coast, and BSKT serves it up perfectly. Located just steps away from the beach, BSKT has delicious food, ample seating and a fenced children’s play area. Pronounced biscuit, this menu is packed with vibrant colours and bold flavours, but also caters well to children. BSKT doesn’t take books and this spot is extremely popular on the weekend, but wait times are usually short. Be sure to grab a spot outside under the patio to have easy access to the play area! Why not pack the swimwear and walk over to the beach afterwards!

Find Lara’s recommendations at her website Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials Facebook and Instagram

Building confidence in early learners through play

Children’s positive views of themselves as learners are more important than being told they are clever.

This insight from Nathan Wallis’s talk at the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) conference resonated with us, and we believe it’s valuable for parents to hear. Our intention isn’t to make parents feel guilty for praising their children’s intelligence. We understand that parents aim to foster a strong sense of self and ability in their children, and we fully support this. However, Wallis emphasises that before the age of seven, children don’t need to prove their intelligence. Instead, they need to develop learning skills through play and believe in their ability to learn. According to Wallis, more play and less structured learning before age seven leads to better outcomes in adulthood.

“To put it simply, before seven, it doesn’t matter how clever your child is. What matters is how clever your child feels and their disposition towards themselves as learners,” Wallis, an educator who focuses on neuroscience, explained on the Future Focus podcast.

“You’re better off having a six-year-old who can only count to 20 but thinks they’re a good learner than a six-year-old who can count to 100 but doubts their cleverness.”

Wallis highlights that free play boosts creativity and problem-solving, which are essential for intelligence. Letting children freely build, create, and explore supports flexible thinking and a positive learning mindset.

Supporting children to view themselves positively

At the conference, which attracted hundreds of early childhood educators, Wallis offered advice on how to support children in their confidence and ability to learn:

  • Support children’s sense of security through consistent and warm nurturing relationships
  • Give children your full attention, showing interest, understanding, and attunement
  • Support children’s progress in play-based learning by thoughtfully extending their knowledge, skills, and concept development
  • Provide flexible and open-ended learning environments
  • Provide feedback focused on effort and process, rather than outcome or product
  • Respond to children’s displays of learning dispositions by commenting on them and providing encouragement and additional ideas. 

Experts at Early Childhood Australia agree that children learn about themselves, others, and the world around them through play.

“If you provide your child with plenty of opportunities for playing, exploring, discovering their interests, solving problems, and tackling challenges, then you’ll be laying a strong foundation for building self-confidence,” says David Lyons, CEO of Nido Early School, in a post on ECA’s The Spoke blog.

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Effective praise and handling disappointment

According to Be You, the national mental health and wellbeing initiative for learning communities in Australia, praise is most effective when adults are mindful of how and when they use it.

When praising children, Be You suggests focusing on their efforts and achievements.

“Praise that’s specific and acknowledges the process of completing an activity or solving a problem helps develop children’s learning and motivation. For example, you might say, ‘You put away your toys so nicely,’ ‘I noticed you were really trying hard at building that block tower,’ or ‘You’ve used so many bright colours in your painting.’ Children can then use this learning when they have similar experiences in the future.”

Lyons agrees and cautions against overpraising.

“Children need to discover and learn those things that give them personal enjoyment and fulfilment, not just do things to please their parents. Similarly, comparing a child to others can be detrimental to their confidence and self-esteem.”

Dealing with disappointment is also crucial for developing confidence.

“Everyone fails to achieve their goals sometimes – and this isn’t a bad thing. You can build children’s ability to deal with challenges by responding sympathetically and with encouragement, helping children focus on what they can change, and challenging ‘I can’t’ thinking by showing and saying you believe in them and reminding them of their achievements,” says Be You.

Wallis reinforces that play enables children to develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills through their own interests and in creative and innovative ways.

“Play-based learning teaches creativity, which is fundamental to growing intelligence and the ability to problem-solve. When children can take their time and make multiple attempts before achieving success, they build resilience and other important skills needed later in life,” says Wallis.

Encouraging a positive self-view in early learners

Supporting children in developing a positive self-view as learners is crucial, especially in their early years. Emphasising the importance of play over structured learning fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. By providing nurturing relationships, paying attention to their efforts, and creating flexible learning environments, we can help children build the confidence they need to thrive.

As Nathan Wallis and other experts highlight, the goal is to make children feel capable and enthusiastic about learning. This foundation will benefit them not only in school but throughout their lives. At Little Scholars, we encourage our little ones to play, explore, and believe in themselves – because how they see themselves as learners today will shape their success tomorrow.

Our Parkwood little scholars are not only a part of our newest intergenerational program, they’re helping contribute to important research that looks at how intergenerational bonds support children’s emotional wellbeing as well as that of older people who often experience feelings of loneliness in their later years. This latest study by Griffith University will run over 24 weeks in three eight-week pairings with eight children and eight grandfriends.

Researchers at Griffith University, led by Professors Gaery Barbery and Anneke Fitzgerald, are evaluating the intergenerational program, proudly hosted by Bupa Agedcare Group Limited at Bupa Runaway Bay.

“The program is all about making connections,” according to Professor Barbery, project lead for Griffith University.

The project will measure loneliness, resilience and general wellbeing of the aged care residents using the De Jong Scale of Loneliness, he says. 

Isolation and feelings of loneliness are a serious threat for older people, because they’re more likely to live alone, lose family members and friends, suffer from chronic illness and hearing loss. Statistically, one in four older (over 65) Australians live alone. Of those who live alone, according to a 2015 Australian Bureau of Statistics survey, about 12 per cent didn’t receive visitors in a three-month period, and older men were reported to be less likely to have been visited, at 17 per cent.

From the viewpoint of the children, their educators will mark and monitor the project feedback and how it measures against set parameters using the Leuven scale.

“It measures children’s wellbeing and involvement based on observations from staff. There’s also a reflection manual for staff (educators) to offer their perspective of the program, along with a program evaluation survey,” according to Professor Barbery.

Bupa residents getting involved
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Joan was surprised at how much she enjoyed her first vist with our little scholars

The Bupa residents were delighted to join the research project, all having different reasons for wanting to be a part of the program. 

“To see the little ones again, because my grandchildren are all grown up, and all littler ones who’ve been born are overseas, so it’s nice to see little people again,” says Lorette. 

“I like little children, and I’ve got a baby great-granddaughter but she’s in New Zealand. So this is a way to spend time with small children. They’re so cute, they’re gorgeous!” Pam says.

Being a half a world away from her family has been hard for Beverley.

“I was a teacher in preschool. I just love kids,” she says. “I have two grandchildren in England, I miss having my family nearby, they come but it’s so far away and a lot of money.”

For Joan, who turned 95 the day before the research project kicked off, she hadn’t considered how much she’d enjoy the visits.

“To start with, it was just an activity, but I found it was so interesting watching these children.”

And Joan says she’s impressed by the maturity of the children, even though they’re only four and five years old.

“They’re much older than we were mentally. Probably because as a society we do more adult things with them. They do seem very advanced to me. It’s a totally different ballgame than when I was a child,” Joan says with a laugh.

Our little scholars' feedback

Of course, we had to ask our little scholars what their takeaway of the program has been so far, and their answers were predictably unpredictable.

 

Ida, age 4
I like drawing with Judy.
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Adeline, age 4
I really like colouring with Judy. I think she’s a hundred thousand old
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Hendrix, age 4
I love to paint with Gigi.
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George, age 4
My favourite thing is reading a book with Bob. Bob isn't lots old.
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Ethan, age 4
I like to do painting with Gigi.
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Frankie, age 4
Sometimes I like to paint with them and other times I like to just play with all of our grandfriends.
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Community involvement

This project is enthusiastically supported and funded by Bendigo Paradise Point Community Bank.

“The Bendigo Paradise Point Community Bank is a registered social enterprise supporting the Gold Coast Community,” says William Matthews, who is proud to be on the Board of Bendigo Bank Paradise Point, as well as principal and director of client operations for Sovereign Family Offices. 

Will says he heard Professor Fitzgerald speak at the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice (AIIP) meetings that he regularly attends, and was inspired to see how Bendigo could help.

“As a social enterprise we reflect the values of our community, customers and staff. We see our support of Intergenerational Practice in the community as an essential component to strengthening our community by breaking down the barriers in how our most venerable people in society are cared for. We are extremely grateful for Little Scholars, BUPA and Griffith University for championing this project and supporting a future that includes people from every stage of life.”  

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How intergenerational programs benefit participants

Mandy Kaur, general manager of Bupa Runaway Bay, says once her team heard about the project, they were very quick to jump to be a part of it.

“We are all excited to continue this project,” Mandy says. “I believe these visits can foster a sense of joy, connection, and purpose for both the children and the elderly residents.”

The benefits of intergenerational programs in aged care are numerous, according to Mandy.

“Combating loneliness, fostering empathy, promoting social engagement, and enhancing cognitive function for older adults.

“They also provide younger generations with valuable life lessons, respect for elders, improved social skills, increased empathy and understanding towards older adults, enhanced emotional development, and opportunities for learning and cognitive stimulation.”

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“The children are loving the visits so far,” according to Amy, campus manager for Little Scholars Parkwood. “They have developed some beautiful relationships with some of the residents and regularly discuss throughout the week their experiences with them.

“After week two, the children knew their grandfriends by name and were buzzing with excitement to see them again, which I think shows just how beautiful incorporating an intergenerational program can be!”

Professor Fitzgerald  says  programs like intergenerational ones further support the old proverb that it takes a village to raise a child.

“This research has the potential to make a huge impact on society, reconnecting the young and old,” she says.

“It is not just their eyes that lit up, but also their brain. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing older adults and young people connect for mutual benefit. So exciting to see how hearts are filled with joy.”

“I’m proud Little Scholars has the opportunity to assist in important research that looks at the benefits to both the young and the young-at-heart. Our little scholars are in the most important years of their life when it comes to brain development, and the lessons they learn from their grandfriends they can carry with them their entire lives,” says Jae Fraser, founder of Little Scholars.

Intergenerational relationships is something Jae is passionate about, and it’s been part of Little Scholars nearly since its inception 10 years ago.

“We’re honoured Griffith University researchers contacted us as leaders in the early education field, and we’re thrilled so many of our Little Scholars families jumped at the chance to participate. I can’t wait to see the results of this study when it concludes, and I hope it further highlights the proven positive impact of these relationships, showing how they enrich the lives of both children and older adults.”

Why is early childhood education important for everyone?

Early childhood education has far-reaching benefits, not just for children, but for society as a whole. By investing in the early years, we create a foundation that supports the well-being of families, strengthens communities, and drives economic growth.

Here’s why:

Happier workforce

It creates a happier and healthier workforce. Early education supports parents, reducing absenteeism and turnover by improving overall wellbeing and mental health. This leads to a more stable and productive workforce.

It establishes a future-ready workforce. Children who receive early education develop crucial social and emotional skills, preparing them to handle future complexities and challenges.

Economic benefits for everyone

There are huge economic benefits. Early childhood education contributes significantly to the economy. It generates $313M in immediate tax revenue and an additional $495M in future tax revenue. This is because parents of children in early education can work more, and these children grow up to earn higher qualifications and wages.

It actually has the potential to reduce public spending. How? There’s a $1,194M reduction in health, welfare, and crime costs. Early education leads to lower rates of obesity and smoking, more people entering the workforce, and fewer involved in the justice system.

It can increase household Incomes. While costs are incurred in childcare fees,  overall families benefit significantly, with household incomes increasing by $1,463M. Many parents can work more hours or re-enter the workforce thanks to early childhood education.

It enhances lifetime earnings. Early education boosts lifetime earnings by $997M due to higher academic achievement and qualifications.

Healthier society

It leads to healthier lives! Each year, 8,500 children are less likely to face obesity-related health issues, 2,300 are less likely to become smokers, and 763 are less likely to be incarcerated as adults.

It improves productivity. There’s a $319M increase in productivity from a more educated workforce. Additionally, 4,000 fewer children drop out of school each year because early education provides them with the foundational skills they need to succeed, and often leads to a lifetime love of learning.

These benefits underscore the critical importance of early childhood education for everyone. Investing in our youngest learners is an investment in our future.

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At Little Scholars, we are committed to supporting not just the incredible children we have the privilege of educating, but their families. 

Through initiatives like our Family Time program, which includes haircuts, quarterly date nights, take-home meals for the children and parents. We also arrange specialist appointments on-site which include optometrist, podiatrist, speech pathologist visits, dentist, and child health nurse appointments.

It is a simple idea but one that allows our families more time together on the weekends and weeknights without having to run around trying to fit in those never-ending appointments we need to organise for our children.

We believe that by nurturing these relationships and providing high-quality early education, we can help create a brighter future for all.

Book a tour today to see firsthand how Little Scholars can support your family. Visit www.mylittlescholars.com.au to learn more.

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Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!

Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!