If you’ve got a teenager who says ‘I’m bored’ five minutes after waking up, you’re not alone.
Teenagers are hard to impress.
Screens always win.
Unless you have a plan.
The good news? Brisbane is full of activities for teenagers that they will actually say yes to. You just need to know where to go… and how to pitch it.
Think water parks, shows and outdoor adventures. No matter what your teen is into, I have found fun activities for teens that aren’t lame, including school holiday activities for teens.
Take a look at my suggestions for activities for teens and make sure you have it on hand for when you hear the words “I’m bored” (because you know you will!). Better still, print it out and write in big letters ‘THINGS TO DO WHEN BORED FOR TEENS’ and leave it lying around. I bet it will be snapped up in no time.
Fun activities for teens
In this article I have divided up my recommendations of things to do with teenagers into sections to help you find the most suitable teens activities:
- Fun activities for teens
- 10 Outdoor activities for teens in Brisbane
- 10 Indoor activities for teens in Brisbane
- School holiday programs for teens in Brisbane
- 10 Fun things to do at home for teens
- Fun activities for teens in Brisbane at night
- Fun activities for teens in Brisbane
- Even more QLD school holiday ideas:
10 Outdoor activities for teens in Brisbane
Tired of looking for fun things to do at home for teens? If you want them to spend more time outside, then check out my suggestions for outdoor activities for teens I have compiled. Brisbane weather is perfect for days out of the house, so there is no excuse for teenage boredom. From adrenaline junky activities to relaxing days out, I have something that is sure to make your fussy kid happy, including free teen activities!
Keeper for a Day
Ok – I will be honest, this one needs to be planned in advance as these are so popular they get well booked up. So if you are looking ahead of time, get on this NOW for your teen. Let’s be honest, having our teen taking care of and being interested in something other than their phone is the personal development we all want to see in our teens, right? Across Brisbane they have the opportunity to give it a go in a few different locations. I have a some suggested places with things to do with teenage kids to help them live out their dreams as a zookeeper:
Dreamworld
Dreamworld is one of Queensland’s BIGGEST theme park, offering an experience for locals and tourists unrivalled anywhere in Australia. Since 1981 Dreamworld has been a place of thrills, excitement, wildlife and award-winning entertainment, and with a massive investment in NEW RIDES and experiences already underway, the only way is up for this beloved destination.
Find out about all the variety of Dreamworld ticket options for your teens here.
WhiteWater World
WhiteWater World is no ordinary water park! Co-located with Dreamworld, WhiteWater World features ground breaking technology to deliver some serious splash. Having just introduced the newest slide, Fully 6, WhiteWater World now offers guests even more value with a variety of slides and attractions. Definitely not lame and that is why it is on my top 10 kids birthday party venues too!
Find more information on WhiteWater World here.
Wheel of Brisbane
Upon first impression you might think the Wheel of Brisbane is lame – but I am here to tell you it is NOT! Stay with me…
One of the fun activities for teenagers in Brisbane is to ride the huge Wheel of Brisbane. Located inside South Bank, the wheel has guests ride in a fully enclosed air-conditioned gondola, and rises to 60 metres above the ground for fantastic 360 degree panoramic views of Brisbane. This activity will get your social media credibility! During the 12 minute ride, they can listen to the audio commentary and take 100 Instagram worthy photos!
BMX Parks
There are more than 20 parks across Brisbane offering BMX facilities where teens can practice their moves. BMX facilities cater for different skill levels, but generally consist of dirt tracks, with some offering built-up dirt hills and various types of jumps. Visit your local BMX track to practice new tricks, improve bike skills, or get ready for BMX racing. I took the kids here as younger teenagers. They loved it then, now they don’t even have bikes! <LOL>
Find out where BMX Parks in Brisbane are here.
Explore the Brisbane River on the City Cats
A wonderful mindfulness activity for teenagers is to spend time by the water and an easy way to do this in Brisbane is to ride a CityCat. CityCats are Brisbane’s public transport on the river. The CityCats go as far as The University of Queensland at St Lucia all the way down to Hamilton and operate every day. Riding a CityCat is also one of those cheap activities for teenagers (with all public transport being 50 cents now!) that you can do at any time. We’ve done this twice now!
Find the times and prices of City Cats here.
Moreton Island Day Tour From Brisbane with Kayaking and Snorkelling
Enjoy an island escape on this great value day tour to Moreton Island near Brisbane. Encounter marine life on a guided snorkel or kayak and a thrilling 4WD to the desert to take part in an exciting sandboarding tour. This popular South East Queensland getaway is teeming with fish, turtles, dolphins and even dugongs who may pop up to say hello during your aquatic adventure as you explore the iconic Tangalooma Island shipwrecks. If you prefer to stay dry, jump in the transparent kayaks or laze on the sand and soak up the sunshine on this island paradise.
Riverlife Adventure Centre
Get your teen outdoors and active with an activity at Riverlife Adventure Centre. Nestled on the river’s edge at the base of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs they can hire bikes, scooters and rollerblades. If they are feeling adventurous, why not get wet and wild with kayaks and stand up paddle boarding.
Find the details and prices of Riverlife here.
Purchase tickets for their day kayak adventure here or rock-climbing here before you go.
Queensland Raceway Drifting 4 Drift Battle Hot Laps
Experience the ultimate thrill with the 4 Drift Battle Hot Laps experience at Queensland Raceway, led by professional stunt driver and MAD MAX stunt double Eugene Arendsen.
Ride shotgun and witness expert drivers drift at high speed, just centimetres apart. In a Drift Battle, two cars compete in a two-lap showdown, each taking a turn in the lead. The lead car sets the perfect drift line, while the chase car mirrors every move, staying as close as possible. This high-speed drift battle is the ideal experience for any revheads.
Find out about doing hot laps here.
Story Bridge adventure climb
If your kid isn’t afraid of heights, this is a cool thing for teens to do. Climb to approximately 80m above sea level and look out on Brisbane and the surrounds. For those that are thrill seekers, why not add ‘The Cantilever Lean Out’ or “Walk The Plank” to the experience? Lean out into thin air or try a modern day experience walking a plank 50m above the traffic.
Check out the range of story bridge climbs here.
Kingston Park Raceway
Experience an adrenaline rush go karting! With 2 different types of karts to choose from and a 1100m international standard track, their hearts will be racing and their blood pumping! This is one of the great fun things to do with friends for teens (if they think you are too uncool to race).
Get racing by purchasing a racing package before you go.
10 Indoor activities for teens in Brisbane
Although there are lots of fun things to do with teenagers at home, I know the ones they WON’T think are lame. Take a look at the indoor activities for teens in Brisbane I have for you. My recommendations for fun things to do with teenagers ranges from indoor skydiving to ice skating and snowboarding, and also includes a heaps of fun things to do for teenagers at night.
Prison Island Fortitude Valley
If you’ve got teens who love a bit of competition (and a bit of chaos), Prison Island in Fortitude Valley is a standout. I’ve done this both as a date night without kids and with teenagers, and honestly, it works brilliantly for both.
Think fast-paced challenge rooms where they race the clock, test their logic, and quickly discover who thrives under pressure and who… absolutely does not. What I love about this one is the variety. Some rooms are physical, some are puzzle-based, and all of them get teens off their phones and fully engaged. Expect plenty of laughs, a bit of friendly rivalry, and that rare moment where they actually want to keep going “just one more round.”
Check out my instagram reel of our visit to Prison Island
Hijinx Hotel Immersive Challenge Room
Hand on heart a favourite with my teens!! Hijinx Hotel Chermside, Brisbane, is your gateway to a world of interactive fun and adventure. With its quirky New York-style hotel theme, this innovative destination offers quick-play challenge rooms designed for collaborative games that are perfect for groups of all sizes.
Each challenge room features five unique games, providing an unforgettable experience for teens looking for something truly fun and team focused. Located in Chermside’s bustling shopping and dining precinct, it’s an ideal activity to pair with a day of retail therapy or a delicious meal. The teens actually asked to go again, so we have it as an option for the next school holidays too, especially if they are still offering a discount!
They are offering discounts these school holidays!
Holey Moley Mini Golf
Right next door to Hotel Hijinx is Holey Moley. It offers the perfect mix of mini golf and pop culture for a truly unforgettable experience. Ideal for groups of teens, this lively venue features creatively themed holes inspired by iconic pop culture moments, guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter to all.
Grab your discounted entry passes here.
Archie Brothers Arcade and Bowling | Bowen Hills
We tried out the brand new Archie Brothers venue at Bowen Hills last week and hoooo. boy we had fun!! We took our teens aged 13 – 16 and they are double thumbs up on this venue for a fantastic time for teenagers in Brisbane. Packed full of arcade games, virtual reality rides, bowling lanes as well as yummy food and drinks, this is a serious contender for our favourite thing to do these school holidays. If you want to see how we went on the rides and what the food looks like, check out our Facebook post here. We loved it!
Bounce trampoline parks
GO HERE!! Honestly, this is an easy win for parents with teenagers, my kids keep asking to go each set of school holidays. (And their friends ask to come with us!) If they are older teenagers and you want a few hours off, you can leave them here to burn all their energy and pick them up later. I cannot emphasise enough how much I recommend trampoline parks (that also have laser tag and climbing walls!) And in school holidays they even have night time sessions for them! #winning
Find your closest Bounce location here.
South Bank Cineplex
Young film buffs and those who just want to be entertained will enjoy catching a flick at the South Bank Cineplex. There’s always something for all ages, and with prices this affordable, they can go all the time which make it a great holiday activity for teenagers!
Find out movie times at South Bank Cineplex here.
Iceworld
Iceworld™ Olympic Ice Rinks have been part of the Brisbane landscape for over 30 years, providing exclusive access to Olympic size ice rinks on the north and south side of Brisbane. Both rinks have a fully stocked skate shop…so no need to panic if you forget your socks or gloves! Better still, both rinks have a cosy coffee shop so if you’re beginning to feel the cold, you can enjoy a hot drink and food, whilst you sit back, relax and view all the fast-paced action on the ice!
Find out more about Iceworld Boondall and Iceworld Acacia Ridge here.
Fox in a Box
An innovative, exciting and creative way for teens to have fun together in an escape room. Real-life room escape games are a type of game where everyone is together in a room and they have to work together to find clues or objects to solve a series of puzzles and escape the room within a 60 minute time frame. This is a great team building activity for teens.
Find more information about Fox in a Box here.
Strike Bowling
Located in the Wintergarden complex of Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, Strike Wintergarden is not a normal bowling alley and has raised the bar when it comes to entertainment in the city. Home to 12 bowling lanes, an amazing laser tag arena, pool tables, private karaoke rooms and three exciting escape rooms, Strike Wintergarden is the ultimate place for a great night out!
Book a session at Strike Bowling here.
Dracula’s Cabaret
Dracula’s Cabaret is an activity for young adults. More mature teens (15+) can enjoy a dramatic night out at Dracula’s Cabaret. The night features comedy, cabaret, music, dance and much more. Add to the experience by enjoying dinner and then ride the ghost train. Tip: The show includes adult concepts and themes. Make sure this is suitable for your teen.
Read more about the show here.
Laserforce
Up your level of cool and take your teenager to Laserforce. Conveniently located just outside the city centre, this is Brisbane’s largest laser tag arena (nothing lame about that!). Whether you join individually or as a group, Laser tag is a great rainy day activity for teenagers. There are also arcade games to keep them occupied for a while when they finish.
Take a look at Laserforce online.
Go horse riding
Learning to ride a horse is a unique and special thing for teens to do. Located just outside the city, teens can enjoy 7 acres of horse riding bliss at Wattle Creek Equestrian Centre. In additional to weekends, they offers a school holiday program where teens can fast track their skills. A great opportunity for teens to spend time outside with animals.
Australian Outback Spectacular
This spectacular live show features actions, animals and some amazing lights and immersive technology. Take a journey through the outback and feel like you are part of the action. The venue has been carefully themed to look the part and is located just south of Brisbane. Also part of the night is 3 course meal – yum!
Tip: This one started with eye rolls, ended with laughs and is a fun thing to do with your teenage daughter or son for a night out.
Grab dinner and show tickets here.
School holiday programs for teens in Brisbane
School holiday activities for teenagers can be hit and miss, that’s why I have done the hard work for you and found the best of the best. From arts and crafts for teens, with these activities for teenagers as well as these things to do for teens at night will make sure they are happy.
I know that juggling time is hard during the holidays, that’s why I have included half day, full day and multiple day holiday programs. Some are even good team building activities for teenagers (but don’t worry, they won’t even know it!). You can find a huge range of excellent school holiday programs in Brisbane here.
10 Fun things to do at home for teens
When your kids can’t get out and about, finding activities for teens at home can become a full time job. Because I know every teen is different, I have compiled a heap of entertaining and interesting activities, including art ideas for teens. My suggestions of stuff to do for teens to do at home is about to elevate your level of parental coolness!
How to draw cool things drawing guide
Looking for art activities for teens? Learn to draw cool stuff with this awesome book ‘How to draw cool things’. It contains step-by-step instructions that will suit even a very beginner. Optical illusions, 3D letters, cartoons are just some of the things they can learn to draw.
Be a rubber band engineer
Got teens that love to tinker? This book will teach them (step-by-step) to create their very own rubber band launchers and gadgets. You will never believe what they can make with just a rubber band and the ideas between the pages. Plus, it will keep them out of your hair!
Get Procrastibaking
Tired of looking for outside activities for teenagers? Then send them into the kitchen to have some fun. Not only will they love these recipes, but they will (hopefully!) end up with something delicious to show for it. Filled with 100 non-boring recipes, there is sure to be something they want to make.
Non boring board games
Put away the boring board games for teenagers and take a look at these. Challenging, creative, hilarious or even straight up ridiculous, these games will have them putting down their devices and actually enjoying themselves. It even includes some team building games for teens.
Get playing with these board games.
Learn how to ride a hoverboard
If they want to impress, encourage your kids to learn how to ride a hoverboard. Imagine showing up to school or sport on one of these. It even has built in speakers so they don’t even have to turn off their music to ride. Ride into the future on one of these hoverboards.
An escape room in a book
Get involved in a mystery without even leaving the comfort of home with this unique book. With just 60 minutes to escape from a labyrinth, you must take on the challenges, solve mysteries and clues to finish the book. Perfect to entertain teens that love to read or those that love a good mystery.
Put your time to good use
With a lot of time to kill during school holidays, reading any of these books is a great way for teens to learn how to put their time to good use. This selection includes books on becoming more efficient, techniques to increase their level of happiness and even confidence building books like ‘What’s my super power’. Perfect for those that are looking to learn more about themselves or just read a good book on a rainy day.
Check out this selection of books on highly effective teens.
Master a remote controlled car
Take a look at this selection of the latest, greatest and quirkiest of remote control cars and vehicles. Racing cars, 4WD’s, mini coopers and heavy machinery vehicles are just some of the vehicles you can control. You can even build your own from Lego! Some can even be used on grass so your teen can take them (and themselves!) outside for a bit.
Fun things to do when stuck at home
Finding fun things for teens to do at home doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, this book makes it easy and interesting in a quirky way. This book is full of things for teens to do when bored.
Read up on things for teens to do here.
Fly a drone
What could be cooler than spending a day flying a drone! Teens will love getting off the couch to spend time in the backyard when they have a drone to play with. From a basic model to something much more sophisticated (some with handheld screens), teens will be sure to find a drone that is cool enough for them.
Fun activities for teens in Brisbane at night
I have a whole article dedicated to things to do in Brisbane at night have have listed 10 of my family’s favourite things, so do check that out too!
Fun activities for teens in Brisbane
While it can be almost impossible to find things to do for teens that they will 100% love, I think my activities for teenagers to do is pretty impressive, and not at all lame! Try it out with your teenager and let us know what they think. I am quietly confident!
Even more QLD school holiday ideas:
If you are heading north these Queensland school holidays check out my other articles:
- Cairns school holiday activities
- Townsville school holiday activities
- Mackay school holiday activities
- Rockhampton school holiday activities
- Gladstone school holiday activities
- Bundaberg school holiday activities
- Hervey Bay school holiday activities
- Sunshine Coast school holiday activities
- Brisbane school holiday activities
I would like to add to this listing for an activity for kids.. how do I do so?