18 free things to do with kids in Cairns
Free playgrounds, free events and free play spaces across Cairns. No tickets, no entry fee, just somewhere to take them for an afternoon.
Atherton
🕯️ Atherton Carols by Candlelight
Atherton · Sat 5 Dec, 4pm to 8pm · Free
Free☕ 10m to coffee
⭐ Free movie night in the park: E.T. at Priors Creek Parklands
Atherton · Sat 14 Nov, 7pm to 9pm, weather permitting · Free
Free☕ 130m to coffee
Cairns City
✨ Cairns Christmas Tree Light-Up, Lagoon Plaza
Cairns City · Sun 29 Nov, tree lit at 7pm, evening program around it · Free
Free☕ 130m to coffee
🎡 Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns City · Thu to Tue 6am to 9pm; Wed noon to 9pm (closed mornings for cleaning) · Free
FreeToiletsWater play☕ 220m to coffee
✨ Christmas Light Lane on the Cairns Esplanade
Cairns City · 12 nights from Sun 29 Nov to Thu 24 Dec, mostly 6pm to 9pm (opening night 7pm to 9pm), incl. Fri 4 to Sun 6, Fri 11, 23 and 24 Dec · Free
Free☕ 130m to coffee
👶 Community Playgroup Cairns, Cairns City
Cairns City · Tuesdays 10am to 12pm, school terms · Free, no booking needed
Free☕ 130m to coffee
🎪 New Year's Eve family fireworks at 8:30pm, Cairns Esplanade
Cairns City · Thu 31 Dec, family fireworks at 8:30pm, midnight fireworks too · Free
Free☕ 220m to coffee
Cairns North
🛝 Fun Ship Playground, Cairns Esplanade
Cairns North · Open all day, every day · Free
FreeToiletsBBQSlidesClimbing☕ 180m to coffee
🛝 Muddy's Playground, Cairns Esplanade
Cairns North · Open daily; parts close Tue and Thu mornings until noon for maintenance · Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaWater playSwings☕ 130m to coffee
Caravonica
👶 Caravonica State School Playgroup
Caravonica · Wednesdays 9:30 to 11am, school terms · Free, no weekly fee
Free
Diwan
👶 Jungle Kids Playgroup, Diwan (Daintree)
Diwan · Thursdays 9 to 11am · Free, no fee
Free
Edge Hill
🎡 Cairns Botanic Gardens and Nature Playground
Edge Hill · Flecker Gardens daily 7:30am to 5:30pm; other areas open all hours. Visitor Centre weekdays 8:30am to 4pm, weekends 9:30am to 2pm · Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaNature play☕ 60m to coffee
Edmonton
🎪 New Year's Eve family fireworks at 8:30pm, Edmonton
Edmonton · Thu 31 Dec, family fireworks at 8:30pm · Free
Free☕ 90m to coffee
Lake Eacham
🎡 Lake Eacham day-use area
Lake Eacham · Open 24 hours · Free
FreeToiletsParkingBBQPicnic area☕ 950m to coffee
Palm Cove
🎪 New Year's Eve family fireworks at 8:30pm, Palm Cove Jetty
Palm Cove · Thu 31 Dec, family fireworks at 8:30pm · Free
Free☕ 530m to coffee
Port Douglas
🛝 Four Mile Beach playground, Port Douglas
Port Douglas · Open all day · Free
FreeSwingsSlidesClimbing☕ 130m to coffee
🛝 Rex Smeal Park playground, Port Douglas
Port Douglas · Open all day · Free
FreeSwingsClimbing☕ 260m to coffee
Wonga Beach
👶 Wonga Beach State School Playgroup
Wonga Beach · Tuesdays 9 to 11am, school terms · Free, no fee
Free
More ways to choose
🧱 Fenced playgrounds🚻 Playgrounds with toilets☕ Coffee within walking distance⛱️ Shaded playgrounds🔥 Playgrounds with a BBQ🌿 Nature play
