Kids Fun in Cairns this August

Beat the boredom blues and get the kids out of the house with some ideas for fun things to do for kids in Cairns. If your kids are bored of going to the beach, there are plenty of other activities, events, tours, and ideas for getting your kids up and moving, and most importantly, unglue them from their screens. They get enough screen time at school and during the week, and the weekends are a time for them to unwind, get active, and have fun while doing it.

 

Top 7 Fun Things to Do for Kids in Cairns

Get ready to be the favourite parent when you take your kids along to some of the below activities and events! We’ve got options to suit everyone, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to getting covered in colour at the most exciting fun run event of the season.

 

1. Colour Frenzy Fun Run

If you want your kids to have a ripper of a day that they’ll remember for many years to come, bring them along to the Colour Frenzy Fun Run in Cairns on Sunday, 29^th August. It’s all going down at the Esplanade by the pirate ship playground, and is set to be the event of the year!

Everyone and their doggo will be there – don’t let your kids be the ones to miss out. All ages are welcome at this fun run – walk, run, jog, or crawl around the track while getting sprinkled with vibrantly coloured powder.

It’s always a blast as kids have a ton of fun dressing up in silly costumes, getting messy and colourful, and racing to the finish line. This year, the event is bigger and better than ever, with a bubble/foam station to run through and a crawling obstacle cause for a bit of an extra challenge.

You’ll be able to fuel up before the race with a steaming hot cup of coffee from one of the many food vendors and then either watch or join in the festivities! Littlies under 5 get in free and get all the same perks as their big bro or sis – finishing medal, colourful sunnies, and coloured powder to throw! After the race, the kids can gobble down some snags or hot chips to refuel and keep the party going. Come along and make sure you take plenty of snaps to commemorate the best day ever. Buy your tickets now or miss out, as they are already flying out the door!

 

2. Great Barrier Reef

Snorkelling is such a great physical activity to get the kids interested in getting off the couch. If you’re going to be in North Queensland this August, visiting the Great Barrier Reef is an absolute must-do. Your kids will be absolutely stoked to see the aquatic life lingering beneath the surface of the water. The Great Barrier Reef is full of interesting fish, coral, and more. It’s a bucket list experience that you don’t want your kids to miss out on.

August is one of the best months to do this in, as being out in the water for so long can be incredibly tiring in the hotter summer months. Still make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, though, and mozzie repellent just in case!

 

3. Daintree Rainforest

Of course, another of the best Cairns tourist attractions is the Daintree Rainforest, located just a two-hour drive from central Cairns. This rainforest is so unique that it’s a World Heritage listed site. People come from all over Australia and the world to marvel at the lush green ferns, the canopy of trees, and plants you won’t be able to see anywhere else.

Head over in August before the inevitable influx of international tourists are allowed back into Australia. That way, you can bask in the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful rainforest. You’ll be a legend in your kids’ eyes if you let them take the zip line across the forest for the ultimate birds’ eye view. Take a cruise along the waterways to spot crocodiles and even go as far as Cape Tribulation to see where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Families can take a full day tour, but many choose to just go along at their own pace.

 

4. Day Out in Port Douglas

If you’re looking for fun things to do for kids in Cairns, you can’t let them miss out on a visit to Port Douglas. It is a charming beach town just an hour’s drive from Cairns, with plenty to see and do to keep the kids entertained. Go crocodile hunting on a saltwater river cruise or head out on a chartered boat to enjoy the open water. Let them run wild at the Wildlife Habitat, where they will encounter snakes, wallabies, and even a cassowary.

Spend some time exploring the streets and grabbing a bite to eat, or why not take a tour and learn more about the area? You’ll get the feeling of going away on holiday, even if it’s just a day trip!

 

5. Volunteering at Your Local Dog Rescue

There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back to the community. Why not instil a sense of pride in your kids while having fun and doing something useful? Dog rescues are often looking for volunteers to either foster dogs or help out at the facilities, feeding and looking after doggos. What could be a more fun weekend treat than spending the day with some doggies?

If you want to help out even more, when you attend the Colour Frenzy Fun Run, you can also add a donation for your local rescue to help more of our furry friends find their forever homes.

 

6. Kuranda Scenic Railway

If you’re looking for more classic Cairns tourist attractions, you can’t beat the Kuranda Scenic Railway tour. See The Wet Tropics, a glorious, lush rainforest, from a height and delve into the dense treetops, so close you can nearly reach out and grab a leaf.

Chug through this tropical area in North Queensland with a mountain view on one side and a rainforest view on the other. Waterfalls cascade and flow into ravines, and hundreds of species of plants flourish in this rainforest. On the railway, you’ll be transported from Cairns to Kuranda, where you can hop off and explore the area.

In the area, you’ll also find the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which runs nearby with an equally glorious view. You can even take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and take the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to get a full view and the best of both worlds.

 

7. Green Island

Cairns is the ideal launching point to head across the Coral Sea and over to Green Island. This oasis is a stunning 6000-year-old coral cay found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is a National Park with plenty of birds, native plant species, and marine life. It is surrounded by unique coral gardens and is the only coral cay growing a rainforest on the Great Barrier Reef.

As a family, you will be able to hop off and snorkel under the shimmering blue waves. Or wander around the island, taking in the local wildlife and spotting unique plants. Splashing out on a glass-bottom boat tour leaving from the island is well worth the expense, as the thriving marine life under the water is not to be missed. Teach the kids about aquatic animals and the unique nature of Australian wildlife.

Get your kids up and out of the house this August with one of the ripper activities listed above. Start making memories as a family and give your kids experiences that they will never forget. Just make sure to take plenty of photos and have a blast!