WITH an extra week of school holidays, courtesy of Cyclone Debbie, the search for entertaining ways to keep the kids busy could be a bit more challenging than usual.

But there's plenty to do. Why not check out these great school holidays activities?

Then read on to discover the top 10 things to do around the region:

HOLIDAY FUN:

Artspace Mackay

Gathering by the Sea on tour: Free holiday fun

Until April 13

Artspace Mackay, Workshop Room

Free drop-in art activities for the whole family are on again during the Easter school holidays at Artspace Mackay. Gathering by the Sea is a collection of exciting hands-on activities for children that explore the important relationship the Kaiadilt people of the Gulf Carpentaria have with the sea, and it's coming to Mackay as part of a major Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) regional tour to more than 80 regional venues. Stay for a few minutes, or linger for a few hours, for more information, visit www.artspacemackay.com.au

Punuku Tjukurpa: Kids trail & iPhone app

Until May 21

Artspace Mackay, Gallery One

Visit Artspace Mackay and see Punuku Tjukurpa, the first touring exhibition of central desert indigenous artworks from the Maruku Arts archive. Bring the family and download the exhibition app for an enhanced and fascinating experience learning about Anangu culture. It's fun and it's free!

Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, 9am-5.45pm

River St, Mackay

Cool down and splash around with the whole family at the free, three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon. Overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River in the heart of the Mackay City Centre, the facilities provide the ideal stinger-free environment for kids and adults alike. Kids will love the waterfall, drop-bucket and wading pool! For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon.

Greenmount Homestead

Monday to Friday, 9.30am-12.30pm

Sunday, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Greenmount Road, Walkerston

Take a step back in time and educate your children on the history of our region. Explore the iconic Greenmount Homestead. As one of Mackay's most valued historic attractions, the grounds contain a number of buildings including a 1915 Queenslander homestead which houses a collection of more than 20,000 historical items. Entry fees: adult $6, concession $4, student/child $2

Libraries

Robotics Challenges - Celebrating National Youth Week

Thursday, April 6 at Gordon White Library

Friday, April 7 at Mirani Library

Young adults aged 12 to 19 are invited to work together to overcome challenges with Lego Mindstorm robots and Spheros. Sessions are held from 10.30am to 12noon

Easter Craft

Thursday, April 6, 10-11am at Dudley Denny City Library

Friday, April 7, 10-11am at Sarina Library

Children aged 5-12! Join us for Easter craft activities these school holidays. Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.bit.ly/1B48nRd.

Feel-good Craft

Thursday, April 6, 2pm - 4pm at Gordon White Library

Friday, April 7, 2pm - 4pm at Mirani Library

Young adults aged 12 - 19 are invited to Celebrate National Youth Week and get crafty with paper and embellishments. Book online at www.bit.ly/1B48nRd.

Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

Mackay's Got Talent

Saturday, April 8 at 2pm

The MECC, tickets $9 - $12

Mackay's Got Talent will blow your expectations of what we have to offer. Come and see our amazing finalists perform as well as our last winner Tia Mullins, Sensory Circus Tribe and other amazing local talented youths ply their craft for your amazement. Mackay's Got Talent celebrates young people (12 to 18 years old at the time of the final) and their many performing art skills. Book online > http://bit.ly/2lQemSI

Mackay City Centre

Active Kids in the City

If you are looking for something fun and free or low cost for the kids to do these school holidays, check out the Active Kids in the City school holiday program! For more details, please visit: www.mackaycitycentre.com.au

Thursday, April 6

Aqua Aerobics with Anytime Fitness, Bluewater Lagoon from 10am - 11am

Zumba kids, Bluewater Quay from 9am - 10am

Monday, April 10

Smarty's ACTIVE Squirtz, Bluewater Quay, from 9-9.45am

Thursday, April 13

Aqua Aerobics with Anytime Fitness, Bluewater Lagoon from 10-11am

Zumba kids, Bluewater Quay from 9am - 10am

Mackay City Centre Easter Carnival

Sunday, April 16

Bluewater Quay

The 2017 Easter Carnival will be held on Sunday, 16 April at Bluewater Quay from 9am - 12pm in the Mackay City Centre. Activities at the Easter Carnival will include live stage performances, a visit from the Easter Bunny, Easter crafts, a Monster Easter Egg hunt, fair stalls, and free amusement rides! Later in the day you can watch the Dive-in Movie, "The Wild Life", at Bluewater Lagoon, Gates open at 6pm and entry costs a gold coin. Brought to you by MLC Advice Mackay.

Sarina Sugar Shed

Open 7 days a week, 9am-4pm, closed public holidays

Field of Dreams Parkland, Railway Square, Sarina

Sarina Sugar Shed tours are a delight for all ages! On the tour you will see the special miniature sugar processing and distilling equipment that has been sourced from all over the world! Along with the processing mill, there are multimedia presentations, souvenir shop, picnic areas, easy parking and wheelchair-friendly access. Tours run at 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm, visitors will need to arrive 15 minutes prior to tour. Tours can unexpectedly fill up. To avoid disappointment, please call through to secure your booking. Entry prices are $12 - $22, family and group booking rates available. Children receive free fairy floss and non-alcoholic ginger beer as part of the tour as well as free educational handouts. For more information or to book a tour online visit www.sarinasugarshed.com.au.

Sarina Youth Centre

School holiday activities

Activities run daily from 10am until 2pm for youth aged 10-25 years old. For more information contact the Sarina Youth Centre on 4961 9277 or email sarinayouthcentre@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Thursday, April 6 - Art workshop

Friday, April 7 - Movies and popcorn

Monday, April 10 - Art workshop (make a dream catcher)

Tuesday, April 11 - Easter activity

Wednesday, April 12 - Cooking (Mexican themed)

Thursday, April 13 - Tie Dye workshop (RSVP as soon as possible to secure your place! BYO: Shirt, pillow case or socks.)

Orchid House

Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 11am and 2-3pm, Sunday, 10am-2pm

Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, Mackay

Kids and adults alike will love the display of beautiful and rare orchids on display at the Ken Burgess Display House (commonly known as the Orchid House). Stroll through the display which houses an astounding variety of orchids, all flowering at different times of the year. Enjoy the natural surrounds of Queens Park whilst you explore the Orchid House. Make a day of it and bring along a picnic and let the kids enjoy the playground.

Caneland Central

Plaster fun workshop

April 10-15

It's time to get creative! From 11am- 2pm daily* the kids can get their creative hats on with free plaster fun workshops. Located out the front of Target, Ground floor.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE REGION:

1) Mackay's Got Talent

Thursday, April 8 at 2pm

The MECC, Alfred Street

Mackay's Got Talent will blow your expectations of what we have to offer. Come and see our amazing finalists perform as well as our last winner Tia Mullins, Sensory Circus Tribe and other amazing local talented youths ply their craft for your amazement. http://bit.ly/2mCeZm9

2) Baby Bounce

Gordon White Library, Thursday, April 6, 10.30am - 11am

Dudley Denny City Library, Monday, April 10, 11am - 11.30am

Mirani Library, Monday, April 10, 9.30am - 10am

Sarina Library, Tuesday, April 11, 9.30am - 10am

Baby Bounce promotes language development in babies from birth to walking. The session features nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs and stories. It's never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child.

3) Punuku Tjukurpa: Kids trail & iPhone app

Until May 21

Artspace Mackay, Gallery One

Visit Artspace and see Punuku Tjukurpa, the first touring exhibition of central desert indigenous artworks from the Maruku Arts archive. Bring the family and download the exhibition app for an enhanced and fascinating experience learning about Anangu culture, it's fun and it's free!

4) Gathering by the sea on tour: Free holiday fun

Until April 13

Artspace Mackay, Workshop Room

Free drop-in art activities for the whole family are on again during the Easter school holidays at Artspace Mackay. Gathering by the Sea is a collection of exciting hands-on activities for children that explore the important relationship the Kaiadilt people of the Gulf Carpentaria have with the sea. Collage sea creatures for the rock wall, find your totem and make wrist bands, draw and more. Stay for a few minutes, or linger for a few hours, for more information, visit www.artspacemackay.com.au

5) ASSI150

Until May 21

Artspace Mackay, Gallery Two

Australian South Sea Islanders, despite the hardships they have suffered, are a strong and dynamic community who continue to make an enormous contribution to all aspects of life, not only in the Mackay region, but in the broader Australian community as well. A selection of objects from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences aims to introduce viewers to the cultural diversity, vitality and spirit resonance of Oceanic art and to some of its universe of forms, both old and new.

6) Pre-Easter Bunny Sunset

Friday, April 7 from 5.30pm

Botanic Gardens Café

Hop along to the Botanic Gardens Café, overlooking the lagoon to bring in the sunset Friday night. Make it a great afternoon/night and invite your friends along for catch-up. Wear your bunny ears and don't forget your fluffy tail. $10 entry fee with cocktail food provided. http://bit.ly/2nxO8VN

7) Greater Whitsunday Farmers' Market

Wednesday, April 12 , 8am-1pm

Bluewater Quay, River Street

The Farmers' Market is held every Wednesday from 8am until 1pm at the Bluewater Quay on River Street in the Mackay City Centre. The market showcase our regions amazing produce giving farmers an opportunity to help grow our local food culture. Monthly cooking demos by 'The Family Table Mackay' will be on display the first Wednesday of each month. http://bit.ly/2jSjA2G

8) Robotics Challenges - Celebrating National Youth Week

Walkerston Library, Wednesday, April 5 from 10.30am-noon

Gordon White Library, Thursday, April 6 from 10.30am-noon

Mirani Library, Friday, April 7 from 10.30am-noon

Young adults aged 12 to 19 are invited to work together to overcome challenges with Lego Mindstorm robots and Spheros. Book online at www.bit.ly/1B48nRd.

9) Tai Chi for Beginners

Tuesday, April 11 at 8am - 8.30am (Registration opens 15min before)

Cost: Free

Tai Chi interactive sessions are being held at Bluewater Quay to celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (April 29). Come along for a morning session of the community coming together, to breathe together, providing a healing vision for our world. www.mackaycitycentre.com.au

10) Get Out, Get Active

Calen, Mackay, Northern Beaches, Pioneer Valley and Sarina

Women and girls get active and make a move to improve your lifestyle, boost your health and meet new people. Check out the timetable for locations and times > http://bit.ly/1QaO717.

REMINDERS

Rock, Paper, Scissors Art and Design Market

Market stallholder, food vendor and musician applications will close on April 28. This year's Rock, Paper, Scissors Art and Design Market will be held Sunday, September 10. Apply online at www.artspacemackay.com.au.

Circus Oz - Model Citizens

Circus Oz will explode onto stages, audaciously unpacking the myths of modern Australia with our latest high octane circus show Model Citizens. Audiences will be taken on a visually and emotionally charged journey by the multitalented Circus Oz ensemble, exploring what it really means to be a model citizen in our lucky country today. Don't miss out on a fantastic event coming to Mackay. http://bit.ly/2ny4PAf