School Holidays Guide
IT ISN'T EASY TO BELIEVE THAT SUMMER HAS DRAWN TO A CLOSE. WE NOW FIND THE NIGHTS ARE BECOMING COOLER, THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING COLOUR, AND A NEW CHAPTER OF THE YEAR BEGINS, STARTING WITH THE AUTUMN (EASTER) SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. THE CHANCE TO GET OUT AND ENJOY A FUNFILLED EASTER BREAK IS FINALLY HERE. SO, WE'VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST LOCAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY HITS TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY AND ENJOY A SPOT OF FAMILY TIME.
NEWCASTLE
(Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au for all activities)
Alice's Wonderland
A colourful hands-on exhibition that brings the basic science concepts of optics and illusions, wordplay, physics and maths to life for younger kids and their families. Just as Alice followed the white rabbit down the rabbit hole, let your curiosity guide you! Ages: 3-8 years.
WHEN: Monday, 21 March 2022 – Sunday 10 July 2022
WHERE: Newcastle Museum
COST: Adults $10; Concession $7; Children (aged 3 and over) $5; Children (aged 2 and under) FREE; Disability Carers FREE; Family of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) $25.
THE PUPS ARE BACK for a paw-some adventure!
The PAW Patrol® pups are back ahead of their 20-show tour of PAW Patrol Live! "The Great Pirate Adventure", presented
by Paramount+, sets sail to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Saturday 16 April and Sunday 17 April. The action-packed, music-filled production features the beloved characters from PAW Patrol®, the top-rated animated preschool series. Get your ticket before they sell out at www.nec.net.au
NEWCASTLE LIBRARIES
Celebrate food, glorious food at Newcastle Libraries these Autumn School Holidays with a great range of events for all ages. Tickets to all events are free for library members. Spaces are limited, so please cancel if you can no longer attend.
The Biscuit Maker: Read it, Eat it!
Listen to the story 'The Biscuit Maker' by Sue Lawson and Liz Anelli, then grab your pack of ingredients and decorate your own biscuits! Dance concert biscuits? Football biscuits? Ghosts and Ghoul biscuits? It's up to you. Please advise of dietary requirements when booking. Ages: 6+
WHEN/WHERE: Monday 11 April 2022 2-3pm, Newcastle Library AND Thursday 21 April 2022 2-3pm, New Lambton Library
STEAM Fun: Robot Candy Dispenser Challenge
Are you the inventive type who likes a challenge? Bring along your creativity and coding skills, and your love for candy to
Newcastle's Digital library and see if you can code the Edison Bot to be a Candy Dispenser. Ages: 8-12 years.
WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday 13 April 2022 2-3.30pm, Digital Library, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West
Movie Mayhem! Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Kids, do you love chocolate? Do you love a good movie? Come to Wallsend for the best of both worlds with a screening of the 1970s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Remember to bring a comfy cushion, bean bag or mat. And grown-ups should book a ticket, too. You are responsible for your kids at this event. Ages: All ages.
WHEN/WHERE: Friday 22 April 2022 2-4pm, Wallsend Library
CESSNOCK
Guess How Much I Love You
CDP Theatre Producers brings to life a brand-new stage adaptation by Richard Tulloch of Sam McBratney's beloved book Guess How Much I Love You, which makes its way to the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre for two performances on Tuesday 19 April 2022 – 10am and 12pm. Tickets are on sale at the CPAC Box Office, by phone on 4993 4266 or online at
LAKE MACQUARIE
(For all activities, visit www.lakemac.com.au)
Tech Play: Merge Cube
Learn through virtual reality! With the Merge Cube, you can hold virtual objects in your hand. Discover dinosaurs and fossils, the solar system, ancient artefacts, plus much more in 3D. The Merge Cube lets you hold digital 3D objects, enabling an entirely new way to learn and interact with the digital world. Of course, parents are encouraged to stay and play too. Ages: 6+.
WHEN/WHERE: Monday 11 April 10-10.30am and 11-11.30am at Belmont Library; Wednesday 13 April 10-10.30am and 11-11.30am at Toronto Library; Friday 22 April 10-10.30am and 11-11.30am at Morriset Library
COST: Free
BOOKINGS: www.merge-cube-belmont.eventbrite.com.au
Storytime with the Author: Mila and Ivy by Katrina McKelvey
Join author Katrina McKelvey as she shares her new book, Mila & Ivy. Then join in the fun with our cardboard challenge, where you get to design your own invention and make it in cardboard to take home. Ages: 4-9 years.
WHEN: Tuesday 12 April; 10.30-12noon.
WHERE: Rathmines Theatre
COST: Free
Sound Studio Tutorial
Are you a musician wanting to capture your sound and add layers to your compositions? This tutorial will teach you how to record and mix using a Digital Audio Workstation in the newly fitted out sound studio at Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba. Internet access will be provided; participants will need to bring their own laptop. Ages: 15+
WHEN: Thursday 14 April. Beginner 11.30am-1pm. Intermediate 2-3.30pm
WHERE: Warners Bay Theatre
COST: $10