Summer School Holiday Fun

There is so much fun on offer this summer across every region of the Greater Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie Central Coast and Port Stephens. We’ve done our best to round up all the details for you. There’s no excuse for bored children, tweens and teens this summer with so many wonderful, creative, educational and downright fun things to do and see. Why not explore another region and check out what’s happening outside your suburb? Do a Mitch Revs workshop in Cessnock, create abstract wall art in Lake Macquarie, get spacey in Newcastle, go to the gaol in Maitland or play with trash at the Curious Legends workshop in Port Stephens! Whatever the kids are into, you are bound to find something here.

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NEWCASTLE

Australia in Space - Newcastle Museum

Questacon designed this exhibition to welcome space enthusiasts and newcomers alike, getting all visitors on board with Australia's vision for a vibrant and diverse space sector. Be inspired by stories of Australian innovators making it safer to live and work in orbit, and using space technologies to improve life on Earth. Learn how Australia's remote mining expertise will help drive the next phase of human spaceflight to the moon, Mars and beyond. Until 10 Mar, Family $40, Adult (18+) $15, Student/Concession $10, Child 5 – 14 $7.50, Child under 4 FREE.

In support of the Australia in Space exhibition, the museum is running several school holiday programs, including CodeKids: International Space Station Scratch Coding Workshop on Thursday, 11 January 2024, Starr's Planetarium at Newcastle Museum: Aboriginal Stories in the Stars on Thursday, 18 January and Friday 19 January 2024, Design Thinking, Brush Bot Maker Workshop and Cyber Security all with the T3 Alliance on 23 January.

Newcastle Libraries

Santa makes a guest appearance at the library at the Christmas Story Stomp at Newcastle Library on 5 December and Wallsend Library on 7 December. Timberlina will present Christmas Rainbow Storytime at Newcastle Library on 9 December. The January school holiday program is ready to launch with a host of space-inspired workshops that include Lego Challenges, Astronaut Training, Extraterrestrial Trivia, DIY Horoscopes, Designing a Spaceship, Story Stomp – Australian Space Stories and even a Space Disco!

LAKE MACQUARIE

There are a wide range of fun and engaging activities you can do with Lake Mac Arts, Culture and Tourism in the January school holidays. From the Australian Deaf Games 2024 social activities to sculpture art making, science workshops, crafternoons and Friday Night Foodies at MAP mima. Visit www.arts.lakemac.com.au/Whats-on.

MAC Holiday Workshops

The Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, is holding holiday artmaking workshops. Those aged 5 to 12 can unleash their creativity and dive into the world of Abstract Wall Sculptures. Discover the beauty of abstract art and let your imagination run wild as you experiment with different materials and forms. Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 10am and 11.30am: $15 per student + booking fee For tweens and teens, there’s the Printmaking workshop. Discover the beauty of Chine Collé as you experiment with different materials and forms on your print. Chine Collé is a technique that allows you to add colour to your prints without making another block. Wednesday, 24 January, 10am and 11.30am: $15 per student + booking fee.

The 2024 Australian Deaf Games - 13–20 January 2024

The 2024 Australian Deaf Games is being centred in the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, utilising the many world-class sporting venues situated within the surrounding beaches, mountains and lake. Visit www.lakemac.com.au/Eventsdirectory/Council-events/Australian-Deaf-Games-2024 for a complete program. Featured social events for school holiday activities include:

• MAP mima family immersive disco - Friday 19 January 2024, 5-9pm, Free MAP mima is hosting a fun and free night out for the whole family. The disco will work with a local VJ to provide both music and visual content to create an immersive atmosphere. Come ready to sing and dance your heart out!

• Auslan Storytime - 15 January, 10am, Belmont Library and 18 January, 10am, Toronto Library, free. A fun and interactive session where storytellers read and sign stories. Experience a visual language at our signed storytime, followed by an Auslan language lesson. Suitable for ages 4 – 9 years.

MAITLAND

The city of Maitland is pulling out all the stops this summer to make sure everyone of every age has lots of fun things to do and see. Explore Maitland Goal, MRAG, Maitland Library and Maitland Aquatics. For a complete program, visit www.mymaitland.com.au/whats-on

Maitland Gaol - Workhouse Woes: Butter Making - 2, 9, 16 and 23 January at 11am and 1.30pm

Come along to Maitland Gaol to learn all about one of the jobs undertaken by prisoners in the earliest days of the Gaol’s history. Children will undertake a mini tour of the site before getting hands-on and making their very own butter. All that hard work to make the butter will probably make the kids a little hungry, so it’s a good thing they will taste their butter creation after making it.

Junior Sleuth: Prisoner Descriptions - 4, 11, 18 and 25 January at 11am and 1.30pm

Curious about what happens when prisoners get to Gaol? Following a one-hour mini-tour of the site, everyone will get an opportunity to buddy up and create a prisoner description of their partner. This will include hair colour, eye colour, height and age. Learn about prisoner descriptions, what they are used for and why they are important. Take your description home as a lasting memory of junior sleuthing in Maitland Gaol.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery

Across the Summer school holidays, MRAG has a bumper season of creative fun for families and young people. This includes drop-in art activities, an I Spy art trail and codebreakers, along with workshops and creative sessions for all ages. Everyone is welcome; bookings are essential for some workshops. The Gallery is wheelchair accessible. Visit www.mrag.org.au/free-art-january-2024.

Maitland Aquatic Centres

Entertain the family over the summer break with a choice of indoor and outdoor swimming options to splash around in. The Splash Pad will be open daily from 11am to 4pm at Maitland Aquatic Centre. Enjoy free entry from 10am to 4pm at our Australia Day event at East Maitland and Maitland Aquatics Centres. Plus, book into our Holiday Swim Program across January 2024.

Maitland Libraries

Celebrate summer with various fun, low-cost workshops at your local Maitland Library branch, including various painting workshops, decoration making, dance workshops, a backyard biodiversity animal show, a summer reading party, an ice cream tasting, special readings, and so much more!

CESSNOCK

Cessnock City Council has a jam-packed program of summer fun almost every day from 8–29 January held across the city’s libraries, community halls and PACC. The inspirational program has solid offerings for teens as well as younger children. Visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Events. Highlights include:

Acting and Drama 101 - Monday 22 January Cessnock Youth Centre

9.30am - 1pm | Ages 11 - 18 | FREE

Tantrum Youth Arts school holiday workshops invite young people to come as they are. Every young person stands to grow in confidence and creativity while having fun and making new friends at the same time! Participants are encouraged to follow their own curiosity and ideas, learning from experienced facilitators.

Mitch Revs Decked Out Creative Workshop - Wednesday 24 January Kurri Kurri Library

10am - 12pm | Ages 12 - 18 | FREE

Discover your artistic side and unleash your potential with this Decked Out creative workshop! Hosted by the Mitch Revs team, Decked Out is a unique and exciting workshop where young artists can express themselves by creating stunning art on skate decks. Bookings essential.

PORT STEPHENS

The libraries in Port Stephens are where

all the school holiday action takes place

with something for all ages. Visit www.

portstephens.nsw.gov.au/community/events.

Young Scientists Show

Discover how science is used in simple toys by exploring energy, spinning forces, balance, magnets and gravity. We’ll also get aeronautical and launch water rockets. Wednesday 10 January, Tomaree: 10:30 to 11:30am and Raymond Terrace: 2 to 3pm, $5 | 5 to 12 years

Curbside Critters with Curious Legends

In collaboration with PSC Waste Education, learn what you can create from everyday trash! Use random bits of trash, rubbish, and loads of imagination to create new space-themed friends. Wednesday 24 January, Tomaree: 2 to 3pm, Raymond Terrace: 10:30 to 11:30am, $5 | Ages 8+