Winter School Holidays Guide!
COLDER DAYS TEND TO MEAN MORE HOURS SPENT INSIDE AND MORE PENTUP ENERGY WITH THE KIDS (AND THERE IS NOTHING QUITE AS TERRIFYING AS PENT-UP, BORED CHILDREN LURKING IN YOUR MIDST!) DON'T DESPAIR! CHECK OUT OUR SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE FOR THE BEST LOCAL HITS TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY AND ENJOY FAMILY TIME THESE HOLIDAYS.
NEWCASTLE
Alice's Wonderland – A Most Curious Adventure
This intriguing, family-friendly, hands-on science exhibition from Museums Victoria is based on Lewis Carroll's well-known Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Just as Alice's curiosity led her to follow the white rabbit, children are invited to journey down a rabbit hole to explore how they perceive and make sense of the world around them. Activities bring basic science concepts of optics and illusions, word play, physics and maths to life for 3–8-year-olds and their families.
WHEN: Until Sunday 10 July.
WHERE: Newcastle Museum.
COST: Adults $10/Concession $7/Children $5 (3 and over)/Children 2 and Under Free/Family of 4 $25.
BOOKINGS: Tickets are available for purchase at the door.
Newcastle Brickfest
Newcastle Brickfest is not only Newcastle's premier LEGO Fan event but one of Australia's Premier LEGO Fan Events. This is a community event created by local volunteer LEGO fans for LEGO fans of all ages, showcasing some of Australia's best LEGO builders. Our LEGO Master builder's original creations and displays of LEGO themes will impress and inspire kids of all ages. Interact with the exhibitors, asking them questions about their exhibits and LEGO.
The always popular City Layout is back again with working trains. There will be displays for all family members, plus lots of activities to enjoy. Our Cosplaying friends from the Hunter Heroes and Star Wars Characters are also joining us! Newcastle Brickfest is a family friendly, not-for-profit event that has supported Newcastle charities for the seven years it has run. The John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club is this year's Charity Partner.
WHEN: Saturday 9 July, 3pm to 5pm | Sunday 10 July, 9:30am to 5:30pm.
WHERE: Newcastle Jockey Club.
COST: $8 per person [Children under 3 are free] or $30 a family [2A/2C or 1A/3C]. There will be limited tickets at the door [$10 each].
Who Ate the Dinosaur?
Join local dinosaur expert Mike Dawson with an exhibition drawn from his amazing collection of museum-quality casts of fossils, focusing on extinct animals known to inhabit wetlands millions of years ago. View the exhibition and discover Who ate the Dinosaur? Meet Mike Dawson, who will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the collection. Create your own fossil. Follow the footprints and track what has come out of the swamp. Visit the Animal House and visitor Centre and meet some relatives of the extinct swamp dwellers. Dip-netting, bird feeding, canoeing, and the children's playground are available as usual. Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
WHEN: Saturday 2 July to Friday 15 July, 10am to 12noon daily.
WHERE: Hunter Wetlands Visitor Centre.
COST: Adults and children (4 years +) $7.50.
LAKE MACQUARIE
Intensive Learn to Swim
These school holiday intensive programs are a great way to improve swimming skills and keep active during the school holidays. They are run as one-week intensive blocks during each school holiday period. Book into a five-day program for one or two weeks and watch your child improve in the water. Reinforcing the skills gained in Learn to Swim classes each day helps your child retain information quicker. Lessons run for 30 minutes, and bookings are made for the same time each day for one week.
WHEN: Week one classes will be held Monday 4 July–Friday 8 July; Week two classes will be held Monday 11 July–Friday 15 July.
WHERE: Charlestown Swim Centre (PH 4921 0782) and West Wallsend Swim Centre (PH 4921 0738).
BOOKINGS: Essential - contact your local swim centre to book.
COST: $60 for 5 days.
Rock Sloth Puppet Show
Join Rock Sloth for a puppet show full of colour, a bit of magic, and lots of fun and silliness along the way. Come along for fun magic routines intertwined with appearances from animal puppets. Be amazed by the balloon twisting; everyone will get to take a balloon creation home. The ticket price includes 45 min show, balloon twisting and colouring activities. Suitable for ages 3–7 years. Adults at children's price.
WHEN: Wednesday, 6 July (10:30am to 12pm).
WHERE: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, 39 Lake Street, Warners Bay.
COST: $8pp.
MAC School Holiday Workshop: Sun Print
Join the Museum of Art and Culture team at yapang (MAC yapang) for a hands-on cyanotype workshop this school holidays. Create a sun print using Cyanotype in this one-hour artmaking class hosted by Art Museum Educators. Cyanotype is the "original" sun-printing process, one of the earliest photographic techniques ever used. Kids will collect natural specimens to create two prints per student.
WHEN: Thursday 14 July | Session One: 11am to 12pm Ages 6 -10 | Session Two: 1pm to 2pm Ages 9 -16.
WHERE: MAC yapang.
COST: $10pp (all materials included). Bring a hat and a water bottle.
BOOKINGS: https://www.lakemac.com.au/Events-directory/Eventbrite/MAC-School-Holiday-Workshop-Sun-Print#
PORT STEPHENS
The Vegetable Plot @ your library
Join the fun with the crew from The Vegetable Plot at Tomaree and Raymond Terrace libraries. Using the power of music and storytelling, the Vegetable Plot musicians help kids fall in love with veggies.
WHEN: Friday 8 July.
WHERE: Raymond Terrace Library (10:30am to 11:30am); Tomaree Library (2:30pm to 3:30pm).
COST: $10 Suitable for ages 2+
BOOKINGS: Essential - contact the library to book. Tomaree Library (PH 4988-0670) or Raymond Terrace Library (PH 4988-0111).
Whale Tales
Join in with FREE informative talks while watching the majestic Humpback Whales pass by on their annual northern migration. Presented by marine conservationist Jeannie Lawson, who has worked with whales for over 35 years.
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 9 July 2022, Barry Park Lookout, Fingal Bay (Talks at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm). Saturday 16 July 2022, South Headland, Kingsley Drive, Boat Harbour (Talks at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm).
COST: Free
BOOKINGS: Not required (Check if wet weather).
