Can you believe how quickly the term has flown? The winter school holidays are upon us and we know how tricky it can be particularly to keep the kids occupied over these cooler, wetter months. Well, look no further. We have compiled many free and affordable ideas for your brood. Whether you are looking for activities to do as a family, full days of school holiday care, lessons and workshops, or things for shorter spells, we’ve got you covered.
Macedon Ranges Libraries: Our libraries in Gisborne, Woodend, Romsey and Kyneton always have a range of fun activities for children over the school holidays. Create an owl or wedgetail eagle for home and for the library display, or pop in to see Damo: Music for kids (detail in image below).
There are also ticketed activities, which include: creating a cartoon story with local author and artist Trace Balla; making a cute winter robin using needle and felt; making pom pom creatures; a Cool Chemistry workshop in partnership with the Bendigo Science and Discovery Centre; a chat with Lorena Carrington, book signing for her book Satin, and making your own found art-collage bird; movies at the Gisborne Library – My Fairy Troublemaker (Wednesday 28 June 11 am to 12.30 pm) and Blueback (Wednesday 5 July from 11 am to 12.40 pm). Click here to see the full holiday brochure with times, dates and locations.
Kyneton Town Hall: The Council is hosting a range of events and activities throughout the June/July school holidays including live shows, workshops, exhibitions and more at the Kyneton Town Hall. On Sunday 24 June is a show, Real Pigeons: When Doves Crime, at 1:30 pm. On Thursday 29 June is a workshop, The Wacky Lolly Shooting Machine at 11 am. On Friday 30 June is the show for kids and adults alike, Whalebone, at 2 pm, which looks at the importance of stories in a new era where AI substitutes human decisions. On Monday 3 July is the show, The Alphabet of Awesome Science 2023 at 11 am. Professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge will take you on race through the alphabet with 26 quirky scientific demonstrations. The Alphabet of Awesome workshop then takes place at 1 pm, where the professors
combine fun word games and hands-on science activities. To book for any of these: call 1300 888 802, email kthtickets@mrsc.vic.gov.au or head to http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/arts-events
Gisborne Fitness and Aquatic Centres: Book your child in for intensive swimming lessons over the holidays to keep their water skills up to date or visit for inflatable fun
Gisborne Village Shopping Centre: Gisborne Village Shopping Centre has a circus theme planned for these winter holidays. The main attraction is the Magic Show on Tuesday 4 July at 11 am and 1 pm, and there are many other activities including: badge making, face painting, wand making and crown making. Pop in when you can for these other activities on the day specified below from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. They are all free!
School’s Out! Holiday program: School’s Out has done it again with a range of amazing excursions these holidays including to: Disney on Ice, Funtopia, escape rooms, bowling, the cinema; and in house fun such as Christmas in July, art, sport, science and cooking activities. You don’t need to be a regular attendee of School’s Out to take part in the holiday program. Get your work or errands done while the kids have some fun!
Applewood Equine Assisted Learning Workshops: Is your child interested in animals? Applewood has hired out an indoor equestrian facility in Kyneton so your children can enjoy some warm indoor activities with horses. Applewood’s two horses Winston and Meg, will be there, as well as the lovely pony Wally, and his friend Delilah. Your child will have the opportunity for mounted experience and/or a riding activity with the ponies Wally and Winston. See image below and the Applewood website for more details.
https://www.applewoodequine.com.au/sessionsandworkshops
Creative Writing Class: Kat is a local writer and qualified teacher offering a 2 hour workshop for children 8 years and up in Black Out Poetry, where words and art meet. All materials are provided and no experience in writing or art is necessary, just a creative mind! The session is on 5 July at The Craft Table in Gisborne from 10 am to 12 noon and is $50. Spaces are limited to 10 so be sure to email Kat at kbutttigieg@macedonrangeswriters.com or call her on 0401 874 441 to book.
3D Play: Artist and designer, Anna, is running some fun, hands on workshops out of Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House for children aged 6 to 12 years old. The sessions are being held on the 26 to 28 June from 9 am to noon and are $50 per child per session. For more information and to book, contact Anna via text, call (043 555 25 70) or via email Anna@protoproto.studio.
Acrylic Pouring: Local artist and teacher, Jennifer, is running a fun class on acrylic painting for children aged 8 and over and adults. Send the kids or book in as a family and have fun experimenting and creating some abstract art.
DV Carnivale: Start the school holidays with a bang at DV Carnivale. Darraweit Valley Cider House is running a family friendly event with live roving entertainment (including Disney Live Tunes and Mr Snotbottom!), a jumping castle, games, popcorn and fairy floss treats. The event is held in the DV marquee so the event will go ahead whatever the weather. While the kids are being entertained, the parents can sit back, relax and enjoy some food and mulled cider. Click here to book your ticket.
PGL Campaspe Downs: Get the kids away from their screens and off the couch these school holidays. Book them into a Winter Holiday Adventure Camp (3 to 6 July) for 4 days of amazing adventure activities like: ziplining over a lake, climbing, bush skills and archery. Perfect for kids aged 8 to 14, at the camp they can make new friends, build their independence and confidence, and have fun at the same time. Click here to book your child’s spot.
School Dance Holiday Program: Do you have a little performer in your family? The council has a School Dance Holiday Program incorporating Hip Hop, Acting and Acro for children aged 6 – 12 years and running on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th July from 9 am to 12 noon each day at the Buffalo Stadium. It is $99 for the three days. Book by emailing studio2tinytackers@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Woodend Neighbourhood House: Book in for some school holiday fun at the Woodend Neighbourhood House these holidays. There’s slime fun, a drama workshop, and a delicious high tea. See the image below for more information and how to book. (Some new classes have been added).
Trentham Neighbourhood Centre: There are some fun school holiday activities happening in June at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre including workshops on fire safety, celebrating NAIDOC week, how to mosaic, and one on drama. Check out the image below for dates and booking details.
Maze House: Have some amazing fun at Maze House, which is located in between Creswick and Daylesford and open every day of the school holidays. Find the clues in the maze to win the prize. There are also various old carnival games to try out. Be sure to book a ticket to secure your place.
Daylesford Spa Railway: Daylesford’s popular school holiday train rides are back on both Wednesdays during the school holidays. Trains depart Daylesford at 10:30 am, 11:45 am, 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm. Bookings are now available online.
Best day or weekend trips from the Ranges: If you are after a full day out of fun, check out our blog on our favourite destinations outside of the Macedon Ranges. Head to Castlemaine, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and the Bellarine. We have a list of activities for you to choose from when you get there.
Fresh Air Fun Destinations: We have reviewed many amazing local walks and landmarks. From mountains and rocks to waterfalls and watering holes, we have you covered for your local Fresh Air Fun.
Amazing Playgrounds: We are spoilt with first class playgrounds in the Ranges and surrounds. Kyneton, Taradale, Gisborne, Woodend, Riddell, Romsey and many more, offer lush grassy areas, flying foxes, ropes courses, climbing frames and multi-directional swings.
Wet weather ideas: Sometimes the weather makes winter school holidays more challenging. We have blogs on wet weather excursion ideas, wet weather activities to do at home, and some resources we created during lockdowns such as School Holiday Project Ideas, Treasure Hunt Clues, Time Capsule Questions, Boardgames to try, and fun food ideas for kids (from guest blogger and foodie, Anita).
Did we miss your school holiday event or program? Get in touch. We are always looking for new advertisers to support our social enterprise. If you would like to work with us, fill out a form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We love helping local businesses and organisations thrive.