We have put together a list of Summer School Holiday Ideas for your children and family this holiday season. Click the links for more information.
Goldfields Libraries Summer Program: Once again there are heaps of activities to choose from at our local libraries: Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton and Romsey. There are some Big Summer Read activities; the Storywalk in Kyneton; activities like Minecraft Lab, Manga Drawing Workshops; The Book Song Show, and a performance by Stig (actor and narrator of Andy Griffiths books); drop in activities like Summer Bug, Marble Run and Tiny Art Show; and movie sessions at the Gisborne Library (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and The Little Mermaid). All these activities are free but you will need to book your child’s spot.
Steps Performing Arts: Steps Performing Arts offers holistic dance education in Gisborne, Woodend and Kyneton. They are offering a Musical Theatre Workshop on Monday 22 January from 1 to 4 pm in New Gisborne. This fun workshop is perfect for kids aged 6+ who love to sing and dance, (no experience necessary). Book now – https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1169910.
They are also offering Contemporary & Hip Hop Workshops with Zack on Thursday 23 January: 3:30 – 4:30pm Kids Contemporary Workshop, 4:30 – 5:30pm Kids Hip-Hop Workshop, 5:30 – 6:30pm Advanced Contemporary Workshop, 6:30 – 7:30pm Advanced Hip Hop Workshop. Grab your tickets from Trybooking here: https://www.trybooking.com/COQHU
Design Pirates at Macedon Mount Macedon Community House: Get your children’s off screens and creating with their hands on Monday 22 January. There are two workshops this Monday at Macedon Mount Macedon Community House from 10.30 am to 12 noon for Funny Collage and 12 noon to 1.30 pm for Felt Banner. These are suitable for kids aged 6 to 13 years old. Get your tickets at the door, $40 for one workshop or $60 for both! DM Design Pirates to book if you want to be sure of a spot
Gisborne Toy Library School Holiday Games Day: The Gisborne Toy Library is holding a Games Day on Tuesday 16 January from 10.30 am until 12.30 am. The event is free, open to members and non members, includes refreshments, friendly board game and puzzle competitions and toy library exploration.
Gisborne and Kyneton Aquatic Centres: Our local aquatic centres are running intensive learn to swim programs, as well as the inflatable fun program through the holidays. See the image below of which day the Inflatable fun is running in Gisborne or Kyneton.
Dromkeen Summer Holiday Puppet Show with Elk Puppets: Dromkeen is hosting a puppet show for children aged 2 to 7 years old at the Gallery on Monday 15 January from 10.30 am until 11.15 am. Click the link to book your child’s spot.
Macedon Ranges Summer Creative Writing Competition: Kat Buttigieg Creative is running a Poetry and Short Story Competition for Children from Grades 3 to Year 8. (Children in Grades Prep to 2 are welcome to enter the Grade 3/4 category if they wish). Entries close on 27 January and the winner will be announced on 27 February.
Creative Writing Workshops: Kat Buttigieg Creative is also running Creative Writing Workshops, one on Poetry Basics, and another on Short Story Editing, on Monday 15 January and Tuesday 16 January from 10 am to 12 noon at Mini Maestros in Gisborne.
Hanging Rock Art Exhibition: If you head to Hanging Rock these holidays for a walk, a climb, and a bite at the Hanging Rock Cafe, you should check out the Discovery Centre which has the Impacts of Single Use Plastics Exhibition and the winning entries of the related competition.
Go fruit picking! Get the kids out in the fresh air these school holidays, doing something practical, fun, and encouraging them to eat their fruit. Check out the social media platforms and websites of Payne’s Orchards and Naturipe in Bacchus Marsh, Hampton Ridge Farm in Trentham, Morningswood Farm near Daylesford to keep up to date on what is ripe for picking where. Delicious fun!
Dance classes: The council is running a three day dance program these holidays, Hip Hop, Acrobatics and Acting with a qualified professional. Bookings are essential.
Woodend and Lancefield Pool Party Summer Holiday Program: Enjoy a BBQ and music at your local outdoor pools: Tuesday 16 January at Woodend, and Wednesday 24 January at Lancefield. (For more information see the image below).
Outdoor Cinema: Enjoy a free viewing of the Barbie movie on Thursday 18 January at 6 pm at the Old Kyneton Primary School. (For more information see the image below).
Gisborne Skate Event: Another free event, a Skate, Scoot and BMX competition is on Saturday 20 January from 11 am to 4 pm at Gisborne Skate Park. (For more information see the image below).
Open Mic Event: Enjoy an open mic afternoon at Romsey Ecotherapy Park on Monday 22 January from 3 to 6 pm. (For more information see the image below).
School’s Out Summer Program: School’s Out has an awesome Summer Program to keep your kids engaged and having fun. There is a variety of exciting Art, STEM, Cooking, Sport activities planned at the home-bases, a chill out area with movies and craft, as well as excursions out into the local community, like trips to the local parks and shops. Click the link for more 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.
Local shopping centres: We will keep you updated on any activities at your local shopping centres, Gisborne Village Shopping Centre and Sunbury Square.
Picnic at a playground: Pack a picnic or purchase some food from a local cafe (see those recommended in the individual reviews) and head to some of the best parks in the Ranges: Gisborne Adventure Playground, Woodend Children’s Park, Riddells Creek Lions Park, Ash Wednesday Memorial Park, Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve Playground, Galaxy Park in Sunbury, Community Bank Playground in Wallan, Romsey Ecotherapy Park and Kyneton Community Park.
Best bushwalks: Make the most of these sunny but cooler days by heading out for a family excursion in the great outdoors. Some of our favourite longer walks include: Hanging Rock, Black Hill Reserve Ridge and Circuit Walk near Kyneton, Sanitorium Lake on Mount Macedon, Conglomerate Gully Walking Track in Riddells Creek. Some of our favourite shorter walks (better for little ones) include: Camel’s Hump in Mount Macedon, Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, The Cascades in Metcalfe or Macedon Reservoir – ‘The Res’, (please note parent supervision is needed here as there is no barrier near the water), Trentham Falls, Lake Daylesford, and Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens (walk as far as you like).
For wet weather days: Head to Readings Cinemas in Sunbury, local play centres like Jumpin’ Joey’s in Gisborne or McDougall Playhouse Cafe in Sunbury, kid friendly cafes, Dromkeen Homestead in Riddells Creek, your local library, and local aquatic centres. For more details on these, click the link.
For hot days: If we get any hot days this summer(!), head to the local pool (Woodend and Lancefield have outdoor pools – see above), explore indoor landmarks like the Kyneton Museum, see a movie at Readings in Sunbury or at the Gisborne Library, go for an icecream at Woodend or Gisborne Icecream Co, head to Kyneton Community Park and Community Bank Playground in Wallan which both have waterplay areas, or go for a bushwalk where there is water like ‘The Res’ in Macedon and others (see above). For more details on these, click the link.
Bike rides: The Domino Trail in Trentham is great for mountain biking, as is La Larr Ba Gauwa Park in Harcourt (however this one was temporarily closed due to flooding and is due to reopen in the New Year – follow their Facebook page for updates). Lake Daylesford and the Campaspe River Walk in Kyneton are more family friendly and have a solid path for regular bikes, scooters and prams.
Day or weekend trips: Head out for the day to Castlemaine, Anakie, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, the Bellarine, and Melbourne. Click the link to read more.
Kids camp: PGL Campaspe Downs have an adventure holiday camp for 8 to 14 year olds. Head to their website for more information.
Did we miss your summer holiday option? Get in touch with Kat at kbuttigieg@macedonrangeswriters.com
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