Ready for a list of amazing school holiday ideas to keep the kids busy these holidays? Here you are! Just below is a short summary of the ideas – scroll down for more information and links.
Woodend Neighbourhood House/ Gisborne Village Shopping Centre Winter activities /Myths and Legends holiday storytime / Daylesford Spa Railway / Maze House / Macedon Ranges Libraries holiday activities / Inflatable Fun at Kyneton and Gisborne Aquatic Centres / Wedgetail Studio art lessons / The Studio No.4 art lessons / Sunbury Square Shopping Centre activities / Dromkeen Cartooning Workshop and storytime / Studio Thryv kids mat Pilates / Pilate + Gisborne kids yoga / Kat Buttigieg ‘s Kids Creative Writing Competition / Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct Birthday Bonanza / School’s Out Holiday program / Day and weekend trip ideas / Fresh Air Fun Destination ideas / Best Playgrounds and Parks
Woodend Neighbourhood House:
Once again Woodend Neighbourhood House has put together lots of fun school holiday activities for the kids. Get creative with Make Your Own Sausage Dog, and Mining & Crafting Workshops. Move your body with yoga for kids of every age (preschoolers, primary-aged and highschool). Try your hand at acting with Drama Workshops, or problem solve with Junior Robotics. For more information or to make a booking, visit www.woodendnh.org.au.
Gisborne Village Shopping Centre:
Bring your child for some creating and craft activities these school holidays between 10 am and 12 noon. Dates for arts and craft are the 7, 9 , 11, 14, 16, 18 July. Workshops are available for children aged 3 to 12 years old.
Myths and Legends Storytime and Arts and Crafts
Storytime is on Saturday 5 July from 1 to 2 pm and is $35 per child. This includes stories, face painting, games, fairy treats and wishes. Bookings must be made via phone only on: 5428 4802.
Daylesford Spa Railway: Daylesford’s train rides are on running every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday these school holidays. Enjoy a fun family day out, especially if you have little ones who love trains. They will also run across the Easter weekend. The railway is also dog friendly. Bookings are now available online.
Maze House: Have some amazing fun at Maze House, which is located in between Creswick and Daylesford. and open every day in 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 to secure your place.
Goldfields Libraries Activities:
Macedon Ranges Libraries has a range of amazing sessions with the theme of ‘Go Beyond’ for kids these holidays. Drop in anytime to spot the constellations in the library, and build your own spaceship out of cardboard. There are many other free sessions, for which you will have to book. Super cool sciencey sessions include: Explore Science and Blast Off with Museum Victoria’s Astronomy Kit and the Science of Sound. There are also many craft sessons. Try Custom Cricuts (to personalise shirts and totes); Native Animal Tote Bags; Glowing Planets; Alien Creations; and Lunar Rover Mission. There is a sensory friendly sessions of Alien Creations. Finally, there are two movies sessions and no need to book. Ask at the library to find out the movie titles. Click the link below for more information for any session. Visit: https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/school-holiday-program/
Kyneton and Gisborne Aquatic Centre Inflatable Fun: Inflatable fun is back for the school holidays at the pool. Enjoy a swim and a play at the same time on alternating weekdays. See the image below for which centre has inflatable fun on which day.
Wedgetail Studio:
Is there a little artist in your house? Book them in for some creative fun these holidays. Whether you are into painting, printmaking, collage or illustration Wedgetail Studio has got you covered. Some classes have already sold out but if you join the waitlist on the website, another session may be added. Click here to view the various art classes and to book your child’s space.
Studio No.4:
Book the kids in for two hours of Art Play with Studio No.4 in New Gisborne. There are three sessions on the 16 July, starting at 10 am, 12 noon and 2 pm. Sessions are $20 and your child must be accompanied by an adult. Let the kids enjoy printing, craft, clay and colour while you have a complimentary cuppa and bikkie. Book here: https://studioatno4.com.au/art-play-day.
Mess & Mischief Children’s Messy Play Sessions:
Book the kids in for 45 minutes of messy play these holidays, and keep your house mess free! There will be sessions in Sunbury on Mondays, Romsey on Thursdays, and fortnightly at Woodend Neighbourhood House over the holidays. Use the code MRMUMMA for $5 off your session (code expires 12 July and valid for first booking only). Click here to book.
Sunbury Square Shopping Centre:
Enjoy some free school holiday fun at Sunbury Square. There’s a Magic Show at 11 am on Wednesday 9 July. Then on Monday 14 July you can try Snow Globe Making from 11 am to 2 pm. Finally, on Tuesday 15 July there is Snowman Bookmark Crafts from 11 am to 2 pm.
Dromkeen Cartooning Workshops and Storytime:
Get the kids practising their cartooning skills at the Dromkeen Holiday Cartooning Workshop on Wednesday 16 July. Sessions run for one hour. The first session is from 10 to 11 am and on Design Comic Characters, and the second from 11.15 am to 12.15 pm on Learn Storyboarding for Comics. Secure your child’s spot by emailing Bernadette on bernadette@dromkeen.com.au or ring 0432 282 704 or 5428 6799.
Dromkeen also runs a free Storytime on the first Saturday of each month. These run from 2 pm to 3 pm (5 July this month) and include a craft activity. Enjoy a couple of hours at the homestead and peruse the gallery, books and gardens. The Tearoom is also open for coffee and sweets!
Studio Thryv Classes for Mummas and Kids:
Studio Thryv in Romsey is offering Kids Mat Pilates at 9.15 am for 45 minutes on Tuesday 8 and 15 July for $15. It runs the same time as a reformer class, if a mum/dad/nan/aunty would like to come along. There is also a School Holidays Pack for the mums, with 21 classes for $250. This is valid from 4 to 21 July. There are 2 guest passes included for a friend (or to book the kids into the mat pilates).
Pilate + Gisborne:
If you’re in Gisborne, there is also some stretching fun available via Pilates + in the form of yoga. Classes run on 17 July with Yoga for Kids from 12.30 to 2 pm and Yoga for Teens from 2 to 3 pm. Book via the Pilate + Gisborne app or email hello@pilatesplusgisborne.com.
Creative Writing Competition:
Local writer and editor, Kat Buttigieg, is running a creative writing competition for children. There are short story and poetry categories, sections for Grade 3/4s, 5/6s and 7/8s, and prizes up for grabs. Get your young poets and authors writing on the gloomy winter days. The competition opens on 1 July and closes on 30 September with winners announced at the end of October. For more details, see the image below and head to www.katbuttigieg.com.au when you are ready to submit your writing!
New Precinct turns one:
Celebrate the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct turning one during the first week of the school holidays (7 to 11 July). There is a range of free activities planned. Enjoy basketball, volleyball, dance, a sausage sizzle, kids yoga, futsal, netball, dodgeball and more! No bookings are required. Just drop in on the day and join the fun! Find out more here mrsc.vic.gov.au/MRSPturns1
School’s Out Holiday Program:
School’s Out have a wide ranges of activities for your kiddos these winter holidays. From a sports day and reptile encounters, to School’s Out’s Got Talent and a movie day, there’s something for everyone. Locations include: Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Mount Macedon and Tyden. Check out the fliers below and head to School’s Out to book.
Best day or weekend trips from the Ranges:
Want to head out of the Ranges for some fun? Check out our blog on our favourite destinations for day trips. Explore Castlemaine, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and the Bellarine. We have a list of activities for you to choose from when you get there. A follower has also suggested checking out the Maldon Rail Trail if you head up that way.
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.
We are spoilt with first class playgrounds in the Ranges and surrounds. Check out Kyneton, Taradale, Gisborne, Woodend, Riddell, Romsey and many more. They offer lush grassy areas, flying foxes, ropes courses, climbing frames and multi-directional swings.
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