We have put together a list of Summer School Holiday Ideas for your children and family this holiday season. Some incur a cost but many are free. Click the links for more information.
Want to add your business’ offering? Scroll to the bottom of the article to find out how you can add your summer holiday activity.
Horsin’ Around: Applewood Equine has workshops and sessions on again these Summer holidays in Tylden/Kyneton. Workshop dates are 7, 9, 13 and 15 January. Individual and shared sessions are available by appointment throughout the holidays and school terms. They are a great way to learn life and social skills along with good horsepersonship skills. Sessions are in a small supportive group environment, outdoors in nature with horses. To book your child’s session contact Mel via mel@applewoodequine.com.au or to find out more visit the website here.
Arts and crafts with The Studio at No 4: Want to get your kids being creative these holidays? The School Holiday Art Program at The Studio @ No.4 is packed with colour, texture, imagination and FUN! Across three exciting weeks, kids will explore a range of guided art sessions. These include: Texture Creatures, Clay Critters, Magic Resist Art, Galaxy Splash and many more. Sessions are from 6 to 9, 12 to 16 and 19 to 23 January from 10 am to 1.30 pm. Bookings are essential and places limited to keep sessions relaxed and supported. Book online via the QR code or visit: www.studioatno4.com.au
Goldfields Libraries Summer Program: Choose from at our local libraries: Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton and Romsey. Join the Big Summer Read. Take on the Book Match challenge and earn a small reward at the finish line. Drop in anytime to the Gisborne Library between 5 and 27 of January and make something at the Creation Station.
Click here to see the details of a wide range of other free activities at your local libraries. Make DIY Paper Popsicles. Get a taste of NGV Kids on Tour with carious activities. Create a Watercolour Pets Portrait. Enjoy puppetry, music and storytelling with Mark Penzak’s ‘Labrinth in the Library’. Drop your teddy bear off for a sleepover on Friday 16 January and pick up the following day. There’s Vision Board and Journalling activities for teenagers. Two new release feature movies will also be screening at the Gisborne and Romsey libraries. Click here to check out the whole program for more information and to book.
Teen gym sessions: Gisborne Fitness Centre and Kyneton Toyota Sports Centre are running sessions for teens these holidays. Click here to see all the times for Gisborne. Click here to see the times for Kyneton.
Gisborne and Kyneton Aquatic Centres offerings: Enrol your child in an intensive learn to swim programs these holidays. Inflatable fun is also running (in Gisborne only). Have fun in the water on 13, 15, 19, 21 and 23 January from 1 pm to 3 pm. Click here for more information.
Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct School Holiday Program: Keep the kids occupied these holidays. This program is suitable for kids aged 3 to 5 and 6 to 12 years old. Children will be doing various activities which include movement, learning and using their hands. The program runs on the 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21 January from 9 am to 12 noon. Click here to see more information and prices.
Creative Writing Workshop: Do you have a writer in your house? Kat Buttigieg (a local writer and editor) is running a creative writing workshop on Tuesday 20 January. The class is at Patch n Quilt on Prince Street in Gisborne from 1pm to 3pm. Just $40 for the two hours, students will learn the writing process from idea generation to finished piece. Whether your child likes writing poetry, stories, songs or something else, the class is for all kinds of writers.
Go fruit picking! Get the kids out in the fresh air these school holidays. Do something practical and fun which will encourage them to eat their fruit. Check out Payne’s Orchards and Naturipe in Bacchus Marsh, Hampton Ridge Farm in Trentham, and Morningswood Farm near Daylesford. Keep up to date on what is ripe for picking where. Delicious fun!
Shoot some hoops: Casual hoops is running at the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct in New Gisborne. The sessions are from 5 to 9 January between 10 am and 2 pm. Entry is $8 for adults and $6.30 for children (please note, the Precinct accepts card only). Bring your own basketball. Click here for more information.
Picnic at a playground: Pack a picnic and head to some of the best parks in the Ranges. We love Gisborne Adventure Playground and Kyneton Community Park which are next to beautiful botanic gardens. Woodend Children’s Park, Riddells Creek Lions Park, Ash Wednesday Memorial Park and Romsey Ecotherapy Park are other local faves.
Or further afield there is the amazing Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve Playground and Galaxy Park in Sunbury. The Community Bank Playground in Wallan has a waterplay area which is great for warm days. Click on the playground names above for more information.
Best bushwalks: Make the most of these sunny days by heading out for a family excursion in the great outdoors. Some of our favourite longer walks are Hanging Rock, Black Hill Reserve, Sanitorium Lake and Conglomerate Gully Walking Track. Our favourite shorter walks (best for littlies) include Camel’s Hump, Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, The Cascades and Trentham Falls. Click on the playground names above for more information.
For wet weather days: Stay dry and head indoors. Head to Readings Cinemas in Sunbury, local play centres like Jumpin’ Joey’s in Gisborne or McDougall Playhouse Cafe in Sunbury. Visit kid friendly cafes, Dromkeen Homestead in Riddells Creek, your local library, and local aquatic centres. For more details on these, click here.
For hot days: Head to the local pool (Woodend and Lancefield have outdoor pools). 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 here.
Bike rides: Get the kids on their bikes. Try the Domino Trail in Trentham – great for mountain biking. As is La Larr Ba Gauwa Park in Harcourt. Lake Daylesford and Kyneton’s Campaspe River Walk have a solid path which is great for kids’ 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 heading link to read more.
Did we miss your summer holiday option? Get in touch with Kat at kbuttigieg@macedonrangeswriters.com
There is a small $20 administration fee for businesses to add their offering. If you are a not for profit, please let us know when you email.
Leave a Reply