Kids SCHOOL HOLIDAY Ideas!
Winter - Jun & Jul 2013
The holidays have come around again - and if you're wondering what you can do with the little ones, check out our range of great Kids School Holiday Activities that will have them entertained for hours on end!
Also, don't forget to check out our 52 Local Secrets of the Central Coast! Click the image below for the full list:
Central Coast Mariners School Holiday Clinics!
Central Coast Mariners School Holiday Clinics are a great way for your child to develop their football skills in a fun and supportive environment. In 2012, almost 350 kids participated in the April, July and September Clinics, and in July 2013, Central Coast Mariners’ School Holiday Clinics will be on again!
Tailored for boys and girls aged four to 12, the Clinics will be held in two convenient locations around the Coast to maximise the amount of budding footballers able to attend the sessions. Held from 9am to 12pm on each day, kids can opt in for one, two or three days of football fun! Each participant will receive morning tea supplied by Fruit For All, as well as a Mariners training shirt and a photo with available Central Coast Mariners players. Mariners Members will receive 10 per cent off the full purchase price for the Clinics to be held in Erina and Tuggerah.
Central Coast Grammar School, Erina
July - Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3, Thursday 4
Soccer5s, Tuggerah
July - Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, Thursday 11
MORE INFORMATION: Central Coast Mariners website
Conservation month at the Australian Reptile Park
WHEN: Open daily - Little Kids 2 Keeper dates here
WHERE: Pacific Hwy, Somersby
July means Conservation at the Australian Reptile Park and there's heaps of activities that will guarantee a fun-filled day during school holidays. The Park will welcome two beautiful dingo pups that will delight visitors and educate and emphasise the importance of the species. Listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the pure-bred dingo is a top order predator that plays one of the most important roles in maintaining balance in Australian eco-systems.
The iconic Tassie devil is also a focus and the Park will continue to educate visitors about this feisty yet fascinating mammal, listed as endangered by the IUCN. Devil Facial Tumour Disease has reduced the species to an alarming 10% of its original population in the wild. The Reptile Park founded Devil Ark, an exciting conservation project that hopes to save the species in the wild. Devil Ark is a mainland breeding facility in the Barrington Tops. There are currently 140 devils at Devil Ark and it is anticipated that disease free devils like the ones at Devil Ark will be reintroduced back into Tasmania once the devastating DFTD has run its destructive course.
The iconic koala will also be a feature of Conservation Month and the Park is happy to allow visitors an up close encounter with these wonderful creatures. The koala has now been listed as vulnerable under national environmental law in parts of Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Habitat destruction is the koala’s biggest threat, as well as road strike and dog attacks. Population fragmentation causes inbreeding and many koalas are born genetically deficient. A breeding program similar to the one created for the Tasmanian devil is being developed to ensure that genetically viable koalas are paired to ensure the long term survival of the species.
The Park's brand new 'Eric’s Central Coast Nature Walk' is open and features an aviary with endangered birds like the Regent honeyeater and locally endangered Bush Stone Curlew. The nature walk also includes a brand new Noctarium, filled with some exciting new species. There are Mountain Pygmy Possums, a critically endangered marsupial from Alpine Australia, the endangered Brush tail bettong and tiny feather tail gliders.
The popular Kids 2 Keeper workshops will be running throughout the holidays, and will have an emphasis on conservation activities. Little Kids 2 Keeper for 8-12’s will feature new activities including wombat weighing, dingo pup grooming, Tassie devil conservation and building a possum box amongst others. Click here for full details.
The Australian Reptile Park is the hands-on zoo and visitors have the chance to meet animals up close when the roving crew roam with reptiles between 11am – 2pm every day. Elvis the croc is the star attraction and is NSW’s largest (and crankiest) crocodile! He’s fed at 1.30pm daily throughout the holidays. Stacks of interesting wildlife shows run from 9.45am to 3.45pm every day and visitors can grab a photo with dingo pups, wombat, alligators, giant pythons and koalas every day of the holidays.
SPECIAL OFFER (park admission only): Buy one entry, get one free (second admission of equal or lesser value). Valid until 30 November 2013, conditions apply. Download voucher here.
Sport & Recreation Holiday Activities & Camps
WHEN: Various dates throughout holidays, see websiteWHERE: Various locations around Central Coast
The NSW Department Sport & Recreation are running fantastic indoor and outdoor holiday activites on the Central Coast! Activities include archery, bicycle safety, circus stuff, gymnastics, tennis, trampoline, horses, canoe/kayak, lawn bowls and surfing plus a range of exciting camps. Learn more about the range of activities and camps here.
You can learn more and book your childs position by calling 13 13 02 or 4362 3184.
School Holiday Horse Riding & Adventure Camps
WHEN: Various dates throughout School Holidays - check here
WHERE: Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, Peats Ridge
During school holidays, Glenworth Valley's horse riding camps offer children aged 5-18 years the opportunity to see what it is like to own their own horse. The camps are graded so as to maximise enjoyment of all participants. Our camps are extremely popular and cater for the complete beginner to the advanced pony club rider. The camps offer various sessions each day with each session in accordance with a training plan that includes grooming, saddling, ground control, walking, trotting and cantering, jumping, sporting, mounted games and scenic trail rides through rock pools and rainforests. As riders advance we will progress to lateral movement, rounding and collecting.
Children are required to bring their own food, drinks, sunscreen, a sun hat, suitable sun wise riding attire (such as a long sleeve shirt), waterproof rain jacket and a warm jumper for the day. Swimmers and a towel are also recommended for summer camps.
Call Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures on 4375 1222 or learn more about what else is on offer at Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures. If you're just looking for a day trip experience, you'll be surprised at what you can pack into a day of action, adventure and adrenalin in the wilderness!
SPECIAL OFFER (does not apply to Camps): 10% off one activity for up to 4 people - applies to guided horse riding, quad biking, abseiling, kayaking and fishing activities (not valid for school holiday camps). Subject to availability, not valid with with any other offer. Valid until 30 November 2013, conditions apply. Download voucher here.
Mingara One - take the kids for a swim!
WHEN: Open daily
WHERE: Mingara One Aquatics, Mingara
Mingara
One offers outstanding facilities catering for a wide variety of
aquatic activities – from fitness training and competitions through to
recreation and relaxation. Featuring a 50m Olympic Pool, Leisure,
Hydrotherapy and Spa Pools, there something for everyone at Mingara One!
WHEN: Open daily
WHERE: The Playhouse, Mingara
Your kids will love climbing on the adventure castle, sliding down slippery dips, digging through ball pits and galloping over bridges. They might sail the seven seas, chase a monkey through the jungle or even twinkle through a fairy garden...The Playhouse provides the perfect backdrop for any adventure or imagination.
Age appropriate fun - Kids aged 4 to 14 years will love the huge adventure structure. Little ones under 4 can enjoy the Mini Monkeys Adventure Area. No matter their age, we’ve got fun they’ll love!
SPECIAL OFFER Buy 1 Swim, Get 1 Free - conditions apply. Valid til 30 November 2013. Download voucher here.
School Holiday Entertainment at Bateau Bay Square
WHEN: Monday 1 to Friday 5 July
WHERE: Near Best & Less, Bateau Bay Square
Have a little Croodilicious fun these school holidays at The Croods activity centre. Just like the Croods Family having fun together, you can have fun decorating your very own family bird house that you can take home and enjoy. You can also play in the games area with a ‘prehistoric’ rock toss game and ring toss games. Plus you can meet BELT when he visits the centre too!
More information on Bateau Bay Square here.
School Holiday Entertainment at Lake Haven Shopping Centre
WHEN: Tuesday 2 to Friday 5 July, 11am & 1pm daily
WHERE: Lake Haven Shopping Centre
The Gigalees Crazy Circus Workshop: Starts with Circus demonstration followed by participation - kids learn to juggle, spin plates and hoola hoop!
WHEN: Monday 8 - Friday 12 July, 10am to 2pm daily
WHERE: Lake Haven Shopping Centre
Bob's Build it Bricks: Kids build their own block creation to take home - Sets from 22 – 54 pieces – suitable for ages 3+. Helicopters, Fire Stations, Cranes, Home Scenes – each activity takes approximately 20 minutes!
More information on these activities here.
Intencity Erina - Special Family Entertainment Offers!
WHEN: Open daily
WHERE: The Hive, Erina Fair Shopping Centre
Intencity Family Entertainment Centre - Where you will find a wide range of classic and contemporary video arcade games and a vast array of ticket and prize redemption games that appeal to children, teenagers and adults alike. Intencity offers customers a wide range of options pay as you play, join in on one of our 2 hour super sessions (see in store for session details), enjoy a $5 combo before the movies, Party hard with your friends and family your next birthday, enjoy a group booking with your friends or colleagues, Whatever the occasion Intencity has an option available to suit your needs and your budget.
Intencity strives to be the number one destination in out of home entertainment. We provide a safe fun family environment for adults and children to become absorbed in a world of interactive entertainment.
Offer Buy one entry to a two hour super session get one free – Super
Sessions include 2 hours of unlimited video game play and 5 ticket games
for only $15 per person. Super sessions give you the opportunity to
really experience the variety of games Intencity has to offer.
Mini Golf at Mingara
WHEN: All throughout school holidays!WHERE: Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi
Come out and have fun at the largest 18 hole mini golf putt putt course in NSW. 18 Holes designed through a landscape of native gardens and flowing waterfalls. The course is great for famiily fun for all ages. Located at Mingara Recreation Club, right next door to the bowling greens. NO ENTRY VIA CLUB REQUIRED - enter around the back from club entrance - turn at small round about at Chemist Warehouse, continue past the bus parking area around the back of pool.
More information here.
Amazement - a great day out for the whole family!
WHEN: Open daily throughout the School Holidays
WHERE: 170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek
From magical mazes to cuddly animals, Amazement offers lots of space and a great variety of activities that people of all ages can enjoy. Everybody loves the mazes and the Games Courtyard features several fascinating maze games and puzzles, a great sandpit, ride-on toy farm machines and a safe spring free trampoline.
There are plenty of friendly farm animals including ponies, alpacas, sheep, emus, donkeys and Bunny World has rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens. Geese, peacocks, ducks and a great variety of chooks are roaming free everywhere.
On most weekends you can watch the Wyong Creek Sheepstakes. The sheep – Nellie, Friday and Sunday are saddled up with their jockeys – Penguin, Rupert Bear and Rabbit and compete in a short race, jumping through tractor tyres and over little hurdles and they hurtle towards the winning post!
Read more about Amazement - under new management - by clicking here!
Marine Discovery Centre Activities
WHEN: All throughout school holidays!
WHERE: Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Terrigal Dr, Terrigal
The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre will be open most days during the School holidays – from 10am til 4pm (last admission 3:00pm). Entry fee is $4 adult, $2 child / concession, $10 family (2A, 2C). While you are here….why not enjoy a coffee on the verandah! Also available - muffins, cold drinks, chips, ice creams, biscuits, chocolates... Read more about CCMDC here.
Marine Discovery Centre Activities
WHEN: All throughout school holidays!
WHERE: Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Terrigal Dr, Terrigal
The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre will be open most days during the School holidays – from 10am til 4pm (last admission 3:00pm). Entry fee is $4 adult, $2 child / concession, $10 family (2A, 2C). While you are here….why not enjoy a coffee on the verandah! Also available - muffins, cold drinks, chips, ice creams, biscuits, chocolates... Read more about CCMDC here.
FREE Holiday Entertainment
WHEN: Check schedule for details
WHERE: Memorial Park, The Entrance
In Memorial Park at The Entrance there's music by the Sails Stage, plus the Farmers Markets on the first and third Saturday of the month! Memorial Park also hosts rides and amusements throughout the school holidays. Click here for the program over the coming month.
Hop on a Segway!
WHEN: Throughout the School Holidays
WHERE: Mt Penang Parklands
Learn more about the thrill of Segway Central Coast here.
Bookings Essential would prefer 24 hour notice, if possible. Segway Central Coast will be able to take walk ups if trading on that day.
Contact: 0403 354 568
Kids eat FREE at Ettalong Beach Club*
WHEN: Fridays & Saturdays, Lunch & Dinner
WHERE: Halftide Brasserie, Ettalong Beach Club
* Conditions apply - kids eat free with every paying adult ordering a main meal off the brasserie or specials menu. Applies to kids 12 years and under. 1 child meal per paying adult.
More information on Ettalong Beach Club.
Tackle your children’s holiday boredom - DIAL-AN-ANGEL!
DIAL-AN-ANGEL has unleashed a new breed of super sitters! Their proactive Angels don’t just “kid-sit” - they have extensive experience in the art of childminding and are guaranteed to keep your kids entertained, happy and safe no matter where you are. All of the thoroughly screened and specially selected Angels are available to look after your children in your hotel room or take them on fun and exciting outings during the school holidays. Call one of their friendly coordinators on 02 4323 6688 to organise your child’s very own Angel today! Check out the range of services at the Dial-an-Angel website, www.dialanangel.com.
Still stumped?
If you are still looking for things to entertain, there are countless attractions along the Central Coast. There are various water and land activities, including gardens, shops and galleries - we've got it all! Browse your options on our "Play" page. Don't forget also to keep track of different events taking place throughout the holidays by checking out What's On!
For all the ideas in one neat book, call our Visitor Information Centre on 1300 132 975 to have the 2012 Official Guide to the Central Coast sent to you for FREE!
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