Winter School Holiday fun on the Central Coast

Kids skating at Erina Ice Arena
Kids skating at Erina Ice Arena
Get your winter woollens out these July school holidays because the Central Coast has plenty to keep the kids and family members entertained!
There is SO much to do on the Coast during in the winter months both indoors and outdoors but especially during the school holidays.

The Central Coast is more than a destination, it's a place that is thriving with activities and experiences, makers and creators and busy eateries.  Kids, of all ages, can enjoy themselves these Winter school holidays making memories to last a lifetime and adventures that will make you want to come back again and again. 

From the peaceful hinterland to the bustling seaside suburbs, the Central Coast as put on a spectacular array of activities to keep the kids, and adults alike, entertained.  There are events for animal lovers including seeing Australia's most deadly and dangerous creatures from afar, or close up if you prefer, watching the magnificent whale migration from the coastline or aboard an ecofriendly boat, eating breakfast with the alpacas or spending the morning in the 'boots' of a farmer. For the adrenaline junkies there is quad bike riding through muddy puddles to soaring through State Forest treetops or hanging upside down with aerial yoga! For the little chefs out there why not have fun creating chocolatey treats, decorating delicious cookies and cakes or making cheesy pizza! And not forgetting the arty types who can make fizzy bath bombs, textured wall art, take an expressive drama class or create a beautiful, scented soy candle!

As you can see, there is plenty to do which means there shouldn't be a dull moment or the murmur of the words 'I'm bored' in your school holiday break. Kids will love the variety of classes, camps and workshops to try and explore! Take a read below of just some of the things to do during the Winter school holidays on the Central Coast.

Whale watching
Whale Watching
Credit: Jame Horan
Meliora Farm, Peats Ridge Credit Keiramaxime
Meliora Farm, Peats Ridge
Credit Keiramaxime
Family fun
Fun for the whole family

The Giving Farm

Come along for an extra special farm experience and be a farmer for the morning! The Giving Farm is a hands-on farm where kids will get a behind the scenes look at what goes into running a farm! Let them get a little messy while they learn all about the eco system and soils which are so important to farm life. They will also get to pat the dairy cows, feed the goats, cuddle the chicks, see some guinea fowl and move sheet fencing plus learn about pasture rotation! A very busy morning! The 'You Be The Farmer Experience' is on 12 July from10:30-12:30 and costs $55. Bookings essential.  

Swift Parrot Search 

Search for the splendid Swift Parrot in Wyrrabalong National Park with a National parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) guide on Saturday 11 July. You’ll wander along the sandy Red Gum trail and lush Wetland trail as you learn about the species. Keep your eyes peeled for the bright green colours of the Swift Parrot flying through the vegetation. Meet at the Red Gum Trail at Wyrrabalong National Park at 10am.

Whale Treasure Hunt at Bouddi 

You'll have a whale of time as a junior whale watcher! Meet at Putty Beach picnic area on Tuesday 4 July at 10am and walk along part of the specular Bouddi Coast walk to Gerrin Point Lookout. Bring binoculars and record your sightings on your whale treasure hunt card!  Your National parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) will tell you all about their migration and how they survive on their mammoth journey! This wonderful educational and fun tour will last 2 hours and is free. More information here

Whale Treasure Hunt at Wyrrabalong

Come and spot the whales at the newly revamped Crackneck Lookout with a free guide by National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) on Friday 14 July at 10am.  Meet at Crackneck Point Lookout where your NPWS guide will explain all about the mighty Humpback migration along the Central Coast. Each child can record how many whales they spot in their whale treasure hunt card then have some fun making whales out of clay! More information here. 

Meliora Farm

Pick your own citrus fruit in the middle of winter! Add some colour into those wintery days with bursts of oranges and yellows when you visit Meliora Farm for their pick your own days! The farm gates open at 10am at Peats Ridge and for just $30 you can fill a bag (provided by the farm shed) of delicious citrus, which is approx 12kg of fruit! You if haven't experienced fruit picking or if you are a seasonal picker, this is such a fun activity the whole family will love! 

Budgewoi Hotel

Come along to the Budgewoi Hotel for Family Funday Sundays on the first Sunday of every month. From 2-5pm there are free kids activities such as face painting, character appearances and movies. Plus, kids eat free from 5.30pm! Parents can sit and relax while the kids have a ball of time!

Davistown RSL Club

Let the kids experience the brilliance of a silent cinema at Davistown RSL Club on Friday 7 July. DC Super Pets will be playing at 6:30pm but before the movie starts, there will be a chance to make a super hero cape and mask! The fun starts at 5pm and the kids will be given a set of LED headphones with each ticket sold. Tickets are $15 each. 

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Have you ever had breakfast with Alpacas in the Hinterland? It's a wonderful experience but before you still down to enjoy your breakfast, you'll get to hand feed the 80+ alpacas, some sheep and angus cattle their breakfast. You will get to experience your breakfast with an audience of llamas and alpacas! Check Iris Lodge Alpaca's website for times and dates. It costs $60 for kids over 13 and $55 for kids aged 3-12 years old. 

Australian Reptile Park

Experience Australia's most Deadly and Dangerous creatures that call Australian Reptile Park home! Witness some of the world's deadliest snakes and spiders up close at the Venom Show or get a front row seat to watch Australia's most crankiest saltwater croc Elvis during the Elvis Show! Don't forget to grab a mission card from reception and tick off all the deadly and dangerous animals as you go around the park!

Kisses from alpacas at Iris Lodge Alpacas
Iris Lodge Alpacas, Jilliby
Child on horse at Glenworth Valley
Glenworth Valley
Credit: life_of_kai_xx
High energy
Try something a little different

Bungee Fitness

Located in Tuggerah, the first Bungee Fitness studio in NSW is for all those thrill seekers who love to fly high and test their abilities! Running most days during in the July school holidays (check website for times), kids will get to have a go at the aerial silks, hoop, trapeze and even try aerial yoga using all the awesome anti-gravity apparatuses. The fun costs $25 and parents are encouraged to book a lesson have a go too! 

Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre

Bring the kids along to Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre in Charmhaven for some serious slot car racing fun! Keep your car on the track, race your opponents and walk out with a big smile on your face! Open every day in the winter holidays except Monday, driver get 1 hour of track time, a rental car and controller for just $10!

Motiv8sports 

High energy and loads of fun, Motiv8sports is designed for kids and keeping them on their toes during the holidays with their multi-sport day camps.  The camp allows kids to challenge themselves, make new friends and try a range of tam sports! With locations across the coast including St Eddies East Gosford, Central Coast Adventist School and Green Point Christian College and other locations across the Central Coast the kids will definitely want to be part of this camp. Bookings essential.

Erina Ice Arena

What feels more wintery than ice skating! Erina Ice Arena's school camp teaches kids to skate in small groups, play supervised games and enjoy free play/skate. Perfect for beginners and a great head start into the term time programs. Kids will be split into age groups, 7-15 years will participant in a progressive classis to challenge themselves and build their skills while the younger children aged between 3-6 will enter the playgroup class full of fun activities that assist with building their confidence on the ice. The Cutting Edge Café offers $10 lunchtime meals options for hungry skates after their session.

Glenworth Valley

For the adventurers aged between 7-16 years old, the Adventure Max School Holiday Camp will keep kids excited, active and challenged. The Glenworth Valley Winter Camp includes 1.5 hours of either horse riding or quad bike riding (12 years or older), 2.5 hours of abseiling, lunch and games and 2 hours of laser skirmish. The camp promises a lot of fun, a place to make new friends and lungs full of fresh air!  The camp starts at 8.15am – 4:15pm. Tickets book quickly for this experience.

Treetops Adventure

Swing and climb through the treetops of eucalyptus trees in Ourimbah State Forest at the Treetops Adventure Park. Challenge yourself on the adults and kids tree rope courses and get your adrenaline pumping as you take on the walkways and put your coordination and balance to the test!

kids holding hens
The Giving Farm, Jilliby
Textured Art workshop Central Coast Winter School Holidays
House of Ellery, Wyong
Fancy food
For all mini chefs

Cake and Plate

This fondant cake class has been specifically designed for teens who love to bake or want to try something new!  In the Cake and Plate classes, participants will learn how to colour and flavour buttercream icing, apply and pipe it onto their supplied cake. Learn the art of creating themed fondant toppers using moulds and cutters. There are two different themes available: Toy Story, 12 July and Nemo, 4 July both classes start at 10am for 3 hours and cost $80 each.  Also check out the fondant cupcake classes for the younger kids starting from 3rd July!

Maccoa Terrigal

Create, cook and consume your very own pizza these school holidays with Maccoa. Kids get to decorate their own individual pizzas with all their favourite toppings and take home their yummy creation for lunch. While the pizza is cooking, they will be decorating their pizza box. Classes are available Monday 10, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 July from 10:30am -12pm noon and cost $15 per child for 3-12 year olds. Parents must stay on site but there will be space to sit and chat plus enjoy fresh coffee and light snacks which can be purchased from the cafe.

Chocolate Factory

Throughout the holidays, The Factory is holding yummy junior chocolatier workshops where young chocolate enthusiasts can learn how chocolate and delicious chocolatey sweets are made! For 1 hour 20 mins, the kids can have fun getting messy with the tasty stuff. Check website for dates and times. 

Muffin Break

For all the little cookie monsters on the Central Coast. Come along to Muffin Break at Erina Fair for a cookie decorating workshops where your little pâtissier will be able to decorate their own cookie and enjoy eating it afterwards! These fun workshops are on Wednesday 5 -Friday 7 July between 10am-12pm. Muffin Break Apron, Cookie, edible Icing and decorations supplied. $10 per child and bookings essential.  

Treetops Adventure park Winer School Holidays Cental Coast July Winter
Treetops Adventure Park, Wyong Creek
Cupcake workshop Winter School Holidays July 2023 Central Coast
Cake and Plate, Kariong
Creative classes
Using your imagination

Wyee Nursery

For all the kids who love a little bit of fairy magic. Bring the kids along to a two-hour workshop so they create their own magical fairy garden on 16 July at 1pm at Wyee Nursery. While the kiddies create and have fun in their fairy wonderland, parents can indulge in some much-needed relaxation with a coffee from the nursery coffee shop and browse through the nursery. Starting at just $15 this is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. 

 

Glass  Slipper Parties

There is so much happening at Glass Slipper Parties the kids will never have a dull moment during the school holidays! From princesses in the park, cupcake decorating, magical fairy mornings, nature craft, playdoh and slime making and face painting fun, there really is something for every little person! All activities are happening at Parklife Coffee in Terrigal.

Camp Code

For all budding vloggers, gamers, vloggers and content creators, Camp Code's 2 day YouTube Creators Camp will harness kids' creativity as they learn about storytelling, shooting and video editing. They will be shown has to produce and direct their own ideas instead of simply watching other peoples! The camp is on 6 and 7 July from 9:30am-3:30pm at Central Coast Grammer School, Erina Heights and costs $275 per child. 

House of Ellery

House of Ellery in Wyong is holding three creative kids workshops these winter holidays. Come along for a morning of sugar cookie decorating on 5 July with a never-ending supply of cookies and coloured frosting and sprinkles galore, the little creative artists can let their creativity flow! Or perhaps book them into a candle making workshop on 7 July where the kids will learn how to create their very own scented soy candle. Or why not try the new craze of framed textured art workshop on 12 July. The kids will get busy making a square framed textured art piece to take home.

Aroma Shak

The kids will love this sensory and messy workshop in Kariong. Book the kids into Aroma Shak’s  Bath Bomb fun workshop! The kids will get to have loads of fun making 4 natural bath bombs on Saturday 15th July between 10am –11:30am.  Made with organic child friendly essential oils that help promote relaxation and clam, earth friendly biodegradable glitters & organic flowers and essential oils, the beautiful bath bombs are fun to make and kind to the skin. The workshop costs $30.

Naughty Noodle Fun Haus

Naughty Noodle Fun Haus has a great line up of FREE events these school holidays for LGBTQIA 12-18 year olds. There is a Queer Performance Workshop on 7 July starting at 10 until 3pm at the Fun Haus Factory where young performers can enjoy a fun day of performance through self-expression exploring characters and practising the art of storytelling. Or spend the afternoon on 5 July trading cards and video gaming. Jump on the Nintendo Switch with Super Smash Brothers or learn how to play Cardfight! A safe place to have fun and celebrate. 

Deepwater Plaza

Head into Deep Water Plaza in Woy Woy and let the kiddies get creative in the Winter Wonderland School Holiday Craft program. From Wed 5- Friday 7 July the budding artists can make snow dome and snowman and penguin tags. The following week on Wed 12 through to Fri 14, make snow bears, snowflakes and snow globes! All activities start at 11am until 2pm.

 

Naughty Noodle Fun Haus Teenagers winter school holidays
Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, Gosford
Pizza making at Magenta Shores Resort
Pullman Magenta Shores, Magenta
Stay
Places to stay and play

Pullman Magenta Shores

For guests staying at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, there is loads of activities to keep the kiddies busy these school holidays. With entertainment, art workshops, yoga classes, circus workshops and not to mention pizza making and firepit and marshmallow evenings, the kids will love having so much to do to keep them occupied. Plus, book 3 nights or more and save 33% on your winter getaway! 

Community activities for the holidays
There are some lovely community events running throughout the school holiday break

Gosford Regional Gallery

Gosford Regional Gallery are hosting a we range of art and craft workshops for the kids and teens this winter school holidays. From making colourful pompom wands, creating funky beaded jewellery, using clay to make little garden critters and koi fish and designing your own weave using recycled materials. There are expressive drawing classes for kids and a separate class for teens too! Be sure to pre-book your tickets.

Central Coast Council

For more information about what else is happening in our community this July, visit Central Coast Council What's On guide for the latest events, workshops and activities to start planning your day.

 

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