School Holidays
Monday 11 – Monday 25 April 2022
The Autumn School Holidays are almost here, and thanks to Newcastle’s cultural attractions there is plenty on offer to keep the kids busy and thriving. When you've had enough of the crisp autumn air and watching the leaves turn from green to red, head indoors to take part in one of these fun activities…
Newcastle Museum
A colourful hands-on exhibition that brings basic science concepts of optics and illusions, word play, physics and maths to life for 3 - 8 year olds and their families. Just as Alice followed the white rabbit down the rabbit hole, let your curiosity guide you!
Monday, 21 March 2022 – Sunday 10 July 2022
To celebrate our new Alice's Wonderland exhibition, come along to Museum Park these school holidays to blow your mind with incredible maths!
This is not the subject you know from school! We are going to be talking about how to improve your chances on game shows, what's bigger than infinity, how long a jiffy actually takes, why your favourite number is not random, and why some numbers are considered unlucky.
There will be experiments to try and fractions of cake to eat! Bring a picnic blanket or chairs. If the weather is bad, we will relocate to the Theatrette in the Museum.
Monday 11 – Thursday 14 April
Newcastle Libraries
Celebrate food, glorious food at Newcastle Libraries these Autumn School Holidays with a great range of events for all ages. Tickets to all events are free for library members. Spaces are limited so please cancel if you can no longer attend.
Mila and Ivy Book Launch: Meet the author Katrina McKelvey
Celebrate the launch of Katrina McKelvey's latest picture book Mila and Ivy. Come along for a special reading by the author then channel your inner cardboard design engineer and see what fantastic things you can create with our supply of boxes.
Monday 11 April 2022 11am – 12 noon, Lambton Library
AGES 3-8 years
The Biscuit Maker: Read it, Eat it!
Listen to the story 'The Biscuit Maker' by Sue Lawson and Liz Anelli, then grab your individual pack of ingredients and decorate your own biscuits! Dance concert biscuits? Football biscuits? Ghosts and Ghoul biscuits? It’s up to you. Please advise of dietary requirements when booking.
Monday 11 April 2022 2-3pm, Newcastle Library
Thursday 21 April 2022 2-3pm, New Lambton Library
AGES 6 years and older
What can we do with all the food leftover from dinner? Let’s read some stories, sing some songs and dance around til we work it out!
Tuesday 12 April 2022 11-11.45am, New Lambton Library
Friday 22 April 2022 11-11.45am, Newcastle Library
AGES 3-7 years
The LEGO® Challenge: Hungry, Hungry, LEGO®
The LEGO® Challenge is on again! Are you feeling hungry? Use LEGO® and your imagination to create food, glorious food and everything related. We supply the LEGO® tub but the rest is up to you, under the pressure of the LEGO® timer.
Each family or friend group receives their own tub of LEGO® with which to work as a COVID safe measure.
Tuesday 12 April 2022 2-3pm, New Lambton Library
Thursday 21 April 2022 2-3pm, Newcastle Library
AGES 5 years and older
Hama beads, banana beads, Mexicana beads! Make all your favourite foods and more with our collection of these colourful beads.
Tuesday 12 April 2022 11am – 12noon, Newcastle Library
AGES 8 years and older
STEAM Fun: Makey Makey Food Circuits
Create circuits using Makey Makeys, library laptops and lots of different food! We will learn which foods conduct electricity best, making the most effective circuits. Kids will work in pairs in this great STEAM based activity.
Wednesday 13 April 2022 11am – 12 noon, Digital Library, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West
AGES 9 years and older
STEAM Fun: Robot Candy Dispenser Challenge
Are you the inventive type who likes a challenge? Bring along your creativity and coding skills and your love for candy to Newcastle's Digital library and see if you can code the Edison Bot to be a Candy Dispenser.
Wednesday 13 April 2022 2-3.30pm, Digital Library, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West
AGES 8-12 years
Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue...I can EAT a rainbow, can you? Come along for stories and songs about all the delicious rainbow foods we like to eat.
Thursday 14 April 2022 11-11.45am, Lambton Library
Wednesday 20 April 2022 11-11.45am, Newcastle Library
AGES 3-7 years
Collage Time: Welcome to the Pizzeria and Ice Creamery
Order Up! You need to come up with some great Pizza recipes to add to our Newcastle Libraries Pizzeria menu, then don't forget dessert! Have a look at how other illustrators have used collage to create beautiful images, then get crafty and create the perfect paper pizzas, ice-creams and popsicles.
Thursday 14 April 2022 11am - 12noon, Wallsend Library
AGES 6 years and older
STEAM Fun: May I clear the table? Bots in the Restaurant
Program Edison Bots to clear up a customer's table in a restaurant. You will set up the space, create some dishes using LEGO® bricks then program your robot to collect or push the dishes off the table. You will be learning to use a Scratch based programming language involving light and object sensors.
No previous programming experience is necessary, but participants should be familiar with using iPads and laptops.
Wednesday 20 April 2022 11am - 1pm, Wallsend Library
AGES 8 years and older
Collage Time: Food Collage Jeannie Baker Style
If you love the idea of a collage smelling good, then this art activity is for you! Using canvas boards, create a stunning collage using herbs, spices, seeds and beans. We'll take inspiration from the artwork of Jeanie Baker.
Wednesday 20 April 2022 2-3pm, New Lambton Library
AGES 8-12 years
Movie Mayhem! Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Kids, do you love chocolate? Do you love a good movie? Come to Wallsend for the best of both worlds with our screening of the 1970s classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Remember to bring a comfy cushion, bean bag or mat. And grown-ups should book a ticket, too. You are responsible for your kids at this event.
Friday 22 April 2022 2-4pm, Wallsend Library
AGES All ages
Newcastle Visitor Information Centre
Enjoy some family play time in and around the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre. Get creative with fun craft activities led by local artist Ken O'Regan. Join Newy with Kids and solve the mystery phrase in the Museum Park Scavenger Hunt. No need for bookings, just drop in to this free event.
10am – 1pm, Wednesday 20 April
Visitor Information Centre Platform, Museum Park, Honeysuckle
Find out more by visiting whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au