Summer is in full swing and now that Christmas and New Year celebrations are out of the way, it's time to start thinking about how to keep the kids entertained until school goes back!
Luckily you don't need to look far - What's On has a comprehensive list of fun and entertaining school holiday activities to keep the little ones out of mischief, and there's bound to be something your little one will love.
Keep reading to discover what's on these school holidays…
Enjoy the great outdoors
From 13 January National Parks & Wildlife will be hosting their Summer Series where a NPWS Discovery Ranger will share their love of nature and inspire kids to look closely at the details and hidden wonders of animals and nature. Observing details, colour, shape and texture of the surrounding display animals, participants will create their own masterpiece to take home.
Over at the Cowrie Hole join Jeanie and John, local naturalists, on a free ramble through the rock platforms. Discover the intertidal creatures that call Newcastle home and learn how to meet them up close safely. As the tide goes out it leaves an abundant array of sea creatures on display which Jeannie and John will identify and discuss, and give us tips on how to minimise our impacts on these fragile beings.
Kids can also get hands on at Brickworks park in the Nature Crowns workshop. Create and decorate a simple nature crown from loose parts collected from nature, enjoy a story and have fun outdoors.
Get creative with Newcastle Libraries
Summer holidays are the perfect time to get stuck into a good book, and also the perfect time to check out Newcastle Libraries Young Summer Stories - a summer reading program encompassing challenges, events, and prizes. Read the books, meet the authors, and share in exciting activities.
If the kids would prefer to get hands on, there's plenty of fun activities to get stuck into! Here's our pick of the bunch:
- Race the timer in the LEGO Challenge
- Head along to the Lovett Gallery to make a postcard and send it to someone special
- Create a beautiful garden mobile or garden ornament using recycled aluminium cans
- Shape and sculpt a munching monster at the Filmo Creations workshop
- Use materials you would find around the house to create a simple machine that projects light and captures an image
- Learn about traditional Aboriginal weaving and create your very own keepsake
- Get tinkering with parts and tools to create a wibbly, wobbly robot that makes its own artworks
- Picnic with Children's Author Paul Russell, the creator of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp.
There's plenty more on offer from the libraries, and really no excuse to be bored these school holidays!
Have a roaring good time at Newcastle Museum
If you're looking for a unique activity for the kids this summer, you won't want to miss The Great Baby Dinosaur Show at Newcastle Museum. Come along to the museum's newest petting zoo to marvel at and be captivated by the baby dinosaurs. From spikes and horns to claws and roars, it will be the most fascinating fun you've had in a long time.
What's more – the museum needs you to help judge these cute cuddly dinos for the 'Best in Show' award! While you're there don't miss the chance to grab some dinosaur goodies at the Visitor Information Centre on the other side of Museum Park.
Catch some drama
Budding actors will love Tantrum's school holiday creative drama day for kid's aged 8-12 – what could be more fun than a full day of drama games and activities?! Older kids are also covered with the all-day drama workshop Being a Human IRL, a full day of no-pressure creative expression, improv games and good times.
If you'd rather kick back and relax, head to Wallsend for A Flick and Fun in Federal park – good old fashioned family fun with the epic flick Ice Age along with games and competitions, food vans, ice cream, and snow cones.
If live performance is more up your alley, head along to The Hive in Beaumont St to see the newest production from The Young People's Theatre. Beware the Jabberwock is an adventurous story about two children who lose themselves in the magical Tulgey Wood. They encounter the party loving Toves, the snobbish Borogroves and the timid Raths along with a variety of other creatures and royalty. BEWARE the fun time you could have watching this production!
There's plenty more happening these summer school holidays. Make sure you search the 'school holidays' tag to see it all!