There’s loads of excitement planned for the September–October 2018 school holidays. We’ve put together this guide featuring entertaining and educational holiday workshops, performances and events in and around Sydney’s Inner West. Be sure to book in advance to take advantage of early-bird specials and to avoid disappointment!
WORKSHOPS AND CAMPS
ArtSpark Studio
ArtSpark Studio, located in Rozelle, is running a range of workshops including art, sewing, illustration, 3D model making and animation during both weeks of the September–October school holidays. A full-day workshop (10 am–4 pm) for primary school-aged children costs $120. Morning (9 am–12 pm) or afternoon (1 pm–4 pm) workshops are $70. Extended care is available (9–1o am and 4–5pm) at $10 per hour for full-day and afternoon workshop participants. There is a discount rate available for multiple day or sibling bookings within the same holiday workshop period. For more details and bookings, see here.
Australian Theatre for Young People
During both weeks of the school holidays, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is offering a range of drama workshops for primary and secondary school students. Young people from K–6 can explore the world of dragons and mythical monsters, make their own movie or learn comedy skills. Senior participants (Years 7–12) can discover what attending a drama school is like in our Drama School Taster course. There are also workshops for screen acting skills, and the chance to try your hand at voice overs and accent work. The various workshops include acting, singing, writing, short films, comedy, playtime, imagination stretching, movement and so much more! The workshop hours vary, but are mostly 9.30–3.30 or 10 am–4 pm. The fees are between $170–$350, depending on the workshop, with an early bird discount available until 17 September. After care until 5 pm can be purchased. For more details and bookings, please see the website.
Image courtesy of ATYP
Beyond Distinction
Beyond Distinction is an afterschool sports and music academy for primary school-aged children in the Concord/Cabarita areas. When school’s out, it offers a premium range of fun and learning activities to inject some fun and learning into the holidays. Beyond Distinction’s spring school holiday program runs from 2–4 October, with activities including a junior golf clinic on an 18-hole golf course, an Art Gallery of New South Wales excursion and a Mini Masters art workshop to learn about French Impressionism and try their hand at creating their own masterpiece on canvas. The program is suited to students from Kindergarten to Year 5. Drop-off is from 8.30 am–4 pm daily. Day extension until 6 pm is available and there are multi-day and sibling discounts. The cost is $110 per day. To book, visit the website.
BRICKS 4 KIDZ Inner West
These school holidays there will be BRICKS 4 KIDZ Inner West workshops in Balmain, Leichhardt and Summer Hill.
The Balmain workshops will run on October 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12, and will focus on LEGO®! building with themes such as ninjas, Pokemon, superheroes, Minecraft, dinosaurs and junior robotics.
The Leichhardt workshops will be held on October 2 and 9, with a focus on junior robotics, introducing kids 7+ to coding and Robotics with LEGO®!
The Summer Hill workshops will take place on October 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12 and will explore LEGO®! building with themes ranging from ninjas to Pokemon, Minecraft to dinosaurs.
The fees are from $90 per day. To book your child’s place, use the links embedded above.
Creative Little Fingers
Creative Little Fingers is running art workshops in Drummoyne on October 2, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 12 from 10 am–12 pm. The workshops will use mixed media to create different projects each day. The cost is $30 per session. For bookings call 0414 733 098 or email mjalogan@live.com.
Croydon Tennis Centre
These school holidays Croydon Tennis Centre is running tennis and multisport camps from 2–5 October and 8–12 October. Programs run from 9 am–3 pm with before and after care available between 8 and 9 am and 3 and 6 pm. Prices vary – more details on the programs are available here. Bookings can be made here.
Five Dock Leisure Centre
The Bayside Kids School Holiday Program at Five Dock Leisure Centre is a fully supervised program that includes a range of sports, fun games, gymnastics in a state-of-the-art hall, a movie plus arts and crafts for children aged 4–12 years. The program runs on both weeks of the school holidays, from 2–5 October and 8–12 October. A half-day, from 9 am–1 pm, costs $49. A full day, from 9 am–5 pm, costs $59. An extended day, from 8 am–6 pm, is $69. Book online here.
Gallery NTK
These holidays Gallery NTK, in Croydon, will be holding kids’ painting and drawing workshops. A variety of media, including acrylics, water colour, soft pastels, coloured pencils and oil pastels, will be used. Workshops will run from October 2–12 and cost $55 for two hours, with all materials included in the price. The onsite cafe will be open throughout the holidays, so parents can grab a cuppa during their child’s class if they wish. Bookings can be made here.
GymKidz
The Gymkidz holiday program focuses on gymnastics but also includes a variety of stimulating physical and motor-skill development games, acrobatics and circus, double dutch, rhythmic, dance and team challenges, all in the care of qualified instructors. The holiday program is suitable for boys and girls aged 4–8 years. It runs from 2–5 October from 9 am–3 pm and costs $80 + GST per day. For more information, please see the website.
Haberfield Tennis Centre
Haberfield Tennis Centre will hold camps for kids aged 4–16 years in both weeks of the holidays: 2–5 October and 8–12 October. Camps run from 9 am–3 pm, with after care available until 5.30 pm. Learn stroke production, tennis skills, tennis games, singles and doubles round robin. There is also an all-day Tiki Falls Slide. The day rate is $55, with after care available for $20. The full week (in week 2) costs $250. Please see the website for details.
Jellybeanstreet
Jellybeanstreet holds children’s finger painting workshops at the Inner West Institute of Music and turns the finger paintings into fine art for your home and also to help support children’s charities. During the school holidays, there will be a workshops for babies (0–2 years), toddlers (2–5 years) and school-aged children (5–9 years). To see a list of current dates and times visit the website.
Julie Peadon Art
During the upcoming school holidays Julie Peadon Art will be running holiday art workshops for primary- and high school- aged kids. There will be separate sessions for Years K–6 and 7–12, held on 2 and 4 October in Concord and 9 and 11 October in Drummoyne. The Years K–6 workshops, which run for 2.5 hours, cost $35 + GST. The Years 7–12 workshops, which last three hours, are $40 +GST. All materials are included in the cost of the workshop. Year K–6 will be exploring Cubism and Impressionism while Year 7–12 will be exploring Pop Art and Expressionist Landscapes. Each session teaches about art principles, art appreciation and practical application in the creation of a piece that students can take home. Bookings can be made at the website.
Kids in Common Spring Vacation Care
Kids in Common is a joint initiative created by Camperdown Commons and Camperdown Tennis for the Inner West community. It has a variety of fun, inclusive and engaging programs that will keep your kids entertained throughout the September–October school holidays. The programs cater for kids aged between 5 and 12 years. Some of the programs include slime and science, yoga, cooking, tennis, farming, dance, water games, basketball, cartooning and more! Morning or afternoon sessions cost $50; the full day is $80. Free aftercare until 5.45 pm is available for full-day bookings. For the program and booking information, click here.
Leap into Literacy
Li’l Crafters
Li’l Crafters is a process-based art, craft and messy sensory play class based in Marrickville. It is running two sessions for kids of all ages these school holidays. The Creative Cardboard Tree House session, on 8 October, gives kids the chance to design, build and decorate a dream treehouse. The Mega Slime and Putty Lab session, on 5 October, will have kids aged 5 and up experimenting with putty and slime. (Glue and borax will be used in this session.) The sessions cost $30 each. Bookings can be made online.
Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio
Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio in Rozelle is running half- and full- day programs throughout the September–October school holidays. The students will tackle a range of appealing themes and media, including Recycled Robots, Basket and Animal Weaving, Pottery, Watercolour Painting: Big Animals, Watercolour Painting: Woodland Animals, Screen Printing, Sewing and Jewellery, to produce stunning art and craft projects. Morning sessions are from 9 am–12 pm; afternoon sessions are from 2–5 pm; full-day programs are 9 am–5 pm, with extended hours available (8.30 am–5.30 pm). There are separate Kindergarten–Year 2 and Years 3–6 sessions as well as some all-ages sessions. The half-day programs cost $60; the full-day programs cost $120. The complete holiday program is available here. Book your child’s place at Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio’s website. For enquiries, phone 0423 206 090.
Image courtesy of Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio
PCYC Glebe/Leichhardt
Not-for-profit PCYC Glebe/Leichhardt, based in Forest Lodge, has an exciting holiday sports program for kids aged 5–16 years running from 2–12 October. Activities include sports, art and craft. Fees are from $30. More details are available on the website. To book, call 9559 7722 or email glebeleichhardt@pcycnsw.org.au
PCYC Marrickville
PCYC Marrickville has an engaging holiday sports program for kids aged 6–13 on both weeks of the upcoming school holidays (2–5 October and 8–12 October). Get your kids away from screens these holidays and come down to PCYC Marrickville to be active, jump around and have fun! The holiday program runs from 8.30 am–3 pm and costs $55. Extended camp hours (3 pm–6 pm) cost $25. There is a 10 per cent discount for multiple children. To book, call 9559 7722.
Sew Make Create
Sew Make Create, based in Chippendale, is running three holiday workshops for kids aged 6 years and up. On 2 October, there is a Sewing Day, which runs from 10.30 am–4 pm (cost $150). On 8 October, there’s a Natural Scent Blending with Essential Oils workshop from 10.30 am–12.30 pm (cost $60). On 9 October, a DIY Natural Skincare workshop will be held (cost $60). For details and bookings, please see the website.
Speech and Language Sydney
This October Speech and Language Sydney is running its popular Lego Based Therapy program once more, led by a specialist speech pathologist. The program will be held at Studio You in Birchgrove on 8, 9 and 10 October with a morning group and an afternoon group each day. The sessions will be grouped by age and ability. The cost is $23o for the three sessions. The sessions are claimable on FACSIA/HCWA/Better Start/self-managed NDIS. To book email emma@speechandlanguagesydney.com.au or phone 0448 242 460.
Sydney Creative Play
Not-for-profit organisation Sydney Creative Play, based in Newtown, will be running school holiday workshops with a focus on street art-themed activities. The cost of the workshops is just $5–10 per child. There is no need to book; you can, however, RSVP to events via the Facebook page.
Treat Dreams
Treat Dreams, located in Rozelle, will be running Kids Make Chocolate and Teens Make Chocolate classes during the school holidays involving hands-on chocolate moulding and decorating.
The Kids Make Chocolate classes will be held on Wednesday 3 October and Wednesday 10 October from 1 pm–2 pm. Make and take home a chocolate bar and chocolate pops. The classes finish with fruit dipped in chocolate. The cost is $60 per child, which includes the take-home treats.
The Teens Make Chocolate classes will run on Wednesday 3 October and Wednesday 10 October, from 3 pm–4.30 pm. Teens will make and decorate a chocolate bar and an extra chocolate treat (choose from choc pops, bark or rocky road). The class finishes with fruit dipped in chocolate. The cost of the teen classes is $70 per child, including the take-home treats.
Bookings can be made here.
EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES
The Beanies EGG-strodinary Day
Join The Beanies – three-piece band, Laura, Mim and Michael – on a musical adventure with their live stage show these school holidays. The Mini-Beanies will laugh and learn when Professor Know-It-All challenges the Beanies to care for an egg for a whole day. Will Laura Beanie’s egg hatch into a puppy? Will Mim Beanie’s egg be smart enough for the ‘egg-celerator’ program? And will Michael Beanie’s egg eat spaghetti? There is only one way to find out! The shows will take place on 29 and 30 September at PACT in Erskineville. Tickets are from $29. Bookings can be made .
Play World Australia
Play World Australia is a huge kids event created for kids, ages 4–12 years, by kids, taking place at the ICC on the first weekend of the school holidays (29 and 30 September). This event is seriously every kid’s dream with slime workshops, dinosaur digs, Nerf wars, the Australian BeyBlade championship, dress-ups, craft galore and hundreds of other activities, as well as favourite toy brands, TV and YouTube stars. For further details see the website.
Image courtesy of Play World Australia
When I Grow Up
This fun live theatrical performance for children aged 2–8 years encourages kids to dream big, and learn that they can do anything they put their minds to! The show is full of familiar songs, as well as some new ones too. It will be held at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre from October 10–13 at 11 am. Tickets cost $20. For more information about the show, check the website. Bookings can be made here.
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