Eight Exciting Ways to Enjoy the Winter Hols
Although we haven’t needed the beanies, jackets and scarves just yet, the winter holidays have arrived.
From al fresco ice skating to robot workshops – there is so much fun to be had on the Central Coast these July holidays. And some of it’s free.
Here are eight ways to make these holidays the coolest ever, thanks to our friends at Playing in Puddles – a brilliant website which brings you the best of the Central Coast for kids.
Ice skating at Kibble Park
Get your skates on and hit the ice at Kibble Park these holidays. Central Coast Council has transformed Gosford’s CBD into a mini winter wonderland with an ice rink open daily from Wednesday 11 July to Wednesday 18 July. This year they’re bringing not only ice to the Central Coast but snow too – with free snow play from 9am-9.30am each day. Food trucks will keep parents caffeinated and kids fuelled for hours of fun.
Ice skating and snow play dates:10am-8pm daily Wednesday 11 July – Wednesday 18th July; the 45-minute skate sessions start on the hour.
Cost:13 years and under $12; adult $15; family of four $35.
Bookings: https://centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events
Bubbly fun at The Entrance
Central Coast Council has a host of fun, free activities lined up to hit The Entrance these school holidays. Plus there will be the usual carnival rides, mini train and daily pelican feeding at 3.30pm. And don’t forget the waterfront is home to two great playgrounds, too.
Live entertainment: Ellie Drennan on Monday 9th and Nick Read on 16th July 10am-1pm at Waterfront Plaza.
Dinosaurs – Life Long Ago: Locate and identify replica fossils of Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Tuesday 10th July. There will be three excavations (one at 10am, 11am and 12pm) and each excavation runs for 45 minutes.
Slot Car Fun: Race your mates on this remote-controlled super-sized slot-car race track. Tuesday 17th July 10am-1pm at Waterfront Plaza.
Crocodile Encounters: Get up close and personal with some of Australia’s wildest reptiles. Wednesday 18th July 10am-1pm at Waterfront Plaza.
Bubbly Life – Monster Bubbles and Giant Bubbles: Humongous bubbles will be filling the sky. Get your fingers set to pop, pop, pop. Thursday 19th July 10am-1pm at Memorial Park.
Outrageous Entertainment – Circus Skills Workshop: Acro balance, hula hooping, tumbling, stick twirling, poise spinning, juggling, diablo, flower sticks and so much more. Friday 20th July 10am-1pm at Waterfront Plaza.
Cost: All Free!
Wolfgang at the Art House
Wolfgang reinvents Mozart’s music for a young audience and adds circus flair to keep the kids entertained at The Art House, Wyong, these school holidays. A live musician will take to the stage along with a backflipping acrobat called Wolfgang (from the Circa Contemporary Circus) to bring together this fun, quirky show of acrobats, movement and music.
Plus, did you hear that The Art House now has an on-site cafe? A bite here before or after the show will make your little one feel all grown up and special. The cafe’s open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Cost: Adult $25, Child $20, Family $75. Kids under 2 are free on your lap. Best suited for 3+
When: July 19 6:30pm; July 20 10am and 2pm.
Contact: Click here to book tickets or call 4335 1485 (Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm).
Motiv8sports Central Coast school holiday camp at Warnervale
Eight sports, eight individual events, four Olympic face offs, incredible coaching, non-stop motivation, unbelievable prizes including the possibility of an Olympic medal. Since 2001, Motiv8sports has hosted non-sleepover school camps for children from kindy through to year 6. The sports are designed for all abilities and focus on the energy and effort each child puts in rather than sporting prowess.
Cost: $90-$115 per child.
When: 8.30am-3.30pm July 19-20 at Warnervale
Bookings: 0424 951 175 or www.motiv8sports.com.au
Performing kids winter,
Have a child who loves the stage, or a mini performer who doesn’t yet have the confidence to show off their talent? Kids with Character is running school holiday performance workshops this July. Classes include acting, singing, microphone work, stage confidence, how to engage your audience, plus there’s the opportunity to perform on the final day. The classes run over three days (2 hours per day), and are for students from kindergarten through to year six.
When: 2pm-4pm, Wednesday 11th-Friday 13th July, 2018 at Tuggerah
When: Wednesday 18th-Friday 20th July, 2018. (12.30pm-2.30pm: suitable for students in kinder, year 1 and year 2; 3pm-5pm: suitable for students in years 3, 4, 5 and 6) at Erina
Cost: $80 per child. Sibling discounts available.
Bookings: 0400 046 116 or facebook.com/Kids-With-Character-Performance-Classes
Glenworth Valley horse trail ride
This is the ultimate adrenaline-hyped boredom-buster school holiday camp. Kids will have an absolute blast playing laser skirmish, abseiling and either horse riding or quad biking (the choice is theirs) in this awesome “Adventure Max” full-day camp. Move over kids, we want to sign up: this looks like way too much fun. Plus, it’s great value at just $140/child (a massive saving of $205 off the usual price if activities booked separately).
Cost: $140/child (12+)
When:8.15am-4.15pm – 11th, 13th 17th and 19th July.
Bookings: 4375 1222, https://glenworth.com.au
Robot Science Kids Classes
Your kids will build racing cars, buzzing bees, hopping frogs and earthquake simulators this July with Robot Science’s 2-day school holiday workshops. Plus your kids will learn how to code and then race them. We wish there was an adult class.
There are four workshops:
+ Bateau Bay: 8.30am-3pm 9th-10th July for children in years kindy-year 3; $120 (includes lunch).
+ Bateau Bay: 8.30am-3pm 12th-13th July/19th-20th July for children in years 3-8: $140 (includes lunch).
+ Erina: 8.30am-3pm 17th-18th July for children in years kindy-year 6 (kids will be split into two age groups K-2 and Years 3-6); $160 (includes lunch).
Bookings: 0406 896 612 or www.robotscience.com.au
String kids
Have a little muso? At The Kids String Festival your child will get expert string tuition, play musical games and activities, participate in graded ensemble rehearsals and perform in a concert for friends and family. The workshop is held at the Central Coast Conservatorium in Gosford and is open to all primary and high school string students who have been learning violin, viola, cello or double bass for at least six months – up to AMEB Grade 4.
When: Monday 23rd July (The day commences at 9.45am and the concert is at 1.30pm).
Cost: $35.
Bookings: 4324 7477 or click here to register online.
