School Holiday
! n Fu
SPRING INTO SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
FOR MOST, THE SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WHILE WE ARE STAYING CLOSE TO HOME, IT MIGHT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE LITTLE MISCHIEF-MAKERS FROM GOING STIR-CRAZY. BUT, WE CAN PROMISE PLENTY IS GOING ON RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD. CHECK OUT OUR SANITY-SAVING LIST OF ALL THE HOTTEST HOLIDAY HITS HAPPENING ONLINE AND AROUND TOWN THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.
DO IT IN YOUR PJ’S! JD'S WORLD OF MAGIC - TRICKS OF THE TRADE Did you know there is magic all around your home? You can take a simple rubber band or a paperclip, for instance, and turn it into hours of entertainment for you, your friends and family. Visit the Lake Macquarie Facebook page (@lakemaccity) at 10.30am each day of the School Holidays (Mon–Fri) as Joel Howlett from JD's World of Magic reveals a new magic trick to learn and perfect!
BUSY BEE ACTIVITY BOOKLET Don’t miss out on your free Busy Bee Activity booklet that can be collected from any Lake Mac library or downloaded from their website. Learn more about bees and their role in supplying the food we eat and the clothes we wear through fun activities that will keep you a busy bee! Visit www.library.lakemac.com.au/ Whats-On/Kids/School-Holiday-Activities ►
Super-fun activities for kids (big and small) to keep busy with this School Holidays!
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35
HOLIDAYS AT LAKE MACQUARIE MUSEUM OF ART & CULTURE Paper People Pledge for the Planet – Be part of this year’s BIG DRAW festival and help make a community art installation at Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), Booragul. The joined ‘Paper People’ chain will go on display at MAC in October. Everyone is invited to add to the installation. Print your own paper people template, or contact MAC (email actoutreach@lakemac.nsw.gov.au), and they will mail them to you. For more info, visit mac.lakemac.com.au/Learn/OnlineActivities Storytime with the Author Chrissy McYoung – Join Author and Illustrator Chrissy McYoung as she reads her book Rusty and gives you tips and tricks on how to draw dogs. You will have the skills to make your own doggy creations at home. Rusty is a book about the power of acceptance, trauma and behaviour, based on stories from foster care and out-ofhome care. The story touches on emotions and responses. WHEN Tuesday 21 Sept, 10am–10.45am LOCATION Online AGES 7 years+ COST Free, bookings essential BOOK www.allinadogslife-meettheauthorzoom.eventbrite.com.au
HOLIDAYS AT MAITLAND
insights. Check out the see-make-do at-home activities at mrag.org.au/whats-on-mrag/ see-make-do-at-home
MAITLAND LIBRARY Even in the holidays, we know that being at home and keeping kids engaged can be difficult, so Maitland Libraries are here to help with some fun guides and online self-driven activities. There are many DIY activities like making your own adventure map, slime art, a solar system out of clay, liquid fireworks in a jar, and enjoyable kid-friendly podcasts. If you want a free subscription for movies, music, magazines, newspapers and audiobooks, become a member at www.maitlandlibrary.com.au
MAITLAND GAOL Join Snitch The Rat for some at-home Maitland Gaol inspired activities, like how to churn real butter, an online jigsaw and a word detective crossword puzzle. Find out more at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/onlineresources/snitchs-spot
HOLIDAYS AT PORT STEPHENS Port Stephens Council will operate the Thrive Kids OOSH Program at Grahamstown, Raymond Terrace, Medowie, Tomaree and Shoal Bay with a two-week program that’s bound to be popular with kids throughout the region. Here’s just a snap-shot of the program (to get the complete program – email thrivekids@portstephens.nsw.gov.au or phone 4988 0308).
MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY If you’re looking for ways to get creative and keep busy through these School Holidays, Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s website has a whole heap of entertaining and engaging content to keep the kids having fun at home. Make an animated artwork with stop motion, puppet portraits, sculptures, and much more, as well as exhibition videos and artists
Week 1 – Thursday 23 September. Amazing Science – Pin Float, Larva Water, Growing Gummys, Salty Drinks, Water Drawings, Candy Creations, Bubble Painting and Splatter Art. Week 1 – Friday 24 September. Witches and Wizards – Potion Bottles, I Spy, Pencil Wand, Pin the Scar on Harry, Wingardium
Leviosa, Fortune Fun, Erumpent Horn, Dress Up: Everything Magic. Week 2 – Monday 27 September. Coding for Kids – Spy Decoder Wheel, Finger Printing, Binary Code Necklace, Bridge Building, Coding Cards Critters, Game: Computers and Programmers, Dress Ups: Spies and Detectives.
HSC HELPERS Online HSC Help with Regional Education Support Network Online drop-in study sessions by the Regional Education Support Network (RESN) are designed to provide HSC students with a little extra support before sitting their final exams. Work in small groups to review and address areas of concern across a wide range of subjects. From English to Mathematics and everything in between, RESN tutors will work with you to help perfect your short and extended answer writing skills, help work through mathematical and scientific programs, and provide hints
See in Newcastle and online these school holidays whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au
36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Week 2 – Wednesday 29 September. Medieval Mayhem – Coat of Arms, Build a Knight, Glamourous Goblets, Castle Silhouettes, Dragon Eggs, Games Workshop: Medieval Tournament. ■
and tips to help you thrive during your exams. Following this, you can join the RESN team for their Aspirations and Expectations seminar.
WHEN Friday 1 October, 11am–1pm LOCATION Online AGES HSC Students COST Free BOOK onlinehsc-dropintutoring. eventbrite.com.au
17-21 JANUARY 2022
Newcastle Summer Dance Intensive 2022 Leading Australian Artists booked. Stay posted for announcements soon.
ENQUIRE TODAY P 02 4952 9294 www.nationalcollegeofdance.com
START EXPLORING YOUR CAREER PATHWAY IN DANCE Carefully mapped out elite programs for year 7-10 students. • • • • •
Australia’s leading Classical and Contemporary teachers Individualised training programs Elite Classical, Contemporary and Commercial streams Proven history in successful student placements Intensive part-time through to full-time programs.
Artistic Director
BRETT MORGAN OAM
ENQUIRE TODAY P 02 4952 9294 www.nationalcollegeofdance.com www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 37
BOOK ONLINE NOW
Hunter Ice Skating
Stadium ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES Why not try ice skating this School Holidays! Enjoy top 40 music and video clips playing on the big screens, plus people can request their favourite songs to be added into the
mix. There will also be a sectioned off area for beginners with available skating frames. For the non-skating spectators – why not relax in the café while the kids skate! Rental Skate sizes range from a Kids 9 up to an Adults 14. Lockers are available for a small fee to secure your belongings. DETAILS 230 Macquarie Road, Warners Bay. Prices are $16 for 6yrs or under, $20 for 7yrs or over, $18 seniors and $65 for a family (1 adult + 3 kids OR 2 adults + 2 kids). These prices include skate hire – with your own skates you will save $4. For more details and session times please visit the website. www.hiss.com.au
Hunter Valley
Horseriding & Adventures
ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding! It’s the perfect day trip – just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders – even the tiny tots can ride beautiful ponies with qualified guides leading the way. We also offer full day horse riding camps for the
teens (12-16 yrs old) where they will get to groom and feed horses, learn about looking after horses, saddlery, and of course ride! Other activities on offer include ATV tours, tractor hay rides to feed the animals, pedal go karts, farm animals, BBQ facilities and mountain bike trails (byo bike). If you feel like staying a little longer, we offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during School Holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, as we have limited spots available. DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are required. PH Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008, or visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au
Finite Gallery AGES 6 - 18 YEARS The kids are sure to be kept busy this school holidays with the fantastic range of 2-hour children's workshops at Finite Gallery. There are a wide range of workshops on offer – everything from creating in Clay to Tie Dyeing, Painting and Drawing. All materials are included! Parents/Carers are also welcome to participate, so why not make it a fun family day? Finite Gallery is a Creative Kids provider. GET AN ART PACK TO USE AT HOME. See the website for details.
DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, ONLY 2 PEOPLE PER PLAYING GROUP*
Mini Golf & Footgolf!
HOME OF MINI GOLF & FOOT GOLF With a relaxing 11 hole golf course, the only FootGolf course in the Hunter and a 18-hole Mini Golf Course, Beresfield Golf Course provides a fabulously fun day out for family and friends with something for everyone! At Beresfield Golf you can enjoy a great undercover outdoor area and a BBQ – making it the perfect and affordable 38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
destination for your next kids party, social or work group and even that first date too. Hire charges apply. • Mini Golf open weekdays from 10am–5pm; • Footgolf open weekdays 10am–5pm and 12pm–5pm on weekends Use your Dine & Discover Vouchers here! *Unless from the same household DETAILS Open everyday from 7am–5pm, 260 Anderson Drive, Beresfield PH 4966 4665 www.beresfieldgolf.com.au
AND FOOTGOLF
www.finitegallery.com/learn LOCATED 60 Caves Beach Rd, Caves Beach E info@finitegallery.com PH 0419 471 660
a guided 5.5km off road tour through scenic hunter valley vineyards and backcountry. Awesome family experience, what are you waiting for! Minimum age 11YRS.
find us 917 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW // T 4943 7223 E tours@nswsegway.com.au // nswsegway.com.au
Bookings essential!