It’s school holiday time! Here’s a long list to keep everyone busy!
First stop: check out the Hills District Mums website. There are HEAPS of ideas and suggestions for things to do that will keep everyone entertained!
Holiday camps, classes & workshops. If you need a helping hand with care over the break, there are stacks of camps and classes on in and around the Hills, for all types of interests. Here’s a list. Book soon as they fill up.
Visit Castle Hill RSL, Lynwood Country Club or Club Parramatta these school holidays for a range of fun workshops. There are limited spots available, so be sure to get in quick!
- Hoop Dance Workshop at Castle Hill Bowling Club – 9 January 2025.
- Professor Bubbles Workshop and show. 14 January 2025 – 10.30am. Lynwood County Club.
- Marine Biology Kids Workshop – 15 January 2025 – 10.30am. Castle Hill RSL.
- Magical Mandalas Kids Workshop – 16 January 2025 – 10.30am. Club Parramatta.
- Magical Mandalas Kids Workshop – 22 January 2025 – 10.30am. Castle Hill RSL.
- Bollywood Dance Kids Workshop – 23 January 2025 – 10.30am. Club Parramatta
Visit Waves. Hot summer days means swimming and water play! Waves is the perfect venue and local. Find out more here.
Visit your local library. There are great libraries in the Hills including Dural, Castle Hill and Vinegar Hill – they’re also nice and cool on warm summer days.
Find a new playground in your area. We love a hidden gem! Sure, these little parks often don’t tick every box and because of their locations they’re on the smaller side, but they’re more than fine for a morning play in the sun and because they’re so hidden, are lovely and peaceful. Here’s a list of playgrounds you might not know about. There is also a brand new playground at Brickpit Thornleigh worth checking out. Plus the fab new one at Wollundry Park, Pennant Hills.
Summer skating at PHIVE. Take a lesson, twirl with friends, or rock and roll at the DJ and live music sessions. From 3 January 2025 to 25 January 2025 Parramatta Council are transforming PHIVE into a roller skating rink! And there are sessions for everyone. From tiny tots through to teens and then over 17s. Find out more here.
Check out one of the family friendly shows at Riverside Theatre. The performances here are always fun! The January School Holiday line up includes Animal by Cirque Alfonse (3-12 January 2025), Bullybully (7-12 January 2025), Illusionist Anthony Street (16 January 2025) and The Box Show (21-23 January 2025). Get your tickets here.
Celebrate Australia Day at Parramatta, Bella Vista Farm or on the Hawkesbury River! There’s great family fun at all locations, culminating in fireworks! Find out more on Parramatta here, Bella Vista Farm here and on the Hawkesbury celebrations here.
Check out a Sydney swimming spot. Sydney is full of beautiful spots to swim and they’re not all surf beaches by the coast. Here’s a list of some of our favourites, perfect for a day trip over summer! They also double as good picnic spots.
Go for a bush walk in the Hills! There are a few lovely walks right on our doorstep. Check them out here.
Visit the new putt putt course at Lynwood Country Club. Lynwood Links Mini Golf opened in July – it’s a great addition to Lynwood and perfect for families. There’s no booking – you just show up. Mini golf is also open until 10pm, meaning you can play a little later – great for adults and older kids. For older teens, if they’re playing solo, you don’t have to enter via the clubhouse and sign in – mini golf has its own separate entry you can go through. Open 7 days, 10am – 10pm. You can find all the info here.
Got a new bike or scooter for Christmas? Test it out at one of the many parks that have paths or areas to ride on. Here’s a list of places in and around the Hills.
Hang at a water play park. There’s sure to be some hot days over the summer holidays and water parks are a great option if you don’t want to head to the beach. Visit one of the water play parks in and around the Hills.
Head out for the day to the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden in Centennial Park. If you haven’t been before, it’s well worth the trip from the Hills to the East! Find out more here.
Enjoy a day trip to somewhere you haven’t been before. We’ve enjoyed trips to Dangar Island and Patonga.
Visit Fagan Park for the day. With the Children’s Forest opening earlier this year the park now has 3 playgrounds. Find out more here.
Check out the nature playground at Bobbin Head Reserve. If you don’t mind your kids getting dirty the upgraded playground at Bobbin Head, Mt Colah is for you! The playground is essentially one big sandpit! It includes a six metre high climbing net, a timber parkour deck challenge, swings, a couple of slides and tunnels to crawl in. It’s fully fenced and shaded in places. To find out more click here.
Make up a dance! Choreograph and perform a concert for mum and dad! Remember doing this? Dance, comedy sketches, magic or singing are great fun!
Visit Meadowbank Regional Playground. We discovered this playground this year and WOW, it’s completely mind blowing! In terms of playgrounds it’s without a doubt one of the best we’ve ever seen. Our kids are so keen to go again. Find out about it here.
Get a bite to eat at a pub with a playground. If you’re wanting to eat out with the kids during the holidays for a special treat, here’s a list of pubs and restaurants in or near the Hills that have a play area. Everyone wins!
Visit Berry Island Reserve. About half an hour’s drive from the Hills, Berry Island Reserve is a beautiful spot to visit for a day trip or picnic. There’s lots of space, harbour views, a playground and a short bush walk. Find out more here.
Visit Aquatopia in Prairiewood. We’ve visited once and our kids are desperate to go again! We thought it was pretty good value for a family too! Find out more here.
