If you need to keep kids entertained for the next few weeks, here are some ideas.
1. 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!
2. 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.
3. Several local shopping centres have fun activities on in January!
- Castle Towers – kids in the kitchen
- Stanhope Village – art studio and slime workshops
- Seven Hills Plaza – Lunar New Year activities, 20 – 22 Jan
- Rouse Hill Town Centre – Street Science workshops, Grill’d Masterclass, Movie Minders & The Stage Door Performing Arts workshops.
4. Visit the new Waves! It’s so great that we now have this facility right here in the Hills and it’s a great place to spend a day in the school holidays. Find out more here.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Get your hair braided! Braidztyle returns to Castle Towers from Monday 2 – 29 January, with lots of braiding styles to choose from and so many colours to match your hair! Make an appointment to secure your spot here. Located on level 2 next to Target and Pandora.
9. Vist the Brickman Cities LEGO exhibition at Parramatta’s PHIVE. The impressive display of LEGO® brick skyscrapers and cityscapes brings with it a pile of more than two million LEGO® bricks for visitors to enjoy and create their own masterpieces. The exhibition features stunning replicas of Lower Manhattan, as well as buildings from London, Dubai, Tokyo and Sydney. Each scale model has been carefully crafted, brick by brick, by the Southern Hemisphere’s most skilled brick artist, Ryan McNaught, a.k.a. the Brickman (as seen on LEGO® Masters).
Saturday 17 December through to Sunday 23 April 2023 at PHIVE’s Discovery Space. Get tickets here.
10. Check out one of the newly refurbished playgrounds in Cherrybrook. Both the Lakes of Cherrybrook opposite Cherrybrook Shopping Village and Appletree Park (on Kanangara Cres) have recently had large makeovers and are looking awesome!
11. Celebrate Australia Day at Bella Vista Farm or on the Hawkesbury River! There’s great family fun at both locations, culminating in fireworks! Find out more on Bella Vista Farm here and on the Hawkesbury celebrations here.
and $15 Castle Towers Gift Card with every Adult’s pass. These passes sold out last year, so make sure to get yours now before it’s too late via https://bit.ly/3W5XGIE
13. 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.
14. Go for a bush walk in the Hills! There are a few lovely walks right on our doorstep. Check them out here.
15. West Pennant Hills Sports Club is hosting a Feature Creatures reptile show on Fri 20 Jan! Find out more and book tickets here.
16. Check out John Wearn Reserve in Carlingford! The playground is safari themed and great for kids. There is also a skate park and courts for older kids to play on. Read more here.
17. Getting 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Enjoy a day trip to somewhere you haven’t been before. We’ve enjoyed trips to Dangar Island and Patonga.
21. 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 visit here.
22. Choreograph and perform a concert for mum and dad! Remember doing this? Dance, comedy sketches, magic or singing are great fun!
23. 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.
24. 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!
25. Tick off ‘buy new school shoes’. Early January is a great time to go shopping for this important purchase and you can use your new Back to School Vouchers. If this is your first time buying shoes or you need a bit of a refresher, here are some great tips and things to consider, written by a Hills District Mums who’s a trained professional kids’ shoes fitter. Read more.
26. 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.
27. 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.
