First stop: check out the Hills District Mums website. There’s a dedicated school holidays section and there are HEAPS of ideas and suggestions, particularly in the ‘Play’ section, 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.
Burramatta NAIDOC at Parramatta Park. Celebrate NAIDOC Week with music, markets, food and workshops at a free outdoor festival!
Saturday 12 July, 11am – 3pm
The Crescent, Parramatta Park
All welcome, free entry!
Join in Burramatta NAIDOC at Parramatta Park, a free outdoor festival with an incredible concert line up featuring Becca Hatch and Velvet Trip. Explore colourful market stalls, grab something tasty to eat and get involved with a range of hands-on cultural workshops.
For more details and to plan your day visit https://bit.ly/3TBolNO
Castle Hill RSL. Enjoy creative workshops, high energy exercise and family fun that will keep the kids engaged and smiling. Parents can relax while kids have a blast in a safe and friendly environment! Find out more and book at https://www.castlehillrsl.com.au/july-school-holidays
Take a trip to Canberra! If you’ve never visited, it’s fabulous for families! Here’s a list of things to see and do.
Space Play at PHIVE in Parramatta. Space Play is a visually rich and fun experience for audiences of all ages – the young and young at heart. Relaxed Sessions will be held Mondays at 10am, offering an experience designed to support people with neurodivergent access needs and others who benefit from a calmer environment.
The Hudson Hotel. There are lots of activities happening during the holidays. All school holiday activities are FREE unless otherwise specified and take place from 11am. Bookings are essential. Book here.
Swing Bridge Loop Walk in Cherrybrook. Swing Bridge Loop Walk is tucked in the very quiet back streets of Cherrybrook. This is a great option if you’re introducing kids to bushwalking. It’s a loop walk of approximately 800m and is described as ‘easy to slightly challenging’. It takes approximatey half an hour. For more info click here.
Fun at local shopping centres!
- Castle Towers – Jurassic World Rebirth Adventure Zone
- Castle Mall – free dino reptile fun
- Winston Hills Mall – kids kitchen & space mission fun
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.
Enjoy a day trip to somewhere you haven’t been before. Here are some of our favourites.
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. In terms of playgrounds it’s without a doubt one of the best we’ve ever seen. It’s about half an hour from Castle Hill and if you pack a picnic and the weather’s good, it makes for a fun day out. Find out about it here.
The Hills Shire Counci’s free activities. Keep the kids entertained and learning all winter holidays with Council’s range of FREE and fun workshops and activities. The Hills Shire Council School Holiday Program is designed to give Hills kids the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect during the break – and best of all it’s free! There’s also Yarn at the Farm to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Thursday 10 July, 10am – 2pm. Find out more.
Visit your local library. There are great libraries in the Hills including Dural, Castle Hill and Vinegar Hill – they’re also nice and warm on cold winter days and make for a quieter day if you’re needing a bit of down time.
The Vineyard Sydney.
These Winter school holidays, The Vineyard Sydney is bringing the magic with free kids activities every weekday from 12–2pm! From live shows to hands-on fun, there’s something new every day to keep the little ones entertained. See the full line-up at bit.ly/VY-WinterHolidays
Visit Cockatoo Island. Enjoy a fun-filled day with a new family tour aimed at kids aged 6 to 10! The ‘Our Day at Cockatoo Island’ tour has budding explorers engaging in a range of fun activities as they visit iconic landmarks and delve into the island’s history as a dockyard and jail.
School holiday workshops at the Discovery Centre. Mirvac is excited to welcome families back to the Discovery Centre in West Pennant Hills for a series of fun and free school holiday workshops! This popular program offers children a great way to connect with nature, culture, and the local community – all within their own neighbourhood. Find out more and register at https://bit.ly/45svxmK
Visit Fagan Park for the day. The park now has THREE playgrounds with the addition of the award-winning Children’s Forest. Find out more here.
