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 and event calendar, 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.
Celebrate NAIDOC Week. Start off at Yarn at the Farm at Bella Vista Farm on Thursday 9 July from 10am to 2pm, then head to Burramatta NAIDOC at Parramatta Park on Saturday 11 July from 11am to 3pm and finish off with Dharug Day Out at Rouse Hill Estate on Sunday 12 July from 11am to 2pm.
Castle Hill RSL have school holiday activities across all their venues these school holidays. From Magic shows, to creative workshops 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 here.
Celebrate 60 years of Play School at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Join Humpty and friends in a joyful 40-minute live concert of songs, surprises and family fun. Saturday 11 July 9.30am, 11.30am and 1pm Sunday 12 July 10am, 12pm and 1.30pm. TICKETS: From $39. Click here to book.
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.
Head to the movies. With Minions & Monsters, Toy Story 5 and Moana all hitting the cinemas these school holidays, take advantage of Event Cinemas Family Saver Session – find out more here. Castle Towers also have a Minions & Monsters Activity Zone. Strike a pose at their larger-than-life Hollywood-inspired photo experience and step into the spotlight as the star of your very own Minions & Monsters movie moment. Then, let creativity run wild at their daily Slime Workshops, where little monsters can make and take home their own gooey slime creation. Find out more here.
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.
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.
Visit Dural Putt Putt in the Gardens. Get competitive on the two themed courses – Camelot and Space Trek. It’s a lovely outdoor course surrounded by gardens and you can then take a break and refuel at the small onsite cafe! Open EVERY day of the school holidays from 9am to 6pm. Find out more here.
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 Council’s free activities. The Hills Shire Council has a great line-up of free and low-cost activities to keep children, teens and families entertained these winter school holidays. Registrations are essential for all workshops. For more information and to register for a workshop, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for ‘Winter School Holidays’.
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.
Visit Sommerville Park playground in Eastwood. It has been completely transformed and looks great! Read more
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.
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.
