Looking for ways to keep kids entertained these holidays? Here are the highlights across Newcastle and the Hunter.
Newcastle Museum
6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Science Shows
Experience rockets, laser trumpets and dinosaurs. Mike the Manikin will be there so you can pull his organs out and put them back in like a jigsaw puzzle.
Tuesday, April 16 11.15am to 12pm, Thursday, April 18 12.15-1pm, Monday, April 22 1.15 to 2pm.
Youth Takeover
Join the teen takeover for young people between 13 and 17. There will be live music, games, snacks and creative labs.
April 19 6 to 8.30pm.
To find out more visit newcastlemuseum.com.au
Hunter Valley Gardens
2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Mega Creatures
Meet dinosaurs, giant insects, mythical creatures, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurua and Triceratops. There will be food, drinks, rides, a Dinosaur Zoo show and egg hunt.
- Day session: 9am to 4pm, rides from 10am to 3.30pm.
- Night Safari: 5pm to 9pm, rides from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
April 6 to May 5.
For more information go to huntervalleygardens.com.au
Newcastle Transport
Fairies on the Ferry - Stockton Wharf
Fairies will offer free face painting at Stockton Wharf on Wednesday April 17 between 10am and 1pm.
Superhereos catch the bus - The Corner, Charlestown Square
Get your face painted by Batgirl and Wonder Woman on Wednesday April, 24 10am to 1pm.
Carnival on the Light Rail - Newcastle Beach Light Rail stop
At Newcastle Beach find a carnival with balloon twisters on Friday April 16 from 10am to 1pm.
To find out more visit newcastletransport.info
PCYC Newcastle
Young Rd and Melbourne Rd, Broadmeadow
Check out PCYC vacation activities including multi-sport, gymnastics, boxing, painting, dance, crafts, coding classes and skateboarding.
For more details got to pcycnsw.org.au/newcastle/
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
2100 Pacific Hwy, Heatherbrae
Market stalls, face-painting, cookie decorating, craft fairy floss, sausage sizzle and a Teddy Bear's Picnic on April, 16 10am to 2pm.
Find out more at huntergardens.org.au
Hunter Wetland Centre
1 Wetlands Pl, Shortland
Try dip-netting, watch the bird feeding, visit the animal house, have fun on the playground, or bring a picnic.
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Wetlands challenge: climb, hunt, discover and explore to go into a draw to win a prize from the gift shop.
- Canoeing
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Guided tours: on Tuesday and Saturdays at 10.30am.
- Critters and craft: on Wednesday April 17 and Wednesday April 24.
- Reptile Encounters: Saturday and Sunday at 11am.
Read more at wetlands.org.au
Motive8 Sports
2-day super camp at Belmont High School from April 15 to April 16, 8.30 to 3.30pm.
Super camp is kids festival filled with sport, music, street culture, art and dance.
Book at motive8sports.com.au
Decked Out Creative Workshops
Design and paint your own skate deck on April 15 to April 20 at 10am.
Book at deckedoutworkshops.com
Blackbutt Reserve
Carnley Avenue, Kotara
Free wildlife exhibits are open from 10am to 4.30pm, including feeding the emus, playgrounds and picnic facilities are open from 7am to 7pm.
Reptile and Critter encounters can be booked at 02 4904 334 or blackbuttadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
Fort Scratchley
1/3 Nobbys Rd, Newcastle East
Amazing views with plenty of grass for a picnic, and for the kids to run around. Open six days per week, 10am to 4pm.
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
562 Gan Gan Rd, One Mile
Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. The Sanctuary SKYwalk & viewing platform closes at 4.45pm.
LIBRARIES
Newcastle
At Newcastle City Library and Wallsend Library, check out events such as, paper pizzas and gelato, creature features, and around the world in 80 Lego bricks.
Find out more at newcastlelibraries.com.au
Lake Macquarie
Join events such as digital fantasy character art, creative writing skills for kids, and Lego builders sessions.
Find out more at library.lakemac.com.au
Maitland
Check out events such as making trains out of recycled materials, exploring Flying Fox tree planting, and Hunter water ways.
Find out more at maitlandlibrary.com.au
Cessnock
Join jewellery making, film and craft classes, and mothers day gift making.
Find out more at Cessnock City Library
Central Coast Council
30 free and affordable events for all ages are on offer in regional galleries, libraries and youth services.
Find out more at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
SHOPPING CENTRES
Stockland Glendale
School holiday cinema sessions for $5 per person including a movie, popcorn and a drink.
Kung Fu Panda 4: Wednesday April 17 10am.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: Thursday April 18 10am.
Richard the Stork: Wednesday April 24 10am.
For more information visit stockland.com.au
Westfield Kotara
Star Wars Immersive Experience: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 21.
Star Wars: School Holiday Zone: Themed activity zone and craft activities from Monday April 15 to Sunday April 21.
For more information visit westfield.com.au/kotara/
Charlestown Square
Charlie's Little Entertainer for $55 including, Timezone, Boost juice, Grill'd, cinema, Donut King, Strike and Holey Moley, and a full day of free parking.
For more information visit charlestownsquare.com.au
THEATRE
Civic Theatre
375 Hunter St, Newcastle
The Jungle Book
Catch Hunter's Drama action-packed adaption of the classic adventure story.
- Thursday April, 18 10.30am.
- Tuesday April, 23 10.30am.
For more information and to book go to hunterdrama.com.au
Possum Magic
Monkey Baa Theatre Company will take kids on a fantastical journey on cities around Australia with the theatrical adaption of a classic children's book.
- Monday April, 22 2pm
- Tuesday April, 23 10am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm
- Wednesday April. 24, 10am, 12.30pm.
For more information and to book go to civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
Hunter Drama - School Holiday Playground
There are five different one day workshops to choose from starting on Monday 15th April 2024 to Friday 19th April 2024. The workshops begin at 10:00am each day, concluding at 3:00pm.
To book visit hunterdrama.com.au/school-holidays/
- For school holiday activity contributions email news@newcastleherald.com.au
