25+ ways to spend the autumn school holidays
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The upcoming Easter school holidays are jam-packed with lots of egg-citing activities and programs for kids.
With cool, sunny days and plenty of activities on offer, here’s how to spend 13 – 29 April.
Museum of Australian Democracy Cartooning Workshop
Learn to draw cartoons like a pro these school holidays!
In this fun, interactive workshop, you will master the skills of political cartooning as taught by professional cartoonist, Andrew Hore. Uncover the tips and tricks required to create cartoons and draw familiar political characters as Andrew guides you step by step to learn the art of political cartooning.
Cost also includes general admission so afterwards you can explore our award-winning PlayUP, try on costumes of iconic outfits of people who have changed the world in DressUP or embark on the ultimate adventure with a museum action pack!
Cost is $10 per child for years 7+. Spots are limited so bookings are essential. This is a family-friendly event, suitable for ages 7 years plus and all participants must be accompanied by their carer.
All materials are supplied.
15 – 18 April from 10 am – 11:30 am | Please arrive at 9:45 am to meet the cartoonist | See moadoph.gov.au/cartoon for more information
National Museum of Australia
Recyclacine
The National Museum of Australia has a range of hands-on activities this school holidays for kids. Become a waste warrior as you join artist Tom Buckland in making a herd of fantastic animals out of recycled materials. Paint, cut and paste your own imaginary animal or decorate a tote bag to take home with you.
Monday to Thursday 15–18 April, Tuesday to Wednesday 23–24 and Friday 26 April 10–11.30 am and 11.30 am – 1 pm | Cost: $10 child, Mkids $5, adults free | Bookings are essential for this event, see Eventbrite | The National Museum of Australia | Lawson Cres, Acton | for more information see the website
Chill Out Zone
If you are looking for some quiet time of exploration the National Museum is also home to the kids chill out zone allowing the little ones to partake in self-guided activities as they explore the Australian landscape.
Monday to Thursday 15–18 April, Tuesday to Wednesday 23–24 and Friday 26 April 2019 2–3.30pm | Cost: Free | The National Museum of Australia | Lawson Cres, Acton | For more information see the website.
Dance Central School Holiday Program
Dance Central is hosting four fun-filled days of dance and activities to keep the little ones moving this Easter Holidays.
The holiday programs welcome kids aged 7- 10 and 11- 13 to join in their back-to-back Contemporary, Acrobatics, Hip- Hop and Jazz classes for beginner and intermediate skill levels from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 April.
Each day runs from 9 am – 5 pm with lots of great activities throughout the day, such as choreography sessions, journaling, cupcake decorating, friendship band making and more.
Cost: $380 per person for four days | Places are limited. See the Facebook page here, for more information and book online at thinksmartsoftwareau.com | Dance Central, 13-15 Altree Court, Phillip
Victoria’s Models School Holiday Course
Are you interested in modelling or acting? Victoria’s Models are running their next modelling training for ages 12+ from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 April.
The modelling course covers makeup, hair styling, etiquette, catwalk, TV commercials, photographic, promotional modelling and much more. You can learn all about the modelling industry in Canberra from an experienced team.
Cost: $250 – Grooming & Deportment (Monday and Tuesday), $250 – Advanced Modelling (Wednesday and Thursday). Graduation Thursday 6-7 pm | Runs 9 am – 5 pm each day | Hellenic Club, Phillip | Call 6282 8700 / 0411 512 701 or email courses@victoriasmodels.com.au for more information | Find out more on Facebook.
RSPCA Kids and Kritters
The RSPCA is looking for animal lovers to join their interactive education sessions this school holidays.
Choose from the Kids and Kritters Introductory session for those new to the program or Cat Whisperers, Stay Safe with Dogs, Pet Care and Animal Welfare.
Kids will have the opportunity to see a range of animals on site at the RSPCA, understand their mission to help animals in the ACT and how to care for animals they have at home.
This program is for children aged 7- 13.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and Wednesday 10:30 am – 4:30 pm | RSPCA | 12 Kirkpatrick Street, Weston | For bookings and more information see the website.
National Zoo and Aquarium Zoocation
The National Zoo and Aquarium offers a unique experience for primary aged children. Get up close and personal with a variety of creatures, play games and make toys for the animals.
See behind the scenes and what it takes to be a professional zookeeper. Staffed by experienced and qualified Education Guides of the National Zoo and Aquarium this is an amazing experience for kids with a passion for animals. Children will be separated into age’s groups to accommodate age-appropriate activities.
Zoocation runs between the hours of 9am-4pm on weekdays during ACT school holidays.
Bookings are $80 per child per day.
Zoocation will run from the 15 – 18 April 2019, then 23, 24 and 26 April 2019 | Bookings will be open from 1st March 2019 | Drop off is at 9 am and pick up is between 3:30 pm and 4 pm | National Zoo and Aquarium | 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla | For bookings and information about the program see the website
Kids Pantry
Kids Pantry offers a range of different delicious days throughout the holidays to teach kids and families how to cook yummy and healthy dishes. With their own kitchen garden on hand, Kids Pantry aims to teach the joy of cooking with local and fresh ingredients.
Head to the website to see all the great dishes on offer, choose a day to come along and try those little hands at cooking Fish and Chips, Cookies, Apple Crumble and Prosciutto wrapped Chicken just to name a few.
7 Geils Ct, Deakin | $110 Half Day, $160 Full Day | Tel: 0447074167 | See website for more details.
Warehouse Circus
Are you brave enough to try your hand at the flying trapeze? Maybe learn to juggle, ride a unicycle or walk in stilts.
The Warehouse Circus has school holiday programs for all ages and skill levels. Across the two weeks join in just for fun or spend an intensive 3 days learning all the tricks of the trade. At the end of the holidays kids ages 8 and up will have an opportunity to show off their brand new skills to family and friends for free in an end of program fun-filled performance.
15 – 26 April | Chifley: Warehouse Circus – Training Space, Chifley Health and Well-Being Hub, 4/70 MacLaurin Crescent, Chifley | Kaleen: UC High School Kaleen – Gym Space, 104 Baldwin Drive, Kaleen | Contact: 02 6260 3626 | See website for more information
AIS Holiday Programs
For kids always on the move, the AIS has lots of great ways to spend the school holidays. From soccer, AFL, cricket, hockey and swimming camps to multi-sport days the AIS aims to teach new skills, teamwork while keeping active and healthy.
Not to mention the days include some great chill out time spent in Sportex (interactive sport exhibit) and big screen movies.
Australian Institute of Sport, Leverrier St, Bruce | 6214 1281 or 214 1050 | See the website for bookings and more information.
Code Camp
Is your child the next Steve Jobs, Tech Wiz or Coding Champion? This school holidays, let them expand their skills and develop a love for coding at Code Camp.
Held at UC High School in Kaleen and Canberra Christian School, there are a few different courses to choose from. Catering to ages 7- 13 start with the ‘Spark’ course introducing all the necessities of coding or learn 3D world Building and 2D game making.
16 Apr – 18 Apr | 9 am – 3:30 pm | Canberra Christian School, 64A Ainsworth Street, Mawson
23 Apr – 26 Apr | 9 am – 3:30 pm | UC High School, Baldwin Drive, Kaleen
$349 for 3 days | for more information see the website | or call 1300 263 322
South.Point Tuggeranong
South.Point has your back this Easter School Holidays with a variety of great activities to keep the kids busy with opportunities for you to sit down and unwind with a cup of coffee in between the chaos.
South.Point has booked some awesome immersive zones and entertainment with live performances from special guests The Beanies and The Stufflers.
Week One – The Beanies
Sing along with live shows to get the kids dancing.
Centre Court | 15 – 18 April at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm
Week Two – Stufflers Immersive Zone
Come and make your own furry friend for only $8 with choices ranging from the traditional Teddy Bears to Cats, Dogs, Dragons, Monsters, Jungle Animals and more for you to love.
Centre Court | 22 – 26 April from 9:30 am to 4 pm (1 pm- 5:30 pm Thursday)
Kids Dance Class with Kulture Break
Kulture Break is running kids dance classes!
Learn from the masters in these free classes for kids ages five and up.
Thursday 18 April from 12.30 – 13.20 pm at the Kids’ Corner (in front of Big W) | Ages 5+. Email marketing@southpointcanberra.com.au to book a spot
Movies at Limelight Cinema
Kids tickets are only $10 this school holidays with great movies to see including The Lego Movie 2, Dumbo, Wonder Park and Missing Link!
On Sunday 28 April, Limelight will also be holding a Peppa Pig family fun day which will include free face painting, 10 brand new episodes, a festival 2-part special and exclusive new interactive entertainment.
Westfield Woden
The Wonder Park Fun Zone
The Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive.
In celebration of Wonder Park coming out in cinemas this school holidays Westfield Woden is hosting fun craft activities, optical illusions, exclusive photo wall at the carnival-themed Wonder Park Fun Zone!
From 23 – 26 April, see the website for more information | Level 2 Centre Court, below Big W | Cost: Free
Easter Scavenger Hunt
Hop to it as you explore Westfield Woden in search of five giant Easter eggs these school holidays.
Steps for completing the Easter scavenger hunt challenge:
1. Visit the concierge desk on Level 2 to collect your clues and bunny ears
2. Locate all five eggs in centre and record their unique code words
3. Bring your completed quest sheet back to the concierge to receive your chocolate reward
13 – 21 April within Centre opening times
Easter Cooking Class
Kids Pantry is back these school holidays with some delicious chocolate treats on offer. Your mini chefs will have lots of hands-on fun as they learn to make Rocky Road just in time for Easter.
Saturday 13 April from 11 am – 2 pm | Level 1, near Boost juice | Cost: Free
*Children are not to be left unattended at this activity and please advise of any food allergies before partaking. Activity does not last for the full three hours. Participating children will be allocated 10 – 15 min of activity time.
Westfield Belconnen
Grill’d Kids Burger Master Class
I guess you can have your burger and eat it too. This holidays Grill’d is showing the little ones how to create their very own healthy burger.
Grill’d, Level 3, Westfield Woden | Classes are $12 per child, and include a burger, chips and a drink | See the website for full times
Meet the Easter Bunny
Keep your eyes peeled for the Easter Bunny as he hops around Westfield Belconnen this school holidays. He will be handing out delicious chocolate treats just in time for Easter on Sunday.
17, 18t and 20 April from 11.30 am – 1 pm | Level 3 (roaming)
Easter Scavenger Hunt
Hop to it as you explore Westfield Belconnen in search of five giant Easter eggs these school holidays.
Steps for completing the Easter scavenger hunt challenge:
1. Visit the concierge desk on Level 3 to collect your clues and bunny ears
2. Locate all five eggs in centre and record their unique code words
3. Bring your completed quest sheet backthe to concierge to receive your chocolate reward
13 – 21 April within normal Centre trading hours
Easter Basket Making Workshop
Get the little ones ready for Easter with their very own basket making workshop.
Kids will have the opportunity to make and decorate their very own wooden Easter basket to take home and fill up with delicious chocolates on Easter.
Saturday 13 April from 11 am – 2 pm | Level 2, outside Roll’d | Cost: Free | No bookings required
Canberra Outlet Centre
Easter Bunny Visit
The Easter bunny is hopping around the Canberra Outlet Centre. Keep your eyes peeled, as he will be handing out some delicious treats for the kids.
Easter Bunny visiting from 11 am- 2 pm daily with extended hours across Easter.
Easter period trading hours:
- Closed – Good Friday 19th April
- 10am – 6pm – Easter Saturday 20th April
- 10am – 6pm – Easter Sunday 21st April
- 10am – 6pm – Easter Monday 22nd April
- 1pm – 6pm – Anzac Day Thursday 25th April
Dino Adventure!
Your little adventurers are invited to dig up some fossils and dive into the exciting world of dinosaurs this school holidays.
Put on your explorer hat and best palaeontology gear to have your photo taken with their life like interactive dinosaurs.
Sunday 14 April – Thursday 18 April daily from 11 – 2 pm | Next to Harris Scarfe
Marketplace Gunghalin
The Marketplace in Gungahlin has lots of free and fun activities this Easter holidays.
Easter Craft Zone
Running over the first week of holidays join in some craft activities to display at home over Easter:
- Monday 15 April: Bunny & Carrot Door Hangers
- Tuesday 16 April: Easter Bunny Frames
- Wednesday 17 April: Easter Basket
- Thursday 18 April: Easter Egg Decorating
Monday 15 April – Thursday 18 April 19 | 10 am- 1 pm daily
Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny
Bounce your way through the Marketplace with the Easter Bunny himself in search of Easter Eggs. Children accompanied by a parent or guardian, register with our event staff, and off they go! At the end of the hunt, children receive a chocolate reward from the Easter Bunny.
Saturday 20 April | Anytime between 10 am – 1 pm
Foodie Kids Crafts
The second half of the holidays invites kids to join in with some great food craft activities! Try your hand at Apron Art, Cupcake Decorating and Pasta Play.
- Monday 22 April: Chef Apron Art
- Tuesday 23 April: Cupcake Decorating
- Wednesday 24 April: Chef’s Hats
- Thursday 25 April: Pasta Play(Public Holiday Hours: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
- Friday 26 April: Baker’s Bun Art
For more information see the website
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