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28 Nov 2022

Summer School Holiday Fun is here!

As the weather warms up, summer is the perfect season to swap screen time for green time, so get the kids back outside and into nature at Centennial Parklands! Our education experts have developed a diverse range of School Holiday Programs that are fun, nature-connected and have a splash of education for children aged up to 12 years.

Led by our skilled and knowledgeable Education Rangers, children will be able to explore and discover the marvellous natural environment in the heart of Centennial Park and enjoy unique and accessible outdoor learning experiences.

There’s something to capture the imagination and creativity of every child, from Christmas actvities through marvellous machines with a focus on STEM to outdoor theatre fun with the fairies. Check out our schedule below and prepare your kids for thrilling outdoor adventures these summer school holidays.

December program

Week 1

Santa's Workshop

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm and 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Jingle Bells, jingle bells … join us for two hours of creative gift making.
 
Enjoy the beautiful park and see what amazing Christmas decorations and gifts you can make. Discover the Lachlan Swamp and its inhabitants and collect material that will help you make some beautiful art objects. Of course there will be some games and lots of fun included!
 
Children will be introduced to a range of art mediums and natural materials – gifts parents and grandparents will love.
 
If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

There is no activity on this day.

Mr Bowerbird Scrooge

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Event Type: Parents or carers must remain with their child during the program. 
 
Come on a Christmas Carol adventure with an Aussie twist.
 
Meet the stingy workaholic bower bird called Mr Scrooge and join him as he learns the true meaning of Christmas, the hard way.
 
The show is fun, live and with a large smattering of Christmas JOY! Will his bower be finished before Christmas eve?
 
Can he get through Christmas without getting into a flap? Will Mr Scrooge join the flock?

Presented by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company.

Book Now

Santa's Workshop

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm and 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Jingle Bells, jingle bells … join us for two hours of creative gift making.
 
Enjoy the beautiful park and see what amazing Christmas decorations and gifts you can make. Discover the Lachlan Swamp and its inhabitants and collect material that will help you make some beautiful art objects. Of course there will be some games and lots of fun included!
 
Children will be introduced to a range of art mediums and natural materials – gifts parents and grandparents will love.
 
If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

Santa's Workshop

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm and 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Jingle Bells, jingle bells … join us for two hours of creative gift making.
 
Enjoy the beautiful park and see what amazing Christmas decorations and gifts you can make. Discover the Lachlan Swamp and its inhabitants and collect material that will help you make some beautiful art objects. Of course there will be some games and lots of fun included!
 
Children will be introduced to a range of art mediums and natural materials – gifts parents and grandparents will love.
 
If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

January program

Week 2

Park Science – Marvellous Machines (morning)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Learn about simple machines such as screws, wedges, levers, and pulleys using natural materials and by playing games.

Working in teams, you will design and build a pulley system that will be able to lift objects from the ground using a pulley system of your own design. This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine.

Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine! If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

Park Science – Make Marvellous Machines (afternoon)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine; a comically involved invention that is designed to perform a simple task in a hilariously complicated way. Working in teams, your task will be to design and build your own wild invention to solve an everyday problem.

This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine. Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine!

We will supervise your children over the lunch hour (BYO lunch) if you book in for Marvellous Machines in the morning.

Book Now

Dreamtime Drawing

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Join Aboriginal educators from Shared Knowledge for an hour of Dreamtime Drawing.
Against the backdrop of the stunning Centennial Parklands, kids will discover native art and culture through hands-on painting and storytelling. Kids will learn contemporary Aboriginal art techniques and gain an understanding of Aboriginal culture through the stories told by Shared Knowledge.

Book Now

Bushrangers - Water World (full day)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 9am - 4pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 

The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.
 
BYO Lunch, water bottle, hat, and morning tea. You may also like to bring a change of clothes and shoes to go home in as we will be getting wet!

Book Now

Kids vs Wild – Water World (half day)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.
 
BYO Lunch, water bottle, hat, and morning tea. You may also like to bring a change of clothes and shoes to go home in as we will be getting wet!

Book Now

Bush craft (half day)

Age: Children aged 8-12 years
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Let your children join us for two hours outdoors in the park to build their outdoor skills with expert tuition from our Education Rangers.
If your kids love working with their hands and making things, they likely love our Bushcraft program for older children:

  • Learn some strong, simple knots and put up a team tarp shelter. Then move in!

  • Identify plants useful for making cordage to make rope and jewellery.

  • Use basic cutting tools to whittle tent pegs and bush tools from green wood.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full day program by booking Kids vs Wild - Water World in the morning. We will supervise your child in the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that this program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Book Now

Taste of Bush School

Age: Children aged 2.5 – 5 years
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult 
 
Want to see what Bush School is about? Come to our special Nature Play session and check it out by joining our rangers for a morning of fun on our Nature Play site in Fearnley Grounds. 
Let your kids explore our little forest, test their balancing skills, listen to stories and just play in nature.

Our Bush School rangers have prepared a range of outdoor games and activities that leave no hands clean!

Learn more about Bush School and the theory behind nature play. Parents will also have the opportunity to receive training and advice on how to nurture and mentor their own nature child.

Bush School is an outdoor program and will take place in all-weather except for high winds and electrical storms. Participants (adults and children) are expected to dress for the outdoors, including bringing wet weather gear, a hat, sturdy enclosed shoes and waterproof footwear when required.

Book Now

Fairy Escapades

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
An enchanted theatre tour through the Parklands

Do you believe in fairies? Come on a magical journey at Centennial Parklands as we meet some mischievous and magical creatures from the hidden world of fairies.

They will share secrets of the fairy world and how they live secretly amongst humans. Find out about the different plants and animals that the fairies live and work in harmony with and learn how we can do the same.

Come dressed as a fairy and get ready to join us on this magical fairy adventure. Make a magical day of it!

Presented by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company.

Book Now

Spotlight Prowl For Families


Age: Children aged 5+
Time: 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Event type: This program is for families  

Dusk is a wonderful time to spot animals in Centennial Parklands. The park is home to a variety of nocturnal creatures, from brushtail possums, microbats, and tawny frogmouths to one of Sydney’s largest colonies of grey-headed flying-foxes.

Join our experienced Rangers for a fascinating and surprising spotlight walk to see how the Park transforms when the sun goes down.

Meeting point: Robertson Road Gates 

What to bring:

  • Enclosed & comfortable shoes

  • Warm clothing - it gets cold after dark!

  • Torch

  • Camera (no flash)

  • Waterproof clothing in case of wet conditions, the walks run rain or shine.

  • A sense of adventure

Book Now

Week 3

Park Science – Marvellous Machines (morning)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Learn about simple machines such as screws, wedges, levers, and pulleys using natural materials and by playing games.

Working in teams, you will design and build a pulley system that will be able to lift objects from the ground using a pulley system of your own design. This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine.

Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine! If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

Park Science – Make Marvellous Machines (afternoon)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine; a comically involved invention that is designed to perform a simple task in a hilariously complicated way. Working in teams, your task will be to design and build your own wild invention to solve an everyday problem.

This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine. Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine!

We will supervise your children over the lunch hour (BYO lunch) if you book in for Marvellous Machines in the morning.

Book Now

Kids vs Wild – Water World (morning)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full day program by booking  in the afternoon. We will supervise your child in the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that the Bushcraft  program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.
 

Book Now

Bush craft (afternoon)

Age: Children aged 8-12 years
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Let your children join us for two hours outdoors in the park to build their outdoor skills with expert tuition from our Education Rangers.
If your kids love working with their hands and making things, they likely love our Bushcraft program for older children:

  • Learn some strong, simple knots and put up a team tarp shelter. Then move in!

  • Identify plants useful for making cordage to make rope and jewellery.

  • Use basic cutting tools to whittle tent pegs and bush tools from green wood.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full day program by booking Kids vs Wild - Water World in the morning. We will supervise your child in the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that this program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Book Now

Bushrangers - Water World (full day)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 9am - 4pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 

The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.
 
BYO Lunch, water bottle, hat, and morning tea. You may also like to bring a change of clothes and shoes to go home in as we will be getting wet!

Book Now

Dreamtime Drawing

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Join Aboriginal educators from Shared Knowledge for an hour of Dreamtime Drawing.
Against the backdrop of the stunning Centennial Parklands, kids will discover native art and culture through hands-on painting and storytelling. Kids will learn contemporary Aboriginal art techniques and gain an understanding of Aboriginal culture through the stories told by Shared Knowledge.

Book Now

Taste of Bush School

Age: Children aged 2.5 – 5 years
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult 
 
Want to see what Bush School is about? Come to our special Nature Play session and check it out by joining our rangers for a morning of fun on our Nature Play site in Fearnley Grounds. 
Let your kids explore our little forest, test their balancing skills, listen to stories and just play in nature.

Our Bush School rangers have prepared a range of outdoor games and activities that leave no hands clean!

Learn more about Bush School and the theory behind nature play. Parents will also have the opportunity to receive training and advice on how to nurture and mentor their own nature child.

Bush School is an outdoor program and will take place in all-weather except for high winds and electrical storms. Participants (adults and children) are expected to dress for the outdoors, including bringing wet weather gear, a hat, sturdy enclosed shoes and waterproof footwear when required.

Book Now

Fairy Escapades

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
An enchanted theatre tour through the Parklands

Do you believe in fairies? Come on a magical journey at Centennial Parklands as we meet some mischievous and magical creatures from the hidden world of fairies.

They will share secrets of the fairy world and how they live secretly amongst humans. Find out about the different plants and animals that the fairies live and work in harmony with and learn how we can do the same.

Come dressed as a fairy and get ready to join us on this magical fairy adventure. Make a magical day of it!

Presented by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company.

Book Now

Spotlight Prowl For Families


Age: Children aged 5+
Time: 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Event type: This program is for families  

Dusk is a wonderful time to spot animals in Centennial Parklands. The park is home to a variety of nocturnal creatures, from brushtail possums, microbats, and tawny frogmouths to one of Sydney’s largest colonies of grey-headed flying-foxes.

Join our experienced Rangers for a fascinating and surprising spotlight walk to see how the Park transforms when the sun goes down.

Meeting point: Robertson Road Gates 

What to bring:

  • Enclosed & comfortable shoes

  • Warm clothing - it gets cold after dark!

  • Torch

  • Camera (no flash)

  • Waterproof clothing in case of wet conditions, the walks run rain or shine.

  • A sense of adventure

Book Now

Week 4

Park Science – Marvellous Machines (morning)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Learn about simple machines such as screws, wedges, levers, and pulleys using natural materials and by playing games.

Working in teams, you will design and build a pulley system that will be able to lift objects from the ground using a pulley system of your own design. This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine.

Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine! If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Book Now

Park Science – Make Marvellous Machines (afternoon)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the park! Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine; a comically involved invention that is designed to perform a simple task in a hilariously complicated way. Working in teams, your task will be to design and build your own wild invention to solve an everyday problem.

This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine. Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine!

We will supervise your children over the lunch hour (BYO lunch) if you book in for Marvellous Machines in the morning.

Book Now

Kids vs Wild – Water World (morning)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 10am - 12pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full day program by booking  in the afternoon. We will supervise your child in the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that the Bushcraft  program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.
 

Book Now

Bush craft (afternoon)

Age: Children aged 8-12 years
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 
Let your children join us for two hours outdoors in the park to build their outdoor skills with expert tuition from our Education Rangers.
If your kids love working with their hands and making things, they likely love our Bushcraft program for older children:

  • Learn some strong, simple knots and put up a team tarp shelter. Then move in!

  • Identify plants useful for making cordage to make rope and jewellery.

  • Use basic cutting tools to whittle tent pegs and bush tools from green wood.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full day program by booking Kids vs Wild - Water World in the morning. We will supervise your child in the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that this program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Book Now

Bushrangers - Water World (full day)


Age: Children aged 5-12 years
Time: 9am - 4pm
Event Type: This a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 
 

The greatest alternative to screen time!
 
Keep cool this summer – join our educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting. These activities are heaps of fun for kids and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next terms.
 
BYO Lunch, water bottle, hat, and morning tea. You may also like to bring a change of clothes and shoes to go home in as we will be getting wet!

Book Now

There are no activity on this day.

Taste of Bush School

Age: Children aged 2.5 – 5 years
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Event Type: Children must be accompanied by an adult 
 
Want to see what Bush School is about? Come to our special Nature Play session and check it out by joining our rangers for a morning of fun on our Nature Play site in Fearnley Grounds. 
Let your kids explore our little forest, test their balancing skills, listen to stories and just play in nature.

Our Bush School rangers have prepared a range of outdoor games and activities that leave no hands clean!

Learn more about Bush School and the theory behind nature play. Parents will also have the opportunity to receive training and advice on how to nurture and mentor their own nature child.

Bush School is an outdoor program and will take place in all-weather except for high winds and electrical storms. Participants (adults and children) are expected to dress for the outdoors, including bringing wet weather gear, a hat, sturdy enclosed shoes and waterproof footwear when required.

Book Now

You can view all our children's program including School Holiday, Bush School and more in the What's on page of our website.
Category: Education
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