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City of Wollongong

School’s out so let the holiday fun begin

Tuesday 30 March 2021

School is out this Thursday 1 April and that means it’s time to start planning your school holidays!

To take the stress out of school holiday planning, we’ve compiled a list of activities you can add to your family’s autumn calendar.

With an array of workshops and events held across our city, there’s plenty of family fun to take part in. Enjoy treasure hunts in the Botanic Garden, create little monsters at the Art Gallery or Creaturetoon a dinosaur or mythical creature at Wollongong Libraries.

“With the first term of schooling done, we know our kids and teenagers are keen to have some fun and relax for the next two weeks,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We’ve a great mix of activities for kids of all ages to get involved in that will challenge their thinking, embrace their creative side and move their bodies. There is something for everyone, so I recommend families check out what’s on offer.

“Youth Week also starts at the backend of school holidays kicking off on Friday 16April. In the lead up to the week, the Wollongong Youth Centre will continue to be open to our young people as it’s a popular central place where they can socialise, be active and share ideas

“It’s also important to remember when you are out and about to stay safe by following the current NSW Public Health Orders. As hard as it may be to miss out on the fun, if you’re feeling unwell, please stay home.”

To stay safe these school holidays we’re asking community members to sign in with the QR codes at our indoor facilities, keep 1.5 metres away from others, and sanitise your hands.

Here’s our list of upcoming school holiday activities.

FOGO fun at the Botanic Garden

Bring the family along to enjoy some fun school holiday activities where they will learn how they can tackle the war on waste using our new FOGO – Food Organic Garden Organics – system.

As part of the fun FOGO program, families will enjoy an interactive treasure hunt around the Garden and Ziggy’s Incredible Recycled Time Machine Show. At the end, children will take home a plant they have potted up in compost made from FOGO.

What

When

Where

Garden Fun with FOGO School Holiday Program

10am to 12noon daily from Monday 12 to Friday 16 April

Wollongong Botanic Garden Discovery Centre, closest carpark off Madoline Street, Keiraville

Bookings are limited and can be made via Eventbrite or through the Garden’s website.

If you can’t make it to the Garden Fun with FOGO program, the Wollongong Botanic Garden will be open daily from 7am to 5pm and entry is free. Families can spend the day at the Garden by taking a stroll through our rainforest, explore our 18 native and exotic garden collections and enjoy the all-ability playground.

Get social at Wollongong Youth Centre

For our young people [12-18 yrs] our Youth Centre is the place to be these school holidays. This month we’re running two programs: Hang Out and Late Night for young people to come together, relax and have fun.

Visit the Youth Centre to hang out with your friends, meet new people, use the free Wi-Fi, play pool, pick up a gaming console or simply relax on our comfy lounges.

What

When

Where

Hang Out

Every Tuesday and Wednesday through school holidays, 1 - 5pm

Wollongong Youth Centre, 85 Burelli St Wollongong

Late Night

Every Thursday and Friday through school holidays, 3.30 - 7.30pm

Wollongong Youth Centre

No need to book. Simply drop by the Youth Centre to join the fun.

Make sure you check out our Young People page throughout school holidays for more activities.

Be creative in the Wollongong Art Gallery

The Art Gallery will be hosting a mixture of art workshops designed to stimulate and inspire the creative imagination. Children will use a variety of materials and learn new skills such as mixed media, sculpture, drawing, painting, and performance in a COVID safe environment.

Numbers are limited and bookings are essential on the Wollongong Art Gallery website. You can also find more information about the workshops below.

What

When

Where

Little Monsters
[5 to 8 yrs]

Tuesday 13 April, 10am to 12noon

Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street Wollongong

Continuous Line Portraits
[5 to 8 yrs]

Tuesday 13 April, 1.30 to 3.30pm

Wollongong Art Gallery

Self Portraits
[9 to 14 yrs]

Wednesday 14 April, 10am to 3pm

Wollongong Art Gallery

Egg Carton Animals
[9 to 14 yrs]

Thursday 15 April, 10am to 3pm

Wollongong Art Gallery

Make a mini show with Nitro Nora
[5 to 10 yrs]

Friday 16 April, 10am to 12noon

Wollongong Art Gallery

Circus all-sorts demonstration and workshop with Emma
[5 to 10 yrs]

Friday 16 April, 1.30 to 3.30pm

Wollongong Art Gallery

Have fun at your local Library

Wherever you live, there’s plenty of fun to get involved in at your local library. Six of our libraries from Helensburgh down to Warrawong will be hosting creative workshops for the little ones and fun social events for high schoolers.

Head to our Library website for more information about the school holiday program below.

And remember to book your spot via Eventbrite to avoid disappointment.

What

When

Where

Yarn Turtles
[5+ yrs]

Wednesday 7 April to Thursday 15 April

See Library website for various locations, dates, and times

Movie Time

[5+ yrs]

Tuesday 6 April to Thursday 15 April

See Library website for various locations, dates, and times

Creaturetoons!
[5+ yrs]

Tuesday 13 April

See Library website for various locations and times

Sloth Trapeze

[8+ years]

Wednesday 7 April to Wednesday 14 April

See Library website for various locations, dates, and times

Paper Beads
[12 to 18 yrs]

Friday 16 April, 10am to 12noon

Dapto Library

Introduction to Costume Design
[12 to 18 yrs]

Thursday 8 April, 11am to 1pm

Wollongong Library

Hop on down to Wollongong CBD

Why not take your Easter Hunt on tour to Crown Street Mall?

As of Saturday 27 March, visitors can enjoy interactive Easter-themed artwork installed on six shopfronts throughout the Crown Street Mall.

To watch the artwork come to life through augmented reality, scan the QR code at any location to download the Eyejack app to your smartphone. Once downloaded, simply hold your phone in front of each artwork to watch it come to life. Once you’ve found all six artworks, you can then hop into a participating retailer to collect your chocolate egg reward.

If that’s not enough, Council is also working with Wollongong Central to bring extra fun for local families this Easter with Showtime in the City. From Saturday 10 April to Wednesday 14 April, visitors to Crown Street Mall and Wollongong Central will be able to enjoy outdoor carnival rides and a DJ on the Mall stage, roving entertainers, a farmyard animal nursery, face painting and balloon bending.

What

When

Where

Golden Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday 27 March to Sunday 18 April

While the artworks can be enjoyed at any time, chocolate rewards are only available during business opening hours.

Crown Street Mall, Wollongong

Showtime in the City

Saturday 10 April to Wednesday 14 April, 10am-3pm daily

Crown Street Mall and Wollongong Central

Find out more by visiting the Wollongong CBD website.


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