How to spend the 2022 school holidays on the Northern Rivers
Holidays can be a testing time for parents, but here is a full list of ways to keep the kids entertained this school break.
Lismore
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Deep into the holidays with the return to school still a month away, now is the time many parents are struggling to keep their children occupied.
The Northern Star has put together a list of the top spots where kids can enjoy the summer.
The Farm workshops
Get your kids back to nature with this plethora of fun and educational workshops from Byron Bay’s The Farm.
School holiday workshops include a holiday flower workshop, bees workshop and more.
Workshops suit kids aged five to 15.
For more details, head here.
WHERE: The Farm Byron Bay, 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale
WHEN: January 3—28
PRICE: $70
Become a wildlife guardian
Give your kids a behind-the-scene look at Macadamia Castle with this special holiday treat.
Kids can become Wildlife Guardians and spend the day with the keepers behind-the-scenes in the Animal Park. Activities include learning about conservation and designing/building a reptile enclosure.
Numbers are strictly limited and the program is suitable for kids aged eight to12.
For more details head here.
WHERE: Macadamia Castle, 419 Hinterland Way Knockrow
WHEN: January 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20. From 9am — 3.30pm
PRICE: $80
Girls’ wisdom workshop
Give the girls in your life an uplifting and supportive day with this confidence-focused workshop.
Through guided discussion and engaging activities, certified youth mentor Gabrielle Goldklang will help girls discover more about themselves.
The workshop is for girls aged 13 to 17.
For more information and bookings, contact Gabrielle at 04 3191 4569 or gabrielle@girlwsidom.net
WHERE: Ballina
WHEN: January 22,1—5pm
PRICE: $55
Water slide fun
Kids can get their choice of water wonder with two spectacular spots this summer season.
Ballina Pool water slides are back this summer for two daily sessions.
The popular inflatable water slides are also up at Evans Head Bowlo daily with the Beechies Snack Bar and Drinks Bar open.
WHERE: Ballina Pool Water slides, 4 River St, Ballina
Evans Head Bowling Club, 2 Beech St, Evans Head
WHEN: Ballina Pool Water slides open daily 10am — 1pm, 1—4pm
Evans Head Bowling Club is open daily 3-7pm
PRICE: $16 per person OR $10 per child
Rock and roller-skate
Whether you are a rollerskater or rollerblader, Lismore Rollerworld has you covered for the holidays.
Great fun for all the family with two weekly daytime sessions and a special Friday night session.
For more information, head here.
WHERE: 21 Bridge Street, Lismore
WHEN: Weekdays 10am – 12.00pm and 2-4pm, Saturday 10.30-12.30pm, and 2—4pm, and Sunday 2—4pm
PRICE: Daytime Sessions are $10 with $3 hire
Circus workshops
For the kids looking for something more adventurous, this workshop may be the perfect chance to hone those aerobatic skills.
Circus Arts Byron Bay is packing the school holiday program with fun circus activities including acrobatics, tight wire and high flying trapeze.
The workshops are suitable for kids, aged five to 11 and teens, 12-16, and parents can choose a full or half day program.
For more information, head here.
WHERE: 17 Centennial Cct, Byron Bay
WHEN: Monday — Saturday from 9.30am-4.3pm during NSW and QLD school holidays
PRICE: $40-70
Grab a bundle of books
For those looking for a quieter break, check out Byron Shire’s annual book fair to pick up some great reads.
The seventh annual Friends of Libraries book fair boasts loads of second hand books from children’s to classics and more.
For more information, head here.
WHERE: Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Bay St, Byron Bay
WHEN: January 14-17, from 9am
PRICE: Free entry
Bowling bonanza
Nothing beats a tried and true round of tenpin bowling on the holidays.
Both Lismore and Ballina Tenpin Bowls are open these school holidays for a round of family fun.
Lismore Tenpin Bowl are offering free playground entry for any child under 12 years who bowls a game.
For more information head to their Facebook sites.
WHERE: 19 Krauss Ave, South Lismore OR 16 Clarke St, Ballina
WHEN: Lismore Tenpin Bowl open Sunday to Friday 9am-9pm, and Saturdays 9am – 11pm OR Ballina Tenpin Bowl 9am — late, Fridays 9am — 10pm, Saturday 9am 11pm and Sunday: 10am – 9pm
PRICE: One game starts at $10
Kids art & creativity classes
While parents shop around town, kids can have the creative time of their life with these Art & Wine Co kid classes.
The school holiday classes for Primary School children combine digital and traditional creative arts and children are encouraged to explore art through a range of mediums including paint, clay, collage and even digital art.
To book, head here.
WHERE: Level 1/13 Lawson St, Byron Bay
WHEN: January 3 to February 4, 10am — 12pm
PRICE: $50
Creature feature
At Lismore’s The Quad there is also a bounty on holiday joy for the kids and this season is no exception.
Lismore Regional Gallery and The Quad have partnered to bring you Creature Feature, an afternoon filled with cardboard costumery followed by a wild dance party.
Kids can join a gallery tour and create headdresses and masks from cardboard, inspired by Deborah Kelly‘s exhibition Creation before joining the DJ on the dance floor.
Full details here.
WHERE: Lismore Regional Gallery and The Quad 11 Rural St, Lismore
WHEN: January 14, 3.30-5pm, 5.30-7pm
PRICE: $15 for the workshop and dance party only options and $30 for both the workshop and dance party
Do you have a favourite summer activity not included on this list?
Send through your recommendation to tessa.flemming@news.com.au to share it with the rest of the world.
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