School holiday guide: Things to do in Melbourne over the July school holidays

KEEPING the kids entertained over the winter break is a piece of cake. Here’s our guide to what’s on in Victoria these July school holidays.

Isabelle and Alice Dunkley check out the Legoland Discovery Centre at Chadstone. Picture: Richard Serong

IT might be winter, but Melbourne is turning up the heat these school holidays. With so many activities and holiday programs, there are plenty of things to keep the kids entertained and amused. Here’s our guide to what’s on and what to do across Victoria during the July school holidays.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE: JULY 2017

Relish Mama Cooking School in Cheltenham will run cooking classes for kids in the school hols. Sisters Ava, 11, and Ettie, 8, Kerrison. Picture: Susan Windmiller

DO A COOKING CLASS

Get creative in the kitchen at Relish Mama cooking school. Kids and teens can learn to cook Asian family favourites, classic winter warmers and even get hands-on with pasta masterclasses.

From $75. Warehouse No. 1/347 Bay Road, Cheltenham.

Noble Park Skatepark. Picture: Christopher Chan

VISIT A SKATE PARK

Grab your wheels and get ready to practice mad tricks at your local skate park. Some popular parks include Knox Skate and BMX Park, Noble Park, Fitzroy Bowl and Wallan Skate Park. Find your local skate park here.

RAMP IT UP

If you’re after a serious skate experience, look no further than Rampfest. The leading indoor skate park features 1000 square metres of plywood paradise, boasting box jumps, a 6ft horseshoe bowl, quarter pipes, foam pit and even a mini ramp. They also run school holiday programs and skate clinics.

From $10. 47-85 Hillary St, Braybrook

Go karting is always a popular option. Pictured at Karting Madness in Chirnside Park. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

GO GO-KARTING

Get your game face on at Sidetracked Entertainment Centre in Oakleigh South, with go karts, mini golf, laser force, tenpin bowling, video games and dodgem cars. Other places include Karting Madness in Chirnside Park, Auscarts Racing in Port Melbourne, 234 Fun Galore in Braybrook, Le Mans Go Karts in Dandenong South or Ace Karts in Albion.

Young rock climber Tomas McGruer Fraser, 14, takes on the bouldering section at Hardrock Indoor Rock Climbing Centre in Nunawading.

GO ROCK CLIMBING

Harness your energy with an afternoon of indoor rock climbing at Hardrock. There is no time limit, and you can come and go as you wish throughout the day.

From $14. 16 — 18 Varman Court, Nunawading and 501 Swanston Street, city.

ACT OUT

Would you like to master super hero action sequences from your favourite films, practise slapstick falls and construct action sequences for both stage and camera, or create and star in your very own short film? Learn the skills, tips and tricks used by stunt professionals on film sets around the world with Universal Studios stuntman Robert Shook at Acting Performance Studios.

1/34 Levanswell Road, Moorabbin

Children enjoy learning circus skills at Little Devils Circus Studio in Cheltenham.

JOIN THE CIRCUS

Yes, it’s exciting — and yes, the children love every moment of Little Devils Circus School. From a fun-packed two-hour class to full-on circus bootcamp, there’s an experience to suit every age and ability.

From $18. 42/148 Chesterville Road, Moorabbin, VIC 3189

Karate workshop at Croydon Leisure & Aquatic Centre. Caitlyn, 5, lays a kick into Karen, 6.

FIGHT CLUB

Master the art of self-defence at All Stars Martial Arts Academy, with workshops in karate, kickboxing, boxing and mixed martial arts and self- defence along. Many local community neighbourhood houses also host karate or martial arts activities.

From $100. Multiple locations.

Elsie Webster, 3, having fun in the snowfall room (real snow falling from ceiling) at Wonderland Spiegeltent at Docklands. Picture. Rob Leeson.

LAND OF WONDER

Wonderland Junior is an inner city fun park offering a whimsical family experience for the young and young at heart. Surprise the little ones with a fun day out and enjoy the excitement of amusement rides including the Dodgem Cars, Carousel, Mini Swing Ride, Rockin’ Tug, Circus Train, Tea Cups and more.

Rides start at $3. 699 La Trobe Street, Docklands

Slide Skate and Chill at The Common this Winter at Southwarf. Hannah Jarad and Lacey Higgins enjoy the toboggan. Picture: Andrew Tauber

SKATE, SLIDE, CHILL

Enter a magical winter wonderland, complete with an undercover riverside ice rink, toboggan slide and chill out zone in the heart of South Wharf. Slide, Skate and Chill will see when The Common Man lawn transformed into an arctic oasis from June 1 to August 31. Skate / slide session lasts 45 minutes and begins on the hour, every hour.

From $15. 39 Dukes Walk, South Wharf

Mikaela Schwarz took part in Code Camp at Immanuel College. Picture: Colleen Young

CODE CAMP

In today’s world knowing how to code is like having a superpower. Unleash yours at one of Code Camp’s three or four day holiday camps, where kids aged 5-12 can learn to build their very own app and learn the skills of the future.

From $350. Multiple locations.

The Big Freeze Winter Festival is coming to Fountain Gate in July

THE BIG FREEZE

Encouraging kids to stay active, creative and use their imaginations at Fountain Gate’s Big Freeze Festival. The free Community Precinct features a delicious array of food vendors and daily stage shows at 11:45am and 1:30pm. Or enter the Winter village where there’s endless snow fun, including a snow slide, snow forest and snow globe.

From $19. July 1-9 at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, 352 Princes Hwy, Fountain Gate.

A Foodi Cupcake and Dessert Tour. Picture: Supplied

DESSERT WALKING TOUR

If you’ve an insatiable sweet tooth and would like nothing more than to surround yourself with desserts for an afternoon, then this Foodi feast is the walking tour for you.

$49. Burke Street, Melbourne.

Boys and girls alike love the Build It 4 Kids holiday workshops. Picture: Supplied

BUILD IT

Learn the tools of the trade at Build It 4 Kids’ Master Builder school holiday workshops. Here, children work to design and construct different creations without instructions, just topics ranging from cars to building structures and anything in-between.

From $45. Mentone Primary School (Library), 6 Childers Street, Mentone.

Guy Edmonds in The Witches, a Roald Dahl classic, which will run throughout the July school holidays at Hawthorn Arts Centre. Picture: Supplied.

SEE A SHOW

Here’s something different to keep your children entertained these school holidays, Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’, told in a madcap one man show. Stumbling onto the annual meeting of witches, a little boy hears their nasty plan to get rid of all the children in the world, by turning them into mice. Can he stop them? Brave boys and girls are in for a wicked time in this one hour show.

$25. July 11 at 11am and 2pm, Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road Hawthorn.

Stonnington Council is hosting its annual children's festival, Roola. Picture: Janine Eastgate.

ROOLA BOOLA

Let your imagination play these school holidays at Roola Boola creative arts festival. With a program of engaging performances, inventive workshops and art adventures for children aged four to ten, it encourages your little ones to get up and moving with dance, magic, circus, craft, theatre and more.

Workshops from $15. June 30-July 3, Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran.

Meet Chesterfield Farm's new baby piglets. Picture: Supplied.

EXPERIENCE FARM LIFE

Gert up close and personal with farm life at one of Melbourne’s myriad working farms. Visit the adorable new piglets at Chesterfield Farm, hold pat and feed a variety of baby animals at Caldermeade, enjoy a pony ride or enjoy a nature walk at Myuna, or try your hand at milking a cow at Collingwood Children’s Farm.

HAVE A BALL

Let the little ones loose at Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre’s Ball Park these school holidays, or take a ride on Thomas the Train.

Free. June 2 to July 9. Cnr Mathew Flinders and Heatherton Roads, Endeavour Hills.

GET BOWLED OVER

Check out the new kids entertainment, bowling alley and playground at Matthew Flinders Hotel.

667 Warrigal Rd, Chadstone.

POTTERY BARN

Explore the magic of clay and enjoy getting your hands dirty at Lynbrook Community Centre’s Pottery for Kids workshops. Learn about firing and glazing and convert your clay into an animal, basket or jewellery masterpiece. For six to 12 years. Bookings essential.

July 3-5. Corner of Lynbrook Boulevard and Harris Street, Lynbrook.

MERMAID MAGIC

This winter, the People’s Playhouse presents The Little Mermaid. Join them for an Under the Sea adventure as they bring you Disney’s famous musical ‘The Little Mermaid’ in July 2017 at the

From $22. July 7-15. Cranbourne Community Theatre, Cranbourne Secondary College, 96-140 Clarendon Street, Cranbourne.

Master the art of tradition Chinese lion dance at Springvale Neighbourhood House.

ROAR FUN

Do you enjoy dancing? Would you like to learn a traditional Chinese dance? The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese dance performed on big occasions, such as Chinese New Year, for good luck. It is a fun and healthy way to exercise while learning new dancing skills.

$2 per lesson. Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46-50 Queens Ave, Springvale

PUPPET MASTER

Get your puppet hands ready with this All Hands On The Puppet workshop. The delightful and engaging workshop is all about creation, performance and play, and is delivered by Barking Spider Visual Theatre. This workshop is a part of [SUB]URBAN Studio project, which is a two-year creative arts project that will offer exciting new arts opportunities in Greater Dandenong. Ages: 6 -12 years old. Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been turned into a stage show, along with Carle’s other stories including Mister Seahorse and the The Very Lonely Firefly.

SEE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR: LIVE

One of the most-read and famous children’s books of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar emerges off the page in a masterful theatrical experience for the whole family. Journey through Eric Carles incredible stories as they come to life on stage in this enchanting show. This Australian-made show will excite, educate and entertain new readers, first-time theatregoers and those who grew up with these books. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, directed by Naomi Edwards and incorporating 75 magical puppets from New York’s Puppet Kitchen, this is a timeless classic for all generations.

From $22. July 8, Drum Theatre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

BALLER, BABY

Become a baller at one of Waverley Basketball Stadium’s school holiday basketball camps, offering everything from beginner to advanced balls skills.

$55 per day. July 3-6, Waverley Basketball Stadium, Batesford Road and Power Ave, Chadstone

JOIN THE CIRCUS

Run away to the circus and experience a selection of different circus activities including juggling, tumbling, mini trampoline, static trapeze, aerial ring, hula hoops, tight wire and more. Children spend the morning with fun whole-class activities to develop fitness and then move to similar skill-based groups. National Institute of Circus Australia (NICA) offers three-hour, whole-day and week-long packages.

Level 1, ‘PC’ Building, 39-59 Green Street, Prahran.

PUSS IN BOOTS

Tivoli Theatre is preparing to wow audiences with a pantomime production of the classic children’s tale, Puss in Boots. Ticket includes fairy bread.

$20. July 3-15. St. John’s Church Hall, 5 Finch Street, Malvern East

START A DODGEBALL TEAM

Get your friends together for a game of Dodgeball, or even start your own team. Dodge ball is a mixed social sport and is a great way for kids to stay active and make new friends. The Melbourne Dodgeball League runs weekly Dodgeball matches over the course of 12-16 weeks. Registration is free and no playing experience necessary.

$10 per game. Multiple locations.

Enrol in an art class.

ART ATTACK

Free your child’s inner artist at Colour Your World Art classes. Students choose what they would like to paint, then they are guided through techniques to bring their imaginations to life.

From $35. Multiple locations.

SCIENCE STAR

SciencePlay Kids is a space for children to explore science concepts in a fun and creative way. Sessions start with some dressing up — lab coats and goggles for all — before kids get to conduct their own scientific research and experiments. Classes are for children aged 2-6 years old.

From $20. 32 Hampstead Rd, Maidstone.

LEARN TO STICK IT

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a gymnast? Find out at Footscray City Gymnastics Club’s school holiday program.

From $8. July 3-13. 10 Mitford Pde, West Footscray.

BECOME AN ACROBAT

Get your adrenaline pumping during a high-voltage acrobatics class at Team Adrenaline fitness centre. Learn acrobatics, trampolining and tumbling. Classes also include arts and crafts and a movie. Ideal for children aged 4-10 years.

$40 per child. July 10 and 13. 88 Gordon Street, Footscray

Campbelltown Library Officer Eva Resiak reads a book to kids.

BE A BOOKWORM

Get lost in a good book with libraries all across Victoria offering free story time sessions.

Find your local here.

Visit Legoland at Chadstone Shopping Centre. Picture: David Caird

LEGO LAND

Treat your kids to the ultimate indoor Lego experience at LEGOLAND. Enjoy rides, build and play zones, creative workshops, Lego racers, a 4D cinema and much more. You will definitely be in their good books with this one.

From $32.50. Bookings essential. Level 2, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road

Chadstone. Opposite HOYTS on the fourth floor, and near Target.

Aerial view of Ashcombe Maze, set in 20 hectares of garden at Shoreham, on the Mornington Peninsula.

LOSE YOURSELF

Get lost at one of Melbourne’s many mazes. Search for gnomes at Ashcombe Maze, discover the four secret areas and get your passport stamped along the way at SkyHigh Maze, go tree surfing or get tangled in the giant maze at Enchanted Adventure Garden or navigate the labyrinth at A Maze N Things in Phillip Island.

Get your skates on at Rollerama.

BLADES OF GLORY

Glide through the school holidays at an ice skating or roller rink. Carve up the ice at O’Brien Group Arena at the Docklands, get your skates on at Sunshine Roller Skating Centre or Skaterz in Eltham, disco it up at Skateworld Mordialloc, find your need for speed at Sk8house Carrum Downs, learn inline hockey at Bayswater Roller City or skate through fog at Caribbean Gardens’ Rollerama in Scoresby.

Damon Salerno tries one of the climbing activities at Latitude indoor aerial park in Greenacres. Photo Tom Huntley

HIGH JUMP

Want to get airborne? Practice your jumping skills at one of Melbourne’s myriad trampoline centres. Attempt wall running or a slam dunk at Supatramp in Grovedale, have a bouncing good time at Airheads Fun Zone in Lynbrook, join the Flight Academy holiday camp at Bounce Inc (Blackburn, Essendon Fields, Glen Iris), climb, dodge and slam at Rush HQ in Rowville, battle it out in the foam pit at Latitude in Greenacres and defy gravity at Airodrome Trampoline Park (Altona and Geelong).