‘All about fun’: Hundreds of school holiday activities in Darwin, Alice Springs and regional NT revealed

Hundreds of free school holiday activities will take place across the Territory this month. Here’s what’s on offer.

The festive season is behind us but the real fun is just starting for scores of Territory kids.

More than 400 school holiday activities are coming up before classrooms reopen at the end of the month.

Everything from rock climbing to dance workshops, bubble soccer to circus skills are open to young people this January, with most activities free-of-charge.

The Shak at Sanderson Middle School is just one place young kids can drop into during out-of-school hours, both during the holidays and school term.

The Shak co-ordinator Boab Murray-Atfield said the Malak youth centre welcomed an average of 27 kids each day.

Indoor movie sessions are just one of the many fun activities for youth at The Shak this summer holidays. Picture: Annabel Bowles

“The Shak’s first priority is providing a safe space for young people from greater Darwin and making sure that social, emotional and physical needs are being met,” he said.

“Then from there, it’s all about fun – we’ve got games and activities set up every day.

“Fan favourites are always the gaming stuff – they’ve got virtual reality goggles which is great new tech and a lot of fun – as well as the skateboarding.”

Table tennis competitions, unicycle and circus skills, and jewellery making classes are just some of the youth hub’s upcoming sessions.

Bubble soccer sessions at taking place at The Y Katherine throughout January. Picture: Chris Higgins

In Alice Springs kids can get amongst squash, disco and rock climbing, while laser tag at Katherine and basketball in Tennant Creek are some of the regional towns’ top activities.

Most of the activities are free to families, due in part to a $2.18m commitment by the Territory government.

Free feeds of BBQs, tacos and fruit are also provided at many events.

“It’s great to see young people taking advantage of what is a wide-ranging list of events right across the Territory,” Youth Minister Lauren Moss said.

“After the excitement of Christmas, it could be easy to lose interest in what lies ahead, but with activities ranging from skateboarding, to working with wood crafts, there’s something to keep everyone on the go.

“There’s no reason for anyone to think that there’s nothing do, with a comprehensive collection of fun events available before school begins for the new year.”

For a full list of school holiday activities head to the NT government website.