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The winter school holidays in Sydney are here, and before the "I'm bored" chorus kicks in (you know it's coming), we've done the hard work for you.
Sydney truly shines in winter when it comes to school holiday programs. From creative workshops where little imaginations run wild to science labs that actually make kids put down their phones, sports clinics for the ones who need to burn off approximately 1,000 calories a day, and cultural experiences at some of Sydney's most iconic venues. There's genuinely something for every kid, including budding artists, mini scientists, sports fanatics, and explorers who haven't met a museum they didn't like.
The 2026 NSW winter school holidays run from Monday, 6 July to Friday, 17 July 2026. That's two weeks that are yours to fill with memories they'll actually remember (and ones you'll survive). From the CBD to the suburbs, Sydney's best venues and educators have pulled out all the stops with programs designed to engage young minds, burn off energy, and keep boredom firmly at bay.
Let's get into it.
Find Your Perfect Winter School Holidays Program
Creative & Performing Arts
1. Speaking Schools Australasia School Holiday Workshops
Are you looking for a fun and engaging class to help your kids find their voice and build their confidence? Speaking Schools Australasia can help!
The award-winning Speaking Schools has helped over 25,000 students improve their speaking skills and build their confidence through a range of fun and educational school holiday workshops in debating and public speaking. Their programs cater to kids from Kindy up to Year 10 at five convenient locations across Sydney and online. With a welcoming environment, small classes, and plenty of personal feedback from expert coaches, SSA helps every student bring their words to life.
Where: Bella Vista, North Sydney, Wahroonga, Burwood, North Parramatta and Online
When: During the winter school holidays
Cost: From $260 per child for a 2-day workshop | See Speaking Schools Australasia for costs.
2. Museums of History NSW
Families looking for more school holiday programs will find plenty to love in Museums of History NSW's lineup of workshops led by artists, educators and cultural practitioners across their sites and museums. Held at heritage locations throughout Sydney, these thoughtfully designed sessions offer a learning experience that balances creativity, history and fun.
Where: Museums of History NSW sites and museums
When: During the school holidays
Cost: General admission is FREE. Some workshops are ticketed.
3. Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music will be running a series of Open Academy School Holiday Workshops in its historic Macquarie Street buildings during the school holidays.
Based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and the Dalcroze and Kodaly methods, children will be immersed in a broad range of musical activities, including singing, imitation, movement, playing percussion instruments, improvisation, storytelling, and guided listening. The Kids at the Con program is designed for little music lovers ages 3 to 10 to explore creative music-making through small-group activities, helping them engage with the exciting world of music and encouraging artistic expression.
Where: Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, Macquarie Street
When: 15-18 July 2026
Cost: $40 - $105 pp
4. Marian Street Theatre for Young People
Dive into a world of drama queens and kings with the Marian Street Theatre for Young People Holiday Workshops! Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 will be immersed in an engaging theatrical experience while learning valuable skills and building their confidence on stage.
Marian Street Theatre courses offer a comprehensive theatre education for budding performers, helping them explore acting skills such as characterisation, listening, and reacting. They will learn storytelling techniques such as story arc and story building; delve into stagecraft, collaboration, and ensemble building, and be guided on vocal techniques. They will also be introduced to public speaking, stage physicality and movement, all while fostering confidence in a fun, safe environment.
Where: Killara - St Martin's Church, 9B Arnold Street
Hornsby - Storey Park Community Centre, 12 Old Berowra Road
When: During the winter school holidays
Cost: $100 - $565 per child per multi-day workshop
Sports Programs
5. The Y NSW School Holiday Programs & Vacation Care
The Y NSW School Holiday Programs offer Sydney families a reliable and engaging way to keep kids active, social and entertained over the school holidays. With two program streams, Vacation Care and Recreation School Holiday Programs, there's something to suit every child and family schedule.
Vacation Care runs across 30+ OSHC services and provides full-day care packed with excursions, workshops and day camps, while Recreation programs are delivered at Y centres across NSW and focus on movement-based fun, including gymnastics, swimming intensives and multi-sport activities such as soccer and netball. Led by qualified instructors in safe, welcoming environments, these flexible programs help children build confidence, develop skills, and make new friends, making them a popular choice for parents looking for structured, screen-free school holiday programs.
Where: The Y OSHC and Recreation services throughout NSW
When: Throughout the school holidays
Cost: Fees vary — see individual programs for details
6. City Of Sydney: Fast-track School Holiday Intensive Swimming
Dive into excitement these school holidays with the City of Sydney's Fast Track School Holiday Intensive Swimming Program, available at select City of Sydney pools!
It's a fantastic opportunity for your child to quickly enhance their swimming skills and gain confidence in the water. The program offers daily 30-minute lessons from Monday to Friday, and the chance to learn skills like diving, specific strokes and turns.
Learning to swim is essential at all levels and ages. Book now!
Where: Cook and Phillip Park Pool
Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
When: During the school holidays
Cost: Contact your nearest centre for pricing details
7. Sydney FC School Holiday Clinics
Looking for a school holiday program that's all about energy, excitement and football fun? Sydney FC's Holiday Clinics are back, and they're already kicking goals, with three locations sold out!
Designed for kids aged 5 to 13, these action-packed clinics run across Sydney and Wollongong, offering expert coaching, confidence-building drills, and loads of team spirit. Kids can sharpen their skills, meet Sydney FC A-League players, and even score some gear, including a training kit, cap and Junior Membership.
Places are limited and filling fast, so don't miss out — secure your child's spot today!
Where: Locations across Sydney and Wollongong
When: 6-16 July 2026
Cost: $310 (including new kit) | $280 (excluding new kit)
8. Monster Skatepark Winter Camps
For kids who'd rather be on wheels than anywhere else, Monster Skatepark's Winter Holiday Camps are basically the dream school holiday program.
Catering to action sports enthusiasts of all skill levels — from absolute beginners who've never stepped on a board to seasoned riders ready to level up — Monster's school holiday camps are run by instructors who work with each rider individually within a group setting. There's proper coaching, genuine progression and a whole lot of fun, rather than just kids rolling around unsupervised while parents nervously watch from the sidelines.
Skaters are grouped by a mix of age and experience, so no one feels out of their depth or held back. A typical camp day kicks off with some preliminary coaching and skill assessment at Monster Skatepark, before the real adventure begins — a Skatepark Tour, where skaters pile into camp vehicles and hit some of Sydney's best skateparks across the city. On tour, coaches work with riders on their skills while also leaving room for free skating time, because sometimes you just need to roll.
Where: 1A Grand Parade, Sydney Olympic Park
When: Week 1: 6-10 July | Week 2: 13-17 July
Cost: $149 for 1 Day; $139 for 3 or 4 days; $109 for 5 or more days
STEM Programs
9. Code Camp
Let Code Camp inspire your children to get creative with technology these holidays, learn valuable new skills, have fun and make new friends. With a wide range of in-person camps and online programs available, there truly is something for everyone. Choose from beginner to advanced coding camps, robotics, stop-motion animation, DJing, video production and more.
Code Camp's flagship coding programs are the perfect introduction to your child’s Code Camp journey. Choose Little Coders for ages 5-7 to take their first steps into the world of coding, and Spark for ages 7-12 to use drag and drop coding to create an exciting arcade-style game. Their most popular creative camps are also back this season, including Minecraft Engineers, Roblox Legends, Robotics Camps and YouTube Creators, offering the coolest few days of STEM learning and fun.
For a different kind of creative experience, Code Camp also offers tech-free crafting camps called Get Crafty. It is a break from screens where kids can enjoy hands-on programs that encourage mindfulness and creativity while having fun with others.
Where: Various locations throughout Sydney
When: Throughout the winter school holidays
Cost: Various, depending on camp type and duration; check the website for pricing options
Outdoor Adventures
10. School Holiday Programs at the Wildflower Garden
If your kids think nature is just something they see through a car window, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden is about to change that — fast.
Nestled in Sydney's north, the Wildflower Garden runs full-day school holiday programs for primary-aged kids (6-12 years) and for children who have just started Kindy. The programs rotate through brilliant nature-based themes, including survival skills, animal encounters, nature detectives and water play. The kind of hands-on experiences that make kids forget screens even exist — hoorah!
Can't commit to a full day? Half-day programs and family experiences also run throughout the school holidays, including animal family walks, twilight safaris and campfire experiences. The twilight safari and campfire combo alone might be the coolest school holiday program in Sydney this winter (just saying).
It's outdoor education at its best: messy, memorable and genuinely good for little humans.
Where: 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives
When: Throughout the winter school holidays
Cost: TBA — visit the website for updates
FAQs
What are school holiday programs in Sydney?
School holiday programs in Sydney are structured, supervised activities run during the NSW school holiday periods and are designed to keep kids engaged, active and learning while school is out. They range from sports clinics and coding camps to performing arts workshops and outdoor nature programs.
When are the 2026 winter school holidays in Sydney?
The NSW winter school holidays run from 28 June to 9 July 2026.
How much do school holiday programs in Sydney cost?
Costs vary widely depending on the program. Some museum and cultural programs offer free entry, while multi-day workshops (like coding camps or performing arts intensives) typically range from $100 to $565. Half-day programs generally start from around $40.
What age are school holiday programs suitable for?
Most programs in Sydney cater to primary school-aged children from Kindy (5 years) through to Year 12. Some programs, like Code Camp, offer streams specifically designed for ages 5-7, while others, like Marian Street Theatre, cater up to Year 12.
Do I need to book school holiday programs in advance?
Yes. Popular programs like Sydney FC Soccer Clinics sell out quickly, sometimes weeks in advance. It's worth booking as soon as dates are confirmed, especially for multi-day workshops with limited spots.
Are there free school holiday programs in Sydney?
No. Most school holiday programs in Sydney are paid. While Museums of History NSW offers free general admission, their school holiday workshops are ticketed. For free things to do during the school holidays, check out our School Holiday Activities guide.
What are the best STEM school holiday programs in Sydney?
Code Camp is one of Sydney's most popular STEM holiday programs, offering coding, robotics, Minecraft, Roblox and YouTube creator camps for ages 5-12 across multiple Sydney locations.
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About ellaslist
ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.
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