School Holiday Programs in Sydney: The Best for Winter 2024

The winter school holidays are almost upon us, so to ensure that the kids don't end up glued to the TV or iPad all holiday long, make sure to book them in for some of these awesome school holiday programs in Sydney running at museums, gardens, parks, and beyond.

There's something for every child at locations across the city in our guide to the best school holiday programs in Sydney, so there's never been a better antidote to the school holiday blues!

School Holiday Programs in Sydney: The Best for Winter 2024

1. ATYP Drama Workshops

ATYP is all about creating exciting drama and film experiences to keep young people entertained during the school holidays. Whether your budding performer is in Kindergarten or Year 12, there's something they can sink their teeth into! They'll make new friends but discover the joys of performing, boost their confidence, and have an absolute blast in a safe and inspiring creative environment.

ATYP workshops cover a broad range of engaging, hands-on topics, with highlights that include Film Making: Thriller, Pie Face: Slapstick Comedy, Dramarama, Scene Work and lots more. It's all about fun and learning at ATYP!

Where:   ATYP, Dawes Point
               Seymour Centre, Chippendale
When:    Monday 8 - Friday 19 July 2024 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
Cost:      Costs vary depending on the workshop. The early bird discount ends Friday 14 June 2024.

2. Code Camp

Code Camp is the ultimate school holiday boredom buster for kids who love STEAM. Code Camp has taught over 100,000 kids in Australia everything from how to cut a YouTube video to coding your own Jurassic World game. Code Camp introduces kids to the fascinating possibilities of technology and empowers them to design, code, and create their own unique projects.

Code Camp offers a multitude of school holiday camps to explore! This winter, camps on the schedule include Little Coders: Trolls Edition and Spark and Ignite, inspired by DreamWorks' Trolls, plus favourites Minecraft Engineers, Minecraft Minis and Roblox Legends are also returning.

Camps are designed for different age groups and ability levels and, with over 100 locations around Australia plus online camps, there is something for every budding coder or creator. 

Where:    All areas of Sydney and surrounds, plus online
When:     8 July to 19 July 2024 | 9:30 am - 3.30 pm
Cost:       Starting from $129 for online and $275 for in-person camps

3. City Of Sydney: Fast-track School Holiday Intensive Swimming

Dive into excitement this school holiday with 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. 

There's also the option for 1:1 private lessons if you're after more personalised attention for your child! To find out more and to book, visit the website. 

Where:    The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
                Cook + Phillip Park Pool
                Gunyama Park Pool
When:     Enquire at your nearest centre for program dates
Cost:       Contact the centres below for pricing details

4. 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 their historic Macquarie Street buildings during these 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, story-telling, and guided listening. 

The workshops are designed for little music lovers from 3 to 10 years old to explore creative music-making in small group activities. They also offer a great opportunity to experience what the weekly term-time programs are like! 

The Kids at the Con program is designed to help children engage with the exciting world of music and encourage the development of artistic expression. 

Where:   Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, Macquarie Street.
When:    Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 July 2024
Cost:      $40 - $100 per child

5. Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum offers a bumper schedule of school holiday programs and activities for the ultimate ocean adventure! Be immersed in interactive exhibitions, explore an array of vessels, join hands-on workshops and discover themed activities for children of all ages, inspired by the new Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Dive into the excitement with Erth Theatre’s unforgettable new performance experience, getting up close with the Sharks of Sydney Harbour. Become a star in your own wildlife documentary in a TV Presenting Workshop, or aim to be the next Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Cockatoo Island Photography Workshop. Discover magical creatures in the Fintastic Friday program and explore many more exciting exhibitions, trails, workshops, and encounters. There's something for everyone to enjoy!

Where:    Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When:     Throughout the July school holidays
Cost:       Entry is $25 per adult, $15 per child under 15, and Children under 4 go FREE
                Some workshops incur additional costs.

7. Museums of History NSW

Calling all young adventurers! If you're tired of the same old school holiday playground rounds, check out Museums of History NSW School Holiday Workshops. There are two to choose from—both bringing creativity and fun to the fore during these school holidays. 

During the July school holidays, join Museums of History NSW for a Poetry Workshop led by Lucy Norton, where kids can explore the power of words and express their own interpretation of "the art of place." This workshop will delve into the nature and practice of poetry, using poetic language, forms, and conventions to inspire creativity. Suitable for ages 8+. 

Or, celebrate NAIDOC Week with a special workshop led by Ngarigo artist Peter Waples-Crowe.

In this hands-on Collage Workshop, Peter will share his art-making process and guide you through techniques that blend found imagery, colour, texture, and shape to create intricate works reflecting his Indigenous, queer identity. Suitable for ages 10+. 

Where:   Museum of Sydney, 10 Macquarie St, Sydney
When:    Tuesday 9 July, Wednesday 10 July | 11 am - 12 pm & 2 pm - 3 pm 
Cost:      $15 per person | $12 for members. 

8. KICK Learn to Swim

The KICK Learn to Swim School Holiday Intensive program in Edgecliff is an excellent way to accelerate your child's swimming skills and water confidence. Designed for kids from 3 years of age, their small school holiday classes get real results and are perfect for swimmers to consolidate the progress they have made during the term or get the push they need to move up a level.

Swimmers attend a class at the same time each day for a week, with classes running every half hour during morning sessions (8 am -12 pm) and afternoon sessions (2 pm - 5 pm) for optimal flexibility and availability. Private one-on-one classes are also available for $280 for 4 x 30-minute sessions.

Where:   Level B / 100 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
When:    Monday 8 - Friday 19 July 2024
Cost:      $175 for 5 x 30 minute shared lessons | $140 for 4 x 30 minute shared lessons

9. WAYS Youth & Family School Holiday Programs

WAYS actively seeks input from young people and their parents/caregivers when planning excursions and activities, to ensure their programs are tailored to the needs and interests of their participants. They create jam-packed programs full of fun activities, ensuring an engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone who comes through the doors. The winter program includes the likes of bouldering, a trip to Luna Park, a Masterchef cook-off, and a whole lot more.

Note: The WAYS centre is open daily from 8 am - 6 pm - perfect for working families - and morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. However, children must bring their own lunch. 

Where:   63a Wairoa Ave, Bondi
When:    8 - 19 July 2024
Cost:     $115 per day. Fees include snacks, activity fees, transport, and supervision

More Winter Activities

Fruit Picking in Sydney: Your Seasonal Guide for 2024
Must-see Winter Festivals in Sydney 2024
Sydney's Best Indoor Play Centres

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