School Holiday Programs in Sydney: The Best for Spring 2024

The spring 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 Spring 2024

1. ATYP Drama Workshops

ATYP is all about creating exciting drama and film experiences to keep young people entertained during the spring 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 and 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 Make a Play In A Day, a Shakespeare fiesta in Bad to the Bard, and an imagination-stretching, transformative storytelling workshop, Transform AHHHH!!, plus a whole lot more. 

Where:   ATYP, 13a Hickson Road, Dawes Point
When:    Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024
               9:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
Cost:      Costs vary depending on the workshop.

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 spring, 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:     Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024 | 9:30 am - 3.30 pm
Cost:       Starting from $129 for online and $275 for in-person camps

3. Speaking Schools Australasia

If you're looking for a fun and engaging class to help your child find their voice and build their confidence during the spring school holidays—look no further! 

Speaking Schools Australasia offers a range of fun and educational holiday workshops in debating and public speaking. These workshops are for school students (Kindy to Year 9) and are hosted at convenient locations in Parramatta, North Sydney, Burwood, Wahroonga, and online. The workshops are divided between year group, skill level, and topic area to ensure that every student has plenty of opportunities to thrive, regardless of their background.

Where:  North Sydney, Wahroonga, Burwood, North Parramatta and Online
When:   Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024
Cost:     Various depending on program type and length, see website for details 

4. Manchester City Football Clinics at Waverley College

Waverley College is excited to offer students in Years 3 to 8 the chance to learn the art of 'the beautiful game' just like the pros, with training straight from the Manchester City playbook!

Whether you're an experienced player or just getting started, the Manchester City Football School Holiday Clinics at Waverley College are your time to shine on the pitch. These prestigious camps are open to boys and girls of all skill levels, providing a safe, fun, and authentic environment that mirrors the training of Manchester City’s top players. Guided by world-class coaches, you'll master the ball, play with flair, dominate the game, and take your football skills to new heights

Where:  Waverley College Tennis Courts (Years 3 - 6) and Queens Park (Years 7 & 8)
When:   Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024 | 9 am - 3 pm
Cost:     $200 pp for a 2-day camp

5. Australian National Maritime Museum

Make a splash these school holidays at the Australian National Maritime Museum with a jam-packed day of excitement and discovery for the whole family! The Australian National Maritime Museum offers a bumper schedule of school holiday programs and activities for the ultimate ocean adventure! 

Dive into fascinating exhibitions, climb aboard real vessels, and let your creativity shine in the Kids on Deck maker space. Explore curious specimens in the Cabinet of Curiosities or set off on a Sneaky Sharks Activity Trail. Little ones will love the enchanting Sea Tales performances, while the Mermaid Melody corner offers a quiet spot for colouring and reading. From mini mariners to underwater drones, and even a torchlight tour, there’s something for everyone. 

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

6. 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 they learn valuable skills and build their confidence on stage. 

Marian Street Theatre courses offer a comprehensive theatre education for budding performers to explore acting skills like 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, Killara
                    Hornsby - Storey Park Community Centre, 12 Old Berowra Rd, Hornsby
When:        30 September - 11 October 2024
Cost:          $260 - $325 per child per multi-day workshop

7. 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 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, story-telling, and guided listening. The Kids at the Con program is designed for little music lovers from 3 to 10 years old to explore creative music-making in small group activities, to help them 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 1 - Thursday 3 October 2024
Cost:     $40 - $100 pp

8. Woollahra Sailing Club

Woollahra Sailing Club School Holiday Camps are action-packed and full of fun for those adventurous kids who love water sports and trying new activities. There are three programs available for kids from 6 to 17 years old, including one-day or four-day programs.  All programs are led by certified Australian Sailing instructors and are open to all experience levels.

Where:   Woollahra Sailing Club, 2 Vickery Ave, Rose Bay
When:    26 September - 11 October 2024 | 9 am - 3 pm
Cost:      Various from $150 per child per day. See the website for program costs.

9. 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. 

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

10. 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 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024
Cost:      $175 for 5 x 30 minute shared lessons | $140 for 4 x 30 minute shared lessons

11. 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 Spring 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:    Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October 2024
Cost:     $115 per day. Fees include snacks, activity fees, transport, and supervision

More Spring Activities

Fruit Picking in Sydney: Your Seasonal Guide for 2024
Sydney's Best Kid-Friendly Beaches
Our Favourite Picnic Spots in Sydney

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU.