Young Engineers Spring Holiday Camps Bring LEGO, STEM and Robotics Fun to the Illawarra
Looking for something a little different to keep the kids busy these spring school holidays?
Young Engineers Australia is bringing its hands-on Engineering and Robotics Holiday Camps to several locations across the Illawarra during the September–October school break, giving kids the chance to build, experiment and explore STEM concepts using specially designed LEGO® models.
The full-day camps are suitable for children in Years 1 to 7, with no previous engineering, coding or robotics experience required.
STEM learning that feels more like play
The Young Engineers Holiday Program is designed to turn science, technology, engineering and mathematics into something kids can actually see, build and experiment with.
Rather than simply being shown how something works, children construct their own LEGO models and explore the engineering principles behind them.
Across a full-day session, kids build three different models, with each activity introducing a different STEM concept.
Depending on the program, that might include models such as windmills, cars, carousels or Ferris wheels.
The models are carefully selected so children explore a variety of concepts throughout the day rather than repeating the same type of activity.
Building confidence through trial and error
One of the big ideas behind the Young Engineers approach is that getting something wrong is part of the process.
Children are encouraged to experiment, make adjustments and try again as they work through each challenge.
That gives them an opportunity to develop practical problem-solving skills while also building confidence in their ability to work things out for themselves.
Young Engineers also combines storytelling, live demonstrations and hands-on construction, helping make engineering concepts feel less like a classroom lesson and more like an activity.
Group challenges provide another social element, with children encouraged to collaborate, share ideas and work alongside other participants.
Do kids need any previous robotics or engineering experience?
No.
The holiday program has been designed so children can participate even if they have never tried engineering, coding or robotics before.
The models and kits are intended to be straightforward enough for beginners to understand while still giving children plenty of opportunity to experiment and solve problems.
While the LEGO models themselves stay with Young Engineers at the end of the session, children leave with activities and goodies as well as a better understanding of some of the science and technology behind everyday machines and structures.
Young Engineers Spring Holiday Camp dates
The 2026 spring holiday program includes:
- Wollongong Public School — Tuesday, 29 September
- Bowral Public School — Wednesday, 30 September
- Thirroul Community Centre — Thursday, 1 October
- Dapto Ribbonwood Centre — Wednesday, 7 October
- Tarrawanna Public School — Thursday, 8 October
Sessions run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and are open to children in Years 1–7.
Prices range from $60 to $110, depending on the booking option.
Children can attend more than one day, with different builds and lessons offered across the program.
Parents are asked to provide crunch and sip, morning tea and lunch, clearly labelled with their child’s name. Some sessions may also include outdoor activities, with Young Engineers advising families to send children with a hat and sunscreen.
How to book
Bookings can be made through the Young Engineers registration page listed on the holiday program flyer.
For more information, families can contact Young Engineers Illawarra on 0492 923 286 or email illawarra@young-engineers.com.au.