The days are getting shorter and the temperature has dropped a little. If you’re planning on spending time in and around Wollongong these Easter holidays, there’s loads to do with the kids. If you haven’t yet claimed your Active Kids, Creative Kids or Dine and Discover NSW vouchers, now is the time to get out and spend them!
The NSW Government provides two $100 Active Kids vouchers per year as well as two $100 Creative kids vouchers per year for every child. Parents and guardians of school aged children can put these vouchers towards the cost of sports, recreation and creative pursuits each year. The first voucher is valid January to December and the second voucher is valid July to December.
As an act of encouragement to get our economy moving again after the interruptions of 2020, the NSW Government has also just launched Dine & Discover vouchers. These vouchers can be spent at dining, arts and tourism businesses and are designed to motivate the community to get out and about spending some money in our local economy.
NSW residents aged 18 and over are eligible for 4 x $25 vouchers. The two Dine NSW vouchers can be spent at venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars, wineries and cafes. The Discover NSW vouchers are for use at entertainment and recreation venues such as live music and tourist parks. These Dine and Discover vouchers need to be used by June 30 2021.
School holiday activities in the Illawarra WHERE YOU CAN USE creative kids or active kids vouchers:
Science Space
It’s Lollyland this April at Science Space, Wollongong! Come and discover the chemistry side of confectionary, in a Willy Wonka inspired world. Kids ages 6-12 years can book in to single day or even whole week STEM camps over the holidays and Creative Kids vouchers are accepted!
Art Classes
Creative Ark, based in Corrimal, have launched their first ever school holiday program! There are a range of different workshops available, including painting, treehouse building, sculpture classes and even making your own magicians book. Workshops are tailored to specific age groups and are $30-$40 per session.
School holiday activities in the Illawarra WHERE YOU can use your Dine and Discover vouchers:
Jamberoo Action Park:
Open every day these school holidays, Jamberoo provides fun for the whole family. Easter Sunday is normally the day of the Giant Easter Egg Hunt at Jamberoo Action Park, but has been modified slightly this year to comply with Covid Safe plans. Rather than “hunting” for eggs this year, kids aged 4-12 years will be given a special bag of eggs by Sammy the Shark and the Easter Bunny at the front gates between 10 and 11am. Tickets are best bought online, but can be purchased at the fornt gates from 9:45am on the day.
Holey Moley Golf Club
Fun for the “hole” family! (See what I did there?). Holey Moley takes putt-putt golf to the next level with it’s quirky and extravagant course. Bring the camera as there are so many photo opportunities! Enjoy a drink with lunch from the licensed bar and treat the kids to a Disney sing-a-long battle in the Karaoke Room.
Little Stompers
As one of the Illawarra’s largest indoor play centres, Little Stompers is a great way for your pre-school aged children to burn off some energy, while you catch up with a friend. The cafe can cater to special dietary requirements and the coffee is pretty decent too. Little Stompers is in Swan Street, Wollongong and has easy access and parking for those with disabilities or prams to manage.
SmashLAB Rage Room
Got a teenager with some angry hormones swirling around? The Smash Lab is a unique venue that essentially allows you to break things in a controlled environment as a therapeutic way of letting off steam! Safety equipment is provided and the smashable items can range from glassware and crockery to appliances and electronic goods. Participants must be over the age of 10 and have a parent or guardian present.
Cinemas – Wollongong, Warrawong & Shellharbour
There are some great family movies on offer these holidays, including Tom and Jerry, Peter Rabbit 2 and Raya and the Last Dragon. The Easter holidays are known for unpredictable weather, so spending your Discover NSW vouchers on a rainy day at the cinema sounds pretty good! Vouchers can be used at Event Cinemas Shellharbour, Greater Union Wollongong and both Hoyts and Gala Cinemas Warrawong.
Merrigong Theatre Company
Circus anyone? April 12th & 13th is the time to see “A Bee Story” at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. This show combines acrobatics, circus, dance and music to create a mesmerising performance that will entertain and educate with an underlying message of sustainability.
C1 Speed Indoor Karting & Laser Tag
These guys are closed over the Easter long weekend, but open again on 6th April. A great way to kill a few hours, regardless of the weather conditions. Grab some mates and head out to Albion Park to jump in the driver’s seat of one of C1’s electric indoor karts or a game of laser tag in the huge two storey Tag Maze.
MORE IDEAS FOR THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN WOLLONGONG:
The Fidget Hack
Does your child love their fidget spinner? Have they jumped on to the latest craze and begged you for a “pop-it”? Many children (and adults) find that sensory tools such as fidget gadets, chewable jewellery and liquid timers can increase concentration and reduce anxiety. They can be particularly helpful for those people with sensory processing issues in learning to integrate all their senses together and can promote touch, fine motor skills and language skills. The Marsden Kids Clinic in Corrimal is coordinating a DIY Sensory Tools Workshops these school holidays where children can design and craft their own sensory tools and take them home. It’s a great way for kids to get imaginative and crafty while making new friends.
The workshop will be help on Wednesday 7th April for children 8-12 years and costs can be covered by your NDIS plan if you have one. Contact Marsden Psychology for more information: admin@marsdenpsychology.com.au
RSPCA School Holiday Program
The Illawarra RSPCA Shelter at Unanderra is offering school holiday workshops for animal loving kids to get involved. Children can learn about what goes on behind the scenes and help to brighten up the day of many of the animals at the shelter who are waiting to find their forever homes. Activities can include a tour of the shelter and vet hospital, cleaning and preparing enclosures for the small (pocket pet) animals, conducting health checks on senior animals, grooming of cats and dogs and creating enrichment toys for animals currently staying in the shelter. Find out more about the RSPCA school holiday program on their website.
Wollongong Botanic Gardens:
The All Abilities Playground provides hours of fun for children and is a great place to meet friends for a picnic lunch. There is also a coffee van on site. Don’t forget to bring a bucket a spade for the giant sandpit and a bag of frozen peas to feed the ducks! On a sunny day, you’ll often spot some big Eastern Water Dragons lazing around on the paths throughout the gardens and you may even spot some eels in the duck pond.
Illawarra Surf Academy
Book the kids in to a five day surfing holiday program, while the ocean is still warm. There’s currently a 20% discount on offer for the Easter holiday program, but spots are limited! With a two hour session each day, your child’s skills and confidence will be boosted with personalised coaching by the friendly instructors. Illawarra Surf Academy accept Active Kids vouchers for their usual 8 week programs that operate during term time.
