It's summer time, the weather is warm, and it's the School Holidays!

Now is the perfect time to swap screen time for green time. Get your kids back outside and into nature at Centennial Parklands Holiday Programs. Their educational experts have developed a diverse range of School Holiday Programs that are fun, nature-connected and have a splash of education for children aged up to 12 years.

Led by their skilled and knowledgeable Education Rangers, your children will enjoy a unique outdoor learning experience. They will explore and discover the marvellous natural environment right in the heart of Centennial Park.

There's something to capture the imagination and creativity of every child, from marvellous machines with a focus on STEM to outdoor theatre fun with the fairies. 

Centennial Parklands Holiday Programs

Park Science – Marvellous Machines (Morning)

Inspire your inner engineer on Centennial Parklands' zany Marvellous Machines day in the Park! Learn about simple machines such as screws, wedges, levers, and pulleys using natural materials and playing games.

Your children will be working in teams to design and build a pulley system that will be able to lift objects from the ground. This engaging STEAM challenge allows participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine.

Note: Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine! If you book both morning and afternoon sessions on the same day, we will supervise your kids over (BYO) lunch.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   9, 16 & 23 January 2023, 10 am - 12 pm 
Cost:   $35
Ages:   5 - 12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Park Science – Make Marvellous Machines (Afternoon)

Age: Children aged 5-12 years

Time: 1 pm – 3 pm

Event Type: This is a drop-off program. Parents do not attend with children. 

Inspire your inner engineer on our zany Marvellous Machines day in the Park! Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine, a comically involved invention designed to perform a simple task in a hilariously complicated way.

Your child with be working in teams, and their task will be to design and build their own wild invention to solve an everyday problem.

This engaging STEAM challenge presents an opportunity for participants to learn the engineering design process and build their own Marvellous Machine. Participants learn how to work in a team, brainstorm, plan, design a blueprint and ultimately - build a machine

Note: We will supervise your children over the lunch hour (BYO lunch) if you book in for Marvellous Machines in the morning.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   9, 16 & 23 January 2023,1 pm - 3 pm
Cost:   $35
Ages:   5 - 12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Dreamtime Drawing

Join Aboriginal educators from Shared Knowledge for an hour of Dreamtime Drawing.

Against the backdrop of the stunning Centennial Parklands, your children will discover native art and culture through hands-on painting and storytelling. Kids will learn contemporary Aboriginal art techniques and learn about Aboriginal culture through the stories told by Shared Knowledge.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   10 & 19 January 2023, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Cost:   $20
Ages:   5 - 12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Bushrangers - Water World (Full day)

What better alternative to screen time than being a bushranger and getting cool in the summer?

Join the Centennial Parklands educators for a whole day of water fun. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting.

These activities are heaps of fun for kids, and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next term.

Note: BYO Lunch, water bottle, hat, and morning tea. You may also like to bring a change of clothes and shoes to go home in as we will be getting wet!

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   11,18 & 25 January 2023, 9 am – 4 pm
Cost:   $95
Ages:   5 - 12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Kids vs Wild – Water World (Morning)

The greatest alternative to screen time!

Keep cool this summer – join Centennial Parklands educators for a whole day of water fun away from the beach. Learn to make a water filter, avoid the spray of the spitting cobra and explore our ponds with some dip netting.

These activities are heaps of fun for kids, and they will also gain knowledge that will help them with their STEM classes in the next term.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   12, 17 & 24 January 2023, 10 am - 12 pm
Cost:   $35
Ages:   5 - 12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Bushcraft (Afternoon)

Let your children enjoy two hours of outdoor fun in the Park to build their outdoor skills with expert tuition from our Education Rangers.

If your kids love working with their hands and making things, they likely love our Bushcraft program for older children:

• Learn some strong, simple knots and put up a team tarp shelter. Then move in!
• Identify plants useful for making cordage to make rope and jewellery.
• Use basic cutting tools for whittling tent pegs and bush tools from green wood.

You can turn this afternoon program into a full-day program by booking Kids vs Wild - Water World in the morning. 

Note: Your child will be supervised during the lunch hour (BYO Lunch). Please note that this program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   12, 17 & 24 January 2023, 1 pm - 3 pm
Cost:   $35
Ages:   8-12 years (Drop off. No parents.)

Book HERE

Taste of Bush School

Want to see what Bush School is about? Join a special Nature Play session with the park rangers for a fun morning on the Nature Play site in Fearnley Grounds. 

Let your kids explore Centennial Parklands' little forest, test their balancing skills, listen to stories and just play in nature.

The Bush School rangers will prepare a range of outdoor games and activities that leave no hands clean!

Learn more about Bush School and the theory behind nature play. Parents will also have the opportunity to receive training and advice on how to nurture and mentor their own nature child.

Note: Bush School is an outdoor program and will take place in all-weather except for high winds and electrical storms. Participants (adults and children) are expected to dress for the outdoors, including bringing wet weather gear, a hat, sturdy enclosed shoes and waterproof footwear when required.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   13, 20 & 27 January 2023, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Cost:   $35
Ages:  Children aged 2.5 – 5 years (Children must be accompanied by an adult )

Book HERE

Fairy Escapades

An enchanted theatre tour through the Parklands

Do you believe in fairies? Come on a magical journey at Centennial Parklands and meet some mischievous and magical creatures from the hidden world of fairies.

They will share secrets of the fairy world and how they live secretly amongst humans. Find out about the different plants and animals that the fairies live and work in harmony with, and learn how we can do the same.

Come dressed as a fairy, and get ready to join us on this magical fairy adventure. Make a magical day of it!

Presented by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company.

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   13 & 20 January 2023, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Cost:   $22
Ages:  5-12 years (Children must be accompanied by an adult )

Book HERE

Spotlight Prowl For Families

Dusk is a wonderful time to spot animals in Centennial Parklands. The Park is home to a variety of nocturnal creatures, from brushtail possums, microbats, and tawny frogmouths to one of Sydney's largest colonies of grey-headed flying foxes.

Join the Park's experienced Rangers for a fascinating and surprising spotlight walk to see how the Park transforms when the sun goes down.

Meeting point: Robertson Road Gates 

What to bring:

• Enclosed & comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing - it gets cold after dark!
• Torch
• Camera (no flash)
• Waterproof clothing in case of wet conditions, the walks run rain or shine.
• A sense of adventure

Where:  The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre
When:   13 & 20 January 2023, 7:45 pm – 8:45 pm
Cost:   $23
Ages:  Children aged 5+ and families 

Book HERE

For more information about the schedule and to book your kids into these thrilling outdoor adventures, check out Centennial Parklands School Holiday Programs.

 

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