Spring School Holidays Are Here! Things to do for kids and family friendly fun to be had in Byron and surrounds
21 September, 2023
Spring has well and truly sprung! Days are longer… and will be longer still by the end of these holidays as Daylight Saving will commence the first weekend in October! I love the longer, lighter evenings but I know my husband and son have been loving the lighter mornings of late for those early morning before work/school surfs!
I think I mentioned in some recent posts how quickly it seems that these holidays have arrived! Perhaps it’s because we went overseas last school holidays and missed the first week or so back at school but I can’t quite believe we’re at the end of Term 3. It will be New Year in the blink of an eye!
Back to these school holidays – before I completely freak myself out! There’s plenty on offer with local businesses making every effort to cater to the diverse needs and desires of locals and visitors alike. From crafty and creative, active and energetic, educational and entertaining and all-round inspirational options to suit families and kids from tots to teens!
The What’s On Guide is your place to go for all the details – dates | times | location addresses with Google-map | contact details | ticket prices and booking links but below is a taster of everything on offer.
PLEASE NOTE: PLACES WILL BE LIMITED AND BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS LISTED
As usual, I’ve split the options into 4 broad themes to make it easier for you as parents – who know best what your kids like to do. There’s GET ACTIVE, BE CREATIVE, GET INSPIRED and BE ENTERTAINED.
Have a scroll through and see for yourself what wonderful activities and entertainment has been lined up this Spring break for kids and families to enjoy.
GET ACTIVE
Get your skates on and join us at Rollerworld Lismore for one of their popular skating sessions. My daughter and I had the best time at their recent Harry Potter Fog Night… keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming Halloween one in late October! We are so excited to dress up for these themed events.
For these Spring School Holidays they are open Monday to Sunday and you’ll get 2 hours of skating, music, games and more per session! Whether you are a rollerskater (like me) or a rollerblader (like my son and daughter) Lismore Rollerworld has you covered! Both my kids love going for an outing here during the school holidays and it’s fun for all the family with a 2 hour session from just $12pp. Plus every day there’s the chance to win a Lucky Door Prize of a Family Skate Pass!
Circus Arts Byron Bay school holiday programs are open now! Generously covering both QLD and NSW school holidays their holiday program runs from run Monday 18 September to Saturday 7 October – NOTE: They are closed on the NSW Public Holiday Monday 2 October.
It’s a fantastic indoor venue with an amazing variety of apparatus to learn on, Circus Arts pack the programs with fun circus activities including acrobatics and a swing on the high flying trapeze (for those who dare). They have an onsite cafe and offer an optional add-on lunchbox so everything is taken care of. Choose from full or half day programs and extend by adding special holiday options including Ninja or Parkour.
It’s also good to know that they have a magical indoor circus playground suitable for ages 1-10. Socks required for playspace and session duration is up to 1 hr 15 mins. If rain is on the horizon – it’s good to book a spot in advance. You can book online here or call them direct on: 02 6685 6566 during their open hours.
Byron Bay Skateboard School offers a full day of skateboard instruction, catering to all levels – from beginners to advanced – at their bespoke coaching facility in Byron Industrial Estate the day camps are a unique and fun experience for kids age 6 – 12 years old. The school holiday program is super popular but with sessions from Tuesday to Friday both weeks of the holidays you should be in luck and jag a day that works for you.
If you can’t book into a class – why not try their OPEN SESSIONS. A two hour skate session is just $20, open to all levels and are simply a time for you to come along and work on your skills – there will be no coaching.
- Thursday from 6-8pm (walk in only, no booking required)
- Sundays 10am – 12pm | 12pm – 2pm | 2pm – 4pm | Bookings Essential
And – if you’ve brought your skateboard with you, I can highly recommend the new Jarjumirr Skatepark that has recently opened in the centre of Byron Bay. Located behind the library, this ages skate park, has been transformed into a dynamic, friendly and popular community hub featuring – Check it out!!
BE CREATIVE
Some super fun and creative classes have been added the the What’s On Guide for the winter holidays. Choose from craft, acrylic painting, watercolour, clay, illustration, felting, needlework, sand sculpture, collage design and more for a range of ages and skill levels – take a look below…
Make, play and explore at Art Kind these holidays! Located in Byron Bay’s Arts & Industry Estate, Art Kind gallery owner, Bec Duff is offering two-hour morning or afternoon creative sessions for ages 6-12 years old.
Your kids can have fun with watercolour paints, specialty papers, pencils, natural materials and a range of art practices. Open weekdays from Monday 25 September to Thursday 6 October with two sessions daily, there’s a different activity each day with a mix of art, craft and experimentation.
Bec now accepts NSW CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS but please contact her via text on 0404 946 553 BEFORE making your online booking if you would like to use your vouchers.
Over in Mullumbimby, during the SECOND WEEK of the school holidays, Agnès from Artisan Forest is offering a truly delightful range of 3-hour, Spring Craft Workshops. From Australian bird finger puppets, peg dolls, a snail rider or needle felted sheep to name a few.
Depending on the workshop, they are suitable for ages 7-14 (parent can drop off) or some for ages 5-6 (with parental support). Agnès is also a Creative Kids Provider so please contact her with your voucher details when booking your space.
And in Newrybar, Oceana is inviting kids between the ages of 7 and 12 to embark on a creative journey exploring clay, watercolour, drawing, painting and nature craft. Immerse yourself in various mediums, art styles and techniques as you play, create, and enhance your artistic skills through her Kids Art & Craft Holiday Program. All materials are included in these 3-hour workshops and there are just 6 students per class.
Legend Sandology Steve is BACK in the second week of the school holidays with just two awesome sand sculpting workshops at Belongil Beach. In an unforgettable hour and a half you will learn how to make towers, archways, stairs, animals and balls out of just sand and water. Suitable for ages 5+, bookings are essential. Call or text Steve on: 0428 699 614
Queer Family – Rainbow Creatives Junior for ages 12 – 24 is taking place over three days in Mullumbimby. The FREE School holiday program for Queer/Questioning kids is an opportunity to hang out, get creative and make friends. Each day there will be a 2 hour workshop followed by lunch. The workshops will focus on different elements of storytelling and self-expression including performance, comedy, mic skills, collage and large pieces (mural and/or surfboard art).
Young people are welcome to dip in and out of activities or just hang out and make new friends.
Parents/Carers are welcome to check out our new home, ask questions, and join us for lunch. There may be a performance on the last day, depending on the young people.
Also in Mullumbimby, you can get creative with the YAC at the Cottage in a 2-day workshop to Customise a Pair of Jeans. Suitable for youths 12-17, learn upcycling techniques to create a unique pair of jeans. Bookings essential – contact Lealah at Byron Youth Service at lealah@bys.org.au to book your spot.
GET INSPIRED
Farm Kids Byron Bay school holiday program starts on Friday 22 September 28 June and runs to Thursday 5 October. Choose from a number of their fantastic, hands-on 3-hour farm-themed workshops for kids such as Native Bees, Nature Craft, Fruit, and Flowers, their hugely popular full day experiences – Farm Kids Mini Farmers – which this Spring School Holidays includes interesting topics such as Bees, Pigs, Chickens, Cows, and Lavender. Suitable for 5-15 y/o, this full day program introduces children to real life farming. They get their hands dirty and learn many aspects of organic, ethical and sustainable farming.
Auscare Support are delighted to be offering their NDIS Social Clubs over the school holidays.
The Social Clubs are designed for NDIS participants aged 7 – 12 years and can be paid for with NDIS funding (Core and Capacity Building). Each club is capped at a maximum of 6 children.
Starting on Wednesday 27 September and running until Frida 6 October, you can choose from a three hour morning Explorers session or a two hour afternoon session in Ballina. Explorers are an out and about club and there’s heaps of fun options this Spring School Holidays including tenpin bowling with a Pizza Picnic lunch at the park, pottery, skateboarding, a morning at Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary or a morning at Circus Arts!
Two hour sessions are based at the hub in Ballina where kids can enjoy fun and adventure in a safe and supported environment with activities including, Social Minecraft, Robolox, Lego games, stop motion movie and Arts & Craft where you can paint, draw or sculpture to your hearts content!
To book, call 1800 940 515 or email ballina@auscaresupport.com.au
The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary are offering a range of fun options these school holidays. In addition to their popular Wildlife Guardians and Keeper For a Day Programs (see details below) They are also offering Wildlife Watercolour Classes and a Family Friday Event on 29 September with Bunny Racket! The Wildlife Twins will also be performing inside The Sanctuary on Tuesday 26 September.
Not only that, this school holidays they are offering Puggles Kids Club – Vacation Care on weekdays (excluding the Public Holidays). Open from 8am to 5pm it’s just $50 per child per day and is available for ages 5 to 12 years old. ONLINE BOOKINGS ONLY can be made here
WILDLIFE GUARDIANS PROGRAM (Ages 8 -12) where kids get to spend the day with the keepers behind-the-scenes in the Animal Park and learn about the conservation of our local wildlife . And for high-schoolers (12-18 years old) they offer their KEEPER FOR A DAY PROGRAM where teenagers can spend a day behind the scenes in the animal park with a senior keeper and find out what working in a wildlife sanctuary is all about with some exclusive firsthand experiences.
As always, our local libraries offer a diverse range of fun FREE and practical activities throughout the school holidays and these Spring holidays are no exception.
PLACES ARE LIMITED AND BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY ACTIVITIES – SEE WHAT’S ON GUIDE FOR DATES, TIMES, AGE SUITABILITY AND BOOKING DETAILS
Brunswick Heads Library Environmental Science Workshop (ages 7 -12 years), Jelly Print Origami Workshop (ages 6 -10 years)
Ballina Library Lennox Head & Alstonville Libraries are all hosting FREE Water Catchment Model Trailer & Craft on different days – where kids can learn how everything impacts our water supply and what we can do to keep our water safe for drinking. This informative and entertaining event will finish with a water themed craft.
Ballina and Lennox Head Libraries are also holding a Movie afternoon, with [PG] movie DC League Of Super Pets showing Week 1 of the holidays at Lennox Library and Bad Guys showing at Ballina Library in Week 2.
Lennox Head is also holding a Pop-Up Story Time in the Park on 5 October and Cellophane Jellyfish craft for ages 6+ on Friday 6 Oct. Plus they offer daily Scavenger Hunt and Superheroes Mask Craft (no bookings required for these two daily activities).
Alstonville Library have a fun 80s Dance Party happening during the first week of the holidays and Rock Painting craft for ages 5+ in the second week
Byron Bay is hosting the LEGO MASTER EXHIBITION for the two weeks of the school holidays, displaying up to four inspiring exhibits plus a dedicated Lego building space where you can create your own structures. Their Green Screen Film making workshop has booked out already but they still have the option of creating a Macrame Pot Holder (ages 8 – 12+ years) and Thursday Scrabble Club – open to players of all ages.
Mullumbimby, Ballina and Alstonville libraries will also continue with their regular weekday Story, Baby and Toddler Time sessions throughout the school holidays.
BE ENTERTAINED
Byron Theatre have a number of fabulous shows up their sleeves this school holidays.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of our absolutely favourite kid’s performers – The Listies. They will be returning to Byron Theatre with two fantastic shows on Tuesday 3 October. The Listies Make you LOL! Hilarious, messy and decidedly insane – The Listies have sold out shows all over Australia, NZ, England. Scotland, Ireland, Malaysia and South Korea, delighting audiences and critics alike.
Shorty Brown will be bringing the roof down with her epic NEON SPLASH party! Hot tunes! Prizes! and Surprises! Interactive fun! It’s going to be a blast! Wear your favourite neon and fluro and sparkle and be beautiful!
And local Performance School – Bright Lights proudly presents Frozen JR. This enchanting modern classic from Disney, based on the 2018 Broadway musical, Frozen JR. brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, plus new songs written for the Broadway production. Two performance on Friday 29 September. Get your tickets here
Cherry Street Sports in Ballina has 2 weeks of epic entertainment lined up for the holidays. There’s so much fun to be had with Mr Brad from Fitness Kidz, and long time favourite Miss Beka who will be running the weekly all-ages kids disco. Kids eat free on Thursdays and KidzKlub Australia will be providing the entertainment from 5pm with their Arts & Craft Zone They also have Laser Tag Fun on Monday 25 September and on the Public Holiday, Monday 2 October.
It’s a similar story for Club Lennox Sports who are also offering fun sessions on the green with Fitness Kidz, Creative Plaster Fun with Miss Beka on Tuesdays, Spring Craft with KidzKlub on Thursdays and Laser Tag on Friday 29 September and 6 October (bookings essential for Laser Tag).
Ballina RSL are putting on some fantastic entertainment for kids this Spring holidays. Not to be missed is Aladdin And His Magic Smart Watch show on Monday 25 September. Suitable for ages 3 – 11, this interactive performance will be a hit -make sure you book tickets soon! Kids can also enjoy side-splitting fun with Shorty Brown and her hilarious FREE bingo fun on Thursdays. Plus, you can expect raucous shenanigans with Shorty at her FREE Kids Disco on Tuesday 26 September as she will be making your kids laugh with her funny, vibrant personality. Want more chill? Why not try their FREE Kids Yoga on both Fridays of the holidays from 1.30 – 2.30pm.
The Palace Cinema Byron Bay has a number of family friendly movies showing this school holidays and are thrilled to be presenting [PG] flicks Teenage Kraken, Paw Patrol – The Mighty Movie, Teenage Ninja Mutant Ninja Turtles – Mutant Mayhem and Scrapper. Teen [M] films include Last Fim Show and Blue Beetle.
Ballina Fair Cinemas is now also part of the PALACE CINEMAS family. Located in Ballina Fair Shopping Centre, they will be showing the following family friendly films these school holidays: Teenage Kraken, Paw Patrol – The Mighty Movie and Teenage Ninja Mutant Ninja Turtles – Mutant Mayhem.
Visit Palace Cinemas for showing times and bookings.
Ballina Tenpin Bowling is open almost every day of the school holidays and is the perfect all-weather entertainment option! It could be pouring with rain or stinking hot outside and they offer a delicious air conditioned, cool environment to enjoy a super fun morning or arvo social bowling with family or friends.
They have a special price on Tenpin Bowling too – just $16 per person for 2 games plus they also light up the lanes between 12 and 4pm and from 7pm onward for GLOW bowling sessions every day of the holidays.
If you have little ones who want a go, they offer lightweight balls and bumpers/ramps so they can really enjoy a game too. In addition they have a super fun Putt Putt section for just $5 per person!
Please note: bookings are essential as spots fill up fast as Lismore’s Tenpin is out of action.
And why not experience a WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER during the first week of NSW school holidays at Ballina Homemaker Centre. This is a one of kind Wildlife Experience and it’s FREE! In this immersive, interpretive space you can get up close with Australian native animals including Koalas, Crocodiles, Pelicans, and Native Birds, Mammals and Reptiles. With shows daily at 10am, 12pm and 2pm – this is a unique chance to chat with experienced handlers and learn about the big picture, what we can all do to help conserve wildlife and live harmoniously with them.
The quarterly Byron Beachside Market will be held on Saturday 23 September at Main Beach foreshore. Open from 8am – 3pm this market showcases a diverse and exciting collection of high quality art, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, glass, home wares, fashion, craft, clothing and music created by local artists and designers as well as an array of services offered by our health and well being practitioners. Plus the cosy Twilight Markets start back on Saturday 7 October at Railway Park in the centre of Byron from 4-7pm.
If you’re not yet here, or indeed even if you are, Dinner is Served offers a fabulous service delivering fresh, locally made, ready-to-heat meals, delicious salads, breakfast supplies and more directly to your home or self-catered accommodation. If you’re like me and you want a holiday from “What’s for Dinner mum?” check out their menu – I can guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
NOTE: you can view photos, read more and even check out the menu options by clicking the respective links.
Club Lennox Sports have a Kids Eat Free all day on Tuesdays and Cherry Street Sports have Kids Eat Free all day on Thursdays. Ocean Shores Tav have a fantastic kids play area so parents can enjoy some relaxing, uninterrupted adult conversation! And…
If it’s a babysitter you’re after, look no further than our babysitting category for some highly recommended babysitting / nannying services.
So, there you have it.
That is apart from heading down to one of the many beautiful beaches, enjoying a coastal or hinterland walking trail or enjoying a scoot or a skate or a play at any number of our local skateparks and playgrounds… all of which you can find out more about by clicking on the links.
We hope you enjoy a wonderful Spring break this holidays and try something new. My very best wishes to you 🌈🌻🌊🏖️
Michelle
PS Don’t forget – DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTS ON 1 OCTOBER BUT YOU HAVE THE LONG WEEKEND TO TRY AND GET USED TO IT!!
Have a look at what you fancy doing with the kids and make a morning, afternoon or a day of it!
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