Easter School Holidays Are Here! Things to do for kids and family friendly fun to be had in Byron and surrounds
2 April, 2023
Did the past 10 weeks pass in the blink of an eye? It felt like it for us. Can’t quite believe that the Easter school holidays are upon us, perhaps that’s because NSW schools break up the day before Good Friday Public Holiday. Brace yourselves for next year though – Easter Sunday falls on 31 March 2024!! Whatever the case, we’ve had such a lovely run of summer with gorgeous, sunshiney, beach weekends and delicious water temperatures that I’m feeling very reluctant to give these up for Autumn even if it does mean snuggly instead of of sweaty nights under the doona!
Our family will be staying right here for the holidays and can’t wait to enjoy some of the great activities and events that are on offer. Without doubt, we’ll be partaking in some of our old favourites, but we’ve signed the kids up to try some new activities too.
There’s plenty on offer with local organisations 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 Googlemap | 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
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 Easter holidays 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. Open Monday to Saturday of the NSW school holidays, you’ll get 2 hours of skating, music, games and more! 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.
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 3 to Saturday from 22 April 2023. NOTE: They are closed from 7-10 April for Easter Public Holidays 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.
They also 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.
The Byron Bay Youth Academy School Holiday Program is on for just 2 days this holidays – 11th and 13th April and spaces are strictly limited. It provides a full day of activity for children aged 5 to 12 with a combination of sports skills sessions, strength and conditioning sessions for children, interspersed with lots of fun and games.
Running from 9am to 3pm at Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, the program offers ample opportunity for kids to ‘get their energy out’ as well as some nice restful time with resilience-building reflection and activities. This is predominantly a sport based program, so all children attending should be dressed and ready for action!
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 a 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 2 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
Climbing Jungle in Ballina has opened their doors with an awesome school holiday program for ages 6+. Plenty of kids love climbing, it’s a very natural activity for them yet many don’t get enough opportunity to do so. Climbing Jungle School Holiday program includes fun activities and games with bouldering, auto-belay and top-rope climbing suitable for all levels of fitness (all climbing gear included). These fun sessions help to build children’s strength, confidence, problem solving abilities, plus they get to meet other kids, all while having fun and wearing themselves out (up goes the cheer from parents!).
So if the kids are driving you up the wall, drive them to Climbing Jungle where they can climb the walls – literally!
BE CREATIVE
Some perfectly gorgeous and creative classes lined up for this Easter break – from Autumn and Easter craft, acrylic painting, watercolour, clay, illustration, sewing, design and more for a range of ages and skill levels – take a look below…
Run by Agnes, from her dedicated art studio in Mullumbimby, are two simply delightful craft classes for ages 7 – 14. Children will have the choice to either hand sew a felted bunny or/and a felted egg or needle a felt hen for the Easter craft or sew a felted autumn leaf and a little mushroom peg doll girl for the Autumn craft workshop. Complete beginners to advanced levels are welcome and creative kids vouchers are accepted.
Over in Newrybar, Oceana is offering a range of creative arts through her Kids Art & Sewing Easter Holiday Program. 2 hour sessions include Kids Art & Craft (ages 5-10 and ages 8-14) | Kids Drawing & Illustration (ages 6-14) | Kids Sewing & Design (ages 10-18) | Kids Painting (ages 12-18) All materials are included and there are just 6 students per class.
Make, play and explore at Art Kind these holidays! Located in Byron Bay’s Arts & Industry Estate, Bec is offering 2.5 hour creative sessions for ages 6-12 years old.
Facilitated by artist, surface designer and Art Kind gallery owner, Bec Duff your kids can have fun with watercolour paints, specialty papers, pencils, natural materials and a range of art practices. Open weekdays from April 11 to 21, there’s a different activity each day with a mix of art, craft and experimentation.
As always, our local libraries offer a huge range of fun FREE creative activities throughout the school holidays and these Easter 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 Into the Magical Healing Forest Story Time, Abstract Me! Self Portrait
Ballina Library Holiday Bingo, Crafty Kids Workshop, Scratch Junior Coding Workshop, Lego Master Builder Challenge
Lennox Head Byte Wise Questacon Showcase, Sand Art, Pop-Up Story Time In The Park
Alstonville Library Grass Heads, Origami Folding
Byron Bay Scrabble Club, Spellbound – Spooky Storytime
Mullumbimby Library Dreamcatchers activity
Mullumbimby, Ballina and Alstonville libraries will also continue with their regular weekday Story, Baby and Toddler Time sessions.
GET INSPIRED
Auscare Support are excited to offer 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 after the Easter Public Holidays on Wednesday to Friday, from 12 – 21 April. Choose from a three hour morning Explorers session or a two hour afternoon session session in Ballina. Explorers are about and about club and there’s heaps of fun options including sand-sculpting, a visit to Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and a ride on Byron Solar Train.
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, Tech Heads, Arts & Craft, and Lego
To book, call 1800 940 515 or email ballina@auscaresupport.com.au
Farm Kids Byron Bay school holiday program starts on 5 April and runs to Friday 21 April. Choose from a number of their fantastic, hands-on 3 hour farm-themed workshops for kids such as Beneficial Bugs, Bees, Native Bees, Worms & Soil and Medicinal Herbs. Also on offer is their full day experience – Farm Kids Mini Farmers Program which includes important topics such as Edible Gardens, Sustainable Clothing and Flowers and Herbs 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 and sustainable farming.
The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offer kids the opportunity to get up close and personal and learn more about our Australian wildlife with one day workshops. Choose from popular 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.
Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue are holding their weekday Educational School Holiday Tours from 11 – 20 April 2023, excluding 14 & 19 April.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn about the hazards marine life face and a real life insight into seabird and turtle rescue and how we can all be more mindful and proactive in their protection. All ages welcome.The tour goes for approximately one hour and costs just $8 per person.
Bookings can be made via the ASTR office phone on 02 6686 2852. If you have left them a message they will get back to you first thing in the morning. The venue now accepts card payments as well as cash.
BE ENTERTAINED
Cherry Street Sports in Ballina has 2 weeks of 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 open kids disco for the event. They also have Laser Tag on Friday 14 and an awesome FREE reptile show from The Wildlife Twins on Saturday 15. Week Two sees Polly Esta joining the part with Face Painting and fun activities and to round off the holidays on Saturday 22, join in the fun on the Ninja Obstacle Course & Wall bookings essential!!
It’s a similar story for Club Lennox Sports who are also offering fun sessions on the green with Fitness Kidz, Disco Jiving with Miss Beka, Facepainting Fun with Polly Esta and Laser Tag (bookings essential for Laser Tag).
Ballina RSL are putting on some spectacular entertainment for kids with an egg-citing Magic & Circus Show on Wednesday 19 April. Booking Links for tickets to this event can be found on our What’s On Guide They also have fab FREE show with The Wildlife Twins where you can meet Barty The Wombat, plus they will be hosting the Ballina Brick Lego Expo on the weekend of 15 and 16 April from 9am – 3pm. Come and marvel at LEGO Train displays, massive Theme Park, Agents Airport and the incredible Magical World of Harry Potter in LEGO, plus many more.
Byron Bay Bluesfest is Australia’s premier contemporary Blues and Roots music festival. It showcases music from around the world annually on the Easter long weekend on 120 hectares at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just north of Byron Bay.
Bluesfest presents over 200 performances with up to seven stages over five, 12 hour days, as well as camping for up to 6,000 people, There are licensed bars, over 100 food and market stalls, undercover food courts, beer gardens, and being a family friendly festival – some great children’s entertainment!
The Palace Cinema Byron Bay is showing all the latest movie releases – and are excited to be presenting family friendly PG flicks The Super Mario Bros Movie from 5 April. Argonuts and Mavka – The Forest Song is released the following day – 6 April 2023 for your family viewing pleasure! 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 are filling up even faster as Lismore’s Tenpin is out of action.
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.
My very best wishes and happy Easter holidays to you all 🌈🌻🌊🏖️
Michelle
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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