Spring School Holiday Fun for kids and families!
18 September, 2024
Spring is most definitely in the air! Evenings and mornings are still cool but we have been blessed with warm, sunny days – even if the wind is still a bit fresh! As I write this, currently (according to the long range weather forecast) not much rain is expected during the break, just a bit over the first weekend and couple of days of NSW school holidays.
Much more importantly though – what fantastic events and activities have been lined up for kids and families over the holidays?
You may have kids that are bursting with energy to move their bodies, kids that long to get creative and design their own masterpieces – whether that be with paints or craft or even in the kitchen! You may want some good old family fun and entertainment or perhaps you’re looking for something a bit different that inspires your child/ren, even something the whole family can learn together.
Local businesses have created events and activities to cater to every taste and budget (some are completely FREE). Our 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. So have a scroll through the sections below and see for yourself what wonderful activities and entertainment is on offer these school holidays.
PLEASE NOTE: PLACES WILL BE LIMITED AND BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS LISTED
GET ACTIVE
Circus Arts Byron Bay kids (5-11 years) and teens (12-16 years) school holiday program opened on Monday 16 September to generously cater for Queensland school holidays and it runs Monday to Saturday up to and including, Monday 14 October. Classes are suitable for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced.
Discover the excitement of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail – perfect for kids and families. Walk, ride, and explore the scenic routes between Murwillumbah & Crabbes Creek (24km) or Casino to Bentley (13.4km), enjoying breathtaking views, bridges and tunnels!
Lace up your skates and join Rollerworld Lismore for one of their popular holiday skating sessions. Open daily, you can enjoy a two hour session of skating fun, music, games and more. There’s an onsite cafe with hot and cold snacks and drinks available.
Let’s Go Surfing is the only surf school that uses Byron Bay Beaches. They offer daily, 2-hour, kids-only group lessons for ages 7 to 13 year olds and the session includes all equipment and expert instruction in small groups.
Come and spend a day at Byron Bay Skateboard School Holiday Skate Camp. These super popular sessions run from Tuesday to Thursday throughout NSW school holidays and are a unique and fun experience for kids age 6 – 12 years old. Suitable for all levels of skateboarding – from beginners to advanced, the session takes place at their purpose-built coaching facility in Byron Industrial Estate. These lessons are super popular and may well be fully booked but if you’ve brought your skateboard with you, I can highly recommend Jarjumirr Skatepark in Byron Bay. Located behind the library, this all-ages skate park, has been transformed into a dynamic, friendly and popular community hub – Check it out!
Climbing the walls? Let them climb real walls at Climbing Jungle It’s a surefire way to get them off the screens and get them moving and interacting with fun activities, games and climbing – no prior experience required. Suitable for ages 6-15, there are full and half day sessions available.
BE CREATIVE
Craft Social is Byron Bay’s newest spot for fun and creativity! Offering hands-on craft workshops for primary school aged kids during school holidays, with exciting activities like making slime, bath bombs or beading. They provide all the materials you just bring your creativity and get ready to have a blast.
Young chefs can get creative at North Byron Hotel and learn from the best how to make their very own pizza – from dough to toppings in a state-of-the-art pizza oven or learn the secrets of gnocchi-making. Cook their chosen creation to perfection and devour for lunch along with a drink and dessert! Suitable for ages 5 -13 years.
For one day only, on Tuesday 8 October, you can join Agnès from The Artisan Forest in Mullumbimby for one of her gorgeous Spring Crafts workshops. Craft two Spring Peg Dolls (suitable for ages 5-6 with parent | 7-14 drop off) or needlefelt a delightful bird with nest (suitable for ages 9-14).
Located in the heart of Byron Bay, take your kids on a journey of discovery and exploration of the creative arts with Art & Wine Co Suitable for ages 5-15 years, the sessions will explore a range of mediums including paint, clay, collage and illustration. This holidays they are offering a special Create with Friends & Family, 50% OFF a 2nd Ticket so bring your friends and siblings along too!
Celebrate the Spring holidays and Mental Health Month with Queer Family. They’re hosting a three-day Young Queerios event designed for young people aged 12-24. The program is all about exploring Queer self-expression through art, connecting with nature, and supporting mental well-being.
BE INSPIRED
A school holiday favourite! Kids love Farm Kids Byron Bay fabulous holiday program. Choose from hands-on 3-hour farm-themed workshop or their hugely popular full day Mini Farmers experiences which run from 9am to 3pm Suitable for 5-15 y/o, this full day program introduces children to real life farming.
Designed for NDIS participants, Auscare Support have an absolutely fantastic line up of Social Clubs with the Kidz Club suitable for ages 6 – 12 and the Teenz Club for ages 13 – 16. It can be paid for with NDIS funding (Core and Capacity Building). Each club is capped at a maximum of 6 children. Call 1800 940 515 to book your spot!
Adventure awaits! Join Oceana Wildlife for for a fun-filled Rangers Day in Ballina or Hastings Point. Your child will embark on an exciting adventure to earn the Finding North Badge, learning essential navigation skills while discovering the wonders of whales and practicing mindfulness. Or join her at Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in a Nature Art or Science Experiments workshop for all ages from kids to teens.
Be captivated and informed this school holidays at Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue. 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 be more proactive in their protection. Call 02 6686 2852 to book.
Between 3 and 9 October, come along and spend a morning or afternoon along the foreshore of Brunswick Heads and enjoy the Brunswick Nature Sculpture Walk. There will be over 50 art installations focusing on themes such as nature, the endangered environment, its fragility and sustainability. Enjoy performance and storytelling, guided walks, workshops and environmental information hubs at this free, triennial, community event
Richmond River Fest is taking place between 22 September and 20 October with over 20 events to celebrate the life force of the river including Brunswick River Kayak Clean Up on 4 October and a Community Tree Planting on Saturday 12 October.
BE ENTERTAINED
From 4 – 6 October, join Australia’s circus community for a three-day celebration of circus arts and physical theatre, ranging from youth circus performances to award-winning, internationally-acclaimed acts. National Circus Festival showcases the incredible talents of Australian circus artists, profiling established shows and companies as well as supporting emerging artists and works in development. The 2024 program is packed with world-class acts and fun for the whole family. Full of thrilling circus, cabaret shows, live music, delicious food, engaging workshops, a grand Big Top and the inimitable antique mirror tent and The Famous Spiegeltent.
Otherworld Byron Bay are open every day of the holidays from 10am. Come and explore amazing exhibits among over 20 interactive displays including digital walls that react to your movements, infinity mirror rooms and the VR projection dome which will be featuring a special selection of exciting kids films during the holidays!
Cherry Street Sports and Club Lennox Sports have plenty of FREE kid and family friendly activities and events happening every day of the holidays. There’s heaps of fun to be had with Mr Brad from Fitness Kidz, Laser Tag and long time favourite Miss Beka who will be running a weekly disco at Cherry Street and Tiny Dancers at Club Lennox. New for the Spring holidays is all-abilities soccer skills with the Rainbow Roos, Junior Cricket ‘Come & Try’ and pizza making fun. Plus on Saturday 5 October, bring your picnic rungs, beanbags and pillows for an Under The Stars Family Movie Night at Cherry Street with Where the Wild Things Are -bookings essential!
Ballina RSL have ramped up the school holiday entertainment with Wildlife Trivia and Meet & Greet The Wildlife Twins, a super hero themed kids dress-up disco and a space-themed dress-up kids bingo with the fun-loving Shorty Brown, plus a special collaboration with Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary – Humphrey’s Nature Adventures. Get ready for an afternoon of singing, dancing, and loads of fun for the whole family. Don’t forget the daily Special $5 epic value Kids Meal Deal!
Ballina Tenpin Bowl is open every day of the school holidays and is the perfect all-weather entertainment option to enjoy a super fun morning or arvo social bowling and Putt Putt with family or friends. They have a school holiday special price on Tenpin Bowling and light up the lanes for GLOW bowling sessions If you have little ones who want a go, they have lightweight balls and bumpers/ramps for your convenience. Call 02 6686 5342 to reserve your lane!
Palace Cinema Byron Bay and Palace Cinema Ballina Fair have a number of family friendly and teen movies showing this school holidays and are thrilled to be presenting The Wild Robot, Runt and Transformers ONE – all released on 19 September. For teens, choose from Beetlejuice, It Ends With Us and the hilarious Thelma. . Visit Palace Cinemas for showing times and bookings.
Shorty Brown will be bringing the roof down with her epic kids Circus Extravaganza Disco at Byron Theatre on Tuesday 1 October from 10.30am to 12 noon. Suitable for kids 3-12 years, there’ll be hot tunes, prizes and surprises! It’s going to be a blast!
Bright Lights Senior Musical Theatre Group is excited to be presenting Legally Blonde Jnr. on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 October. Their last show sold out so be quick and get your tix!
And acclaimed kids circus adventure show The Librarian has just 2 shows on Saturday 12 October. On his adventures, the very sensible librarian suddenly turns into strange and silly characters who perform acrobatics, balancing, juggling, break dancing and beatboxing. Just how far will reading take him?
PLACES ARE LIMITED AND BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY ACTIVITIES – SEE WHAT’S ON GUIDE FOR DATES, TIMES, AGE SUITABILITY AND BOOKING DETAILS
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 thoroughly delightful Spring Holidays with your family and feel inspired to try some new exciting activities!
Michelle xx
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