Summer School Holiday Activities for Kids in Byron Bay (Dec 2025–Jan 2026)
19 December, 2025
School’s out — and the long, sunny summer school holidays are finally here!
If you’re looking for kids school holiday activities in Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers, you’re in the right place.
We’ve rounded up the best local school holiday programs, events, workshops and family-friendly fun happening throughout December 2025 and January 2026 — from high-energy adventures to creative workshops and relaxed, low-cost days out.
Whether you’re planning ahead or looking for last-minute inspo, our Byron4Kids What’s On Guide is your go-to for keeping the kids entertained (and the “I’m bored” 🙄 at bay).
If you’re visiting Byron Bay for the summer school holidays, travelling with kids is even easier thanks to Byron Baby Holiday Hire. From travel cots, prams, highchairs and car seats to scooters, beach carts and picnic essentials, they’re a local, family-owned business offering high-quality baby and children’s hire to make your stay more comfortable. With delivery available across Byron Bay, Lennox Head, Ballina, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Pottsville and surrounding areas — and even car seat hire coordinated with Ballina Airport car rentals — it’s a simple way to holiday with less gear and more ease.
PLEASE NOTE: PLACES WILL BE LIMITED AND BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS LISTED
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Active School Holiday Activities for Kids
Perfect for kids who love to move, climb, skate and burn off holiday energy.
Circus Arts Byron Bay
A summer favourite for local families and holidaymakers alike, Circus Arts offers action-packed school holiday programs including acrobatics, aerials, parkour and ninja-style movement. Programs cater for a range of ages and abilities and are a great confidence booster. Perfect for all skill levels—from first-timers to experienced tumblers.
👉 Circus Arts Byron Bay school holiday program
If rain is on the horizon, it’s good to know that they have a magical indoor circus playground suitable for ages 1-10. You can book online here or call them direct on: 02 6685 6566 during their open hours.
Brunswick Bush School
A fantastic outdoor school holiday program for kids who love adventure, nature and hands-on learning. Children spend the entire day immersed in wild outdoor play, building confidence and practical skills — from river tubing, canoeing, water blasters, sling shots, knife skills, whittling and more.
👉 Brunswick Bush School holiday program
These summer school holiday programs include exciting new activities, flexible one or two-day workshops, The Main School Holiday Program is ideal for children aged 6–12, while the Wild Wallabies program caters to younger explorers aged 3–5. Perfect for families looking for nature-based school holiday activities in the Byron Bay and Northern Rivers region.
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.We’ve got some pretty good skateparks here and I can highly recommend Jarjumirr Skatepark in Byron Bay but…
Byron Bay Skateboard School
…if you really want to up your skills, spend a day at Byron Bay Skateboard School Holiday Day Camp. These super popular sessions run 4 days a week during January 2026 Sessions take place at their purpose-built coaching facility with all levels welcome—from cruisers to tricksters!
Let’s Go Surfing
Make the most of summer with kids surf lessons in Byron Bay through Let’s Go Surfing, the only surf school that operates exclusively on Byron Bay beaches. Their kids-only 2-hour group surf lessons (ages 7–13) are perfect for beginners and progressing surfers alike. Lessons include all surf equipment, expert instruction and plenty of fun in a safe, small-group setting — a classic summer school holiday activity by the beach.
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Rollerworld Lismore
Lace up those skates and roll into the holidays with skating sessions, music, games and a great vibe at Rollerworld Lismore. Open daily, you can glide and groove – roller-skate or rollerblade – to your favourite tunes on wheels – ideal for a fun half-day activity with friends. There’s also an onsite cafe with hot and cold snacks and drinks available.
Climbing Jungle
Get kids moving these holidays at Climbing Jungle’s School Holiday Program, one of the most popular active kids activities in the region. With half-day and full-day options, children enjoy games and challenges alongside bouldering, auto-belay and top-rope climbing, suitable for all fitness and experience levels. All climbing gear is included, making it an easy, confidence-building school holiday adventure.
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Spaghetti Circus
Spaghetti Circus is offering just 3 magical days of circus school holiday classes at the very end of the summer holidays (27 to 29 January) so bookings are essential. Kids can enjoy a huge range of circus skills including tightrope, trapeze, trampoline, German wheel, hula hoops and juggling.
Programs include half-day classes for ages 4–6 and full-day classes for ages 6–14, with early drop-off available, making it a fantastic active school holiday program for families.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Looking for a free, family-friendly outdoor adventure these holidays? The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is perfect for kids and families who love to walk, ride and explore together. Enjoy scenic sections between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek (24km) or Casino to Lismore (29.7km), featuring beautiful landscapes, bridges and tunnels. Providing a safe, off-road route for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, it’s ideal for a relaxed summer holiday outing. Don’t forget to bring a torch for the tunnels! 🔦
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Creative School Holiday Workshops
For kids who love to make, paint, and create.
Create art.studio
Looking for creative school holiday workshops? Create art.studio in Mullumbimby offers imaginative and skill-building holiday sessions packed with colour creativity and joy! Workshops include pre-Christmas options of Penguin & Wooden Spoon Craft or Elf and Clay Ginger Cookie and in January 2026, acrylic and craft options include Grinch, Disco Strawberry, Whale and Facepaint Glow Up giving kids the chance to explore different techniques while having loads of fun in a supportive studio environment.
School Holiday Art & Creativity Classes with Art & Wine Co
Kids at 5 – 15 can embrace their creativity at Art & Wine’s Painting & Clayworks Holiday Art Classes right in the heart of Byron Bay. During the 2 hour session, kids will explore a range of mediums including, paint, clay, collage, and illustration. Creating keepsakes and memories of Holiday Fun!
This holidays they are offering a special Summer Family pass for 2 adults and 2 kids.
👉School Holiday Art & Creativity Classes
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Kids Art & Craft with Oceana
Inspire young artists with Kids Art & Craft classes with Oceana, offering beautiful creative school holiday activities in Bangalow and Mullumbimby. Children explore acrylic and watercolour painting, drawing, illustration, collage, clay and craft across a range of age-appropriate sessions. A lovely option for curious kids who enjoy hands-on creativity in a calm, nurturing setting.
👉 Kids Art & Craft with Oceana
Creative Holiday Camp with Byron Arts Collective
Kick off the new year with colour, creativity and connection at the Creative Holiday Camp with Byron Arts Collective. This five-morning school holiday art camp invites kids to explore a different creative theme each day through painting, crafting and hands-on art-making. Led by local artist Emily Bodhi , the camp is designed to build confidence, spark imagination and keep little hands happily busy. Kids can attend one day or the full week, making it a flexible and enriching creative school holiday activity.
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Our local libraries are always a go-to for free school holiday activities, and these summer school holidays are no exception. Families can enjoy a wide variety of fun, educational and practical activities for kids of different ages.
Places are limited and bookings are essential for many sessions, so be sure to check the News & Events tab of Richmond Tweed Regional Library below.
👉 Perfect for families searching for free kids activities during the school holidays.
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Inspiring School Holiday Experiences
Learning through play is what summer holidays are all about.
Crystal Castle Family Experience
For a magical family-friendly school holiday experience, visit Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. During the holidays, families can enjoy daily guided experiences included with Day Pass entry. Wander among the giant crystals, explore the Magical Quest, solve clues and reconnect with nature in a peaceful, enchanting setting — perfect for all ages.
Farm Kids Byron Bay
A firm favourite for school holiday programs in Byron Bay, Farm Kids Byron Bay offers unforgettable hands-on farming experiences for kids aged 5–15. Choose from 3-hour themed workshops like Garden Guardians, Herb Haven, Wild Nature Makers, DIY Botanical Beauty and Cows are Moo-velous, or book the much-loved full-day Mini Farmers program (9am–3pm), where kids learn about animals, nature and real-life farming through Goat Cuddles, Cheeky Chickens and Sunshine and Sunflowers!
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Auscare Support Social Clubs
Designed for NDIS participants, Auscare Support Social Clubs offer inclusive, supported school holiday programs for kids and teens. Kidz Club (ages 6–12) and Teenz Club (ages 13–16) run in small groups and include activities such as fishing adventures, science experiments, social gaming, rock painting and Dungeons & Dragons-themed sessions for teens — all funded through NDIS plans. Call 1800 940 515 to join.
👉 Call 1800 940 515 or email assist@auscaresupport.com.au
Haven Gallery
Step into a world of wonder at Haven Gallery, an immersive and interactive light and art gallery unlike any other. This is not a gallery you simply look at — it’s one you walk through, touch, feel and discover.
The current exhibition, “Play”, invites kids and grown-ups alike to explore art in a hands-on, sensory way, making it a unique and memorable family-friendly school holiday experience.
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Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Tours
Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue offers meaningful educational experiences for families and kids who want to learn more about protecting our precious coastal wildlife. School holiday visitors can discover how injured sea turtles and seabirds are rescued, rehabilitated and released, while learning about conservation and caring for the marine environment.
A wonderful option for families looking to combine learning, compassion and nature connection during the summer holidays.
👉 Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Tours
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Entertainment and Events these Summer Holidays
There’s always something happening across Byron Bay and surrounds during the holidays.
Day Zero Laser Tag Arena
Enter a world where imagination meets action at Day Zero Laser Tag, an immersive pop-up laser tag adventure located within 148 Jonson Street Byron Bay. Designed for kids, teens and adults, Day Zero transports players into a playful post-apocalyptic world, where they become the heroes of their own story. Built entirely from recycled materials and pallets, the arena feels like a real movie set — safe, thrilling and packed with energy for an unforgettable school holiday activity.
Ballina Tenpin Bowling
Looking for an all-weather school holiday activity? Ballina Tenpin Bowling is open almost every day of the holidays and is a favourite for families. Enjoy air-conditioned comfort whether it’s hot or rainy outside, with 12 bowling lanes, lightweight balls, bumpers and ramps for younger kids, and plenty of space to play. There’s also a café serving fresh coffee, slushies and snacks, plus a family-friendly putt putt course for just $5 per person, making it an easy, fun day out for all ages.
👉 Call 02 6686 5342 to reserve your lane!
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Ballina RSL – School Holiday Entertainment
Ballina RSL has gone all out with summer school holiday entertainment for kids and families. Highlights include The Magical World of Crazy Science, featuring exciting science experiments, magic and audience participation, and Pop Squad, a high-energy tribute show celebrating Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa. Families can also enjoy IWA Pro Wrestling, a live action-packed show, plus a school holiday disco with Shorty Brown. Add in daily $6 kids meal deals, and it’s a great value holiday outing.
Palace Cinemas Byron Bay and Ballina Fair
Escape the heat and enjoy the latest family-friendly movies these school holidays at Palace Cinemas Byron Bay and Ballina Fair. Catch popular G and PG-rated films perfect for younger kids, along with teen-friendly M-rated releases scheduled throughout December and January. With comfortable seating and a great atmosphere, Palace Cinemas is a reliable school holiday activity for all ages. Book online and choose your preferred location — Byron Bay or Ballina.
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McGregor’s Family Carnival
A true holiday classic, McGregor’s Family Carnival is celebrating 70 years of carnival magic this Christmas and New Year with themed decade nights, fancy dress and family fun. Each special night features entertainment, giveaways and Best Dressed prizes with unlimited ride wristbands up for grabs. From Christmas Eve celebrations to retro 50s, 70s, 90s and anniversary nights, it’s a nostalgic and exciting school holiday experience for kids and parents alike. Dress up, join in and make memories together.
BEST DRESSED each theme night WINS unlimited ride wristbands for the night!
- Tuesday Dec 23 – 50s/60s Golden Oldies Fancy dress • FREE milkshakes and lollies (while stock lasts) • Vintage car show
- Wednesday Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Santa visits at 8pm 🎅 Christmas PJs or Christmas jumper night!
- Tuesday Dec 30 –70s/80s Decades of Fun Fancy dress • Kids face painting • Free Donuts (while stock lasts) • Live music
- Tuesday Jan 06 – 90s/00s Back to the Future Fancy dress • Silent disco • Free 90s Arcade Machines
- Tuesday Jan 13 – 10s/20s Covid Flashback Party Fancy dress • Relive Housie and Pickabox night • Free Giveaways
- Tuesday Jan 20 – 70th Anniversary Celebration Night
Byron Baby Hire
Just a reminder that Byron Baby Holiday Hire offer a huge range of high quality baby and children’s hire, plus beach and holiday essentials to make your stay more comfortable.
Byron Bay Markets
No summer holiday in Byron Bay is complete without a visit to one of the region’s iconic markets. Families can enjoy the festive Christmas Market in December, the Byron Beachside Market in January, and the popular Saturday twilight markets at Railway Park. Expect beautiful handmade wares, delicious food stalls, live music and a relaxed coastal atmosphere — a lovely free family activity to enjoy together during the holidays.
And of course, some of the very best school holiday fun in Byron Bay is completely free — from spending the day at one of our beautiful local beaches, exploring coastal and hinterland walking trails, or heading out for a scoot, skate or play at one of the region’s many skateparks and playgrounds. You’ll find plenty of inspiration and ideas by following the links throughout this guide.
We hope you enjoy a fun-filled, memory-making summer school holiday with your family and feel inspired to try something new — whether it’s a creative workshop, an active adventure or a relaxed day out together.
Whether you’ve got a spare morning, an afternoon to fill or a full day to plan, there’s something for every age, interest and budget.
✨ Bookmark this page and keep an eye on our handy What’s On Guide – and check back often — new activities are added throughout the holidays!
Happy holiday planning,
Michelle xx
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