Our guide to what's on during the school holidays:
Space Jam 2
Celebrate the release of the film Space Jam 2 at Charlestown Square with basketball, craft, meet and greets, giveaways and more in Centre Court from June 28 to July 9 daily from 10am to 3pm.
Rug up at Gardens
Snowtime In The Garden is back at Hunter Valley Gardens until July 18 with a giant ice-skating rink, ice toboggan and snow-play zone where you can build a snowman. Other attractions include rides and roving performers. Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm.
Get back to nature
Pick your own oranges at Dooralong every day during the school holidays from 10am to 4pm. Pack a basket or bag and pick your own fruit to take home for $1.50 per kilo. Bookings not required, Eftpos facilities available. Located at 48 Dittons Road, Dooralong.
Jump for joy
Springloaded trampoline park at Gateshead is running a range of school holiday programs, including circus on June 28 and July 5; wipeout obstacle course on June 30 and July 7; tumble mania on July 2 and July 9; and Springloaded ninja warrior on July 2 and 9. Costs $15 for members or $20 for non-members.
NAIDOC activities
Awabakal's NAIDOC celebrations are being held at Civic Park on July 5 from 9am to 2pm with traditional dancing, cultural workshops, live music and more.
Skate deck art
Artist Mitch Revs hosts two-hour workshops at his Hunter Street studio in Newcastle from June 30, teaching the creative process and fundamentals of skate deck art. Costs $99. Workshops are sold out but a waitlist is available via mitchrevs.com.
Get creative
Newcastle Art Gallery's Art Cart kids sessions are held every Saturday and Sunday during the holidays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Bookings essential via the website. Budding artists can also take a tour of Rachel Milne's Nest exhibition followed by a painting workshop. Held from June 28 to July 2, the workshop is aimed at kids aged five to 12. Costs $12 at trybooking.com.
Science shows
Newcastle Museum's science shows are back with resident scientist Catherine every Tuesday and Thursday during the holidays at 11.15am, 12.15pm and 1.15pm. Entry is free but bookings are essential. The museum also hosts three Build A World ... In Cardboard sessions on June 30 where kids can create a cardboard world inspired by Australian photographer John Gollings. Costs $10. Bookings essential.
Meet a reptile
Blackbutt Reserve brings its reptile shows back for the school holidays, with sessions at 11am and 11.45am from Monday to Friday, and 11am on weekends. Tickets $4 per person.
LEGO workshops
Bricks 4 Kids winter school holiday full-day and two-day workshops will be held in Newcastle, New Lambton and Belmont, offering LEGO fans the chance to learn more about creating with bricks. Workshops are designed for kids aged five to 12. Visit bricks4kidz.com.au for session times and bookings.
Check out the library
Libraries across Newcastle are hosting plenty of activities throughout the holiday season, including art sessions, NAIDOC Week celebrations and movie screenings. Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/home for details. Lake Macquarie libraries have plenty to do as well, including drawing workshops, book launches, puppet shows, writing workshops and claymation workshops. Visit lakemac.com.au for details. Maitland City Library will host photography workshops on June 30 and July 1, and a performance from band The Vegetable Plot on July 6. Visit maitlandlibrary.com.au.
Brickfest returns
Newcastle Brickfest is another treat for LEGO fans. The event returns to Newcastle Jockey Club on July 10 and 11 with LEGO displays from more than 60 exhibitors, making it the biggest event yet. Entry $6 per person through trybooking.com.
Join the circus
Circus skill workshops are held at Jesmond Centralfrom June 29 to July 2 where kids can learn to juggle, spin plates and walk a tightrope. It's free but bookings for the 30-minute sessions are essential at trybooking.com.
High Tea for kids
High Tea for Kids is held at the Novotel Newcastle Beach every afternoon, noon to 3pm, at Bistro Dalby from June 26 to July 11 with delicious high tea, movies, games and more to keep kids entertained. Costs $20 per child (parents can enjoy their own high tea for $40). Bookings at events.humanitix.com.
Cooking classes
The Essential Ingredient at The Junction hosts two kids cooking classes these holidays, with an Italian-themed class on July 1 at 10am and 1.30pm, and a Mexican cooking class on July 3 at 10am and 1.30pm. Ideal for children aged eight and over, the class costs $95 per child. Book a spot on 4926 1991.
High School Musical
Disney's hit movie High School Musical plays two final shows at Civic Theatre on June 26 at 2pm and 7pm, presented by St Philip's Christian College. Bookings through Ticketek.
Musical theatre
Alice In Wonderland comes to the stage at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on July 9 at 7pm and July 10 at 2pm. Bookings at cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au.
Mini Growers at Margan
Margan Wines hosts the Mini Growers pop-up program on June 29 and 30, and July 6 and 7. The supervised garden tour will teach kids how to grow vegetables, feed chickens, compost at home and unearth garden secrets in a scavenger hunt, while parents can enjoy Margan's Hunter Hand-Picked wine and food experience. Costs $40 per child and $40 per adult. Bookings at margan.com.au.
Discover the environment
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae has a Children's Discovery Day on June 29, 10am to 2pm. The emphasis is on botanical and environmental learning activities that stimulate an interest in plants and the environment. There's also the Hunter Wetland Centre and its new Animal House which houses frogs, blue-tongues, eel, a Pygmy Bearded Dragon and Children's Python in their new home. A Reptile Ranger will be there to show you around between 9.30am and 1pm weekdays.
