intouch Magazine School Holidays Special Feature | September 2017

l oo Sch y a d i l o H !

N FU

50+ super-fun activities for kids (big and small) to enjoy!

Newcastle Region Libraries Bookings for all activities are essential. To find what’s on Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you near you, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library/Whats-On can’t enjoy elements of the great outdoors, with the chance to create a gorgeous garden mobile Newcastle Museum or ornament out of recycled aluminium cans.

Everyone loves to experiment, and there’s no better place to The free one-hour workshop will be held tap into your scientific side than at Newcastle Museum’s free across five of the Newcastle Region Libraries Science Shows, where you will experience explosions, learn from September 26 to 29 and is suitable for more about the workings of all things great and small, and dive children aged 9 to 14 years. into the fascinating world of chemicals.

Children will also have the chance to Bee The popular shows are sure to fill up fast, with three Amazed at Stockton (October 5) and Hamilton sessions every day on September 26 and 28 and October 3 (October 6) libraries. Learn about the amazing and 5. world of bees, sample some honeycomb and But that’s not the only entertainment on offer at the create a native bee hotel to take home. museum these holidays, with a special community exhibition Still on the insect theme, head over to New Hunter Water turns 125, proving that school isn’t the only place Lambton (October 4) and Wallsend (October you can learn something new.

5) libraries for the Travel Bugs workshop, for a Hunter Water and Newcastle Museum are giving the public chance to learn more about the creepy crawlies access to fascinating historical photos, memorabilia and tools that live in the garden. of a bygone era to showcase how our local water and sewer If your kids are looking for something with a system has evolved over time. little more bite then the Crocodile Encounters at The museum is open every day of the school holidays from Adamstown (September 28) and Beresfield 10am to 5pm, visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au for more (September 29) libraries will give them something to really details. sink their teeth into. For just $7 they can get up close with a crocodile during this fun and interactive one-hour wildlife Newcastle Art Gallery experience, which features a range of reptiles and it suitable for You can always rely on the Newcastle Art Gallery to keep children aged five to twelve. things interesting, with a series of workshops and tours sure to There’s plenty on offer for the teenager in the family too, educate and inspire children of all ages. with Upcycled T-shirt Crafternoons on September 27 and Kick off the holidays with the popular Torchlight Tour of October 4, a DIY Flower Crown workshop (September 29, $5) the gallery on Saturday, September 23 from 6pm-7.30pm. The and an Animate and Create activity that will teach them how tour costs $10 per child (accompanying adults are free), and to make an awesome stop motion animation on their iPad entry includes all art materials and snacks – you just have to (October 6). remember to bring your own torch. ►

EZY-BREEZY

Spring School Holiday Guide!

The weather’s warming up and the kids are keen to get out and enjoy themselves, with two whole weeks of school holidays stretching out in front of them.

But while it may not quite be beach weather yet, there’s plenty of free and affordable ways to keep them happy these holidays thanks to a great program of activities from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Councils.

PLAY

Fo o t G o l f

Sand Dune

Sa a is ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES Come on the ultimate adventure! Join Sand Dune Safaris in one of our purpose built off road vehicles and experience the magnificent Stockton Sand Dunes - the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere, right here in beautiful Port Stephens.

Discover the remote outpost of Tin City and learn about the history of the ecosystem and inhabitants. You also can’t miss Sand Boarding, fun for all the family. Don’t forget your camera, the scenery is spectacular!

School holiday activities: We will be open every day for our Sand Boarding Adventure, between 10am and 4pm. Price includes a 10 minute 4WD trip over the dunes, board hire, instructor and unlimited Sand Boarding. Also fantastic for kids birthday parties! Bring along your esky with food and drinks and relax in our shaded picnic area on the dunes whilst the kids have a ball!

DETAILS Open every weekend, 10am - 4pm (extended hours over Summer), weekdays by appointment. Open every day during school holidays. Departure location - Lower car park, end of James Paterson St, Anna Bay. Look for the big army bus! Phone 0425 213 096. www.sanddunesafaris.com.au

Beres ield Golf HOME OF MINI GOLF AND FOOTGOLF With a relaxing 11 hole golf course, the only FootGolf course in the Hunter and a brandnew 18-hole Mini Golf Course, Beresfield Golf Course provides a fabulously fun day out for family and friends with something for everyone! Mini Golf and Footgolf are great fun activities for the holidays – they are active and the whole family can play. They also run school holiday golf clinics, where children will learn the basics of golf, meet friends and get to play some real golf (along with some footgolf and mini golf of course) under the eyes of a qualified coach.

There are great package deals available and with undercover outdoor settings and a BBQ for hire, Beresfield Golf is a fantastic new kids and group party destination for something different and affordable that is conveniently located between Newcastle and Maitland. The September holidays will be the last holidays available at the amazing introductory prices.

DETAILS Mini Golf – Open every day from 10am; FootGolf – Open every day from 10am (excepting Saturdays – after noon). Check the Facebook page for golf clinic details. 260 Anderson Dr, Beresfield, phone 4966 4665. www.beresfieldgolf.com.au

Kids will also have the chance to get creative at the Mad Heads art workshop, which will be run three times a day from September 25-29. The one-hour workshop costs $10 and will see children create pinch pots with modelling clay to make a unique 3D clay character they can take home with them.

In the second week of the holidays, the Magic Blue Print art workshop will teach participants about the cyanotype printing process and allow them to create a blue print of silhouette images. It will be held three times a day from October 3 to 6 and cost $10.

Bookings are essential for the tour and the workshops. Visit www.nag.org.au for more details.

Lake Macquarie Libraries Whether you like craft or computers, reading stories or programming robots, there will be something for every child at Lake Macquarie’s libraries these holidays.

Join volunteers from Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives Lake Macquarie at the handson Sea Creatures of Lake Macquarie workshop at Morisset Library on September 27, or learn more about aerodynamics at the Fold and Fly: Paper Plane Making workshop at Swansea Library on September 26.

Cardiff Library will host a Design, Build, Program Robotics workshop on September 27, perfect for children aged eight to 14, while crafty children can learn how to knit and crochet at the Lost Skill of Wool Craft at Toronto Library on October 6.

There will be plenty more activities on offer across the two weeks, so visit www.library. lakemac.com.au/kids/school-holiday-fun for details and to book your place.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Children can tap into their more artistic side at the art gallery, with a host of workshops exploring everything from Creative Bookmaking (September 26, October 3), to Re-using Old Books to Make Beautiful Artworks (September 27 and October 4). Both workshops cost $20 per child and run for two hours.

Bookings are essential. Visit www.artgallery.lakemac.com.au or contact 4921 0382 or for more details.

Charlestown, West Wallsend and Swansea Swim Centres The weather is heating up, so there’s no better time to dive into the Intensive Learn to Swim Program at Lake Macquarie’s three swim centres.

Boost your child’s confidence in the water with this intensive five-day program, which has beginner to transition levels available.

Suitable for children aged three years and older, the program will run from September 25 to 29 and again from October 2 to 5.

Bookings are required for the $55 program by calling Charlestown on 4921 0782, West Wallsend on 4921 0738 or Swansea on 4921 0733. ■

Learn to Surf Newcastle AGES 5 - ADULT Weetbix Surf Groms is back again this September School Holidays! Learn to Surf with Miles Niddrie. All equipment is supplied and every class includes surf safety education.

Great kid to coach ratios for ages 5-12 yrs (Surf Groms) and 13-18 yrs (Surfteens) with four x 1.5 hour classes Monday to Thursday both weeks of the holidays. 13yrs-18yrs. Over 18's to adults catered for too with single 1.5 hour lessons daily. www.learntosurfnewcastle.com

EMAIL miles@learntosurfnewcastle.com PH 0404 839 585

Jet Flight Simulator AGES 6 AND UP - NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED Have you ever wanted to feel what it is like to captain a 737? Here is your chance to virtually experience the thrill of being in control of the most popular plane in the world and no experience needed.

Choose your favourite airport or city to take off from. Just before take-off you will be briefed on the primary controls, instruments and procedures necessary to be ready for take-off. After permission from Air Traffic Control you will accelerate the plane down the runway and take-off.

During your flight you will be fully immersed in your experience. You will be managing your airspeed, altitude and watching your heading whilst monitoring any other air traffic. The wide array of screens and indicators will also need to be monitored.

Enter this link to receive 50% off discount! www.jetflightsimulatornewcastle.com.au/intouch

or call 1300-SIM-FLIGHT (1300-746-354) Prices: 30min $79 (was $199) 60min $139 (was $349) 90min $218 (was $479) 120min $249 (was $599)

• 737 simulator experience • Gift vouchers available • No experience needed (kids 6+)

• Payment over the phone • Bring up to 4 passengers for FREE DETAILS By appointment only. 1 Tudor St, • 22,000 destinations Newcastle. PH 1300-746-354.

• Fly alongside an experienced instructor /JetFlightSimulatorNewcastle • By appointment only • Buy now, book later

Scenic Helicopter Flights WITH SKYLINE AVIATION AGES 3 AND OVER Get the kids out of the house and show them the best experience they’ll have these holidays!

With Scenic Helicopter Flights from $95, we can show the kids a view of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley like never before.

HAVING FUN WITH LAH-LAH Get ready to pull on your best red, white and black stripes because everyone will be Having Fun with the stars of ABC KIDS, LahLah’s Big Live Band, as they prepare to tour around Australia in 2017. The award winning cast from the ABC KIDS TV series Lah-Lah’s Adventures have a brand new and exciting show to take around the country.

Having fun is the best way to learn, and that is exactly what happens at a Lah-Lah show. A show that is different from any other family concert - it’s not just full of singing and

Departing directly out of Lake Macquarie Airport and the Hunter Valley, our helicopter joy flights cover everything from stunning beaches to mountain ranges and the city of Newcastle!

Don’t leave them in front of the iPad, give them an experience they’ll never forget these holidays!

DETAILS 7 Days a week, 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Located at 864 Pacific Hwy, Marks Point. www.skylineav.com.au

dancing and incredible live music played by some of Australia’s best musicians, it’s also educational. Lah-Lah is all about introducing kids to music and musical instruments. They pride themselves on the educational content of their music, TV show and live tour and are fervent advocates of early childhood music.

Lah-Lah are also celebrating the 2017 Sony Music release of their new album Having Fun, along with their super national live concert tour, featuring lots of brand new tunes from the album with songs like “I Love Books”, “Number Jive” and a funny twist on “Old MacDonald” (Had a Band) as well as jamming on some of their favourite hits including “Brush Your Teeth” and “Lola Loves to Dance”!

Experience Australia’s most interactive children’s show for 50 minutes of live music, singing, dancing, and fun! And don’t miss the chance to meet everyone in the band after the show via a meet and greet with the full cast and their wonderful musical instruments!

So, come and join the leaders in preschool music education this year. The gang from Lah-Lah can’t wait to help you introduce your little ones to live music and the magical world of musical instruments while they’re Having Fun in 2017!

If you see one family concert this year make it “Having Fun” with Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band at Wests City on September 20. It’s sure to be a sell-out, so get in fast at www.kidspromotions.com.au

Hunter Valley

Horseriding & Adventures ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding!

It’s the perfect day trip - just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway you’ll find a place where you can relax, get back to nature, treat the kids or just stop and smell the roses!

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders. Enjoy a picnic (we have

over 300 acres of great spots), utilise our BBQ facilities, enjoy a tractor hay ride to feed the animals, check out the kangaroos, hiking and mountain bike trails or sunset rides.

We offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during school holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, we have limited spots available.

Feel your school holiday stresses slip away! Book the kids in for some outdoor fun.

DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are recommended, phone Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008. www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

• Learn about Wattle Day and the Mattara Festival with Local History talks and view photos and books from the heritage collection.

• Hear about the diversity and importance of the Hunter's dry forests to woodland birds and discover why migratory birds return to Stockton each year.

• Speak with Council staff to learn about the important role of native vegetation and take home a free plant.

Jane Austen lovers unite - It's been 200 years since her death, but Jane Austen's writing is as beloved as ever. Feed your sense and your sensibility with these Austen-inspired events.

• See a free screening of 'Love & Friendship', the film adaption of Lady Susan.

• Enjoy an enchanting Regency Picnic, Blow off the winter blues with Newcastle Region complete with music, dancing, guest speakers Library's Spring Fling celebrations! Visit during and Regency games at Lambton Park. the first two weeks of September for a blooming • Explore the 'Literary Landscapes of England' bonanza of fun and interesting programs. through a fascinating talk presented by the Spruce up your nest - Learn to make beautiful Jane Austen Society - Hunter Chapter. paper flowers, try your hand at bonsai, or satisfy For the spring chickens - The younger set will your curiosity about succulents with their enjoy: gardening and cooking programs.

• Brilliant spring after school activities, • Experience virtual reality with a tour of a including a container garden workshop and virtual spring garden, or create an actual paper flower making. container garden to take home.

• A range of school holiday events and • Discover new and delicious ways of enjoying programs, with bees, bugs, bonsai and even a spring produce with a cooking demonstration. bush dance!

• Be enchanted by a May Gibbs pop-up • Spring storytimes for 3 to 5 year olds exhibition featuring reproductions of her featuring speakers from Hunter Wetlands iconic artwork.

Centre.

History, fauna and flora - Delight in the beauty Programs are on at various library branch of spring in Newcastle with talks unique to our locations. Spring at the Library is always popular community. so book in early at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

SPRING FLING

at The Library

YOUR DESTINATION FOR FUN

CHARLESTOWN SQUARE WELCOMES HOLEY MOLEY TO THE SOUTH PIAZZA ON FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER. Get ready for the craziest round of mini golf you’ve ever played! And with drinks, cocktails and tunes on offer at the full service bar, The Caddyshack will take care of all your off-the-green needs.

WANT MORE CHOICE?

ENJOY THE SOUTH PIAZZA – OPEN LATE EVERYDAY

...ENJOY ALL THE FUN WITH 5 HOURS FREE PARKING! SHOW YOUR WESTS MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK. Available when the Customer Service Desk is open. Parking rates apply after 5 hours.