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School Holiday FUN!

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

NEWCASTLE REGION LIBRARIES

AFTER ALL THE ACTION!

There’s always plenty going on across the region’s libraries during the school holidays, with everything from Family Board Games Afternoons and Family Movies to Pizza Box Movie Making and 3D Printing for Fun. The Lego Olympics offers a fun-filled hour of challenges and games for children aged 5-12 at Newcastle, Beresfield and New Lambton libraries during January, while Snaptronics Quiz Masters will introduce children aged 8-12 to the world of electronics at Newcastle and Wallsend libraries as they create a working game buzzer and compete in the quiz fun. Older children will enjoy taking their first steps towards designing their own clothes and accessories with an Introduction to Sewing for Teens ($50 per person for two workshops) and Boomerang Bags: Personalised Tote Bags ($25 per person), as well as learning Minecraft coding basics in Raspberry Pi Beginners Workshop for Teenagers. Bookings for all activities are essential. To find out what’s on near you, check out www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library/Whats-On

NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY

WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN

The anticipation of Christmas is a great way to keep the kids busy in those first few days after school breaks up for another year. But once the final present has been unwrapped and the tree has come down, many parents are left staring down the barrel of four long weeks without any other plans in sight. Thankfully there is a way to survive the school holidays without digging too deep into the wallet, with a great line-up of free or low-cost activities organised by Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Councils.

Floral fun is the theme of the Newcastle Art Gallery’s holiday program, with a host of drawing, painting and up-cycling workshops on offer. The Art of Flowers will see children create a botanical masterpiece with acrylic paints and watercolours. Three one-hour workshops will be held each day during January 15-19. The following week will see budding artists let their imaginations run wild with a garden-inspired upcycling Blooms + Bugs Workshop, using ordinary household items. Both workshops are suitable for children aged 5-12, at a cost of $10 per person, with bookings essential. The art gallery will also host Australia Day fun for all ages on January 26, with free workshops on the art of pressing flowers and still life drawing between 10.30am and 12.30pm. For more details visit www.nag.org.au ►

PLAY

Fo o t G o l f

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.

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

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. Book the kids in for a super-fun School Holiday Golf Clinic where they will learn the basics of golf, meet friends

MENTION INTOUCH MAGAZIN FOR A 10 E DISCOUN % T!

and get to play some real golf (along with some footgolf and mini golf of course!), all under the eyes of a qualified coach. At Beresfield Golf you can enjoy great undercover outdoor areas and a BBQ* - making it the perfect and affordable destination for your next kids party, social group or work party. *Hire charges apply.

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

OUT AND ABOUT

NEWCASTLE MUSEUM A visit to Newcastle Museum is always a fascinating affair, with these holidays featuring some amazing dinosaur-inspired science in the Skins, Scales and Feathers show. Be amazed at the size and strength of these pre-historic creatures and be surprised by their colour during the popular free science shows, which will run three times a day on January 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25. Visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au for more details.

LAKE MACQUARIE LIBRARIES From Ozbots coding activities and Newsprint Animal Art to Pokemon Trading Card Game Workshops and Shark Facts, there will be plenty to see, do and learn about at the region’s network of libraries. Discovering Dinosaurs to Dodos is sure to be a highlight at Swansea Library these holidays (January 11 and 24) as participants learn about the dinosaurs that roamed across Australia before taking part in fun prehistoric games and craft, while Hogwarts fans can test their knowledge during Harry Potter Trivia at Morisset Library on January 24.

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

LAKE MACQUARIE CITY ART GALLERY Have fun designing and printing your own beach bag at the gallery this summer (January 9 and 17) or make your mark on the Hit the Road art installation, with participants given the chance to add their own design or artwork to a sculpture created by local artist John Turier and Hunter TAFE students (January 9). The gallery’s program of activities also includes creating recycled watercraft, a creative writing workshop inspired by the current exhibitions and the chance to make skateboard stencils and surf sculptures. Bookings are essential. Contact 4921 0382 or visit www.artgallery.lakemac.com.au for more details.

There’s no better time to dive into the intensive five-day School Holiday Learn to Swim Program at Lake Macquarie’s three swim centres. Suitable for children aged three years and older, the program will run each week during January, with bookings required by calling Charlestown on 4921 0782, West Wallsend on 4921 0738 or Swansea on 4921 0733. There will be plenty of other opportunities to enjoy the summer sunshine these holidays, with activities planned at Lake Macquarie’s beaches, swim centres, on the lake and at the Glenrock State Conservation Area. From a Pirate School, the Aquatic Challenger inflatable obstacle course and Kayaking on the Lake to Sea Caves Exploration, Disc Golf at Rathmines and a Sand Sculpting Workshop and Competition, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy the great outdoors. For more information about all the activities on offer visit www.lakemac.com.au/recreation/whats-on/school-holidays ■

Get Wild at

Hunter Valley Zoo! ALL AGES Come and visit the Hunter Valley Zoo this school holidays! See our Lions, Meerkats, and all your favourite native friends. Get up close and personal in our interactive walkthrough enclosures where you can feed our farmyard animals, Kangaroos, Lorikeets and Camels. Why not make use of our free picnic and BBQ facilities? There’s no better place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

If you are bringing a group or having a party just give us a call and enquire about reserving an area to yourself. With keeper talks and shows throughout the day there is something for everyone; and for those who want to get even closer, you can book in for one our unique animal encounters for an experience you’ll never forget!* We’re open every day during school holidays except for Christmas Day. We’ll see you on the wild side! *All encounters are charged separately to general admission, bookings essential! DETAILS 138 Lomas Lane, Nulkaba, NSW 2325. Ph 4990 7714. Open 9am - 4pm. www.huntervalleyzoo.com.au

Art Space|Art Club Art Zone|Art Studio Holiday Art Classes artgallery.lakemac.com.au

Learn to Surf Newcastle AGES 5 - ADULT Weetbix Surf Groms is back again this December/January school holidays! Lessons are available every week commencing December 11th - 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 each week of the holidays. 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

Finite Gallery AGES 6 - 18 years The kids are sure to be kept busy this school holidays with the fantastic range of 2-hour children’s workshops at Finite Gallery! With everything from painting and drawing to macramé and tie dyeing. There are also full day workshops in mosaics, Hebel sculpture and paper making! Parents and Carers are also welcome to participate, so why not make it a fun family day? The gallery is fully air-conditioned so activities are not affected by the weather. Each school term there are also After School Art classes and Adult painting and drawing classes.

Learn with

SLAM! STEM . Learning . Arts . Makerspace FOR SCHOOL AGE KIDS SLAM is running holiday workshops for kids throughout December and January. With a range of workshops that include robotics, coding your own video games, sewable electronics, aircraft design, building your own electronic instruments and augmented reality – there’s something to keep every little genius busy. There’s no such thing as “I’m bored” with SLAM!!

Jet Flight E info@finitegallery.com PH 0419 471 660 www.finitegallery.com/learn

SLAM also run after-school workshops each week in selected schools. For primary schools, SLAM’s professional development programs focus on the new Science & Technology syllabus, Design Thinking and STEM, and can bring a whole new dimension to the school curriculum! DETAILS Call Rob on 0422 709 463 or visit www.slameducation.com for a full program of activities. /slameducation twitter.com/slamedu @slamedu

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 is needed. Choose your favorite 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 $89 (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 /JetFlightSimulatorNewcastle instructor • By appointment only • Buy now, book later

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,

BEASTLY TALES (6-9yo) Wed 3 Jan, 10am1pm: Ed Wright. Write stories pretending to be animals and invent your own animals. TIME TRAVELLER (8-13yo) Thurs 4 Jan, 10am-1pm: Jess Black. See if you have what it takes to be a time traveller! MY DIARY - ALL ABOUT YOU (8-13yo) Wed 10 Jan, 10am-1pm: Jess Black. In this journaling workshop, tap into your favourite memories, hobbies and prized possessions. CREATE YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK! (5-8yo) Tues 16 Jan, 10am-1pm: Jess Black. We’ll form our ideas, make a storyboard and play with layout and illustrations. NAPLAN WRITING WORKSHOP (Years 3 + 5) Wed 17 Jan, 10am-1pm: Ed Wright. Get tips for writing narrative and persuasive responses to stimuli when time is short. NAPLAN WRITING WORKSHOP (Year 7 + 9) Thurs 18 Jan, 2pm-5pm: Ed Wright. Get tips for writing narrative and persuasive responses to stimuli when time is short.

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, weekdays by appointment. Open every day during summer school holidays from 9.30am until 4.30pm and later. Please call to confirm last shuttle times as they may vary according to weather conditions. 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

Creative Writing Classes FUNNY FABLES (7-13yo) Tues 23 January, 10am-1pm: Ed Wright. Write outrageous stories that will make you and your friends laugh. DETAILS Suite 51, Level 1, 164-170 Hunter Street. COST: $80 (bring a brother/sister/ friend or sign up for 2 classes, 2 for $140; earlybird until 18 December, $65; 2 for $120). For more info ring Ed on 0408 788 765 or email info@creativewordshop.com.au www.creativewordshop.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. Take in the scenery as you ride the unique and beautiful Molly Morgan Range, and experience the spectacular views of the Hunter Valley and as far north as Barrington Tops. Not to mention the amazing native wildlife that will be a memory not soon forgotten - you can even ride among kangaroos and wallabies! Even the tiny tots can jump on board, with beautiful ponies and qualified guides leading the way. We also offer full day horse riding camps for the teens (12-16 yrs old) where they will get to groom & feed horses, learn about looking after horses, saddlery, and of course ride! You could also 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. Plus, don’t forget to visit our aviary to say hello to our birds, guinea pigs, goats and sheep. We have also recently introduced the new pedal go karts! An activity that is sure to keep the kids busy, and ready to hit the hay later on. If you feel like staying a little longer, 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. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures is really your one stop shop for an awesome school holiday experience that we know the kids will love. So, get back to nature, breathe that fresh country air and enjoy a seamless experience like no other. Whether you are up for a day trip, or plan to stay a little longer, this is the perfect way to feel your school holiday stresses slip away! Book the kids in for some outdoor fun today. DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are recommended, phone Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008. www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Save on Family Movies CINEBUZZ

TICKETS FROM

$10 *

SMALL BEAR. BIG TROUBLE.

Title: PADDINGTON 2

Job: Fairground ALT Key art

Date: 17/10/2017

Version: original credits

Offer available on select sessions before 5pm daily Buy tickets today at the box office or at eventcinemas.com.au

*Online booking fee applies. Vmax and 3D surcharges apply. Offer valid for Cinebuzz members only. Only valid for the following films: Coco, Ferdinand and Paddington 2. Not valid on sessions after 5PM. 3D Glasses additional $1ea if required. Not valid in Gold Class. Not Valid with any other offer. Not valid at Skyline Drive In. Pricing may vary between cinema locations. See website for full T&Cs.