What To Do This School Holidays In The Shire
Stuck for ideas? Consider this your mega guide!
The school term has flown by and once again, we’re heading into the winter school holidays. While the kids may be jumping for joy at the thought, for parents, it can seem like an endless stretch of time that needs filling. But don’t fret, the Shire is full of events and activities to keep those little minds and hands busy. So, if you’re wondering what to do this school holidays in the Shire, here are a few of our favourite picks.
Brew up a new skill
Got a teen who loves coffee (or wants to learn how to make it)? This school holidays, Black Market Training’s Barista Bootcamp is the perfect way to turn that interest into a real skill. Teens will learn the essentials behind the coffee counter, from mastering espresso and latte art to understanding how a café actually works. Designed for ages 14–20, the two-day hands-on experience helps build confidence, practical skills and a little extra something to add to their hospitality toolkit, with morning tea and lunch included. Ready to get brewing? Book this one in early.
Ready, set, pickleball
Burn off some energy these school holidays with the Shire’s newest craze, pickleball. The Picklr Cronulla’s Junior Academy is giving kids aged 8-17 the chance to try their hand at the latest sport to hit the Shire, with fun, indoor sessions designed to build skills, confidence and make new friends along the way. Running from 28th September to 2nd October and 6th to 9th October, kids can join for a single day or multiple sessions, rain, hail or shine. Spots are limited, so it’s worth getting in early.
7 Box Road, Caringbah
Play! Kids Festival is back
Fill your school holiday plans with a little more imagination. Play! Kids Festival is returning to Sutherland Pavilion from 30th September to 3rd October, bringing four days of live shows, creative workshops and hands-on fun for kids of all ages. From award-winning magic and bubble-filled adventures to beloved stories and laugh-out-loud comedy, the festival features a line-up including Mario the Maker Magician, The Bubble Show in Space, Where is the Green Sheep? and The Listies: This Show is a Joke. Ready to add it to the school holiday calendar? Get your tickets here.
30 Eton Street, Sutherland
Get Hands-On at MECCA’s Beauty Lab
Got a beauty-obsessed tween or teen on your hands? Add a visit to MECCA Miranda’s new Beauty Lab to the school holiday itinerary. The interactive 20-minute sessions cover everything from winter skincare and beauty basics to mastering a sun-kissed glow and discovering the latest products to land in store. The best part? They’re completely free, making this an easy indoor activity for budding beauty lovers these school hols. Sessions run from Thursday to Sunday, so be sure to book ahead.
600 The Kingsway, Miranda
Get Outdoors With NSW National Parks
Swap screen time for a little outdoor adventure with NSW National Parks’ ranger-guided school holiday activities. Kids can become junior rangers, learn bush survival and navigation skills, create nature-inspired artworks or explore the sights and sounds of the Royal National Park through play-based activities for little ones. With sessions running on the 30th September and 7th October, it’s a fun way to get them outside, learn new skills and discover more about the wildlife right on our doorstep. Spots are limited, so be sure to book ahead.
Holiday Fun for Kids at Tradies
Tradies have a jam-packed lineup of activities for the kids these school holidays across their Gymea, Caringbah, and Helensburgh venues. From creative workshops to Kids Bingo, slime-making, lego and more - there’s something to keep every child entertained. The best part? It’s all indoors, so the fun continues no matter the weather! Be sure to book your spot in advance and check out all the details here.
Coding And Crafts With Code Camp
Code Camp is back these school holidays, serving up hands-on fun for every curious kid. Think coding, Minecraft, robotics, AI, drones, and even creative crafts like crochet and macramé - there’s something for every kind of mini maker. Camps will be running at Jannali High School, Innaburra School and Woolooware Public School.
Kids Eat Free Every Sunday at Fior Restaurant
Adored by locals, Fior in Gymea has a treat for the whole family. Kids eat FREE all day, every Sunday! For every main meal over $30, little ones (12 and under) get a free kids’ main. It’s the perfect excuse to book a lunch or dinner with your loved ones these school holidays.
Shop 2, 752-756 Kingsway, Gymea
School Holiday Mini Masterchefs Classes
Calling all mini chefs! These hands-on workshops with Grams of Health Cooking School in Gymea Bay take kids aged 5-14 on a flavour-packed trip around the globe, from Italian to Asian-inspired dishes. The best part? After all the chopping, mixing, and stirring, kids get to sit down and enjoy their sweet and savoury creations together. Classes are filling fast, so book your spot before they’re gone.
Become A Stand-Up Paddleboarding Pro
Cronulla SUP’s school holiday program is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained every Wednesday and Thursday. Kids can spend three hours at Gunnamatta Bay learning the basics, playing paddleboard games, joining in fun races, and soaking up all-round SUP action. The $99 program includes lunch, snacks, drinks, and sunscreen, so all they need to bring is their sense of adventure. Bookings are a must.
Gunnamatta Bay, Cronulla
Get Your Heart Racing with an Escape Room Adventure!
Scarborough Fair Escape Rooms is the Shire’s newest and only escape room experience, and it’s open all school holidays! Step into a world of mystery with your kids as you work together to solve puzzles, crack riddles, and take on thrilling challenges, all while having a blast. Think your team has what it takes to escape in time?
9 Resolution Drive, Caringbah
Get Creative At Cook at Kurnell
Cook at Kurnell is dialling up the creativity these school hols with beachside workshops for the kids. Think Kids Paint Classes and Textured Workshops running from 28th September to 9th October, with tickets starting from $25 per child. Parents? Kick back with a cocktail while the kids get crafty.
306-308 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell
Discover Science at ANSTO
From arcade coding to 3D printing and robotic art, ANSTO’s school holiday programs have it all! Kids aged 6-18 can dive into hands-on activities, interactive experiments, and fun tours of ANSTO’s world-class facilities. It’s the perfect mix of education and fun! Spots are limited, so book now and let them explore the world of science.
New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights
Score Big at Sharks FC School Holiday Camps
Get ready for a goal-scoring good time these school holidays with Sharks FC. Running on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th September at Seymour Shaw Stadium, kids aged 5–13 can join the action as experienced coaches guide them through football drills, mini-games, and friendly competitions. Whether they’re new to the game or already playing at full speed, it’s all about building skills, making new friends, and having an absolute blast. Don’t miss out, spots are filling fast, register here.
244 The Boulevarde, Miranda
Affordable Fun By Feros Group
If you're looking for affordable activities to keep the kids entertained these school holidays, check out Feros venues Taren Point Hotel, The Botanical, and The Prince. They’re rolling out a fantastic lineup of entertainment - think slime making, a reptile zoo, build-a-bear and pizza-making. We consider this a win for parents too; arrive hungry and enjoy lunch and a cocktail whilst you wait.
Let Your Little Ones’ Imagination Run Wild With Westfield’s VR Gaming
Discover a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience at VR Gaming in Westfield Miranda (right near JB Hi-Fi). Here, your little ones can explore ocean depths, brave ghost houses, and ride rollercoasters, all in one innovative setting. Offering more than just VR, it's a new kind of immersive entertainment that goes beyond the usual, blending imagination with reality.
Shop G107/600 Kingsway, Miranda
KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED AT TIMEZONE
Cronulla’s Timezone has quickly become the go-to for school holiday fun - buzzing with arcade classics, racing games, claw machines, and prize walls to keep the kids entertained for hours. It’s one of those spots that keeps all ages entertained, and let’s be real, you’ll probably end up lining up for a turn too.
126-128 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
Get in the Game with Cronulla Sharks
Footy fans, this one’s for you! These school holidays, the Sharks Have Heart Holiday Clinics are the place to be. Running on Monday 12th October at Captain Cook Playing Fields, kids aged 5-12 can dive into rugby league skills, mini games, and even cheerleading! Think drills, cheerleading activities, and a chance to hang with Sharks players and Mermaids. It’s all about getting active, making new friends, and having a ball.
Immerse Yourself In Nature With Cronulla Ferries
Hop on board Cronulla Ferries for a fun-filled outdoor adventure to Bundeena. With hourly ferry services, the whole fam can enjoy the beautiful waterways before exploring the world's second-oldest National Park. The beaches, walks and wildlife are just a few of the reasons the kids will have a ball!
Learn A New Hobby With Shire Elite Cheerleading
Keen to keep your kids active during the school holidays? Shire Elite Cheerleading is offering several school holiday clinics throughout the Summer break. Suitable for all skill levels, from first timers to regulars, these classes are the perfect opportunity to get your kids out of the house and include games, tumbling, cheer stunts, obstacle courses, and more. Bookings are essential.
Units 1 & 2, 80 Bellingara Road, Miranda
Get Crafty At Hazelhurst Art Gallery
These school holidays, Hazelhurst is all about paper play and hands-on creativity. From mixed media and collage to watercolours, painting, clay, and more, kids, teens, and families can dive into fun art activities guided by art educators. With something for every budding artist, it’s the perfect way to spark imagination (and keep little hands busy). Browse classes and secure your spot here.
782 Kingsway, Gymea
Make The Most Of ThE Spring Sun With A MORNING HIKE
If your kids are the outdoorsy types, get ready to soak up the sun and take advantage of the Shire’s best hikes and walking tracks. The perfect way to get them moving, you can check out our 12 favourite walks in the Shire here.
Spend A Day Paddling The Woronora River
Spend a day paddling the Woronora River thanks to Woronora Boatshed. The Boatshed offers canoe and kayak hire, 7 days a week where you can paddle up the river, stopping at hidden beaches along the way. Make the most of the Boatshed’s old-school lolly bar and delicious menu on your return!
131 Prince Edward Park Road, Woronora
Rock Climbing At ClimbFit
This huge indoor rock climbing centre in Kirrawee is the perfect place for kids to burn off some energy - no sunscreen required. Open to kids aged four and up, ClimbFit offers plenty of walls to scale and stays open until 10:00pm on weekdays and 8:00pm on weekends. They’re even offering a two-week Kids Holiday Membership for $89, giving little climbers 14 days of unlimited climbing.
23 Waratah Street, Kirrawee
Catch A Flick At HoyTs Cronulla
Sink into the comfy recliners at Hoyts Cronulla while the kids get swept up in the latest releases. There are plenty of family-friendly flicks hitting screens just in time for the holidays - think Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, so be sure to check weekly for new screenings.
2 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
Jump For Joy At Flip Out
Flip Out is the coolest destination for kids and adults alike, with its epic trampoline arena and diverse range of indoor activities. From parkour courses and foam pits to climbing and running walls, there's something for everyone to enjoy. With the added bonus of being indoors, Flip Out is the perfect spot for a day of fun, rain or shine.
12 Parraweena Road, Caringbah
Let Them Get Their Hands Dirty At Part-Time Ceramics
One of our favourite ceramic studios in The Shire, Part-Time Ceramics, is letting the kids in on a little of the fun this school holidays. Suitable for little ones from just four years old, the team are offering a bunch of dates dedicated to kids’ clay classes, where they’ll be able to create a bowl, vase, or mug using simple techniques. Plus, for kids aged 10 and up, there’s a one-off wheel taster on offer - the perfect chance to try their hand at the potter’s wheel. Note: supervision is required.
Unit 2, 155 Taren Point Road, Caringbah
Bounce The Day Away At Inflatable World Miranda
Get ready to bounce the day away at Inflatable World Miranda - one of the biggest inflatable playgrounds in Australia! Kids can jump, leap, and play ‘til their heart’s content while you enjoy a coffee (parents can join in too). For a full-day option, The Rec Club’s holiday program has it covered: $90 gets you a full day of fun with daily access to Inflatable World, creative workshops, themed days like ‘Swiftie Day’, and even laser tag battles. Designed for ages 5–12, spots fill fast.
8/2-4 Kumulla Road, Miranda
Visit One Of Our Favourite Kid-Friendly Cafes
Sometimes a dedicated play space or specialised kid's menu makes all the difference. Click here for our list of 18 Of The Shire’s Top Kid-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants To Add To Your Bucket List.
Indoor Activities For Those Rainy Days
It’s bound to happen, right? There’s no need to go stir-crazy though! There is plenty to do in The Shire on a rainy day including indoor rock climbing and bowling. Pop on over here for a few more ideas.
Full Day Of PCYC Sutherland
PCYC’s school holiday programs mix sport with creative fun, so there’s something for every little personality. Think gymnastics, mini olympics, futsal, disco dance and STEM challenges, plus high-energy Nerf and laser tag sessions. Multi-day bookings score you a discount, making it an easy win for parents.
Waratah Park, Eton Street, Sutherland
Try a free workshop at the local library
Things aren’t always quiet at the library! These school holidays, take the kids to your local library for fun clay art, story time, disco dance parties and even a chance to meet some fluffy new arrivals with Hatching Chicks at Sutherland Library. Check out timings and bookings here.
Up their swimming skills
Dive into fun at Sutherland Leisure Centre’s Splasher’s Program. Choose from Week 1 (Monday 28th September to Friday 2nd October) for $125 or Week 2 (Tuesday 6th October to Friday 9th October) for $100, with daily lessons designed to level up your child’s swimming skills and build confidence. Plus, with a heated pool, it’s the perfect way to keep their swim skills sharp and confidence growing these school holidays. You can get the details and book here.
Sharks Basketball Holiday Camps
Keep your kids active and entertained these Summer school holidays with Sharks Basketball Holiday Camps. Offering a fun and engaging environment, these camps focus on skill development and gameplay, providing kids with the chance to learn new skills, make friends, and have a blast. Spots fill up fast, register here to secure their place!
Waratah Park, Rawson Avenue, Sutherland
Posted: 2026