Every carer knows, the Winter school holidays can be challenging (rainy days + energetic kids = stressed-out parents). Fear not, as we’ve put together a boredom-busting list of activities for kids and teens, which will make time fly — and earn you serious brownie points.

Code Camp

Code Camp offers in-person and online workshops for young people, aged 7+, in coding, animation, video creation, robotics and more. Their most popular camp, Spark Coding, teaches kids to design a game with amazing features, including invisibility cloaks and mythical creatures. Virtual camps run for a week with self-paced content, which is delivered daily. Cost: $129, various dates. codecamp.com.au

Giant Chocolate Freckle Workshop

Book your kids in for a chocolate-making workshop at The Treat Factory in Berry, where they’ll make their own personalised Giant Freckle with an assortment of delicious toppings, including freeze-dried strawberries, caramel popcorn and, of course, sprinkles. Whilst the Freckles are setting, they’ll learn about the art of chocolate making and be treated to a chocolate tasting. Cost: $35. 12 July, 3 – 3.45pm. treatfactory.com.au

Winter Book Sale

Wollongong City Libraries’ book sale is back. Head to any of seven library locations, including Dapto, Unanderra and Wollongong from Monday 8 July to Saturday 20 July to grab yourself a bargain. Books are all priced at just $0.50 and can be purchased with cash or card at the library customer service counter. wollongong.nsw.gov.au 

HARS Aviation Museum Tarmac Day

Tarmac Days are held outside the HARS hangars on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every month, displaying some of the unique aircraft held at its headquarters at the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park. Visitors of all ages will be able to board and sit in some of the aircraft cockpits. Cost: $15 per child. 12 – 14 July, 9.30am – 3.30pm. hars.org.au

Flying Rockets Stem Craft

Part of the popular school holiday program at Kiama and Gerringong Libraries, children aged 8+ can design and make their very own rocket from a cardboard tube and then launch it across a string orbit — all fuelled by balloon power. Other holiday events include a kids knitting workshop and Lego boardgames. Cost: $5. Various dates. library.kiama.nsw.gov.au



Art Hub for Kids

A favourite with the kids of The Bugle staffers, Art for Kids Hub is a free YouTube channel that makes screen-time more creative, with a huge library of drawing tutorials for all ages and skill levels. From Disney characters to Pokémon, videos are easy to follow and self-expression is encouraged. With over 8 million subscribers, it will have kids hooked. Cost: free. youtube.com/@artforkidshub  

Ultimate Ninja Challenge

A fun-filled, full-day activity where parents can drop and leave, MyFirstGym in Shellharbour offers a range of action-packed school holiday camps in their purpose-built, inflatable-filled kid’s gymnasium. Classes include the ‘Ultimate Ninja Challenge’, the chance to learn child-friendly parkour skills and even a Kid’s Olympic Games for kids aged 5+. Cost: $80 (or $75 for members). Various dates, 9am – 3pm. myfirstgym.com.au/shellharbour