Looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the Winter school holidays? From sport and dance to coding, art and outdoor adventures – there are plenty of options in and around Lane Cove to keep children active, creative and engaged these July school holidays (4–20 July 2026). From half-day workshops to full-day holiday programs, there’s something here to suit every age and interest.
Please note: Some private holiday programs begin before the official NSW school holiday period, so check individual dates carefully before booking.
🎨 Creative & Arts
🎭 Shows
⚽ Active & Sporty
💻 Educational & Tech
💙 Inclusive
🆓 Free Activities
🚌 Day Trips
💜 Community Resources
🎨 Creative, Music & Performing Arts
Burns Bay Dance Studios – Dance Camp
Fun-filled dance programs featuring ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and acrobatic arts. No experience needed – all levels welcome in a warm, energetic environment.
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC, check website
🕘 Time 9:00am – 3:00pm Early drop-off & late pick-up available (charges apply)
👧 Ages 5+
📍 Location Units F24 & F25, 16 Mars Road, Lane Cove (off Lincoln St)
🎒 What to bring Food, yoga mat or towel, water bottle, pillow/blanket for movie time. No nuts – allergy policy in place. Popcorn, chips and fruit provided.
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios – Holiday Workshops
A packed two-week program of hands-on workshops – from full-day Creative Camps to ceramics, art classes and four special sewing workshops. Something different every single day. Spots fill fast each holiday period – book early!
🎨 Creative Camp (Full Day) – $135: Pottery, painting, mixed-media, printmaking & clay. Every day is different! Free supervised lunch 11:45am–12:45pm included. Dates: Mon 6, Wed 8, Fri 10, Mon 13, Fri 17 July
🏺 Ceramics Class (Half Day AM or PM) – $75: Shape, build and bring clay creations to life. Pieces fired and glazed in-studio. Dates: Tue 7 July (AM & PM), Thu 16 July (AM & PM)
✏️ Art Class (Half Day AM or PM) – $75: Guided art, craft and printmaking – colours, composition and textures. Dates: Thu 9 July (AM & PM), Tue 14 July (AM & PM)
🧵 Special Sewing Workshops (Full Day) – $175 NEW: Tue 7 July: Make a Plushie – upcycling, ages 10+ Thu 9 July: Winter PJ Pants – ages 10+ (beginners 8+ welcome) Tue 14 July: Patchwork Tote Bag – ages 8+ Thu 16 July: Hair Accessories + Felted Zipper Pouch – ages 8+
👧 Ages 6+ (sewing workshops 8–10+ depending on program)
🕘 Times Full day 9:15am–3:15pm Half day AM 9:15–11:45am / PM 12:45–3:15pm Before care 8:15am & after care to 4:30pm available
📍 Location 164 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
📞 Phone 0490 749 854
Imagination Dance – Holiday Camps
Magical themed holiday camps combining dance, music, games, storytelling and creative activities for younger children. A wonderful introduction to performing arts in a warm, nurturing environment. Previous themes have included Mermaid Party and K-Pop Party – July 2026 themes coming soon!
👧 Ages 3–7 years
🕘 Time 9:30am – 11:30am
💰 Cost $65 per child
📍 Location Mosman Masonic Hall, Mosman
📅 Dates July 2026 themes TBC – check website for updates
⏳ July themes TBC
Visit Website
Modern Sounds Music – Holiday Music Program
Creative school holiday programs for young musicians of all levels – singing, rock band experience and music production. Full days of music-making fun with experienced coaches. July 2026 program details coming soon.
👧 Ages School-aged kids and teens
📞 Phone 0466 607 429
📍 Location Lower Ground Level, 102-104 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC, check back soon
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
Big Music – School Holiday Rock Camps
Every school holiday, Big Music runs popular music programs for kids aged 5–17, catering for all levels of musical experience. Three program levels available – from beginners exploring instruments for the first time, right through to band and performance programs for more experienced young musicians. All kids get access to Big Music’s studio facilities and inspiring professional coaches. Full-day and half-day options available. July 2026 dates not yet published – check back soon.
👧 Ages 5–17 years, all levels
💰 Cost Full day ~$80/day · Half day ~$50/day
🕘 Time 9:00am – 3:00pm (early drop-off & late pick-up available)
📍 Location Georges Heights Oval, Suakin Drive, Mosman
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC, check website closer to holidays
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
🎭 Shows & Performances
Where is the Green Sheep? – The Concourse, Chatswood
Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings Mem Fox and Judy Horacek’s beloved picture book to life in this magical immersive theatre experience. Blending puppetry and animation, three farmers search for the elusive green sheep through a world of Blue Sheep, Red Sheep, Bath Sheep and Bed Sheep. One of the most charming and highly-reviewed kids’ shows touring Australia this year – and it’s right here on the North Shore, just minutes from Lane Cove.
📅 Dates Tuesday 14 – Wednesday 15 July 2026
👧 Ages Perfect for little ones – recommended ages 1–6
💰 Cost Ticketed – check website for prices & session times
📍 Location The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (approx 10 min from Lane Cove by bus)
⚽ Active & Sporty
Beyond the Bell – Outdoor Holiday Camps
Screen-free, outdoor winter holiday camps across three beautiful Sydney harbour locations. Kids enjoy harbour and river adventures, outdoor games, nature play, team challenges and fresh air – with plenty of movement (and hot chocolates!). Small groups, qualified educators. Active Kids vouchers accepted.
📍 Mosman – Mosman Rowing Club, The Spit Week 1 Wed 1 – Thu 2 July 2026 · Great option for families wanting Week 1 activities
📍 Lane Cove – Longueville Wharf (Skiff Club) Tue 14 – Thu 16 July 2026 (1, 2 or 3-day options) Let’s Go Fishing Day: Thu 16 July 2026 On-water sailing with the Lane Cove 12ft Skiff Club included
📍 Balmain – Balmain Rowing Club Mon 13 – Wed 15 July 2026
👧 Ages 5–12 years
🕘 Time 8:00am – 4:30pm (late stay add-on available)
📞 Phone 0405 332 682
NBA Basketball School Australia – Holiday Camps
High-quality basketball coaching right here in Lane Cove at the Galuwa Recreation Centre. Skill development, shooting drills, game play and teamwork – coached by NBA-approved trainers. Two programs available this July including a brand new Elite Skills Clinic for older teens.
🏀 Holiday Camp – Ages 6–12 Sun 6 – Wed 9 July 2026 (4 days) · Galuwa Recreation Centre, Lane Cove
🏀 Elite Skills Clinic – Ages U15 & U17 NEW Thu 10 July 2026 (1 day) · Galuwa Recreation Centre, Lane Cove
📍 Location Galuwa Recreation Centre, Lane Cove
📞 Phone 0433 047 771
Motiv8sports – Winter Camps
High-energy multi-sport camps – team sports, music, culture, dance and non-stop fun. Running across three locations close to Lane Cove this July. Kindy to Year 6. Active & Creative Kids vouchers accepted.
📍 Lane Cove North – Mowbray Public School 635 Mowbray Rd, Lane Cove North · Check website for July 2026 dates
📍 Northbridge – SHORE School War Memorial Playing Fields Motiv8 Games camp · Check website for exact dates
📍 North Sydney – SHORE School Check website for July 2026 dates
👧 Ages Kindy – Year 6
🕘 Time 8:30am – 3:30pm daily
📞 Phone 0450 646 878
Gladesville Gymnastics Club – Winter Holiday Camps
Fun gymnastics holiday camps with expert coaches. Half-day and full-day options available, with optional supervised “Chill Out Time” from 3–5pm for families who need it. Active Kids vouchers accepted. Winter holiday camps confirmed – July specific dates TBC, check their booking portal.
💰 Cost Half day 9am–1pm: $63 · Full day 9am–3pm: $84
📍 Location Warehouse 1, Level 1, 436–484 Victoria Rd, Gladesville (opposite car wash)
📅 Dates Winter camps confirmed – July specific dates TBC
⏳ July dates TBC
Check & Book
Paul’s Tennis Academy – Holiday Camps
Top-level coaching from experienced coaches in a fun environment at Central Park in Longueville – right in the heart of Lane Cove. Quick session, half day or full day options to suit your schedule. Balance, ball skills, technical tennis and competitive game play with prizes for progressive winners.
👧 Ages 5–12 years, all levels
🕘 Session options 9–11am · 9am–12pm · 9am–3pm + early drop-off
📍 Location Central Park, Kenneth St, Longueville NSW 2066
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
Little Legends – Holiday Sports Program
Energetic sports programs helping kids develop coordination, teamwork and confidence through sport. Preschoolers welcome. Full and extended day options available – great for working parents.
👧 Ages 4–12 years (preschoolers welcome)
🕘 Time 9am–3pm (8am–6pm extended available)
📍 Location Shore Playing Fields
📅 Dates Every holiday period – July 2026 dates TBC
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
Lane Cove Golf Club – Junior Golf Camps
A fantastic opportunity for kids to learn and develop their golf skills in a fun, supportive environment. Covering all aspects of the game – full swing, chipping, pitching, putting, bunkers, on-course play, rules and etiquette. All equipment supplied.
👧 Ages 7 years and above
💰 Cost ~$90/day · ~$425 weekly rate
🕘 Time 9:00am – 1:00pm
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC
⏳ Dates TBC
Kasey Dive: 0413 603 918
Email to Book
Vibe Football – Holiday Camps
Fun-filled football camps packed with games, team building activities and individual and team challenges. All abilities welcome. July 2026 dates not yet announced – check their website for updates.
📍 Location Blackman Park Synthetic, Lane Cove
📞 Phone (02) 8530 6788
📅 Dates July 2026 – TBC
⏳ Dates TBC
Visit Website
💻 Educational & Tech
Skill Samurai Lane Cove – Coding & Robotics Camps
Hands-on tech camps combining coding, robotics, 3D design, game development and tech startup building. Screen-light and project-focused – kids walk away having built something real. Small groups (some capped at just 10 kids) mean spots go fast. Your child walks in curious and walks out having designed something real.
👧 Ages 7–14 years
📍 Location Suite 104, 79–83 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove 2066
📅 Dates July 2026 – multiple camp options. Full lineup on website. Book early – some camps cap at 10 kids!
PosAbility – Winter Holiday Groups 2026
Small group holiday programs designed to build confidence, strengthen essential skills and make learning fun. Experienced teachers, interactive lessons. Perfect for students who want to stay sharp or get a head start next term. Programs suitable for all learners.
📚 Primary School Programs Fun with Phonics – letter-sounds & phonics revision (Year K–3) Primary Writing – planning, structure & language techniques (Year 3–7)
🎓 High School Programs Study Basics – organisation, memory & summarising (Year 7–10) High School Study Skills – organisation, memory & summarising (Year 11–12) Mastering Maths – algebra & fractions basics (Year 9)
📍 Location F28 / 16 Mars Road, Lane Cove West
📞 Phone (02) 9420 4101
Lane Cove Council Libraries – School Holiday Program FREE
Free holiday events across four library branches throughout the LGA – crafts, gaming tournaments, movies, trivia and NAIDOC Week celebrations. All free. Bookings essential for most events. 📌 Bookings essential for most events. Visit the Lane Cove Council library website for individual booking links.
📚 Lane Cove Library
- Mon 6 Jul – Fabric Loop Weaving Craft – 2:00pm – make your own weaving creations
- Tue 7 Jul – NAIDOC Week Craft – 11:00am – celebrate Aboriginal culture
- Tue 7 Jul – Warrior Cats / Erin Hunter Trivia – 2:00pm – snacks & prizes
- Mon 13 Jul – Book Flowers Craft for Teens – 2:00pm – recycled art
- Tue 14 Jul – Minecraft Tournament – 11:00am
- TBC – Joke Book Workshop with Mark Guthrie – Date/time TBC – check website
📚 St Leonards Library
- Thu 9 Jul – Kangaroo Movie Screening – 2:00pm
- Thu 16 Jul – Minecraft Tournament – 2:00pm
📚 Hunters Hill Library
- Fri 10 Jul – NAIDOC Week Craft – 11:00am – celebrate Aboriginal culture
- Fri 17 Jul – Osmo – Tech & Coding Fun – 2:00pm
📚 Greenwich Library
- Mon 6 Jul – NAIDOC Week Craft – 11:00am – celebrate Aboriginal culture
Synergy Youth Centre – School Holiday Drop-In FREE
Lane Cove Council’s free youth drop-in centre – basketball, gaming, music room, craft, social activities and chill-out sessions. No registration required for general drop-in. A great free local option for older kids and teens these holidays.
👧 Ages 10–17 years
📞 Phone 9428 2033
📍 Location 8 Little Street, Lane Cove
📅 Dates July 2026 program TBC – check Lane Cove Council website for details
⏳ Program TBC
Find Out More
💙 Inclusive & All-Abilities
Sydney Speech Clinic – Winter Holiday Groups
Therapy-based holiday group programs run by qualified speech pathologists and occupational therapists. Programs cover a wide range of needs – from literacy and cooking therapy to social skills, Lego-based therapy, Minecraft social groups, STEM and more. Group sessions encourage peer learning in an interactive, supportive environment.
📍 Location 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove NSW 2066
📞 Phone (02) 8404 0715
PosAbility – Inclusive Holiday Programs
PosAbility is a not-for-profit registered charity supporting children and adolescents with learning difficulties, developmental delays and other needs. Their holiday programs include social skills groups, emotional regulation, and therapeutic support alongside their academic programs. Speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and counselling also available. Programs designed to help every child live, learn and grow.
📍 Location F28 / 16 Mars Road, Lane Cove West
📞 Phone (02) 9420 4101
Northside Speech Pathology
Local speech pathology services for children in the Lane Cove and Lower North Shore area. Holiday programs and intensive therapy options – details for July 2026 TBC. Check their website or reach out to enquire about holiday availability.
📅 Dates July 2026 program – TBC, check website
⏳ Program TBC
Visit Website
Free or Low-Cost Activities
Lane Cove Bush Kids ~$11 per child
Council-run bush walks exploring Lane Cove’s local reserves – Tambourine Bay, Warraroon, Stringybark and Gore Creek. Every July the program features themed activities like “Winter Wander” and “Once Upon a Time” – bush walks, nature craft and storytelling. A beautiful, screen-free way to spend a winter morning in the bush right on your doorstep.
👧 Ages 4–12 years (school holidays)
💰 Cost $10.85 per child · adults free
🕘 Time 9:45am – approx 11:15–11:30am
📅 Dates July 2026 program TBC – bookings open closer to holidays via Council website
⏳ Dates TBC
Find Out More
North Sydney Council – Free Outdoor Holiday Program
Every July, North Sydney Council publishes a free outdoor program for families – bush walks through Balls Head Reserve and Berry Island, Eco Holiday workshops at the Coal Loader in Cammeray using recycled materials, drop-in DUPLO and craft at Stanton Library. A brilliant free option close to Lane Cove. Program is typically published in late June – check their website closer to the holidays.
📍 Various locations Balls Head Reserve · Berry Island · Coal Loader Cammeray · Stanton Library North Sydney
📅 Dates July 2026 program typically published late June
⏳ 2026 Program TBC
Check Events Page
Darling Harbour Winterfest FREE entry
Darling Harbour’s annual Winterfest runs every July school holidays – a free festival at Tumbalong Park and Cockle Bay. Expect craft workshops (snow globes, slime, snowflakes), kids karaoke, gaming zone, family races, dance classes, DJ performances and hot chocolate stands. An ice skating rink also runs daily (paid extra). Easy to reach from Lane Cove by bus to the city. The 2026 specific program hasn’t been announced yet but this is a major annual event – watch this space.
📍 Location Tumbalong Park & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Sydney
📅 Dates Runs throughout the July school holidays – 2026 program TBC
⏳ 2026 Program TBC
Check Darling Harbour
Christmas in July at The Rocks FREE entry
Returning after a six-year break, The Rocks transforms into a stunning European-style winter village – 40 real pine trees, kilometres of fairy lights, wooden chalets and Snow Lane with artificial snowfall. Live concerts, roving performers, artisan markets, raclette, fondue, waffles, crêpes, mulled wine and hot chocolate stations. A magical free family outing perfectly timed with the school holidays. One of those days you’ll remember.
📅 Dates Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July 2026
📍 Location The Rocks, Circular Quay, Sydney
💰 Cost Free entry. Food & some paid activities available.
🚌 Day Trips Worth the Journey
All easy to reach from Lane Cove by bus or train – a great way to make a day of it during the holidays.
Australian Museum – July School Holiday Program FREE general entry
A fully packed July program at Australia’s first museum – and general entry is free throughout the holidays. The Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires exhibition (open until October 2026) has a fantastic range of ticketed workshops and free drop-in activities. Easy to get to – short walk from Museum, St James or the new Gadigal Metro stations.
🎨 Bloodsuckers Splatter & Sketch Workshop – ticketed 7 & 8 July · 10:30am–12:30pm & 1:30–3:30pm · Creative workshop inspired by the exhibition
🌙 Bloodsuckers After Dark: Family Night – ticketed 8 July · 6pm–9pm · Playful, surprising and a little bit weird – an evening family adventure
🔬 Scientist for a Day: Collection Care & Conservation – ticketed 9 & 10 July · 9:30am–3:30pm (full day) · Behind-the-scenes lab, pest hunting, meet the experts. Sells out fast!
🧬 Scientist for a Day: Wildlife Geneticist – ticketed 13 & 14 July · 9:30am–3:30pm (full day) · DNA experiments in the wildlife genomics lab
⚙️ STEM Together: Make it Move! – ticketed 15 & 16 July · 10:30am–12:30pm & 2–4pm · Kids and adults team up to explore how things move
🩸 Bloodsucking Fun Drop-In – FREE with exhibition entry Mon–Thu throughout holidays · 10am–3pm · Hands-on craft and science activities inside the exhibition
📍 Location 1 William St, Sydney (Museum, St James or Gadigal Metro stations)
💰 Cost Free general entry · Exhibition from $15 children / $28 adults · Workshops ticketed separately – book early
Taronga Zoo – Zoo Adventures Holiday Program
Taronga Zoo is a not-for-profit conservation organisation and their Zoo Adventures holiday program is one of Sydney’s most popular school holiday experiences. A full day of behind-the-scenes animal encounters, keeper experiences and themed educational activities. Accessible by ferry from Circular Quay – a beautiful trip for Lane Cove families. Bookings open approximately one month before the holidays so keep an eye on their website from late June.
👧 Ages 5–11 years
🕘 Time 9:00am – 3:30pm (extended care 8am–9am & 3:30–5:30pm available)
🚢 Getting there Ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf – a lovely trip in itself!
📅 Dates Select days during July holidays – bookings open approx late June 2026
⏳ Bookings open ~late June
Find Out More
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden & Art Centre – St Ives / Roseville
A personal note from the ITC team: We have long advocated for a similar nature-based program for primary school-aged children right here in Lane Cove – both term-based and school holiday programs. Until Lane Cove Council is able to produce something similar for our environment and nature-loving children, we will be proudly promoting this one, even though it’s outside our area and a fair bit of a trek. Set across 123 hectares of unique urban bushland in St Ives, the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden runs one of Sydney’s best nature-based school holiday programs. Run by Ku-ring-gai Council’s experienced environmental education rangers, it’s an outdoor adventure for curious, nature-loving kids. Based on previous July programs, activities have included: Bush survival skills, family campfire experiences, dinosaur adventures and fossil digs, junior ecologist day, animal encounters and junior animal keeper sessions, nature adventurers and tree ropes course, minibeasts and bug hunting, nature connection art, terrific turtles walk, camping and cooking sessions, and magical macramé workshops. 💡 Practical tip: Find another family with a child who wants to attend and share the pickup and drop-off – it makes the trek so much more manageable. If you work remotely, there are local libraries in St Ives, or on a nice winter’s day some lovely parks nearby where you can work while the kids are in the program. Saves the double trip! While you’re in the area, the Ku-ring-gai Art Centre in Roseville also runs kids holiday workshops every school holidays – painting, drawing, pottery, wheel throwing, pop art and more. A great combination for a full day out in Ku-ring-gai.
👧 Ages 6–12 years (primary school)
🕘 Time Weekdays, 9am–4pm (full day). Some afternoon sessions available.
📍 Wildflower Garden 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives NSW 2075 (~15–20 min drive from Lane Cove)
📍 Art Centre Bancroft Park, 3 Recreation Avenue, Roseville
📅 Dates July 2026 program TBC – typically published in late June. Check the Ku-ring-gai Council website.
⏳ 2026 Program
Wildflower Garden
Art Centre
Local Community Resources
The Lane Cove Toy Library Members only
The Lane Cove Toy Library is an absolute local gem, and it is not just toys. Think puzzles, board games, outdoor play equipment and so much more. A membership lets the kids browse and choose what they want to borrow, and it is a wonderful way to keep the holidays fresh without buying anything new.
Planning ahead? A membership is a great idea to sort out before the holidays start so you can stock up and have a selection ready to go. And if you are heading away on a road trip or family holiday, borrowing a few games and puzzles to keep the kids occupied in the car and at your destination is a brilliant idea. Return them when you are home. No buying, no clutter.
📍 Location 47 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove (opposite Harris Farm)
💰 Membership Annual, six-monthly and quarterly options · Volunteers receive free access
Lane Cove Street Libraries
Street libraries are quietly popping up all across Lane Cove – little free book exchanges where anyone can take a book, leave a book. For older kids who enjoy a bit of independence, this is a lovely way to spend part of a holiday afternoon – wander the neighbourhood, discover which streets have street libraries, and browse for something to read over the break. Kids could also pull out some of their own books they’ve outgrown and donate them to the little free libraries – leaving something for younger kids in the community to discover. A small act of generosity that goes a long way.
