Looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the winter school holidays? From sport and dance to coding, art, music, theatre, therapy groups and outdoor adventures, there are plenty of options in and around Lane Cove to keep children active, creative and engaged these July school holidays.
The official NSW school holidays run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, but some private holiday programs begin earlier, so check individual dates carefully before booking.
Creative, Music & Performing Arts
Shows & Performances
Active & Sporty
Educational & Tech
Inclusive & All-Abilities
Free or Low-Cost Activities
Day Trips Worth the Journey
Local 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, with all levels welcome in a warm, energetic environment.
Dates: Week 1: Monday 6 July to Wednesday 8 July 2026. Week 2: Monday 13 July to Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm. Early drop-off and late pick-up available, charges apply.
Ages: 5+
Location: Units F24 & F25, 16 Mars Road, Lane Cove, off Lincoln Street
What to bring: Food, yoga mat or towel, water bottle, pillow/blanket for movie time. No nuts. Popcorn, chips and fruit provided.
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 special sewing workshops. There is something different each day and spots often fill quickly.
Creative Camp: Full-day workshops covering pottery, painting, mixed media, printmaking and clay. Dates include Monday 6, Wednesday 8, Friday 10, Monday 13 and Friday 17 July. Cost $135.
Ceramics Class: Half-day AM or PM sessions on Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 16 July. Cost $75.
Art Class: Half-day AM or PM sessions on Thursday 9 July and Tuesday 14 July. Cost $75.
Special Sewing Workshops: Make a Plushie, Winter PJ Pants, Patchwork Tote Bag, Hair Accessories and Felted Zipper Pouch. Full-day workshops from $175, with age requirements depending on the class.
Ages: 6+ for most workshops. Sewing workshops generally 8-10+ depending on the program.
Times: Full day 9:15am – 3:15pm. Half day AM 9:15am – 11:45am or PM 12:45pm – 3:15pm. Before care from 8:15am and after care to 4:30pm available.
Location: 164 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
Phone: 0490 749 854
Imagination Dance – Mosman Holiday Camps
Two-hour drop-off camps for younger children, combining dancing, singing, craft, stories and games. A lovely gentle holiday option for little performers.
Dates: Monday 6 July – Princess Tea Party; Friday 10 July – Encanto; Wednesday 15 July – Let It Go.
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Ages: 3-7 years
Location: Mosman
Modern Sounds Music – School Holiday Rock Bands & Production Days
These school holidays, Modern Sounds Music is giving young musicians the chance to create, collaborate and perform. Whether your child wants to be on stage, behind the mixing desk or creating original music, there is something for them.
Rock Band Days: Ages 8-14. Join a band, learn songs, rehearse together and perform live in the Live Music Zone.
Songwriting & Music Production Days: Over 12s. Write original music, learn recording and production techniques, and explore music for games, film and animation.
Dates: Rock Band Days run Monday 6 July to Friday 17 July. Songwriting & Production Days run Friday 10 July and Friday 17 July.
Cost: $149 per day, including lunch
Good to know: Lunch included, small groups and beginners welcome.
Location: Lower Ground Level, 102-104 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
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 a magical immersive theatre experience. Blending puppetry and animation, this charming production is perfect for younger children and is just minutes from Lane Cove.
Dates: Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July 2026
Ages: Recommended for ages 1-6
Cost: Ticketed. Check website for prices and session times.
Location: The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Active & Sporty
Beyond the Bell – Outdoor Holiday Camps
Screen-free outdoor winter holiday camps across Sydney harbour locations. Kids enjoy harbour and river adventures, outdoor games, nature play, team challenges and plenty of fresh air. Active Kids vouchers accepted.
Mosman: Mosman Rowing Club, The Spit. Wednesday 1 July to Thursday 2 July 2026.
Lane Cove: Longueville Wharf, Skiff Club. Tuesday 14 July to Thursday 16 July 2026, with 1, 2 or 3-day options. Let’s Go Fishing Day is Thursday 16 July and on-water sailing with the Lane Cove 12ft Skiff Club is included.
Balmain: Balmain Rowing Club. Monday 13 July to Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Ages: 5-12 years
Time: 8:00am – 4:30pm, with late stay add-on available
Phone: 0405 332 682
NBA Basketball School Australia – Holiday Camps
High-quality basketball coaching at Galuwa Recreation Centre in Lane Cove, with skill development, shooting drills, game play and teamwork coached by NBA-approved trainers. Two programs are available this July, including an Elite Skills Clinic for older teens.
Holiday Camp: Ages 6-12. Sunday 6 July to Wednesday 9 July 2026 at Galuwa Recreation Centre.
Elite Skills Clinic: U15 and U17. Thursday 10 July 2026 at Galuwa Recreation Centre.
Location: Galuwa Recreation Centre, Lane Cove
Phone: 0433 047 771
Gladesville Gymnastics Club – Winter Holiday Camps
Fun gymnastics holiday camps with expert coaches, games and coached activities to keep kids active during the school holidays. Gladesville Gymnastics offers half-day, full-day and Teen Gym holiday workshop options, with bookings now open.
Dates: Winter holiday camp dates are now open via the booking portal.
Options: Half-day and full-day camps available. Teen Gym workshops also available.
Location: Warehouse 1, Building A, 436-484 Victoria Road, Gladesville, opposite the car wash
Vouchers: Active Kids vouchers accepted.
Phone: 02 7226 5923
Little Legends – Holiday Sports Program
Little Legends has been helping children of all abilities enjoy being active since 2004, with holiday sports programs focused on correct technique, fair play, confidence, teamwork and plenty of movement.
Lane Cove North: Monday 6 July to Tuesday 7 July 2026 at Mowbray Public School, Hatfield Street, Lane Cove North. Time 8:30am – 4:30pm. Ages 5-7. From $60 per session. One-day attendance available by request.
Northbridge: Wednesday 8 July, Thursday 9 July, Wednesday 15 July and Thursday 16 July 2026 at SHORE Playing Fields, opposite 40 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge. Time 8:00am – 6:00pm. Ages 4-12. From $84 to $99 per session.
Good to know: Programs include multi-sport activities and are designed for children of all abilities.
Contact: [email protected]
Lane Cove Golf Club – Junior Golf Camps
A great opportunity for kids to learn and develop their golf skills in a fun, supportive environment. Kasey Dive’s Winter Golf Camp covers how to swing, short game and on-course play, with all equipment provided. Daily and weekly rates are available.
Dates: Week 1: Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July 2026. Week 2: Monday 13 July to Friday 17 July 2026.
Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Ages: 7 to 14 years
Cost: $90 per day or $425 per week
Lessons include: How to swing, short game and on-course play. All equipment provided.
What to bring: Hat, water, sunscreen, recess and lunch, umbrella and your own golf clubs if you have them. Clubs can be provided if needed, just let Kasey know if your child is right or left handed.
Drop-off and pick-up: Bottom of Richardson Street West, Lane Cove
Contact: Kasey Dive on 0413 603 918 or [email protected]
Vibe Football – Holiday Camps
Fun-filled football camps packed with games, team-building activities and individual and team challenges. All abilities welcome.
Dates: July 6th, 7th & 8th.
Location: Blackman Park Synthetic, Lane Cove
Drop-off: From 8:30am (supervised care until 9:00am) Session start: 9:00am
Pick-up: 3:00pm
Phone: 02 8530 6788
Educational & Tech
Skill Samurai Lane Cove – Coding & Robotics Camps
Hands-on tech camps combining coding, robotics, 3D design, game development and tech start-up building. The programs are project-focused, with small groups and some camps capped at just 10 kids.
Dates: July 2026, with multiple camp options. Full lineup available on the website.
Ages: 7-14 years
Location: Suite 104, 79-83 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
PosAbility – Winter Holiday Groups 2026
Small group holiday programs designed to build confidence, strengthen essential skills and make learning fun. Programs are suitable for students who want to stay sharp or get a head start next term.
Primary programs: Fun with Phonics for Years K-3 and Primary Writing for Years 3-7.
High school programs: Study Basics for Years 7-10, High School Study Skills for Years 11-12 and Mastering Maths for 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 Lane Cove Council library branches, including crafts, gaming tournaments, movies, trivia and NAIDOC Week celebrations. Bookings are essential for most events.
Lane Cove Library: Fabric Loop Weaving Craft, NAIDOC Week Craft, Warrior Cats / Erin Hunter Trivia, Book Flowers Craft for Teens, Minecraft Tournament and a Joke Book Workshop with Mark Guthrie, date TBC.
St Leonards Library: Kangaroo movie screening and Minecraft Tournament.
Hunters Hill Library: NAIDOC Week Craft and Osmo Tech & Coding Fun.
Greenwich Library: NAIDOC Week Craft.
Cost: Free. Bookings essential for most sessions.
Synergy Youth Centre – Winter Holiday Program FREE
Lane Cove Council’s free youth drop-in centre has a full themed program these winter holidays, with a different activity every weekday across both weeks. It is a relaxed, social space for older kids and teens, with gaming, music, pool and table tennis on offer alongside the daily sessions below.
Open: Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm. Ages 10 to 17.
Week 1
- Monday 6 July – Handball Showdown: 1:30pm – 3:00pm. The Synergy handball competition.
- Tuesday 7 July – Crafternoon: 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Paint and decorate your own plant pot.
- Wednesday 8 July – Baking Bonanza: 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Create delicious rocky road with your own custom combinations.
- Thursday 9 July – AUSISO Sports Workshop: 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Improve your soccer and basketball skills. Booking required, $5 rego fee.
- Friday 10 July – Minute To Win It: 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Show your speed and accuracy in a series of mini challenges.
Week 2
- Monday 13 July – The Story Lab: 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Creative writing workshop with a published author. Booking required, $5 rego fee.
- Tuesday 14 July – Planting Workshop, Living Salad Bowl: 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Bring your decorated pot and plant it up with edible and native plants. Booking required.
- Wednesday 15 July – Milkshake Madness: 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Whip up the best milkshake you have ever had.
- Thursday 16 July – Crafternoon: 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Design and build your own board game from scratch.
- Friday 17 July – End of Holidays BBQ: 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Soak up the last hours of the holidays with a BBQ lunch.
Location: 8 Little Street, Lane Cove
Cost: Free. Some sessions need booking and a $5 rego fee, noted above.
Phone: 0432 139 925
Inclusive & All-Abilities
Sydney Speech Clinic – July Holiday Groups
Sydney Speech Clinic’s July Holiday Groups are therapist-led programs designed to help children build confidence, communication skills, independence and social connection through purposeful, hands-on activities.
S.P.A.R.K. Group: Ages 4-6. A neuro-affirming program focused on Social Connection, Play, Advocacy, Regulation, Kindness and Community. Tuesday 14 July to Thursday 16 July, 9:00am – 11:00am.
C.H.E.F.S. Group: Cooking therapy to build independence, sequencing, teamwork, communication and practical life skills. Monday 6 July to Wednesday 8 July, or Wednesday 15 July to Friday 17 July, 9:30am – 11:30am.
S.T.E.M. WhizKidz: Ages 7-11. Hands-on STEM challenges to support social skills, teamwork, problem-solving and friendship-building. Wednesday 8 July to Friday 10 July, 1:30pm – 3:30pm.
Location: Ground Floor, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
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 academic programs.
Programs: Social skills, emotional regulation, therapeutic support, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and counselling.
Location: F28, 16 Mars Road, Lane Cove West
Phone: 02 9420 4101
Northside Speech Pathology – July School Holiday Groups
Northside Speech Pathology’s school holiday groups are back this July, helping children learn through play, cooking, music and themed activities.
Music Makers: Friday 10 July and Friday 17 July. 9:30am – 12:00pm. Ages 4-8 years.
Food Explorers: Monday 6 July and Monday 13 July. 9:30am – 12:30pm. Ages 4-10 years.
Animal Adventures: Tuesday 14 July. 9:30am – 10:30am. Ages 2-4 years, with caregiver.
Lunch Box Heroes: Monday 13 July. 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Years 3-6.
School Readiness Stars: Wednesday 8 July and Wednesday 15 July. 9:30am – 12:30pm. Preschool age.
Phone: 0434 527 560
Email: [email protected]
Free or Low-Cost Activities
Lane Cove Bush Kids – Around $11 Per Child
Council-run bush walks exploring Lane Cove’s local reserves, with nature craft, storytelling and outdoor activities. A beautiful screen-free way to spend a winter morning in the bush right on your doorstep.
Dates: July 2026 program TBC. Bookings usually open closer to the holidays via Council.
Ages: 4-12 years during school holiday sessions
Cost: Around $10.85 per child. Adults free.
Time: 9:45am – approximately 11:15am or 11:30am
North Sydney Council – July School Holiday Program
North Sydney Council has a big winter program of nature walks, sustainability workshops, library events, drama and sport across Balls Head, Berry Island, the Coal Loader and Stanton Library. Many activities are free, with some paid workshops and clinics. Bookings are essential for most sessions, so book early.
Outdoors and nature: Winter Bush Walk at the Coal Loader (Saturday 4 July), Spotlight Walk after dark at the Coal Loader (Thursday 9 July), Bird and Bug Bingo at the Coal Loader (Friday 10 July) and a Family Bushwalk at Berry Island Reserve (Tuesday 14 July).
Sustainability at the Coal Loader: Eco Holidays, Power Players and Wave Makers (Monday 6 and Monday 14 July) and Nature Craft (Wednesday 15 July).
Drama workshops at Ensemble Theatre: Five-day workshops by age group. Witches, Warlocks & Wizards (ages 8 to 10, Monday 6 to Friday 10 July), Friend or Foe? (ages 10 to 12, Monday 13 to Friday 17 July) and Hollywood Heroes! (ages 12 to 15, Monday 13 to Friday 17 July). 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Stanton Library: FARTastic Storytime (Tuesday 7 July), Meet the Author Melissa-Jane Fogarty (Wednesday 8 July), Wholesome YA Readers with Amy Doak (Thursday 9 July), Meet the Illustrator Mick Elliott (Tuesday 14 July) and a Gross Comic Drawing workshop (Thursday 16 July).
Dungeons & Dragons for young people: Beginner-friendly sessions at Stanton Library across the fortnight, including character creation, running a session, the mental health benefits of D&D, and miniature paint and play workshops.
Get active: Sydney FC Holiday Clinics at Cammeray Park (Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 July, 9am to 3pm) and a Kids Bike Riding Skills Session (Thursday 9 July).
Locations: Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability Cammeray, Balls Head Reserve, Berry Island Reserve, Ensemble Theatre Kirribilli and Stanton Library North Sydney
Darling Harbour Winter School Holidays
Darling Harbour turns on a full winter program across the July school holidays, with a free two-day festival to kick things off plus ice skating, market-style activities and family fun throughout the fortnight.
Dates: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026
Arctic Activity Zone, FREE: A free two-day festival, 11:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July, with a scavenger hunt, the Dance Den and a winter Craft Camp making snowflakes, slime and snow globes.
Darling Harbour Ice Rink: Open-air skating at Palm Grove. Ticketed.
Kids Go Free at the Chinese Garden of Friendship: Kids enter free from Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 July.
Kids Kung Fu Animal Adventures: Movement and mindfulness at the Chinese Garden, weekdays 6 to 17 July.
Darling Square: A giant inflatable snow globe photo moment, Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July, 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
Location: Tumbalong Park, Palm Grove and across the Darling Harbour precinct
Cost: Free entry to the precinct and the Arctic Activity Zone. Ice skating, FlyMotion bungy trampolining and some activities are ticketed.
Christmas in July at The Rocks
The Rocks transforms into a European-style winter village for Christmas in July, with a real Christmas tree snow lane, falling snow, market huts, mulled wine, melted cheese stations, live music and a firepit cinema. A fun city day out for families during the school holidays.
Dates: Friday 10 July to Sunday 19 July 2026
Highlights: Snow Lane with falling snow and a Christmas tree alley, a European market with more than 20 food pop-ups and artisan stalls, the Sydney Firepit Cinema screening Christmas classics, and live shows.
Trading hours: Vary by day, generally from 4:00pm on weekdays and from 10:00am on weekends. Check the website for the daily schedule.
Location: The Rocks, Circular Quay
Cost: Free entry, with a mix of free and ticketed experiences. Food and some attractions are paid.
Day Trips Worth the Journey
All of these are easy to reach from Lane Cove by bus, metro, train or ferry, and can turn a school holiday activity into a full day out.
Australian Museum – July School Holiday Program
The Australian Museum has a busy July school holiday program, with free general entry and ticketed workshops linked to the Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires exhibition.
Program highlights: Bloodsuckers Splatter & Sketch Workshop, Bloodsuckers After Dark Family Night, Scientist for a Day, STEM Together and free drop-in activities with exhibition entry.
Location: 1 William Street, Sydney
Getting there: Short walk from Museum, St James or Gadigal Metro stations
Cost: Free general entry. Exhibition and workshops ticketed separately.
Taronga Zoo – Zoo Adventures Holiday Program
Taronga Zoo’s Zoo Adventures holiday program is one of Sydney’s most popular school holiday experiences, with a full day of animal encounters, keeper experiences and themed educational activities.
Dates: Select days during July holidays. Bookings usually open approximately one month before the holidays.
Ages: 5-11 years
Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm, with extended care from 8:00am – 9:00am and 3:30pm – 5:30pm available
Getting there: Ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden & Art Centre – St Ives / Roseville
We have long advocated for a similar nature-based program for primary school-aged children right here in Lane Cove. Until Lane Cove Council is able to offer something similar for our environment and nature-loving children, we will keep giving this one a mention.
Set across 123 hectares of urban bushland in St Ives, the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden runs nature-based school holiday programs led by environmental education rangers. The Ku-ring-gai Art Centre in Roseville also runs kids holiday workshops, so families can often combine nature, art and a day out.
Dates: July 2026 program TBC, usually published closer to the holidays
Ages: Generally primary school-aged children, depending on session
Time: Weekday programs, often full-day sessions, with some shorter sessions available
Wildflower Garden: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
Art Centre: Bancroft Park, 3 Recreation Avenue, Roseville
Practical tip: If the drive feels like a stretch, find another family and share pick-up and drop-off. If you work remotely, there are libraries and cafes nearby so you do not have to do the double trip.
Local Community Resources
The Lane Cove Toy Library – Members Only
The Lane Cove Toy Library is a local gem, and it is not just toys. Think puzzles, board games, outdoor play equipment and plenty more. A membership lets kids browse and choose what they want to borrow, helping keep the holidays fresh without buying anything new.
Location: 47 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, opposite Harris Farm
Membership: Annual, six-monthly and quarterly options available. Volunteers receive free access.
Good idea: Sort membership before the holidays so you can stock up on games, puzzles and toys before the break begins.
Lane Cove Street Libraries
Street libraries are quietly popping up across Lane Cove, offering little free book exchanges where anyone can take a book or leave a book. For older kids who enjoy a bit of independence, this is a lovely way to spend part of a holiday afternoon.
Activity idea: Wander the neighbourhood, discover local street libraries and browse for something to read over the break.
Bonus idea: Kids can donate books they have outgrown, leaving something for younger children in the community to discover.
Read Our Street Libraries Guide