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
Paul’s Tennis Academy – Holiday Camps
Tennis coaching in a fun environment at Central Park in Longueville. Sessions focus on balance, ball skills, technical tennis and competitive game play, with quick session, half-day and full-day options available.
Dates: July 2026 dates TBC. Check website for updates.
Ages: 5-12 years, all levels
Session options: 9:00am – 11:00am, 9:00am – 12:00pm or 9:00am – 3:00pm, plus early drop-off
Location: Central Park, Kenneth Street, Longueville
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. The program covers full swing, chipping, pitching, putting, bunkers, on-course play, rules and etiquette. All equipment is supplied.
Dates: July 2026 dates TBC
Ages: 7 years and above
Cost: Approx $90 per day or $425 weekly rate
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Contact: Kasey Dive on 0413 603 918
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 – School Holiday Drop-In FREE
Lane Cove Council’s free youth drop-in centre offers basketball, gaming, music room, craft, social activities and chill-out sessions. No registration is required for general drop-in, making this a useful free local option for older kids and teens.
Dates: July 2026 program TBC. Check Lane Cove Council website for details.
Ages: 10-17 years
Location: 8 Little Street, Lane Cove
Phone: 9428 2033
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 – Free Outdoor Holiday Program
North Sydney Council usually publishes a free outdoor holiday program for families, including bush walks through Balls Head Reserve and Berry Island, Eco Holiday workshops at the Coal Loader and activities at Stanton Library.
Dates: July 2026 program typically published in late June
Locations: Balls Head Reserve, Berry Island, Coal Loader Cammeray and Stanton Library, North Sydney
Cost: Many activities are free. Check the events page for details.
Darling Harbour Winterfest – FREE Entry
Darling Harbour’s annual Winterfest runs during the July school holidays, with free festival activities at Tumbalong Park and Cockle Bay. Expect family-friendly winter fun, with paid extras such as ice skating usually available.
Dates: Runs throughout the July school holidays. 2026 program TBC.
Location: Tumbalong Park and Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
Cost: Free entry. Some activities and food are paid.
Christmas in July at The Rocks – FREE Entry
The Rocks transforms into a European-style winter village with lights, market-style chalets, roving performers, food, hot drinks and winter atmosphere. A fun city day out for families during the school holidays.
Dates: Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July 2026
Location: The Rocks, Circular Quay
Cost: Free entry. Food and some activities 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