School Holiday Programs in Sydney: The Best for Summer 2025
The summer school holidays are almost upon us, so to ensure that the kids don't end up glued to the TV or iPad all holiday long, make sure to book them in for some of these awesome school holiday programs in Sydney running at museums, gardens, parks, and beyond.
There's something for every child at locations across the city in our guide to the best school holiday programs in Sydney, so there's never been a better antidote to the school holiday blues!
The Best School Holiday Programs in Sydney
1. ATYP Drama Workshops
ATYP is all about creating exciting drama and film experiences to keep young people entertained during the summer school holidays. Whether your budding performer is in Kindergarten or Year 12, there's something they can sink their teeth into! They'll make new friends and discover the joys of performing, boost their confidence, and have an absolute blast in a safe and inspiring creative environment.
ATYP school holiday workshops cover a broad range of engaging, hands-on topics, with highlights that include the "All You Can thEATre" workshop that will give Year 3-4s a taste of all genres of theatre, from Commedia Dell’arte to Physical Theatre! Year 5-8s can take on scenes from one of ATYP's own plays in their "Play Series: Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel)", plus a whole lot more!
Where: Pier 2/3, Suite 2/13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point, NSW 2000
When: Monday 13 - Friday 31 January 2025 | Classes run from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Costs vary depending on the workshop starting from $250
2. Manchester City Football School Holiday Clinics
Waverley College is excited to offer students in Years 3 to 8 the chance to learn the art of 'the beautiful game' just like the pros, with training straight from the Manchester City playbook!
Whether you're an experienced player or just getting started, the Manchester City Football School Holiday Clinics at Waverley College are your time to shine on the pitch. These prestigious camps are open to boys and girls of all skill levels, providing a safe, fun, and authentic environment that mirrors the training of Manchester City's top players. Guided by world-class coaches, you'll master the ball, play with flair, dominate the game, and take your football skills to new heights
Where: Waverley College Futsal Court and Queens Park
When: 5 camps are being offered over the Summer Holidays
Tuesday 10 December 2024 - Wednesday 29 January 2025 | 9 am - 3 pm
Cost: $200 pp for a 2-day camp
3. Code Camp
Code Camp is the ultimate school holiday boredom buster for kids who love STEAM.
Code Camp have taught over 100,000 kids in Australia everything from how to cut a YouTube video to coding your own Jurassic World game. Code Camp introduces kids to the fascinating possibilities of technology and empowers them to design, code, and create their own unique projects.
Code Camp offers a multitude of school holiday camps to explore! This summer, camps on the schedule include brand-new Get Crafty Camps: Bejewel & Bedazzle for kids aged 7-12 and Bejewel & Bedazzle Minis for 5-7-year-olds!
Camps are designed for different age groups and ability levels and, with over 100 locations around Australia plus online camps, there is something for every budding coder or creator.
Where: All areas of Sydney, plus regional locations
When: Monday 9 December 2024 to Friday 31 January 2025 | 9:30 am – 3:30 pm*
Cost: Starting from $129 for online and $275 for in-person camps
*Drop-off starts at 9 am and pick-up ends at 3:45 pm. Extended hours from 8 am until 5 pm are offered at selected venues.
4. Speaking Schools Australasia Summer School Holiday Workshops
Are you looking for a fun and engaging class to help your kids find their voice and build their confidence? Speaking Schools Australasia can help!
Speaking Schools are a two-time local business awards recipient and have helped over 25,000+ students improve their speaking skills and develop their confidence. Their summer school holiday programs cater to kids from Kindy up to Year 10 at convenient locations in Parramatta, North Sydney, Burwood, Wahroonga, and online. With a welcoming environment, an emphasis on small classes, and plenty of personal feedback from expert coaches, SSA aim to help every student bring their words to life.
Where: North Sydney, Wahroonga, Burwood, North Parramatta and Online
When: Classes start on 18 December 2024 and run on select dates until 24 January 2025
Cost: From $240+ | See Speaking Schools Australasia for costs.
For more information visit Speaking Schools Australasia or contact Mark on 0404 107 372 or at contact@speakingschools.
5. City Of Sydney: Fast-track School Holiday Intensive Swimming
Dive into excitement these school holidays with City of Sydney's Fast Track School Holiday Intensive Swimming Program, available at select City of Sydney pools!
It's a fantastic opportunity for your child to quickly enhance their swimming skills and gain confidence in the water. The program offers daily 30-minute lessons from Monday to Friday, and the chance to learn skills like diving, specific strokes and turns.
Learning to swim is essential at all levels and ages. Book now!
Where: Cook and Phillip Park Pool
Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Prince Alfred Park Pool
When: Monday 6 - Friday 17 January 2025
Cost: Contact your nearest centre for pricing details
6. Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music will be running a series of Open Academy school holiday workshops in their historic Macquarie Street buildings during the school holidays.
Based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and the Dalcroze and Kodaly methods, children will be immersed in a broad range of musical activities including singing, imitation, movement, playing percussion instruments, improvisation, story-telling, and guided listening. The Kids at the Con program is designed for little music lovers from 3 to 10 years old to explore creative music-making in small group activities, to help them engage with the exciting world of music and encourage the development of artistic expression.
Where: Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, Macquarie Street
When: 21-23 January 2025
Cost: $40 - $100 pp
7. Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer School Holiday Programs
Budding musicians are invited to get a leg up on their musical journey at Sydney Youth Orchestra's Summer School Holiday Programs.
Held at the Santa Sabina campus in Strathfield, SYO's Orchestral Explorers and Summer School programs provide the perfect mix of fun, learning, and musical education for music lovers of all levels.
Orchestral Explorers is a three-day course for ages 5-8 who haven't started formal music lessons yet. Beginners are invited to join in a lively introduction to music as they explore and connect with instruments and music. SYO Summer School is a more intensive five-day course for school students aged 5-18 with experience playing musical instruments. At the hands of Sydney's best music educators, beginners through to AMEB Grade 7 levels can perfect their craft through tutorials, rehearsals, ensemble practise, and more, concluding with a celebratory concert at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Both programs offer extended childcare for busy families, and Creative Kids Vouchers are accepted, making this high-quality holiday program more accessible.
Where: Santa Sabina College, 90 The Boulevarde, Strathfield
When: SYO Orchestral Explorers: Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 January 2025 | 9 am-3 pm
SYO Summer School: Monday 13 - Friday 17 January 2025 | 9 am – 3 pm
Concert - Saturday 18 January concert
Cost: SYO Orchestral Explorers: $375 plus a 1.4% processing fee
SYO Summer School: $635 plus a 1.4% processing fee
8. Marian Street Theatre for Young People
Dive into a world of drama queens and kings with the Marian Street Theatre for Young People Holiday Workshops! Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 will be immersed in an engaging theatrical experience while they learn valuable skills and build their confidence on stage.
Marian Street Theatre courses offer a comprehensive theatre education for budding performers to explore acting skills like characterisation, listening, and reacting. They will learn storytelling techniques such as story arc and story building; delve into stagecraft, collaboration, and ensemble building, and be guided on vocal techniques. They will also be introduced to public speaking, stage physicality and movement, all while fostering confidence in a fun, safe environment.
Where: Killara - St Martin's Church, 9B Arnold Street, Killara
Hornsby - Storey Park Community Centre, 12 Old Berowra Rd, Hornsby
When: Week 1 (Killara) 20-24 January 2025
Week 2 (Hornsby) 28-29 January 2025
Cost: $260 - $325 per child per multi-day workshop
9. Step Back In Time at Museums of History NSW
Looking for educational and screen-free fun these school holidays? Museums of History NSW offers fantastic programs at Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House that are perfect for getting kids off screens and experiencing something new this summer.
At Elizabeth Farm, kids can join History Kids – Explore the House, while at Vaucluse House, they’ll dive into History Kids – Explore Vaucluse House. These engaging programs bring history to life with hands-on activities like dressing up as a servant, exploring historic homes, and enjoying outdoor treats. Get in quick to book your spot, they don't last long!
Where: Elizabeth Farm - 70 Alice Street, Rosehill
Vaucluse House - Wentworth Road, Vaucluse
When: Select dates from 8-30 January 2025
Cost: General $15; Member $12
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