The school holidays are upon us once again, and parents across our region are wondering how to entertain the little ones for two weeks. 

Whether you’re a Hunter Valley local or you’re a visitor to the region, there’s plenty to do this winter break. Keep reading for our guide to what’s on these July school holidays in the Hunter Valley.

Things to do

Zookeeper for a Day | 25 & 26 Sep | 3 & 5 Oct
Is your little one an animal lover? Hunter Valley Wildlife Park is giving kids aged 8-11 the chance to become a zookeeper for the day these school holidays. Kids will make friends with zoo animals and learn all about them – what they love to eat, what they love to do, and how the park takes care of them. Spots are filling up fast – don’t miss this!
Where: Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, 138 Lomas Ln, Nulkaba

Amaze and Play | 23 Sep - 8 Oct
These school holidays Hunter Valley Gardens will be transformed into an adventurous playground as Amaze and Play kicks off! There's a giant maze, an inflatable obstacle course, a bubble zone, and more.
Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Chalk Garden | 25 Sep
Enjoy a reading of The Chalk Garden by Sally Anne Garland, and work together with your friends to create a beautiful community garden using nothing but chalk!  
Where: East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland

Spring Watercolour Workshop | 25 Sep
Join watercolour extraordinaire Ileana Clarke as she demonstrates how to use watercolours to create a gorgeous still life artwork.
Where: East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland

Flower Suncatcher Workshops | 26 Sep
Kids aged 5-12 can make a flower suncatcher using fresh flowers and leaves, then watch those colours glow as they hold them up to the sunshine.
Where: Thornton Library, Taylor Ave, Thornton | Rutherford Library, 13 Arthur St, Rutherford

Imaginaturalists Art Workshop | 26 Sep
Kids aged seven and older will love this workshop where they can creatively explore the magic of bees with artist, educator, and scientist Gillian Hewitt.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Save the Koala Month Storytime | 27 Sep
Join Jenni as she reads her picture book Have You Seen A Tree For Me? and shares some of her illustrations and the process of how she made them. Kids will have the opportunity to create their own koala picture to take home and have the chance to enjoy colouring activities.  
Where: East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland

Twilight Reading Party | 27 Sep
East Maitland Library is staying open late for a family-friendly reading party. Grab your book and bring a cushion or blanket, to read on your own, but in the company of others.
Where: East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland

Seed Bomb Workshops | 28 Sep
Create a nutritious seed bomb full of all the things little seeds need to grow and thrive. Then let it loose in your neighbourhood and watch it grow.
Where: Maitland City Library, 480 High St, Maitland | Thornton Library, Taylor Ave, Thornton

Tabletop Gaming with Aaron | 28 Sep
Gaming guru Aaron is hosting tabletop games at the library! Come and join in the fun with like minded folks to learn some new games from Aaron’s repertoire. For kids aged 10-18.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

The Pillowcase Program | 28 Sep & 5 Oct
This is a fun interactive workshop teaching kids skills to help them prepare for emergencies – what will they pack in their emergency pillowcase?
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Seed Bombs for Bees | 28 Sep
Kids aged 6-12 can learn how to make seed bombs full of bee-friendly flower seeds at this workshop. Keep them for a rainy day, or give them as a gift.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock

Picture Perfect: Illustrate your own storybook | 29 Sep
Learn tips and tricks for illustrating a picture book in this special workshop with illustrator Kirrilee Lonergan.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock

Youth Outreach at Huntlee Park | 29 Sep
Head to Huntlee Park to play some large games, grab some free merchandise and find out what activities and resources are available for local kids in the school holidays and beyond.
Where: Huntlee Park, 1 Triton Blvd, North Rothbury

French Storytime and Morning Tea | 3, 5 & 6 Oct
Join in on a fun session of French-inspired stories, songs, and rhymes for young children and their families. Enjoy traditional French pastries afterwards for morning tea.
Where: Maitland City Library, 480 High St, Maitland | East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland | Thornton Library, Taylor Ave, Thornton

Film and Craft | 3 & 4 Oct
Kids aged 6-12 can enjoy an afternoon at the movies, followed by craft these school holidays.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Native Flora Workshop | 4 Oct
Head along to this special workshop all about plants with Riverdene Nurseries. Learn how our vulnerable fauna use native plants to thrive. Create a live diorama of a sustainable green environment and pot up a native seedling to take home and plant in your own garden. 
Where: Rutherford Library, 13 Arthur St, Rutherford

Zine Making Workshop | 4 Oct
Author and zine maker Bastian Fox Phelan leads this engaging zine making activity. Kids aged 10-18 can join in to learn the ins and outs of zine making while creating their very own unique zine.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Singing Bowls | 5 Oct
Did you know that some bowls can sing? Come along and find out how! Kristy will be bringing her brass Tibetan singing bowls for a mindful and relaxing experience to help kids slow down and de-stress.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Indigenous Dance Workshop | 6 Oct
Learn some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance moves in this special cultural workshop run by Genus and Sam from Youth Express.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock | Kurri Kurri Library, Cnr Lang & Allworth St, Kurri Kurri

Warhammer Paint or Play | 6 Oct
Cessnock Library has signed up to be part of the Warhammer Alliance program! Help to paint some of our new collection of Warhammer miniatures (supplies provided) or bring along miniatures of your own to play.
Where: Cessnock City Library, 65-67 Vincent St, Cessnock

Sami Bayly Book Launch: Creatures of Camouflage and Mimicry | 6 Oct
Come dressed as your favourite creature of camouflage for the launch of Sami Bayly's new book, Creatures of Camouflage and Mimicry, and enjoy a drawing workshop with Sami Bayly using creatures from her new book, live music all about animals, and the chance to try out your own camouflage skills against the camouflage wall.
Where: East Maitland Library, 3 Garnett St, East Maitland

The Wind in the Willows: Walking book club | 7 Oct
Maitland Libraries is hosting their first ever walking book club where we take a deep dive into this watery children’s classic by the banks of our very own Hunter River. 
Where: Maitland City Library, 480 High St, Maitland

Bike riding
There’s few better ways to soak up the sunny spring days than cycling around the Hunter. Whether you hire bikes or use your own, try cycleways like the Hermitage Way Cycleway in Pokolbin, Deadmans mountain bike loop in Werakata National Park, or the Tour De Lovedale (taking in Wilderness Road, Lovedale Road and Wine Country Drive).

Kids tasting at a winery
If the big kids are planning on doing some wine tasting in the Hunter, why not take your brood to a family-friendly cellar door where the kids will be entertained? Wineries like Saddler’s Creek Wines and Tulloch Wines even have tasting experiences especially for kids!

Horse riding
There are plenty of companies that offer horse riding suitable for kids in the Hunter. Get up close with these friendly animals and explore the scenic landscapes of the valley.

Places to explore

Dullboys Social Co. Rutherford
Find bowling, mini golf, arcade games, virtual reality plus Charlie’s Restaurant and Bar at Dullboys Social Co. in Rutherford. Kids will love the Mario Kart and Pacman sections of the mini golf course and battling their friends in virtual reality games. 
Where: 57 Shipley Dr, Rutherford

Go Karts Go
Are you kids mini F1 fans? Let them try the next best thing at Go Karts Go. With a massive 850m race track to zoom around on and specially-designed junior karts for the little ones, Go Karts Go is a high-adrenaline day out.
Where: 202 Neath Rd, Kearsley

Maitland Gaol
Go behind the scenes and learn about local history at Maitland Gaol. There’s plenty of tour options suitable for kids, or head along to Children’s Beanbag Cinema and watch Paddington 2 in an unusual setting.
Where: 6/18 John St, East Maitland

Hunter Valley Gardens
If you’re heading along to Snow Time in the Garden this school holidays, it’s the perfect chance to get out and explore all the Hunter Valley Gardens have to offer. Explore the beautiful gardens, try aqua golf, or have a go on the amusement rides.
Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Get arty this school holidays at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. There’s plenty art and workshops for kids to get involved with.
Where: 230 High St, Maitland

Sculpture Walk at Winmark Wines
Winmark Wines isn’t just home to some of the Hunter Valley’s best chardonnay – it’s also a destination for art lovers! The Sculpture Walk at Winmark Wines is perfect for the whole family to wander through on a sunny day. There’s even colouring maps and crayons for the kids.
Where: 229 Wollombi Rd, Broke

PCYC
Both Cessnock and Maitland PCYC have plenty on for kids this school holidays. Think gymnastics, trampolining, and craft, to get moving and get the creative juices flowing.
Where: 1B Short St, Cessnock | 3 James St, Maitland

Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
Whether you head to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park for an encounter or just to observe the many adorable animals, the whole family is guaranteed to have a good time. There’s lions, meerkats, lemurs, and even giraffes!
Where: 138 Lomas Ln, Nulkaba

Are you looking for things to do in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during the school holidays? Check out our guide.