Educational Activities During School Breaks 2026

School holidays are the perfect opportunity to engage children in fun, educational activities that complement their classroom learning while feeling nothing like school! From STEM camps to creative arts programs, coding workshops to nature exploration, discover how to keep young minds active and engaged throughout the 2026 school breaks.

STEM Programs & Camps

1. Science Camps & Workshops

Hands-on science experiences that make learning exciting.

• Questacon Holiday Programs (Canberra): Daily science shows, workshops, hands-on experiments
• Scienceworks (Melbourne): School holiday science workshops and demonstrations
• Powerhouse Museum (Sydney): STEM-focused holiday programs
• Queensland Museum: SparkLab activities and science workshops
• Scitech (Perth): Interactive science programs daily
• Age range: Programs available for 5-15 years
• Cost: $15-60 per workshop

2. Coding & Robotics Camps

Prepare kids for the digital future while having fun.

• Code Camp: Week-long coding programs nationwide (ages 7-17)
• First Lego League: Robotics challenges and building
• Juni Learning: Online coding courses (flexible scheduling)
• Tech Camps Australia: Minecraft coding, app development, game design
• Apple Camps: Free coding workshops at Apple Stores
• Skills learned: Programming, problem-solving, logical thinking, creativity
• Cost: Free to $500+ for week-long programs

3. Engineering & Maker Workshops

• Bunnings Kids Workshops: Free DIY building projects (weekends)
• Library Maker Spaces: 3D printing, electronics, crafting (often FREE)
• Engineering camps: Build bridges, rockets, catapults
• LEGO building workshops: Architectural and engineering challenges
• Skills developed: Spatial reasoning, design thinking, persistence

Language & Communication

4. Language Immersion Programs

• Alliance Française: French immersion camps for kids
• Goethe-Institut: German language programs
• Confucius Institute: Mandarin language activities
• Spanish language camps: Various providers nationwide
• Benefits: Language skills, cultural awareness, brain development
• Age range: Programs from 5 years up

5. Public Speaking & Drama

• NIDA Holiday Programs (Sydney): Acting, storytelling, improvisation
• Brave Academy: Public speaking confidence courses
• Local theatre companies: Drama workshops for kids
• Debating workshops: Critical thinking and argumentation
• Skills: Confidence, communication, creativity, collaboration

6. Creative Writing Workshops

• State Library programs: Story writing workshops (often FREE)
• Authors in schools: Holiday writing programs
• Young Writers' camps: Multi-day intensive programs
• Online platforms: Nanowrimo Young Writers Program

Arts & Creativity

7. Art Classes & Workshops

Develop creativity and fine motor skills through visual arts.

• State galleries: Free and paid kids' art programs
• National Gallery (Canberra): School holiday art-making sessions
• Local art studios: Painting, drawing, sculpture workshops
• Pottery classes: Hand-building and wheel throwing
• Digital art: Graphic design and digital illustration courses
• Benefits: Self-expression, patience, observation skills

8. Music Programs

• Music camps: Week-long intensive instrumental programs
• Rock band workshops: Form a band, learn to play together
• Music theory courses: Understanding how music works
• Composition workshops: Create your own music
• Benefits: Discipline, pattern recognition, emotional expression

9. Film Making & Photography

• ACMI (Melbourne): Screen culture and moving image programs
• Film making camps: Script to screen experiences
• Photography courses: Composition, lighting, editing
• Animation workshops: Stop-motion and digital animation
• Skills: Visual literacy, storytelling, technical skills

Sports & Physical Education

10. Multi-Sport Camps

Keep kids active while learning new skills.

• Sports camps: Soccer, basketball, swimming, athletics
• Benefits: Fitness, teamwork, coordination, social skills
• Providers: Local councils, sporting clubs, private operators
• Age groups: Usually separated by skill level and age
• Cost: $150-400 per week

11. Specialized Sport Clinics

• Tennis Australia camps: Structured tennis programs
• Surf Life Saving: Nipper programs and surf education
• Cricket clinics: CA-endorsed holiday programs
• Martial arts: Discipline and self-defense
• Rock climbing: Problem-solving and physical challenge

12. Yoga & Mindfulness

• Kids yoga classes: Flexibility, balance, calm
• Mindfulness programs: Meditation and stress management
• Benefits: Mental health, self-regulation, body awareness
• Free resources: Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube

Nature & Environmental Education

13. Wildlife & Conservation Programs

Learn about Australian fauna and environmental protection.

• Zoo education programs: Behind-the-scenes experiences, keeper talks
• Junior Ranger programs: National parks education (some free)
• Marine biology programs: Rock pool exploration, snorkeling courses
• Wildlife rescue education: Learn about caring for native animals
• Bird watching groups: Identification and observation skills

14. Bushcraft & Outdoor Skills

• Survival skills camps: Fire building, shelter construction, navigation
• Bush Tucker tours: Indigenous plant knowledge
• Orienteering programs: Map reading and navigation
• Fishing workshops: Sustainable fishing practices
• Skills learned: Self-reliance, environmental awareness, safety

15. Gardening & Sustainability Programs

• Community garden programs: Growing food, composting
• Botanical gardens education: Plant science workshops
• Permaculture for kids: Sustainable living principles
• Recycling and upcycling workshops: Environmental responsibility

History & Culture

16. Museum Education Programs

• Australian Museum: Natural history and anthropology workshops
• National Museum: Social history activities
• War Memorial programs: Australian history (FREE)
• Immigration museums: Cultural diversity education
• Archaeological digs: Some museums offer simulated excavations

17. Cultural Experiences

• Indigenous cultural programs: Learn from Traditional Owners
• Cultural festivals: Experience different cultures
• Historical re-enactments: Living history experiences
• Traditional craft workshops: Weaving, pottery, traditional arts

Life Skills & Personal Development

18. Cooking & Nutrition Classes

• Kids cooking schools: Kitchen skills and nutrition
• Baking workshops: Science of baking
• Cultural cooking: Cuisine from around the world
• Skills learned: Following instructions, measurements, safety, healthy eating

19. Financial Literacy Programs

• Bank programs: Some banks offer free kids' money workshops
• Entrepreneurship camps: Starting a business basics
• Investment education: Understanding saving and growing money
• Age appropriate: Programs available from age 7+

20. First Aid & Safety Courses

• St John Ambulance: Kids first aid courses
• Surf Life Saving: Water safety education
• Road safety programs: Bike education and pedestrian safety
• Valuable skills: Potentially life-saving knowledge

At-Home Educational Activities

21. Science Experiments at Home

Turn your kitchen into a laboratory!

• Chemistry: Volcano reactions, crystal growing, pH testing
• Physics: Catapults, bridges, egg drop challenges
• Biology: Grow plants, observe insects, microorganism studies
• Resources: Science books from library, YouTube tutorials
• Cost: Most experiments use household items

22. Virtual Learning Opportunities

• Khan Academy: Free courses in math, science, humanities
• Duolingo: Free language learning
• National Geographic Kids: Geography and nature education
• Virtual museum tours: World-class museums from home
• ABC Education: Free Australian curriculum-aligned resources

23. Reading Challenges

• Library summer reading programs: Often with prizes
• Book clubs: Social reading experiences
• Author video calls: Many libraries host virtual author visits
• Reading goals: Set targets for number of books
• Benefits: Literacy, vocabulary, imagination, concentration

Educational Day Trips

24. Planetariums & Observatories

• Sydney Observatory: Astronomy programs and night viewings
• Planetariums: Most science museums have planetarium shows
• Learn about: Space, stars, planets, astronomy
• Stargazing: Apps like SkyView help identify constellations

25. Industrial & Technical Tours

• Factory tours: See how products are made
• Power stations: Some offer educational tours
• Water treatment plants: Learn about water cycle
• Recycling centers: Environmental education
• Working farms: Agricultural education

Balancing Fun & Learning

Benefits of Educational Holiday Activities

Academic Benefits

• Prevent summer slide: Maintain skills learned during term
• Deepen understanding: Apply classroom concepts in real world
• Develop new interests: Discover potential career paths
• Improve specific skills: Focused improvement in weak areas

Social & Emotional Benefits

• Make new friends: Meet kids with similar interests
• Build confidence: Master new skills
• Independence: Many programs develop self-reliance
• Growth mindset: Learn that abilities can be developed

Life Skills

• Time management: Structured activities teach scheduling
• Responsibility: Completing projects and commitments
• Teamwork: Collaborating with peers
• Problem-solving: Overcoming challenges creatively

Choosing the Right Programs

Booking Tips

• Book early: Popular programs fill 2-3 months in advance
• Waitlists: Join waitlists - spots often become available
• Early bird discounts: Many programs offer early booking savings
• Sibling discounts: Ask about multi-child discounts
• Trial before committing: Some offer single-day trials

Free Educational Resources

• Libraries: Books, workshops, programs (FREE)
• Council programs: Often free or very low-cost
• ABC Education: Online curriculum resources
• Museums with free entry: See our museum guide
• YouTube educational channels: Crash Course, Ted-Ed, Veritasium

Conclusion

Educational activities during school holidays don't mean sacrificing fun for learning - the best programs seamlessly blend both! Whether your child is interested in science, arts, sports, or nature, there are countless opportunities to keep young minds engaged and growing during the 2026 school breaks.

The key is finding activities that match your child's interests and learning style. When kids are genuinely engaged and enjoying themselves, learning happens naturally and effortlessly. These experiences not only prevent the "holiday slide" but often ignite passions that last a lifetime.