Central Coast activities and experiences: the perfect gift for kids this Christmas

Central Coast families, we’ve put together a very special Christmas gift list for you: it’s packed with local attractions, activities, classes and experiences your entire family can enjoy.

This list is different. This list is fun. This list is all about giving your kids experiences that they’ll treasure long after they’ve discarded their toys. Grab these gift vouchers now – some of them aren’t going to be around for long.

Plus, some of these fantastic local businesses have kindly offered Playing in Puddles readers exclusive discounts and savings. Now that’s worth celebrating. Merry Christmas from us to you!

Central Coast Experiences and Attractions for Families

Treetops Central Coast

There are three adventure experiences available at Treetops Central Coast, and kids from as young as three can take part.

TreeTop Adventure Park

People from the age of 3+ can experience the iconic Australian bush like never before. Get up-close and personal with native Australian wildlife and magnificent gum trees as you climb, weave and fly through the tree tops on self-guided rope courses. There are more than 100 elevated obstacles with rope ladders wobbly bridges, tunnels, cargo nets and zip lines. Prices from $28/child.

TreeTop Vertical Challenges

Ever tried climbing a massive eucalypt tree? It’s now possible in a fun and safe way at TreeTop Vertical Challenges! Anyone 5 years+ can enjoy the climb through various challenges, including a  zig-zag ladder, climbing wall, polka dots and more. Enjoy a smooth ride back down to the ground thanks to an automatic belay device. Want more? Race your friends side by side! Prcies from $15/child.

TreeTop Crazy Rider

At TreeTops Central Coast you will find the world’s longest and Australia’s first rollercoaster zip lines. It has you swooping, twisting, turning and zig zaging through the trees. The Crazy Rider is a fully guided tour: choose between the Pioneer, Xtreme or Combo. Prices from $29/child.

Special deal: Purchase a ticket for TreeTop Vertical Challenges for just $10 (normally $15) when combined with either the Treetop Adventure Park or Treetop Crazy Rider experience.

To redeem: Must be booked over the phone (02 4025 1008) or at the park – not valid for online bookings. Mention “Playing in Puddles” to redeem. Offer valid until 22 December 2017. Only valid at TreeTops Central Coast.

Contact: www.TreeTops.com.au or 02 4025 1008

Treetops Central Coast | Playing in Puddles

Glenworth Valley horse rides and lead pony rides

Glenworth Valley offers families so many incredible outdoor experiences – we’re so lucky to have this facility on the Central Coast, and the Christmas holidays presents the perfect opportunity for you to make the most of it. Get the family together for a day of quad biking, abseiling, laser skirmish and/or horse riding. Your kids will love getting outdoors, pushing their boundaries and having such quality time with you. Glenworth Valley offers gift vouchers for all of their activities – jump on their website to check them all out.

Special deal: Purchase a gift voucher for either a lead pony ride or horse ride and receive an exclusive Glenworth Valley 30cm horse plush toy for just $10 (50% off RRP; free to pick up or please add $10 for postage).

Vouchers available as part of the special deal:

• Lead pony rides are $60 for 1 hour, and one horse can be shared by up to 4 children.
• Horse riding is from $100 per person for 2 hours. See website for all options.

Age group: Horse Riding is suitable for ages 7+. Lead pony rides are suitable for ages 3-12.

Redeemable: Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Purchase your voucher: Please call 0243 751 222 to purchase the special Playing in Puddles voucher and toy. They need to be purchased before 22 December 2017 to redeem this offer. Don’t forget to Mention “Playing in Puddles” and allow time for postage if you can’t pick the toy up in person. All other Glenworth Valley experiences can be booked online or over the phone.

Contact: www.glenworth.com.au, 0243 751 222.

Laser Mania, Gosford

Slide, hide and blast your way through Gosford’s newest laser tag centre! Opened in October, this place is set to offer lots of fun for kids (and adults) these school holidays. Come check it out.

Special deal: Get 2 games for $15 (normally $11.50 for a single game). Mention “Playing in Puddles” to redeem this offer.

Age group: 6+. We think adults, too, will love getting into this (you need to be 6 years old and at least 110cm tall to play).

Purchase your voucher over the phone (0243 259 865 or 0243 259 867 – this number is for Monkey Mania also) or at Laser Mania Gosford by 30 November 2017.

Vouchers redeemable: Until 31 January 2018.

Contact: www.lasermania.com.au, 0243 259 865 or 0243 259 867.

Morning Farm Tours of Grace Springs Farm, Kulnura

Join the family of Grace Springs Farm in their morning chores. This early-morning tour gives families a lovely peek into everyday farm life. Watch their cow being milked and then help feed and water the chooks, cows and ducks (and, at times, calves, chicks and ducklings!) Pick produce from their market garden and purchase some of their pasture-raised eggs. Your kids will love it, and we have no doubt you’ll love it too.

Gift vouchers: Farm Tour for 2 people $35; for three people $51.50; for four people $69; for five people $85.50. Children under 2 are free.

Purchase your voucher any time online: https://www.gracespringsfarm.net/giftcertificates/

Vouchers redeemable: The gift certificates can be used on any of the dates listed on Grace Springs Farm’s Eventbrite page (www.gracespringsfarm.eventbrite.com.au; dates for 2018 will soon be added)

Contact: www.gracespringsfarm.net, 0425 258 699.

The Australian Reptile Park

Admission to The Australian Reptile Park

You can also buy vouchers for admission to The Australian Reptile Park.

Adult $37; Child (3-15 years) $19; Family pass $99 (2 adults and 2 children); each additional child on family pass $15; seniors $27.

Click here for more details or call reception on 0243 401 022.

Kids to Keeper Programs

Snuggle with a koala, pat a baby croc and hand-feed kangaroos these holidays at The Australian Reptile Park. The Park’s Kids to Keeper programs offer an opportunity for children to get up close and personal with the Park’s furry, feathery and scaly friends. These programs are only available during school holidays and on the first Saturday of the month, so don’t delay in booking as they’re in hot demand. Plus, all programs include entry to the park.

Big Kids to keeper (ages 13-18 years)

• Click here for extensive details on what’s included in this program.
• Price: $120pp
• Voucher valid: 12 months from date of purchase.
• Click here to purchase your voucher online and/or make your booking, or call 0243 401 022.

Little Kids to keeper (ages 7-12 years)

• Click here for extensive details on what’s included in this program.
• Price: $80pp
• Voucher valid: 12 months from date of purchase.
• Click here to purchase your voucher online and/or make your booking, or call 0243 401 022.

Mini Kids to keeper (ages 3-6 years)

• Click here for extensive details on what’s included in this program.
• Price: $50pp (paying adult must accompany child – also $50).
• Voucher valid: 12 months from date of purchase.
• Click here to purchase your voucher online and/or make your booking, or call 0243 401 022.

Australian Reptile Park – Aussie Bush Wildlife Sleep Out

This special sleep out is rather exclusive as it occurs on only 2 nights each year.

Experience an evening of interactive and hands on wildlife shows, animal encounters, an Aussie bush tucker BBQ, billy tea, marshmallow toasting over camp fires and damper making before you retreat to your tent for an evening in the park. Wake up to breakfast and a full day of fun at The Reptile Park.

Dates: 25th and 26th January 2018.

Price: $500 per tent (can be 2 pax, 3 pax or 4 pax). Included in the cost is park entry, overnight parking, wildlife shows, dinner and breakfast, tent and blow-up mattresses.

Click here for further details and to make your booking.

Workshops and classes for Central Coast kids

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy classes, Central Coast

Helen O’Grady Drama classes allow children to explore their creative side and have fun through developmental drama programs. The classes also help children develop life skills, such as public speaking, confidence and dealing with anxiety.

Special deal: 10% off enrollment for one term. Mention “Playing in Puddles” to redeem this offer. (The term fee per student for 2018 is normally $195. Family discounts apply for two or more students attending.)

Age group: 5-17 year olds.

Purchase your voucher any time in 2018. Please contact Tim Doyle, Principal of the Central Coast Academy, on 0403 368 517 to purchase your voucher.

Terms and conditions: Available only to new students. Available for enrolment to any term in 2018. Available at all Central Coast studios – Erina, Wyoming, Terrigal, Kanwal, Umina, Berkeley Vale.

Contact: www.helenogrady.com.au, 0403 368 517.

CreativeK Kreate Kids Classes, Tumbi Umbi

Hosted by Art Therapist Kylie Cook, this new workshop is a creative kids class with a twist! Activities include creating, storytelling, meditation, collage, print making and more. The price includes afternoon tea, and the class takes place in a bush setting in Tumbi Umbi. Suitable for children 8+.

Bearfoot Yoga for kids, Umina Beach

Summer School at The Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Gosford

Is your child learning the violin, viola, cello and double bass? They’ll love making new friends, learning new songs and furthering their muso talents at The Con’s string ensemble Summer school. And they’ll get a thrill in showing off their new talents at a free concert for friends and family at the end of the week.

There are multiple courses available:

• Interactive technique classes for experienced players aged 5-18: from early learners to advanced.
• Have a child who would love to learn the violin? Enrol them in the four-day “Learn the Violin” course for complete beginners (the centre has violins you can borrow during the course).
• Kids aged 5-8 can join in the children’s class for fun musical games, craft, junkyard orchestra and choir.

Special deal: Receive a further 5% discount on the early-bird special for Playing in Puddles readers. Valid until 8 December 2017. Enter the Discount Code PIPSS2018 when registering at http://centralcoastconservatorium.com.au/summer-school-2018, or phone 4324 7477.

Price: Early-bird registration fees apply before 8 December.

• $230 per child for four full days ($260 after the early-bird discount).
• $120 per child for four half days ($140 after the early-bird discount).
• Sibling discount of $40 for the second and subsequent child.

Contact: www.centralcoastconservatorium.com.au, 43 247 477.

Central Coast Indoor Play Centres

Monkey Mania indoor play centre, Gosford

Let your kids go wild at Monkey Mania play centre. The three-level soft-play zone with four slides, mini basketball court and the most awesome wind-activated foam-ball arena is sure to run them ragged. Click here to read our review. 

Special deal: Get $15 off Monkey Mania’s five-visit entry pass. Mention “Playing in Puddles” to redeem this offer.

• Monkey Mania’s five-visit entry pass: $50 (normally $65).

Age group: Best suited to 1-12 year olds.

Purchase your voucher over the phone (0243 259 865 or 0243 259 867) or at Monkey Mania Gosford by 30 November 2017.

Vouchers redeemable: Until 31 January 2018.

Contact: www.monkeymania.com.au, 0243 259 865 or 0243 259 867.

Adult group fitness (and fun for the kids) at Kincumber Play Time

Parents and carers, get fit while your kids play! Kincumber Indoors Sports hosts adult fitness classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:15am-10am. Personal trainer Jacqui Payne is experienced in training people of all fitness levels, and has a particular interest in helping mums get their fitness back after childbirth.

While you train on one indoor court, your children (up to 6 years) can have fun playing on the jumping castles, mini bike ramps, cubbies and slippery dips in Play Time for half price. The indoor play area is located on the court next to where you train – your kids can see you and you can see them, so it’s happy days. Click here to read our review of Play Time play centre.

Price: You can attend casually for $16/session, or buy a 10-visit card for $150. Half-price Play Time entry is $3.50 for babes under 2; $5 for kids aged 2-6.

Impact Kids World play centre, Erina

Treat your kids to a play at Kids World play centre. It has 2 separate areas: one for toddlers and bubs and a second for primary-school-aged kids. They have slippery dips, a mini flying fox, cubbies, ball pitts, Little Tikes cars and so much more.

Click here to read our review.

Special deal: Get 10% off ALL of Kids World’s entry passes. Mention “Playing in Puddles” to redeem these offers:

• Impact Family Pass to Kids World: $43.20 (2 adults, 2 regular drinks for the adults and up to 4 kids from the one family; normally $48).
• 3 children’s entries to Kids World: $26.70 (normally $29.70).
• 1 child’s entry to Kids World: $8.90 (normally $9.90).

Age group: Best suited to 1-10 year olds.

Purchase your voucher over the phone (0243 676 767) or from the front desk at Impact Centre, Erina, by Christmas Eve.

Vouchers redeemable: Until 31 December 2018.

Contact: www.impactc.me, 0243 676 767.

Gifts for Central Coast Mums

Kendell Tyne Photography Mini Photo Session, Central Coast

Kendell Tyne is an amazing photographer. Kendell’s photos aren’t staged – you’re not made to “stand here” or “say cheese”; instead, she invites your kids to play, to have fun, and as they do she takes the most beautiful photos of them giggling, playing with a toy, cuddling mummy, or getting a tickle from daddy.

Special deal: 33% off a Mini Photo Session and Image Package. Mention Playing in Puddles to get your discounted Mini Session for just $199.

• ​Mini sessions are perfect for kiddies with short attention spans and a great way for you to update your family portrait.
• Package includes a 30-minute photo shoot and 30 edited high-resolution images on USB.
• Choose between three beautiful locations: North Avoca, Bensville and Long Jetty.
• Valid until 30 June 2018.
• Bookings must be made before 22 Dec 2017.

Kendell does it all: weddings, maternity, newborn, family and even business photography. Take a look at her website to view more of her beautiful images: www.kendelltynephotography.com

CreativeK Picturing Motherhood class, Tumbi Umbi