Discover the best-of-the-best April school holiday camps, shows and events happening across the Central Coast and nearby region!
Read on to ensure your holidays are the best they can be.
PLUS we’re giving away a family pass to see Alice in Wonderland in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Scroll down to enter.
PS. We have HEAPS of activities to add over the coming weeks, so be sure to check back soon.
Fairs, Events and Attractions to visit these April school holidays
Get to the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show
The Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show is returning to Moore Park, Sydney, this April. This exciting annual event is packed with all your carnival favourites (showbags, rides, animals, stage shows and sideshow alley games), but with family tickets priced at just $75 (and children under 2 free), it’s a great day out without the hefty price tag.
Plus, we have HUGE news! This year, as part of your entry ticket, you can see Paw Patrol or Bluey live on stage! For Real Life, right!
The Paw Patrol Stage Show will see Ryder and the Pups take you through all the moves of the Pup, Pup Boogie and get you to help with their best rescue mission yet! They’ll be performing twice daily at the Show from 12th-22nd April.
The Bluey Live Interactive Experience will be performing at the Show from 23rd–27th April. In this fun interactive experience you’ll get to play Magic Asparagus, Magic Xylophone, Keepy Uppy and more with your favourite Heeler pups.
Plus, you can meet, greet and get a photo taken with the pups! Whether it be Chase and Marshall or Bluey and Bingo, this is sure to blow your little ones’ minds. (Adults, before you reach for the camera, please note you need to pre-book your meet and greet before you arrive at the Show. There are limited spots available, so don’t dilly dally on booking this.)
On top of this, they’ll be bringing back all the fan favourites. At the animal nursery there’ll be guinea pigs to cuddle, donkeys to feed, chicks to pat, and llamas to nose rub. There will be heaps of rides – from spooky haunted houses and traditional carousels to giant slides and a spinner (not for the fainthearted)! Returning this year is Monster Jump, a massive inflatable obstacle course that your kids will want to race through again and again and again.
But that’s not all: test out your sideshow alley skills on the laughing clowns, ring toss, pluck a duck and balloon bust; get awestruck by the Motorcycle & Bike Stunt Shows; and new this year, check out the Monster Sports Jam where there will be heaps of fun sports activities to challenge your mates.
Hop to it and get your tickets pronto!
Dates: 12 April – 27 April 2025.
Hours: Please note, event closes at 4pm Sunday-Friday and at 5pm on Saturdays and the Easter long weekend (18th-21st April).
Where: Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show, Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, Sydney.
Cost: Admission fees: Family of 4, $75; Child aged 2 and under, FREE; Child (aged 3-15 yrs), $15; Adult (16 years+), $30. There are multiple ride tickets available – see the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show website for all options and T&Cs.
Visit Mega Creatures and Mega Creatures Night Safari at Hunter Valley Gardens
Get set for some roaring, teeth-gnashing fun, as Mega Creatures take over the Hunter Valley Gardens these school holidays! Dino enthusiasts, budding entomologists and fantasy fans will love this magical, immersive event that invites visitors to come face-to-face with myriad life-sized animatronic creatures.
New this year is The Land of Legends – a space where mythical creatures such as Cerberus, Phoenix, Pegasus and Griffin will be brought to life. Imaginations will further soar at the sight of the many fantastical beasts on display in the Dragons Den – watch out for the one breathing fire!
Dino lovers can spy a T-rex, Ankylosaurus and Triceratops and this year some brand new prehistoric visitors will be roaring across the gardens, too, including a Maiasaura and Caudipteryx. The creators of Erth are bringing their cute (and far less intimidating) baby dinosaurs to the Gardens for a snuggle and aspiring paleontologists can do a fossil dig and embark on a dino egg hunt!
It’s not only fantastical and prehistoric creatures hanging out in the gardens, though. There are also insects of giant proportions, including an enormous bee, caterpillar, praying mantis and butterfly! And the amphitheatre has been inhabited by giant spiders: enter if you dare!
Don’t forget that Mega Creatures can also be experienced in the evening with their Night Safari! Seeing the glowing red eyes and biofluorescence of a giant brachiosaurus, three-headed dragon, sabre-tooth tiger and more is quite the spectacle.
If cute and cuddly is more your thing, visit over the Easter long weekend to meet the Easter bunny and join in the Gardens’ annual Giant Easter Egg Hunt. There will be thousands of brightly coloured eggs to collect across multiple hunts. They even have an egg hunt dedicated to children under six, so the tiny tots don’t have to compete with the big kids. See
And it wouldn’t be the same without the Gardens’ fabulous rides, too. The giant slide, spinning tea cups, swing ride, carousel and Ferris wheel will all be operating.
Where: The Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin.
When: Saturday 5th April until Sunday 4th May 2025
Daytime event: 9am-4pm. Last entry 3pm. | Night Safari event: 5pm – 9pm. Last entry 8pm.
Age group: All ages.
Entry Cost: Day OR Night entry: Adult (16+ yrs) $41. Children (4-15 yrs) $31. Children (3 yrs. & Under) FREE. Family (1ad+2ch) $96. Family (2ad+1ch) $102. Family (2ad+2ch) $126. Extra child with family pass $28.
COMBO (DAY / NIGHT) pass: Adult (16+ yrs) $59. Children (4-15 yrs) $48. Children (3 yrs. & Under) FREE. Family (1ad+2ch) $140. Family (2ad+1ch) $159. Family (2ad+2ch) $193. Extra child with family pass $46.
See website for more options.
Easter Egg Hunt tickets: $2. These must be purchased online as an add on to a family pass.
Ride costs: Each ride is $6 per person. Or you can purchase a 6-ride pass for $30 and get a bonus ride for free. Ride tickets are available for purchase in the event area at the Gardens.
School holiday camps on the Central Coast – book these autumn school holidays
Go horse riding or join a day camp at The Outlook Riding Academy, Terrigal
Have a child who loves all things horses? Or a kid who would love to become more confident around these beautiful animals? Get them to the Outlook Riding Academy at Terrigal these school holidays.
Outlook Riding Academy does private horse riding lessons (for people aged 2-102), as well as school holiday camps. The paddocks, stables and rainforest tracks across this stunning 18-acre property provide the perfect space for your child to work on their riding skills as well as enjoy some special equine bonding through grooming, plaiting, handling and tacking up their horse.
No previous horse riding experience is required to attend an Outlook Riding Academy holiday camp. In fact, all levels are welcome – from complete beginners to saddle superstars.
The day starts with games and icebreakers before heading to the stables to learn about horse anatomy and care. The kids will learn and help to get the horses groomed, plaited and tacked up. This is a favourite aspect of the camp for many of the children who love the pats and bonding time they get with their horse.
It’s then time to ride. At this point the kids will be split into groups (based on riding level and age), so beginners have time to get comfortable and confident in the saddle, while intermediate riders have the opportunity to practice jumping, sporting events and flatwork.
Before this Easter camp concludes, there’ll be time for treats! The kids will get to feed the horses apples and carrots and then join in a giant Easter egg hunt in the paddocks!
The Outlook Riding Academy April School Holiday Day Camps
When: Wednesday 16th April, Friday 18th April, Tuesday 22nd April, Thursday 24th April. Camps run 8.30am-1pm. You can book as many days as you like. They’ll also be hosting Saddle Club Easter Edition on Saturday 19th April. This is an “on-foot, no-riding” camp that runs from 9am-12pm and is $77.
Cost: Camp costs $220 per child per day. Private horse riding lessons are $110/60 minutes. See their website for more options.
Age Group: Camp is suitable for children aged 4-18 years. All levels are welcome from complete beginners to saddle superstars.
Where: The Outlook Riding Academy, Gate 2, 256 Scenic Highway, Terrigal.
Inclusions: Outlook will provide you with a helmet and, importantly, a horse. Yep, you don’t have to bring your own! Phew
Contact: Phone Sam and Lucy on 0427 189 567 or email [email protected].
Website: https://www.theoutlookridingacademy.com.au/events-and-camps
Book into Ninja Kids Erina’s full-day and half-day school holiday camps
PS. Have you heard? These guys have slashed the price of their birthday parties. Check out their party packages here for an awesome deal and an awesome party.
Book into Raw Challenge’s april school holiday events, Doyalson
Does your child love getting messy, conquering obstacles and having a great laugh? Get them to Raw Challenge: this is, in one kid’s words, “one of the funnest, bestest, coolest holiday camps on the planet”.
And not only is it fun, but super flexible too. Raw Challenge’s school holiday program gives parents three options:
+ Drop your kids and run.
+ Stay ‘n’ play and join in on the fun.
+ Walk, watch and cheer from the sideline.
How awesome is that!
Across 3.5 fun-filled hours, your kids will conquer 25-30 EPIC obstacles on the Raw Challenge course. They’ll climb net rope bridges, balance across beams, crawl through tunnels, slip down slides and wade through mud pools. They will get muddy. They will get messy. They will have an ABSOLUTE BLAST! And, the best part is, you can choose to jump in there and do it with them too.
These summer holidays, Raw Challenge is hosting four awesome days – two for teens/tweens and two for kids of all school grades (plus their adults)! Parents, this is winning as it’ll save you petrol, sanity and that feeling of simply being a taxi running here there everywhere.
Where: Raw Challenge, 110 Pacific Hwy, Doyalson.
Inclusions: Lunch (sausage sandwich and a soft drink).
Cost: $49.50/person (plus small booking fee).
+ 25+ obstacles Raw Challenge camp – recommended for kids aged 5-10 years old, but any child aged between 5 and 17 can join this program (and their adults).
Please note, the cut-off age for these dates is not 10 years of age: they just recommend the 10-17 year old program for older kids as it includes some additional more challenging obstacles that older kids will likely enjoy.
Dates: TBC. We will add details here once released.
Times: 9.30am-1pm (drop off 9.15-9.25am).
30+ obstacles Raw Challenge camp – for kids aged 10-17 years old (and their adults).
Dates: TBC. We will add details here once released.
Times: 9.30am-1pm (drop off 9.15-9.25am).
Contact: Tickets will be released soon. For more details, visit the Raw Challenge website.
Get tickets to these wonderful kids’ theatre shows these autumn school holidays
See Velveteen Rabbit at Laycock Street Community Theatre, Wyoming
If you love the premise of Toy Story or ever had a toy that you truly treasured, you’ll love taking your children to see Velveteen Rabbit.
Based on Margery Williams’ much-loved 100-year story The Velveteen Rabbit, this beautiful performance has been modernised and reimagined by celebrated Australian physical theatre company Born in a Taxi.
Bringing live film, projections, music, puppetry, plushies and adult onesies to the stage, the show tells the tale of a toy rabbit who longs to be played with and “real”.
“Real isn’t how you are made,” shares a fellow toy. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time – not just to play with, but REALLY loves you – then you become Real.”
The rabbit soon becomes a favourite toy and learns about love… but soon after that comes change and loss. These emotive themes are explored in a beautifully gentle way that will resonate with children and adults alike. But it’s not all sad. It’s actually very funny, the actors are brilliant and the script is always engaging.
This is a show that places you – the audience – at the centre of the narrative. Your child might be invited on stage, they might be asked a question by the rabbit, or invited to hold a plushie toy by one of the actors. This is gentle, relatable theatre that will appeal to children aged 4+ and anyone who has ever cherished a beloved toy.
Get tickets, be ready for a laugh and cry, and please bring your own favourite snuggly toy to the show, too!
Age group: Kids aged 4+ (and their adults).
Show duration: 60 minutes (no interval).
Where: Laycock Street Community Theatre, 5 Laycock Street, Wyoming.
Show times: Tuesday 15 April 2025 – 11am and 1pm.
Tickets: Adult $29 | Concession/Child $25 | Vacation Care $22 | Family (2A2C / 1A3C) $96.
Contact: 02 4323 3233 or [email protected]
Website: https://laycockstreettheatre.com/event/velveteen-rabbit/
See Alice in Wonderland at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Tumble down the rabbit hole and join Alice on her amazing journey through Wonderland!
Experience an adventure like no other these school holidays as Lewis Carroll’s absurd (and wickedly clever) classic is stunningly lifted from paper to park. Your favourite curious characters will be waiting for you – from Tweedle Dee to the Cheshire Cat.
Grab a tea, throw on your maddest hat and join in this enchanting world of song, dance and interactive games. It’s sure to be full of dizzy, giddy nonsense and lots of laughs!
Watching theatre unfold outside in the stunning surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens is such a delight and a really beautiful way to instil a love for theatre and the arts in your cherubs. We recommend you get yourself tickets.
Pssst, we’re giving away a free FAMILY PASS to this show. Scroll down to enter.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney | Pioneer Garden
When: 12-27 April 2025. Different times – see website.
Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes with interval.
Prices: Tickets from $25. Family pass (4 tickets) from $90 (children under 12 months are free).
Bookings: Book online below. Tickets can be purchased on site one hour before show time, subject to availability.
Want to win a family pass to see Alice in Wonderland? Of course you do!
To be in with a chance to win, simply subscribe to our free newsletter by entering your details below*. Already a subscriber? Just add your details below so we know you want to enter this fabulous comp.
*COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIZE: We are giving away a family pass (4 tickets) to Alice in Wonderland on Sunday 13 April 2025 – 11am.
COMPETITION OPENS: 7 March 2025.
COMPETITION CLOSES: 31 March 2025.
ENTRY TERMS: By entering, we’ll email future issues of Playing in Puddles’ weekly newsletter free to your inbox (you may unsubscribe at any time). Entry email addresses will not be shared with anyone outside Playing in Puddles. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook. Click here for extended terms.
PRIZE TERMS: This prize is valid for 1 performance of Alice in Wonderland at the Royal Botanic Gardens on Sunday 13 April 2025 – 11am. The winner will be notified by email. The Winner has 2 days to reply to redeem their prize. If the winner does not reply in that time, Playing in Puddles reserves the right to choose another winner. Prize is not redeemable for cash and not transferable. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook. Click here for extended terms.
More Activities to Enjoy these School Holidays
Have you visited the Central Coast’s 68 Attractions?
Be a tourist in your own town! We have animal and adventure parks, farms to visit, go-karting, laser tag, family entertainment centres and more. Start planning your visit! Check everything out here.
Indoor Adventures on the Central Coast
Escape the cold! Find fun play centres, trampoline parks, and indoor adventures here.
Discover a NEW Playground Today
We have more than 100 playground reviews on Playing in Puddles. Click here to discover a new playground near you.
Art and Digital School Holiday Camps on the Central Coast
Central Coast Creative Hub
What: One-day art camps (full days and half days available). From Water bead Puffy Slime and Picasso Mixed Media wall hangings to Clay pot Fairy Houses.
Where: Point Clare.
Ages: 4.5 years old – 15 years old.
Luna and Co art classes
What: One-day art camps. From air-dry sculpture to acrylic painting.
Where: Niagara Park.
Ages: Different ages across different classes.
Coding camps
There are multiple businesses that run online and in-person digital camps – from coding and website building to DJ and youtube workshops. These businesses sometimes run camps in person on the Central Coast. Check their websites for details.
CIY Club
Code Camp
Sport School Holiday Camps on the Central Coast
Motiv8Sports Central Coast
What: Two- and three-day sport camps plus 4-on-4 football tournaments.
Where: Multiple locations across the Coast. These can vary so check website for details, but generally Erina and Warnervale.
Ages: 5-15 years old.
MVP Football school holiday soccer clinics
What: One- to three-day soccer camps.
Where: Umina.
Ages: Under 6s+.
Brazilian Soccer Schools, Central Coast
What: Three-day soccer camps (half day and full day available).
Where: Tuggerah.
Ages: 5-16 years old.
Dean Heffernan and Central Coast United soccer camps
What: one- and two-day soccer camps (half day).
Where: Tuggerah.
Ages: Under 8s – Under 16s.
Rose Football Academy
What: Half-day soccer camps.
Where: Killarney Vale.
Ages: Kids aged 5-12.
Mighty Mariners Holiday Clinics, Central Coast
What: Three- and two-day soccer + activity camps (half day only).
Where: Tuggerah.
Ages: 6-14 years old.
Newcastle Jets community soccer clinics and Mini Olympic clinics
What: One- and two-day camps (half day only).
Where: Speers Point, New Lambton, Lochinvar, Maitland, Adamstown, Belmont.
Ages: 6-12 years old.
Skateboard, Scooter, BMX and Rollerskating school holiday camps at Slam Factory
What: One- and three-day camps in specific disciplines: skateboarding, rollerskating, BMX or scootering.
Where: Slam Factory, Tuggerah.
Ages: Kids aged 5+.
Horse riding and Animal School Holiday Camps on the Central Coast
The Outlook Riding Academy horse riding holiday camps, Terrigal
What: One-, two- and three-day horse riding and activity camps (full day only).
Where: Terrigal.
Ages: 5-16 years old.
Glenworth Valley Horseriding camps
What: Half-day junior beginner horseriding camp and full-day level 1 beginner horseriding camp. (This is a 1-day camp)
Where: Glenworth Valley.
Ages: 5-16 years – different ages for different camps.
The Australian Reptile Park’s Little Kids to Keeper, Big Kids to Keeper and Inclusive Kids to Keeper experiences
What: One-day experience. A fully escorted workshop offering exclusive behind-the-scenes access and hands-on animal experiences.
Where: The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby.
Ages: Little Kids 2 Keeper: ages 7-12 years. Big Kids 2 Keeper: ages 13-18 years. Inclusive Kids 2 Keeper: ages 7-18 years.
Adventure and Active School Holiday Camps on the Central Coast
Glenworth Valley Adventure Max School Holiday Camp
What: One-day adventure camp. Activities vary depending on the season, but may include horseriding, quad biking, laser tag, kayaking, abseiling and team games (full day only).
Where: Glenworth Valley.
Ages: 7-16 years old.
Roundabout Circus school holiday camps
What: One-day, half-day and 1.5-2 hour camps are available in everything from aerial silks, trapeze and lyra to tumbling, juggling and hula hooping.
Where: Wyoming.
Ages: All ages. Different ages across different classes.
School Holiday Workshops (camps that run for just a couple of hours)
The following venues run school holiday workshops that kids can attend for a couple of hours. It’s a great way to give kids the opportunity to learn a new skill or gauge their curiosity in a different activity.
Ice skating at Erina Ice Arena: 1.5-hour ice skating workshops for children aged 7-15 years old | Erina.
Ninja classes at Australian Warrior Fitness: 1.5-hours of “Australian Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle training for children aged 6-12 (split into age groups) | North Gosford.
Ninja classes at Obstacle Course Racing School: 30-45 minute classes of “Australian Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle training for people aged 3-14+ (split into age groups) | Tuggerah.
Art classes at Gosford Regional Gallery: 2-hour art classes in everything from jewellery making to expressive drawing. Different classes for different age groups from ages 6-adult | East Gosford.
Roundabout Circus: 2-hour classes in anything from silks and trapeze to tumbling and juggling. All ages (classes are split into different age groups) | Wyoming
Other Central Coast school holiday camps to look out for!
From time to time the following venues run school holiday camps and workshops. Check their website for dates.
Marine Discovery Centre
Charmy Indoor Sports
NSW School Holiday Dates for 2025.
We know it’s tricky to plan vacations in advance and to get school holiday camps sorted so parents can continue to work. To make it that little bit easier, here are the school holiday dates for NSW public schools in 2025.
2025 NSW school holiday dates and terms
- Autumn 2025 school holidays – Monday 14 April 2025 to Thursday 24 April 2025.
- Winter 2025 school holidays – Monday 7 July 2025 to Friday 18 July 2025.
- Spring 2025 school holidays – Monday 29 September 2025 to Friday 10 October 2025.
- Summer 2025 school holidays (Eastern division, Central Coast) – Monday 22 December 2025 to Monday 26 January 2026.
- Summer 2025 school holidays (Western division) – Monday 22 December to Monday 2 February 2026.
To advertise your events or holiday camps on Playing in Puddles, click here.
Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
This feature may also contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure for further information.
