Things to Do with Kids in the Hawkesbury These July School Holidays
/Best Things to Do With Kids in the Hawkesbury
July School Holidays Guide
Winter school holidays are one of the best times to visit the Hawkesbury. Crisp mornings, cosy campfires, fresh country air and a calendar full of family-friendly events make it the perfect destination for a winter escape near Sydney.
Whether your children love getting creative, meeting animals, exploring the outdoors, enjoying live shows or discovering something new, you'll find plenty happening across the Hawkesbury and surrounding region these July school holidays. From medieval festivals and mandarin picking to craft workshops, farm experiences and magical light displays, there is something to suit every age and interest.
If you're planning a family getaway or simply looking for ideas to keep the kids entertained, we've rounded up some of the best school holiday activities happening in and around the Hawkesbury this Winter, all within easy reach of Dido's Place.
1. Wollemi Kids Club
credit: wollemi ridge retreat
📅 Date: Various | 🕒 Time: Various
Wollemi Kids Club is a nature-based school holiday program designed to get kids outdoors, exploring, creating and connecting with the natural world.
Think:
🐐 Feeding goats and chickens
🌿 Nature treasure hunts
🏕 Bushcraft and den building
🧚 Fairy house creation
🎨 Nature-inspired crafts
🫧 Giant bubble spectaculars
✨ School Holiday Tip: While the kids are busy exploring, why not take a stroll through the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens in Mt Tomah, go for a local bushwalk, visit the local cider sheds and gin distillery, have a relaxing massage at Spiral Out Holistic Wellness or a fabulous lunch at Melange Bilpin.
📍Wollemi Ridge Retreats, Bilpin
2. School Holiday Craft Club at Artfulness
📅 Date: Wednesday 8th & 15th July | 🕒 Time: 9am - 4pm
🎨 Looking for a fun, screen-free day these school holidays? This creative Craft Camp for children aged 6–12 features hands-on activities including mosaics, painting, sculpting and imaginative play, all in a small-group setting designed to help kids build confidence, make friends and take home their own handmade creations.
💲 Cost: $140
🌈 Calm, supportive setting that is particularly well-suited to neurodivergent children and those who may prefer a smaller group experience.
✨ School Holiday Tip: The Artfulness studio is located in Windsor, a short walk to shops, cafes, the Hawkesbury Gallery and the Hawkesbury Museum.
📍Artfulness, Windsor
3. Winterfest
📅 Date: 4th & 5th July | 🕒 Time: 10am - 5pm
👑 Step back in time at Hawkesbury Winterfest, one of Australia's largest medieval festivals, featuring jousting tournaments, knights, Viking battles, market stalls, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Held annually at the Hawkesbury Showground, it's a unique winter event that brings history to life for visitors of all ages.
💲 Cost: $17.50 - $40 day pass
✨ School Holiday Tip: Kids under 5 are free. Wear gumboots or old sports shoes if it has been raining. Queue up for food early to avoid long waiting times.
📍Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon
4. Art Classes at Makers, Painters & Mayhem
📅 Date: Various Weekdays | 🕒 Time: Various times
🎨 Creative kids will love the school holiday art classes at Makers, Painters & Mayhem. These workshops allow children to explore painting, craft and mixed-media projects in a relaxed studio environment. You can even have your hair braided.
Read all about our Recent Visit here
✨ School Holiday Tip: Parents & Carers have the option to stay or drop off. Why not explore Windsor while the kids are having fun. Try out the new cafe serving Filipino desserts Hanmades Bakehouse or enjoy a coffee or lunch at popular Simons Cafe.
📍196 George Street, Windsor
5. Bligh Park Hotel School Holiday Workshops
credit: bligh park hotel
📅 Date: Various | 🕒 Time: Various
🍟 Several fun school holiday workshops for kids, including:
💲 Cost: $20 - $25
✨ School Holiday Tip: Get in quick to book, classes are selling out fast! They have the largest indoor playground in Western Sydney and an arcade room to keep the kids busy. They also have a family friendly dining area surrounding the play area so you can relax while the kids have fun!
📍101 Ham Street, South Windsor
6. School Holiday Fun at R.G. McGees
credit: rg mcgees
📅 Date: Tues, Wed & Thurs | 🕒 Time: Various
🧸 Looking for school holiday fun in the Hawkesbury? R.G. McGee's has packed the winter break with magical shows, Build-A-Bear workshops, reptile encounters, cupcake decorating, science experiments and creative activities, all designed to inspire, entertain and keep the kids smiling.
Tue 7 July – AJ Magic Show
Wed 8 July – Potters & Pint Sized Picassos
Thurs 9 July – Build A Bear
Tue 14 July – Cupcake & Cookie Decorating
Wed 15 July – Interactive Reptile Show
Thurs 16 July – The Crazy Scientist Slime & Science Workshop
💲 Cost: $20 - $30
✨ School Holiday Tip: Limited spots per session so book in early.
📍193 Windsor St, Richmond
7. Mandarin Picking
credit: watkins family farm
📅 Date: Various 🕒 Time: Various
🍊 One of the sweetest winter activities in the Hawkesbury is mandarin picking, where families can wander through picturesque orchards and fill their baskets with juicy, sun-ripened fruit. It's a simple yet memorable experience that combines fresh air, beautiful countryside and plenty of tasty treats to take home.
Popular orchards include:
✨ School Holiday Tip: Check Facebook pages and websites for opening times, fruit availability and if bookings are required before visiting. Wear closed toe shoes and sun smart clothing.
8. Lightfields at The Vineyard
credit: the vineyard
📅 Date: Runs until 30th August | 🕒 Time: Everyday from 4pm
💡One of Western Sydney's most spectacular winter attractions, Lightfield at The Vineyard invites families to wander through a glowing world of more than 70 giant illuminated lanterns and magical light displays. Complete with arcade and carnival games, a silent disco, glow carts, showbags, tasty food and a cosy Bromic Warm Zone, it's an unforgettable winter evening for all ages.
💲 Cost: Infants 0-2 yrs free, Kids 3-5 yrs from $6.18, Adults 16+ yrs from $11.40
✨ School Holiday Tip: Book tickets in advance for session times. Allow 45 mins - 1 hour to do the experience. Dress warm. Grab dinner afterwards at the Bistro. Kids meals available, Check out their menu here.
📍725 Windsor Rd, Vineyard
9. Free Kids Activities at The Vineyard
credit: the vineyard
📅 Date: Tues, Thurs & Sat | 🕒 Time: 12pm - 2pm
🐎 Looking for a budget-friendly school holiday activity? The Vineyard offers a range of free activities for children throughout the school holidays, from pony rides and reptiles to magic shows and a dance party. It's a great way to keep the kids entertained while parents can relax and enjoy a great pub meal.
Sat 4 July – Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
Tue 7 July – Young Scientists Slime and Ball Making
Thu 9 July – Reptiles Up Close
Sat 11 July – K-Pop Demon Hunters Dance Party
Tue 14 July – The Pretty Amazing Jono Magic Show
Thu 16 July – Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
Sat 18 July – JD’s Strolling Magic & Balloon Making
✨ School Holiday Tip: Get in before 12pm and grab a table close to the action.
📍725 Windsor Rd, Vineyard
10. North Richmond Panthers School Holiday Activities
📅 Date: Various | 🕒 Time: Various
🧸These school holidays, North Richmond Panthers have an array of activities for all ages. From Build-A-Bear workshops to learning to play like a Penrith Panther. And as an added bonus, between the 6th - 19th July, they have $13 kids meal deals for lunch and dinner.
Tue & Wed 7-8 July – Play Like A Panther Holiday Clinic
Wed 8 & Tues 14 July – Moana vs Minions Kids Bingo
Thurs 16 July – Build-A-Bear Workshop
✨ School Holiday Tip: Bookings are essential.
📍33 Beaumont Ave, North Richmond
11. Winter School Holiday Program at the Secret Garden Community Hub
📅 Date: 6 - 17 July | 🕒 Time: 9am – 3pm
🌱 The Secret Garden Community Hub is offering two weeks of exciting Winter School Holiday activities for young people with disability aged 12–17. From farm visits and Blue Mountains adventures to bowling, Timezone, arts and crafts, movies and even a Metro ride, it's a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, build confidence and create lasting holiday memories.
✨ School Holiday Tip: For more info and to book, please contact PET@nwds.org.au, 02 9686 4155
📍Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, E14, Clydesdale La, Richmond
12. Building Connections Holiday Program
📅 Date: 17 July | 🕒 Time: 9.30am – 3pm
🐎 The Building Connections Holiday Program offers a fantastic day of horses, art, fishing, open-fire cooking and plenty of hands-on fun, including learning how to make giant floating bubbles! Designed to help young people build confidence, friendships and new skills, this inclusive program welcomes all NDIS participants.
💲 Cost: $220 per child
✨ School Holiday Tip: For ages 6-16 years. Places are limited, so early registration is recommended. https://form.jotform.com/251001425639853
Any further information, please contact admin@adonaiequine.com.au
📍89 Mitchell Park Road, Cattai NSW 2756
13. Hillbilly Kids Pizza Classes
📅 Date: 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17 July | 🕒 Time: 10.45am
🍕 A hands-on school holiday experience that's always a hit with little foodies! Kids will learn how to make their own pizza from scratch before sitting down to enjoy their creation with a refreshing glass of apple juice.
💲 Cost: $20 per child
✨ School Holiday Tip: Email bookings@hillbillycider.com.au to check availability. Pay via their website shop page.
📍2230 Bells Line Of Road, Bilpin 2758
14. Science & Nature at the Australiana Pioneer Village
📅 Date: Wednesdays 8 & 15 July (Plus every Sunday as usual) | 🕒 Time: 10am - 3pm
🌿 Learn and discover all about science and nature these school holidays. Pack a picnic too and enjoy their 28 acres of picnic areas with BBQs or choose to eat in at the Oxboro Inn or Damper Camp. Take a ride on the Pioneer Express, Village Express or Tractor Hayride.
💲 Cost: Children under 3 free, Children/Seniors/Carers $5, Adults $10, Family Pass $25 (2 adults & 2 children). Rides are at an additional cost.
✨ School Holiday Tip: No bookings required, card preferred. Check their Facebook Page prior to visiting to ensure no last minute closures due to weather.
📍Rose Street, Wilberforce 2756
15. Permaculture Hawkesbury Valley Winter School Holiday Program
📅 Date: Various | 🕒 Time: Various
🍎 Children can enjoy a range of hands-on farm experiences at Permaculture Hawkesbury Valley, including animal care, gardening, bushcraft and survival skills. Set on a working permaculture farm in Wilberforce, these nature-based programs encourage kids to learn, explore, make new friends and build confidence while having plenty of outdoor fun.
💲 Cost: $54.26 - $117.79
✨ School Holiday Tip: Spots are limited so book early on their Eventbrite Page
📍10 Rose Street, Wilberforce (Inside the Australiana Pioneer Village)
16. Hawkesbury Family Funday Raceday
📅 Date: 19 July | 🕒 Time: From 11am
🐎 Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at Hawkesbury Race Club, with free kids' activities including pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, sensory play, ride-on vehicles and a kids' dance party. With under 18s admitted free, plenty of food options and a vibrant raceday atmosphere, it's a fantastic school holiday outing for the whole family.
💲 Cost: Adults $15, Under 18s Free
📍Hawkesbury Race Club, Clarendon NSW
17. Learn How to Audition for a Musical with Fantasia Showstoppers
📅 Date: 13 & 14 July | 🕒 Time: 10am - 4pm
🎭 Calling all aspiring performers! Join Fantasia Showstoppers' two-day school holiday workshop where children will learn valuable audition skills for musical theatre while working with songs, scenes and material from Shrek The Musical. It's a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, develop performance techniques and experience what it's like to audition for a stage production in a fun and supportive environment.
💲 Cost: $120
📍School of Arts, Richmond NSW 2753
July School Holidays May Be Booked Out, But It's Not Too Late to Plan Your Next Escape
We're incredibly grateful to share that Dido's Place is now fully booked for the July School Holidays, and bookings for the September/October School Holidays are already starting to fill. If you're hoping to secure a family getaway later this year, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
There are still a handful of Winter stays available throughout August, making it the perfect opportunity to experience one of the most magical times of year in the Hawkesbury.
Located in the heart of the Hawkesbury, Dido's Place is a private family-friendly holiday home set on 9 peaceful acres, just a short drive from many of the activities featured above. After a day of farm adventures, school holiday workshops or exploring the region, return to your own private countryside retreat where the kids can continue the fun while the adults finally relax.
This Winter, families staying at Dido's Place can enjoy:
🔥 Toasting marshmallows around the campfire under the stars
☕ Complimentary hot chocolate
🥔 Digging up potatoes from the veggie patch and cooking jacket potatoes in the campfire coals
🛁 Soaking in the outdoor hot tub on crisp Winter evenings
🎬 Family movie nights in the theatre room with complimentary popcorn
🎣 Fishing in your own private dam
🧚 Exploring the fairy garden and magic potion station
⚒️ Digging for gemstones in the construction and mining zone
🌱 Visiting the vegetable garden and seasonal produce patches
🏡 Exclusive use of the entire property with no shared spaces
Created by a Mum for families, Dido's Place has been thoughtfully designed to make travelling with children easier. From cots, highchairs and baby equipment through to activities for toddlers, primary-aged children and teens, we've taken care of the little details so you can focus on making memories together.
Whether you're planning a cosy Winter escape in August or looking ahead to the September/October School Holidays, Dido's Place is the perfect base for exploring everything the Hawkesbury has to offer.
September/October School Holiday dates are already booking fast. Secure your stay early so you don't miss out.
