It's nearly that time again, with just under a week left of Term 2 for Victorian school children.
It was 6:27am on Day 1 of the school holidays, when Susie heard the familiar cry of, 'Mum, I'm bored...' (Image by Shanon at Pixabay)
The one thing that can make school holidays a bit more difficult during winter is the weather, which can limit outdoor activities, such as the beach and playgrounds. And, while it's nice to spend some quality family time indoors at home, it's nice to get out and about too.
Muffin was feeling the effects of being cooped up inside for 5 days straight watching Netflix (Image by jwskks5786 at Pixabay)
Fortunately, Geelong has some great, indoor activities on during these July holidays that are sure to keep the kids entertained, and best of all, are completely free.
1.Geelong Regional Library Activities - Various locationsThe Geelong Regional Library always has a great range of activities on offer, and these holidays are no exception.
Activities include:
Dream Catcher Craft Sessions
Chinese Lantern Craft Sessions
Japanese Paper Doll Craft Sessions
Make your own dream catcher at the Geelong library (Image by Unsplash via Pixabay)
There are also a number of activities for older children, which includes a Pizza and Movie session, Knitting 101, Celtic Knot Bracelet-making, and Mehndi Designs.
Activities are free, but they are popular so you will need to book (bookings are done online, via the library website).
2. Bunnings Free Weekend Activities - Various locationsBunnings are well known for their free craft and DIY sessions, and these school holidays they are holding some fantastic activities to coincide with NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) week.
Across the 4 stores in the Greater Geelong region, there will be a range of activities including: boomerang painting, Indigenous-themed craft, dot paint, and dot art on Australian picture frames.
If this is what a painting session usually looks like at home, why not take the kids to Bunnings to express their creativity (Image by evondue at Pixabay)
All workshops are free and suitable for children over the age of 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and places are limited, so make sure you book online.
When: Saturdays and Sundays during the July 2017 Victorian school holidays (see store websites for more details)
Time: Various
Where: Bunnings have stores at Geelong North, Leopold, Waurn Ponds, and Torquay.
Cost: Free
More Information: For more information, please see each individual store website:
3. Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre Candy Academy - Waurn PondsThese holidays, the events are candy-themed at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre. There'll be activities available from Monday to Friday, 11am - 2pm during both weeks of the holidays.
In the first week, kids will be able to decorate their own candy vision goggles, and in the second, they'll be able to decorate their own candy-coloured tea set. There will also be competitions and giveaways.
(Image from 'What's On: Geelong and Surrounds' Magazine)
When: Monday - Friday of both weeks of the July school holidays.
Time: 11am-2pm, Monday to Friday of the July holidays
Where: Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Waurn Ponds
Cost: Free
More Information: Visit the
Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre Website or
Facebook Page
4. Bellarine village - Newcomb
Bellarine Village Shopping Centre will be holding six free activity sessions during the July school holidays, with a theme of 'Create and Decorate'.
Decorate some biscuits at Bellarine Village (Image by jill111 at Pixabay)
The sessions run from 11am-1pm, and include:
'Under the Sea'-themed recycled craft
Westfield Shopping Centre has a number of free activities for children of all ages.
In the first week of the holidays, on Monday and Tuesday, the Narana School Holiday Program will be held from 10am-3pm in Centre Court. Activities will include painting, colouring-in, jewellery-making and dreamtime story time.
Then on the Wednesday and Thursday of the first week, Skate Fest will be held (again in Centre Court, from 10am-3pm). Bookings are required for the skate lessons (you can book online
here), and there will also be free skate sessions, where bookings aren't required.
A colouring-in and craft station will also be set up alongside the skate area.
They see me rollin'... (Image by Lebron at Pixabay.)
In the second week, on Monday the 10th of July, The Storytelling Fairy will be appearing at Myer on Level 1, from 10am-1pm.
Free Ice-Cream will also be available for the first 200 children.
When: 3rd-7th and 10th of July 2017 (see website for full program)
Time: From 10am
Where: Westfield Geelong
Cost: Free
More Information: Westfield Geelong Events Page
...and if you're still looking for a few more (free) activities
Gateway Plaza Leopold will have free face painting and performances by popular children's band, 'The Mik Maks'.
Market Square Geelong, in the CBD, had scheduled a number of free cooking classes, however they were very popular and are now all fully booked. They do still have a number of other activities, such as free face-painting, craft (includes free coffee for parents), a jumping castle, and 'Gigi Blok' building.
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Corio Central will have free face painting and balloon twisting.
