School Holiday Survival Guide - Geelong

We understand that 6 weeks is a long time to have the kids home! When they are bored with their Christmas presents, heres a list of things to do, to get you all out of the house.

Bannockburn Heart Water Park.

Open 9am -9pm in the warmer months.

Located on the corner of Milton and Byron St, Bannockburn.

Waterpark features a huge slide, flying fox, a sand pit, and even a ninja warrior course. The highlight is the water zone.

Portarlington Charity Carnival

Open 7pm - late. 24th December to late Jan

A gorgeous carnival by the . beach in picturesque Portarlington.

Cost: Free entry, pay per ride

Giant Sky Wheel, Geelong Waterfront

Open 11am - 11pm

If you're not afraid of heights, jump on the largest travelling Ferris Wheel in the Southern Hemisphere, down at Eastern Beach, You'll get a great view of our picturesque waterfront, you can see straight across the bay to the You Yangs.

The ride takes approximately 7 - 10 minutes. My kids love

Cost: $9 per person

The Messy Patch

1135 Surfcoast Highway, Mount Duneed.

The team behind the Messy Patch, aim to give children a chance to be messy in a sensory and exciting environment.

They cater for newborns to primary school aged kids in age-group inclusive play sessions, events and parties.

Activities change daily, so you can return many times.

Parents can enjoy a coffee on site whilst the kids get messy and have a ball!

The You Yangs

The You Yangs is one of our favourite places to visit and let the kids run free. There are so many different BBQ areas and walking trails to explore. Our kids love exploring the teepees made of fallen branches, climbing trees and jumping in puddles on the big rock.

If you have more energy to burn you could always attempt the trail made of steps from the turntable carpark to the top! Great way to tire the kids out!

Explore the Menu at Millars Lara

Millars is located in Grand Lakes Estate, next to a huge playground. Their menu is scrumptious and provides well priced kids items that your kiddos will love.

Lara Swimming Pool

Bank Street, Lara

This is the perfect place to take kids to cool off. The children play area has a large pirate theme outdoor playground, with waterslides, canons and huge water dump bucket.

There is a shaded toddler pool next the playground and this entire area in fenced off from the rest of the space. I found to be perfect with a 6 year old and 4 year old on my own! Now they are a little older we tackle the big pool.

Open Monday-Friday 6am-6pm

Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm

Waterworld Family Fun Day

January 19, 2020

Come along to the Waterworld Family Fun Day this Summer!

There's plenty of fun to keep the the whole family entertained, with:

free entry
pool inflatables
dive tower and rock wall
kids movie
face painting
Webster meet and greet
competitions and prizes
free giveaways (fruit and Zooper Doopers)

Family Fun Day GMHBA Stadium

Saturday January 11, 2020

Open Training session from 10am
Opportunities for signatures and even a selfie with both AFL and AFLW players (From 2.30pm)
Meet Half Cat and Clawdia
The Mik Maks
Kids Activities
Sensory Zone open (Located at the Deakin Cats Community Centre)
Charles & Co. Cafe
Cats Merchandise
Cats Membership
GMHBA AIA Vitality offer
Viva Energy DJ, Handball competition, Great Wheel - spinning up loads of prizes!
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation - enjoy a free slurpee + team posters
Deakin University - Test your coordination skills with the Deakin Reactor

Day out with Thomas

January 18 2020

Bring Thomas and his Friends to life. Thomas The Tank Engine will be at Queenscliff all day, for unlimited rides in those Troublesome Trucks.Oliver will take everyone on a scenic 45-minute trip from Queenscliff to Lakers Siding and return – trains depart at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pmThe whole family can enjoy unlimited rides with Thomas on the Troublesome Trucks; a steam train ride to Lakers Siding with one of Thomas’ Friends and the chance to win a Thomas DVD by entering the ‘Spot the Engine’ competition.The event is from 10:00am to 4:00pm and includes unlimited access to the jumping castles, maze, movie theatre, photo opportunities galore and more.Family tickets are available - Online bookings are highly recommended to avoid disappointment, as the event can sell out.

Serendip Sanctuary

This is the perfect place to learn about and experience birdlife and wetlands ecology.

The Wildlife Walk is an easy stroll walk for both kids and adults and allows for close encounters with emus and kangaroos.

There is also a bird viewing cabin, where you can peer across the wetlands and watch the birds in their natural habitat.

Fairy Park, Anakie

Set over 22 acres of landscaped gardens, Anakie's Fairy Park has brought fairy tales to life for children (and adults) since 1959! Featuring handmade puppets and gnomes, and animated scenes from fairytales, castles, gardens and incredible 360-degree views from the to of the mountain.

Ticket prices: Over 14 : $18, Over 3: $10, Under 3 - Free

Head to the Movies.

When its too hot outside, go chill in some air-conditioning. Plenty of kid friendly movies on such as The Addams Family, Frozen 2, Little Women, Jumunji, StarWars, The Queens Corgi, Let's Get Epic, Spies in Disguise.

Uncle Bucks Ice Creamery

54 Fellmongers Road, Breakwater.

Open from 10am - 10pm

Uncle Bucks Ice-Creamery located within Buckleys Entertainment Centre, is every kids dream come true! Filled with rows of lollies and chocolates to pick and mix, to create the most amazing ice cream.

Delicious and worth a trip

RORAIMA NURSERY

20 Swan Street, Lara.

A gorgeous local nursery for the kids and adults alike to explore. Beautiful display garden, and pretty garden trails to wander.

Gold Coin Entry

Adventure Park

Victoria’s biggest theme park, located just minutes from central Geelong. 24 super fun waterslides and rides to choose from including a Tornado waterslide

This year they are holding a series of twilight events where families can splash under the stars in December and January.

Featuring all the awesome water rides, action rides, family rides they are famous for AND watch kids movies on the outdoor cinema while chilling to live entertainment.

The Tornado, the Lazy River, the Aqua Racer waterslide, Gold Rush Rapid waterslides and the family friendly water playgrounds will be open as well as the Ferris Wheel, Grand Carousel, the Crazy Coaster, Wave Swinger, Red Baron, mini golf and Little Buggy Speedway cars. Lazy River and Shipwreck Harbour will close at dusk. Train and Archery will be closed.

Event times & dates

6.30pm-10pm (rides to close at 9.30pm)

Friday 11 January | Friday 18 January 2019.

Prices:

$27 General admission, guests 120cm tall & over
$17 Junior admission, guests 90cm to 120cm tall
Children under 90cm FREE

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie

The Chocolaterie has such a magical feel, for both children and parents.

Visit the cafe, purchase some yummy chocolates made on side, and look through the viewing window as the chocolates are being made before your eyes.

They are also running Junior Chocolatier Class's for 6-12 year olds.

Where they can learn from chocolatiers how to make their very own chocolate creations. $40 includes personalised badge, chef’s hat and apron, graduation certificate plus take home three chocolate creations to enjoy.

Sessions Available:

Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th, Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th, Tuesday 22nd & Thursday 24th January. Bookings are essential.

Freshwater Creek Cottages Farm Tour.

815 Pettavel Road, Freshwater Creek

Tour this gorgeous farm, helping the friendly farmers feed the pigs, piglets, sheep, cows, horses, goats, chooks, ducks and kangaroos!

There is a playground, bikes of all shapes and sizes and an undercover sand pit.

The cost is $15 per child and adults are free.

Tours run on Saturday mornings and alternate week days. Please call or send a message via Facebook to book.

Daniel's Donuts, Portarlington

Take the kids for a drive down to Portarlington to frolic on the beach and buy some delicious donuts from the Daniel's Donuts store. We haven't tried these yet, but we are heading down there today!

Family Day at The Edge

New Years Day

New Years Day is sorted for you. Visit the Kids Play Space fat The Edge, faace painting & balloon twisting provided.

Bookings via https://edgegeelong.com.au/

Australia Day Fireworks

Jan 26, 2020 9.15-9.30pm

Pull up a spot and watch fireworks light up the sky. Popular viewing spots are Eastern Beach, Steampacket Gardens, Rippleside, Avalon Beach Lara, North Shore beach, and alongside the Powerhouse in North Geelong.

PlayHut Playcentre, Breakwater

This brand new playcentre have a huge 3 level Indoor playground!

Powered ball canons, indoor tramploines, climb through tunnels, ballpits and massive slides!

There is a toddler zone for the smaller children, with a float on water pond and softly padded merry-go-round.

Queenscliff Carnival of Fun!!

This hidden gem, is a family friendly kids carnival open again this year from 12:00 noon to 8pm everyday from Boxing day through to the 21st Jan

Rollercoasters, haunted house, games, dodgem cars, yummy food stalls. Well worth the visit!

LEGO CHALLENGE

Are you up for the LEGO®Challenge? Test your building skills by completing as many of theLEGO®challenges as possible in one hour.Ages 8+

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/legochallenge-geelong-west-library-tickets-83570191693?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

GLORIOUS GARDENS

What will you find hidden in your garden? Join us for a magical session of stories and songs, and then create your own garden inspired craft to take home. All ages.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/glorious-gardens-geelong-west-library-tickets-83570093399?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

DREAM CATCHER CREATIONS

Join us for this special hands-on session and make your own dream catcher to take home. Ages 5+

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dream-catchers-geelong-library-and-heritage-centre-tickets-83570408341?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

LITTLE YOGIS

Relax, bend, and stretch in this interactive yoga adventure for children and families. Please note that this program is not delivered by qualified yoga teachers. Ages 5+

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/little-yogis-geelong-west-library-tickets-83571429395?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

2040 SCREENING

STRICTLY 12-25 YEAR OLDS ONLY

THURSDAY 16TH JANUARY 11AM – 3PM

GEELONG LIBRARY

Enjoy a screening of the award winning film '2040', over lunch chat about all things environmental followed in the afternoon by making & decorating your own take home herb and vegie planters.

Lunch & snacks included.

Bookings essential via www.geelongyouth.eventbrite.com.au