It is a little hard to believe that school is about to finish up for the year and go into holiday mode! I still remember the first day of school when I sent my twin boys off for their first day of preschool at the start of this year! Such a big moment in their little lives. School holidays sort of bring a love hate relationship with them. While as parents you welcome the break to routine – the early rises, the lunch box packing, the washing and ironing of uniforms (well no ironing in my house lol) the constant after school activities and commitments. Consequently on the flip side you then also have to entertain them. Sure you can laze about the house for some days but if your kids are anything like mine – they start to drive you up the wall and need to go out and do an activity or go somewhere.
We have rounded up some great free or reasonably priced activities to keep your sanity and keep the kids busy these school holidays! Don’t forget our blog on 20 easy home activities to also keep your little ones entertained!
December 
City of Darwin – Christmas in the City
Visit Santa’s village in Anthony Plaza the Mall for a photo and tell him all your Christmas wishes. (Mum and Dad remember you own camera!)
Santa will be there Monday 11th Dec – Saturday 16th Dec 9.30 am-11 am and 11.30 am – 1 pm. Also Monday 18th -Saturday 23rd 9.30 am-11 am and 11.30 am-1 pm
Christmas Fun in the Parks – the Smith Street Mall Darwin CBD
The fun in the parks crew will be set up in the Mall from Monday 11th December – Friday 15th December and Monday 18th December to Friday 22nd December. 9 am till 12 noon. They will have a variety of interactive fun activities set up for the kids to enjoy!
Christmas songs, choirs and brass band
Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th December between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm catch the harmonic school choirs singing in the Galleria. On Saturday 16th and 23rd of December the Darwin Brass Band will be playing all your favourite Christmas tunes from 10 am till 1 pm in the Mall.
Christmas carols will be in the Wednesday 13th December at 6 pm at Casuarina Library and Saturday 16th at 10 am at Nightcliff library.
Darwin Waterfront
Santa will be at the wave lagoon and a whole lot of fun activities on Sunday 17th December at 11 am till 2pm.
City of Darwin Libraries
Christmas craft activities are happening on Mon 18th, Tue 19th, Wed 20th and Thurs 21st December. 2.30 pm to 4 pm at various libraries. Bookings are essential – click here. Note some sessions are already booking out! Cut, fold, glue and glitter all afternoon and make some beautiful paper Christmas craft decorations with local artist Linda Joy. Sessions are for children aged 5+
Photo credit – City of Darwin Libraries
Christmas bedtime stories will be held at Casuarina library at 6 pm on Thursday 21st December. Suitable for children 2- 10 yrs with their grown ups. Wear your pyjamas and bring a teddy along. No need to book just come along.
Palmerston school holiday program
Lots of activities for the older kids and teenagers from table top gaming, cultural days, sporting activities plus much more. All free activities put on by various providers including YMCA, PaRBA, Balanced Choice and City of Palmerston to name a few. Check here for the full program
Darwin Squash Centre
4 hours of super fun holiday program in an indoor, sun-safe & air-conditioned environment. Kids can play squash, racquetball, cricket, soccer, arts and crafts and finish off with a movie screened on the court wall. All food is provided. For ages 5+
This program is on Tuesdays and Thursdays through December and January. 10am – 2pm and costs $20 per child. For all the dates available and to book click here.
Bunnings Palmerston
There are some great workshops being held from 11 am to 12 noon on some Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in December. The workshops include Santa’s little helper workshops, school holiday program and craft workshops. For all the details and to make your booking head here.
January
Burning Circus
Have you heard of the awesome new cafe and circus space opened up in Stuart Park? Located at 2/6 Charles Street, the Burning Circus will be running some awesome school holiday games, craft and circus workshops from Tuesday 2nd of January through to Saturday 27th January. Bookings can be made on 0431 198 743 or email theburningcircus1@gmail.com
Costs vary from $5 – $10 per person and coffees for Mum or Dad just $4! So enjoy a coffee, while the kids take part in a fun filled activity!
City of Darwin Libraries
The Libraries have lots of great activities for you to join in. There are Christmas activities, robot workshops, LEGO exhibits, movies, the Summer Reading Club and heaps more. Click here to read all about when and where things are happening this holiday season! I know I will be booking in for the fantastic LEGO exhibition! My kids are lego mad!
Darwin Waterfront
There is an awesome line up of fun down at the waterfront for January including free activities on every week day from 10am to 12pm (midday) from Monday 8th to Thursday 25th January 2018.
The free fun will include a magic work shop, waterslides, bubble sports, sailing and surf life saving in the Recreation Lagoon, sand art, balloon twisting, kids disco, AFLNT Auskick and also come ‘n’ try hockey.
Photo credit Darwin Waterfront
NT Art Storms – Sand cards, scratch cards and Batik Art!
Our friends over at NT Art Storms will be keeping lots of little people very busy and showing off their creativity around Darwin, Palmerston and beyond!
Here are some of the dates, times and locations you can catch NT Art Storms!
December 13th and also 19th 9 am – 12 noon Smith St Mall as part of Fun in the Parks.
December 16th 10 am – 2 pm at Hibiscus Shops Leanyer – Various art activities
January 9th (Sand Cards) and also January 23rd (Scratch Art) Coolalinga Central 10 am-1 pm
January 9th (Sand Cards) and also January 23rd (Scratch Art) 2 pm – 4 pm Timezone Casuarina
January 12th 10 am – 12.30pm Batik Inks City of Darwin
January 16th 10 am – 1pm Batik Inks Coolalinga Central
As any other School holiday things pop up we will add them here or save them on our facebook page. Also leave us a comment below if you know of another great activity happening that other families should know about!
Fun in the parks
