Keep the kids busy these September school holidays

School holidays are coming round again, and if you’re wondering how to entertain the kiddos for 2 weeks, you’re not alone. The familiar juggle is happening all across the Central Coast – how to keep the kids entertained, get them out of the house and keep things relatively low-cost – without losing what marbles you have left.

So to help you stay one step ahead of the boredom, we’ve pulled together a bunch of activities to fill the days, keep everyone happy, and make the most of the September school holidays on the Central Coast.

Central Coast school holiday guide

Updated September 2026

There’s a good mix this spring, from full-day camps and quick workshops to family shows and free activities. We’ve covered creative kids, sporty kids, curious kids and plenty of options designed purely to burn off some energy. Some of the most popular Central Coast school holiday programs book out early, so it’s worth checking ages, session times and booking requirements before making any promises.

Kamispace

For kids who can never pass up a paintbrush, Kamispace has put together a spring holiday program with plenty to get stuck into. Their workshops are process-based, so children are encouraged to follow their own ideas and find joy in creative experimentation. The line-up includes:

• Dinos & Dragons (Wednesday 30 September): clay fossils, wooden dinosaurs and dragons, shadow art and a collaborative masterpiece
• Kami Kids Open Studio (Thursday 1 & Friday 2 October): giving kids free rein across painting, clay, printmaking, beading and more
• Fairy Magic (Wednesday 7 & Thursday 8 October): complete with fairy doors, lanterns, potions and a magical fairy garden
• Cuppa & Crafts Family Day (Friday 9 October): grown-ups stay and create alongside the kids, with coffee and babycinos available from neighbouring Local Hero Coffee Roasters

They’re all held in the accessible, sensory-friendly studio at Unit 5/13 Bonnal Road, Erina.

You can book school holiday workshops at Kamispace here.

Motiv8sports

Kids from kindy to year 6 go mad for the action-packed school holiday programs at Motiv8sports! The team has this school-holiday business down to a fine art, and kids of all abilities are quickly pulled into the fun – even if they arrive without a mate in tow.

This spring, Motiv8’s two-day Big Battle camps will be running at:

• Central Coast Grammar, Erina Heights (Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 September)
• MacKillop Catholic College, Woongarrah (Thursday 1 – Friday 2 October)
• Brisbane Water Secondary College, Umina (Thursday 8 – Friday 9 October)

Each Big Battle runs from 8.30am – 3.30pm and combines team challenges, new sports, music and plenty of that trademark Motiv8 energy. Tickets are $125 for the two days, or $75 when using a $50 Active and Creative Kids voucher.

There’s also a new one-day Footy Fanatics camp at Pat Morley Oval, Bateau Bay, on Wednesday 7 October. This isn’t a drills-and-skills clinic: for $65, kids will jump into games like Ultimate League, Super Tag and Super Touch, with the focus on fun and participation, and a pizza lunch included.

Book the kids in for a Motiv8sports camp now.

NumberWorks’nWords Erina

Holiday learning that doesn’t feel too much like school? NumberWorks’nWords Erina has it sorted. Their October Holiday Course gives kids the chance to brush up on maths, English or both in a fun, positive setting, with each session tailored to exactly what they need – rather than working through more of the same.

It’s a brilliant confidence boost for anyone who found parts of Term 3 a little tricky, and is particularly valuable for senior students prepping for end-of-year exams. They can revisit key concepts, ask questions and work through challenging areas without the pressure of a busy school week.

The course runs from Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 October, from 10am – 12pm at 1/213 The Entrance Road, Erina. Places are limited, so book your free assessment now to see how NumberWorks’nWords can support your child.

Central Coast school holiday activities & events

PAW Patrol Takes Over the Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October

Ryder, Chase and Marshall are trading Adventure Bay for the Australian bush these school holidays! Catch them live at 11am and 1pm daily, book a noon meet-and-greet with Chase and Marshall and help complete the Junior Wildlife Ranger mission. There’s also a PAW Patrol jumping castle, free face painting, baby animal shows and all the park’s usual croc-and-gator action. Everything is included with standard entry; meet-and-greets are free but must be booked.

Central Coast Mariners Open Training, Tuggerah
Monday 28 September and Monday 5 October | 10:30am

Got a little football fan at home? These school holidays, head to the Mariners Centre of Excellence in Tuggerah at 10:30am to watch the Central Coast Mariners train as they prepare for the new A-League Men’s season. Stick around afterwards for a player signing session and maybe even get a signature from their favourite player!

G-Force Pole & Aerials School Holiday Workshops, West Gosford
Wednesday 30 September and Tuesday 6 October | 11am-3pm

Let them climb, tumble and manoeuvre through four hours of holiday fun at G-Force Pole & Aerials. Each workshop includes aerials, tumbling, crafts, games and more, with plenty of encouragement for kids at every level – including those whose aerial experience begins and ends with launching themselves off the couch! Sessions run from 11am-3pm and cost $60 per child, with limited spots available.

Scholastic Books Warehouse Sale, Lisarow
Wednesday 30 September – Friday 2 October | 8am-5pm

Start making room on the shelf! Scholastic’s three-day Lisarow Warehouse Sale is back with thousands of children’s books at 50% off RRP, $2 titles and fill-a-box deals for $49. There’ll also be story time, character appearances and free face painting each day, plus a fire truck visit on Wednesday and a petting zoo on Thursday. 100% Coasties-kid-approved, and this well-timed sale is especially perfect to stock up on Christmas presents.

Tuff Nutterz Central Coast, The Entertainment Grounds, West Gosford
Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 October | 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course is back, bringing 300 metres of climbing, crawling, bouncing and sliding to the Central Coast. Each session gives families 105 minutes to tackle the main course and miniature course, with the enormous seven-metre Tuff Slide available as an upgrade. Tickets start at $25 per person for groups of four or more, and it’s open to all ages – and if you want even more, you can win prizes at the Tuff Shot target game or laugh yourself silly as you roll around inside a giant zorb ball.

Skate & Paint, The Entrance & Bateau Bay
Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October | 10am-1pm

One for kids who would rather make art with wheels under them! The Skate & Paint sessions bring the Central Coast Skatepark Series to Picnic Point Skatepark on Wednesday and Bateau Bay Skatepark on Thursday, mixing time on the ramps with a hands-on painting activity. Both three-hour sessions are free.

Paint & Sip at Kulnura Memorial Hall
Tuesday 29 September | 10am-11:30am

An excellent excuse to make a mess somewhere other than the kitchen table! Kids can settle in with a paintbrush and a drink for 90 minutes of guided creativity, then head home with an artwork of their own. The session costs $10 per child and bookings are essential.

Australian Warrior Fitness School Holiday Camps, Gosford
Wednesday 30 September and Wednesday 7 October | 8am-4pm

Ninja training, parkour and obstacle-course racing should take care of any excess holiday energy! Australian Warrior Fitness is running two full-day camps for kids aged 5-12, mixing time on the obstacles with games, relays and team challenges. Drop-off is from 8am and pick-up is any time before 4pm, making this a handy one for working parents too. Camps cost $65 per child, with 5% off for additional siblings.

Run Away with Roundabout Circus, Gosford
Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October

School’s out and the circus is calling! Kids aged 5-13 can spend a half or full day trying trapeze, tumbling, juggling and all kinds of tricks that will make the living-room floor look rather boring afterwards. No circus experience is needed – just a willingness to have a go. Half-day camps are $50 and full days are $90, with places available across both weeks.

Junior Ranger: Wyrrabalong Coastal Adventure
Saturday 3 October | 2.30pm-4.30pm | Wyrrabalong National Park

Got a kid who comes home from every walk with pockets full of shells, leaves and Very Important Sticks? Time to put that curiosity to work. Kids aged 5-15 can follow a Discovery ranger along the coast from Crackneck Point lookout, searching for dolphins, seals and seabirds while tackling wildlife challenges and nature games. Tickets are $18 per child, with accompanying adults joining free.

Brisbane Water Aboriginal Cultural Tour
Friday 9 October | 10am-12pm | Brisbane Water National Park

Walk alongside an Aboriginal ranger and discover the cultural stories held within Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Warrah lookout, families will follow Doyles walking track while learning how native plants have traditionally been used for food, shelter and medicine. The easy 3km walk is suitable for ages five and over, with tickets $14 for children and $20 for adults.

Ninja Kids Erina School Holiday Program
Selected dates Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October

Give the couch cushions a break and let them burn through that holiday energy on proper obstacles instead. Ninja Kids Erina packs climbing, swinging, jumping and flipping into two-hour, half-day and full-day sessions, so kids can test their skills without you having to rearrange the lounge room. Sessions start at $30, with half days priced at $45 and full days at $79.

Spring 2026 school holiday ideas

School Holiday Shows at Laycock Street Theatre, Wyoming
Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October

Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland on 28-29 September, send Mozart into orbit with the acrobatic Wolfgang in the Stars on 6 October, then come face-to-face with a giant shark in Erth’s Shark Dive on 9 October. With dance, circus and immersive puppetry across three wonderfully different shows, the hardest part may be choosing one. Tickets start at $25.

Circus, Comedy and Magic at The Art House, Wyong
Tuesday 29 September – Wednesday 7 October

The Art House has gone big on variety these holidays. Gasp through Cirque Nouvelle on Tuesday 29 September, prepare for extremely silly business when The Listies arrive on Wednesday 30 September, then meet Mario the Maker Magician and his marvellous handmade robots on 6-7 October. That’s circus thrills, family comedy and robot-powered magic all under one roof, with tickets starting from $20.

School Holiday Fun at Gosford RSL, West Gosford
Tuesday 29 September – Friday 9 October

Mini golf, Survivor challenges, robots and painting – Gosford RSL has found four very different ways to keep kids busy these holidays. Putt n Play is free on Tuesday 29 September, the Survivor Challenge Arena is $20 on Thursday 1 October, the AI & Robotics Workshop is $30 on Tuesday 6 October and Paint & Create is $15 on Friday 9 October. Pick their favourite or just go ahead and book the lot.

Adventure Camps at Glenworth Valley
Tuesday 29 September – Friday 9 October

Swap screen time for bush trails and a satisfying amount of dirt at Glenworth Valley. Adventure Max packs horse riding or quad biking, laser skirmish and kayaking into Tuesdays and Thursdays for ages 7-16, while Valley Adventurers brings scavenger hunts, damper, bushcraft and animal feeding to Wednesdays and Fridays for ages 5-12. Half-day and full-day camps are available, with prices starting from $75.

School Holiday Fun at Central Coast Libraries
Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October

If your child’s dream holiday activity includes magic shows, Nerf wars, LEGO robots, fairy gardens or Dungeons & Dragons, our local libraries have understood the assignment. The spring program stretches from Umina to Toukley, with everything from monster masks, galaxy jars and live chicks to 3D printing, sewing, Procreate and lino carving. Many sessions are free or low-cost, but bookings are essential and the popular ones tend to book out quickly.

Get Creative at Gosford Regional Gallery, East Gosford
Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October

These are not your average cut-and-paste sessions. Kids can paint like Banksy, decorate spooky tote bags, sew Babushka dolls, build a Zen terrarium, try crochet, weave, draw illusions and make plenty more across two packed weeks at the gallery. Every workshop runs for two hours, costs $30 and includes all materials, with most designed for ages six and over.

Free school holiday activities on the Central Coast

That should keep you well and truly covered for the next school hols – with plenty happening across the region to help you make the most of the break (without overcomplicating it).

And for those in-between days when you just need to get out of the house, check out The Best Kid Friendly Beaches on the Central Coast, grab the bikes and try these Family-Friendly Bike Paths on the Central Coast, or keep it simple with our Five Free Ways to Entertain the Kids for a bit of inspo.