Animals, science, cooking, film, music, sport and art; we’ve got all bases covered this school holidays!
From week-long school programs to day excursions, one-off events and experiences, you won’t have to travel far to keep your children entertained and busy this July.
Vacation Care
Cromer, Manly Vale and North Harbour (Balgowlah)
- Mon 8 – Mon 22 July
- 7.30am - 6pm weekdays
- Suitable for 5 to 12 year olds
- Cost from $75 / day
The weather may be cold, but the heat’s on to grab the last spots in our packed holiday program. Whether it’s big-ticket excursions, gentle in-centre days, creative, musical or foodie related activities, there’s heaps of choice no matter your child’s interests! Book now
Kids on the Coast
Coastal Environment Centre, Narrabeen
- Mon 8 – Fri 19 July
- 7.30am - 6pm weekdays
- Suitable for 6 to 12 year olds
- Cost from $74 / day
Foster your offspring’s love of all things nature with the CEC’s popular program this July. Explore rock pools, fossick for fossils, catch creepy crawlies or become an inventor or marine scientist.
Swim School
Manly Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre
- Mon 8 – Fri 12 Jul
- Mon 15 – Fri 19 Jul
- For 3 year olds and up
- Cost is $119 / child or $427.50 for private lessons
- First Lap and Active Kids Vouchers accepted
Intensive week-long programs designed to boost swimming ability and provide a continuous reinforcement of skills. One 30 minute lesson each day between 7.30 and 1 am.
Private lessons also available for individual swimmers over 3 years old or for two siblings or similar ability.
Swim School
Warringah Aquatic Centre
- Mon 8 – Fri 12 Jul
- Mon 15 – Fri 19 Jul
- Cost for 5 days $119
Intensive swimming clinics designed to improve your child’s skills and confidence in the water! Lessons run for 30 minutes each day over one week, between 9am and 12pm, except for public holidays.
Springboard Diving Clinics
Warringah Aquatic Centre
- Mon 15 – Fri 19 Jul
- Suitable for 8 year olds and up
- Cost for 5 days $121.50
A fun environment to safely learn diving techniques using the 1m and 3m springboards. Classes are an hour long and start every afternoon at 4pm.
Jump, bounce and dive!
Warringah Aquatic Centre
- Mon 8 – Fri 12 Jul
- Mon 15 – Fri 19 Jul
- Inflatables open 12.30 – 3.30pm
- Dive boards 10.30am – 3.30pm
- Cost: $7.80 (pool entry)
- Maximum age - 14 years
- Maximum Height - 1.6
Get ready for some serious fun with giant inflatable and diving boards! No extra cost for inflatables or dive boards, but swimmers must complete a swim test to receive a wristband and follow lifeguard direction at all times. Floatation aids and goggles are not permitted.
No booking necessary.
Beaches Young Filmmakers Comp
- Coming soon!
- Open to 12 to 24 year olds
- Entry is free.
Use the school holidays to come up with an idea for the next big thing – your own short film! Team registrations open soon, with a free workshop on 4 August and submissions accepted shortly after. Finalists Award Night takes place at Warringah Mall’s Hoyts Cinema in Term 3.
Zines & Patches Workshop
Manly Art Gallery and Museum
- Wed 17 Jul
- 10am – 12 noon
- Suitable for all ages
- Cost: Adults are $40, children 6 - 12 years are FREE with a participating adult.
Join exhibiting artist Katy B Plummer in this family artmaking experience. Learn how she created her multimedia installation about ghosts and family storytelling and get her help to make your own zines and patches. Think of a family character or story or character for your project!
Teddy Bear Sleepover
- Dee Why Library: Thu 18 Jul, 5pm
- Forestville Library: Tue 16 Jul, 10am
- Glen Street Library: Wed 17 Jul, 10am
- Manly Library: Mon 15 Jul, 4pm
- Mona Vale Library: Tue 16 Jul, 4pm
- Warringah Mall Library: Thu 18 Jul, 10am
- Cost: Free
- For children aged 2 to 6 years old, with an accompanying parent or guardian
Build your child’s confidence and book them – and their favourite stuffed toy for a special sleepover Story Time. Listen to stories and sing songs, leave Ted for a sleepover and return the next day to discover what mischief they’ve been making!
Bookmark Design Competition
All Council libraries
- Open to ages under 18
- Closing date Sun 21 July
- Cost: Free
Get artistic and design a bookmark for your chance to win a prize pack and have your designs printed and available in our libraries!
Entry forms available in all libraries.
U16 Open Mic Night
Manly Library
- Fri 19 July
- 5 – 6.30pm
- Open to 16 years and under
Show us your talent! Do you like singing, telling jokes, doing impressions or playing a musical instrument? Share your talent in a supportive environment. Performers must sign up on the day itself (from 4.30) and have up to 7 minutes on stage.
There so much to do these school holidays at our Libraries, check out the jam packed calendar.