Encourage your kids to enjoy and appreciate their natural environment by enrolling them in an outdoors nature class, sustainability workshop or school holiday workshop in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter.
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Curious Legends
Location: Hamilton
Website: Curious Legends
The Curious Legends are a theatre company who aim to inspire kids and adults to experience the wonder of the world around them through the magic of theatre. Curious Legends love sharing their work, and regularly run workshops for the community, such as their Curbside Critters Workshop, where kids and their adults are shown how to use random bits of trash, rubbish, string, and LOADS of imagination to create new friends – and then shown them how to bring their creatures to life through object theatre and puppetry. See their website for current offerings. If you’d like something from them that’s not there, just ask! They are adept at creating workshops for every occasion.
CoastXP
Location: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
Website: CoastXP
CoastXP is a community focused tour company who run Nature-Based Adventure Tours for all ages over the age of 3 and Guided Coastal Hiking for all ages over the age of 8. See their website for more information on their tours and to book.
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
Location: Heatherbrae
Website: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens run school holiday workshops for kids. Recent workshops have included Let’s Love Water presented by Hunter Water and Botanical Rock Painting. See their website for upcoming school holiday workshops. Hunter Region Botanic Gardens also run activities for school groups, including programs aimed at years 3 to 6 related to topics in subjects such as Human Society and its Environment, and Science and Technology, as well as programs for secondary students. They also hold an annual Children’s Discovery Day on the first Tuesday of the July School Holidays.
Hunter Wetlands Centre
Location: Shortland
Website: Hunter Wetlands Centre
Hunter Wetlands Centre run School Holiday Programs. Past programs have included Interactive Reptile Encounters and Wetlands Walks. In the school holidays they also often have a Reptile Ranger on duty so kids can ask questions and even get to touch one of their reptiles. Check their website for what is available in the coming school holidays. Preschools, schools, OOSH groups, nursing homes and other groups can include a Reptile Encounter in their visit to the Wetlands or book a Wetlands on Wheels visit where they bring the reptiles to you. There is a fee for these services. Dipnetting is also available.
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Location: Anna Bay
Website: Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters run a Mini Marine Biologist Program for kids aged 7-11 and 12-15 years on selected days throughout the school holidays. The fully guided, day program offers exclusive behind the scenes access that enables them to face their fears and gain knowledge about the ocean and its inhabitants. Participants will learn about the animals with a take home workbook and help their aquarist/zoo keeper leader carry out some important aquarium jobs. They will need to bring their swimmers and towels as they will also participate in a Shark Encounter with their guide.
Lake Macquarie City Council
Location: Lake Macquarie LGA
Website: Lake Macquarie City Council
In the school holidays LMCC regularly run free guided tours of the local environment for kids and adults. One such example is their Rockpool Ramble, an exciting adventure for people aged 5+ exploring the rich and fascinating world of rockpools. Check the events page on their website for upcoming school holiday tours.
Upcycle Newcastle
Location: Hamilton North
Website: Upcycle Newcastle
Upcycle Newcastle is a community group focused on saving waste from landfill through creative re-use and repair. They offer many workshops for families in re-purposing waste, with a focus on upcycling jeans and T-shirts including finger-crocheting technique for turning old T-shirts into a rug (suitable for ages 8+) and more. Workshops are offered both within and outside normal working hours.
Additional Classes and Workshops
- Elasmo, Hamilton
- Phoenix Park Farm, Morpeth
- Sustainable Play Preschool
- TimberNook Newcastle