School holidays in Bendigo: family-friendly events to fill the break

The winter school holidays are well and truly underway in Bendigo, and for parents staring down a week of “I’m bored”, there’s plenty to keep young minds-and bodies-occupied. With temps hovering around a crisp 12°C, the key is a mix of indoor creativity and outdoor adventure that works for all ages.

Museums, making and mud

Bendigo Art Gallery is running a series of drop-in art workshops for kids aged 5-12 every Thursday and Friday from 10am to 12pm. No bookings required-just turn up and get messy. The gallery's current exhibition, Colour and Movement, has proved popular with families, and staff say the workshops are designed to let children explore texture and form using clay, paint and found objects.

At the Discovery Science and Technology Centre, the 'Winter Science Spectacular' continues until July 18. Highlights include the 'Frozen Fizz' chemistry show and a daily 'Fire and Ice' demonstration at 1pm. Entry is $16 for adults and $12 for children, with a family pass (two adults, two kids) available for $48. Centre manager Sarah Thomson told the Bendigo Advertiser this week that weekend sessions have been selling out, so advance booking is recommended.

Over at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, the 'Winter Wonderland' trail has been extended by popular demand. Families can follow a self-guided path through the White Garden, past the historic conservatory and alongside the lake, spotting native birds and hidden fairy doors. The trail is free and open daily from dawn to dusk. Park rangers have placed new interpretive signs explaining the significance of the gardens' 19th-century layout, which was designed by noted landscape architect William Sangster.

Active fun and literary escapes

For families who need to burn off energy, the Bendigo Skate Park on Barnard Street is hosting a free 'Learn to Scoot' session this Saturday, July 18, from 10am to 12pm. The City of Greater Bendigo’s youth services team will have helmets and scooters to borrow, and a qualified instructor will be on hand to teach basic tricks and safety. Similar sessions held during the April school holidays drew more than 80 participants, according to council data.

Bendigo Library is running its annual 'Winter Reading Challenge' for kids aged 4-12. The challenge runs until July 26 and asks children to read five books from the library's collection. Completers receive a certificate and a small prize pack. Library manager Fiona O'Connell said this year's theme is 'Mystery and Magic', with a dedicated shelf of spooky-but-not-too-scary titles. The library also hosts story time every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am for toddlers and preschoolers.

For a warmer option, the Bendigo Aquatic Centre on Mundy Street keeps its indoor pool at a toasty 30°C during winter. Lap swimming is available from 6am, but the centre also runs a 'Parent and Tot' session from 9.30am to 11am on weekdays, with inflatable toys and a shallow play area. Entry is $6.50 per child, with adults free when accompanying a child.

Looking ahead to next week, the Capital Theatre is screening The Jungle Book on Monday, July 20, at 11am as part of its 'Kids' Flicks' program. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. The 1967 animated version is expected to draw a crowd of nostalgic parents and first-time viewers alike.

For families who prefer the outdoors, the Bendigo Bushland Reserve at the end of Diamond Hill Road offers a two-kilometre loop track suitable for prams. The trail passes through box-ironbark forest and includes a lookout over the city. No booking required, but sturdy shoes are advised after recent rains left some sections muddy.

With the school holidays still rolling on, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained without leaving Bendigo-or breaking the budget.