23 fun things to do in the Illawarra this July holiday
From a French festival to crystal digging, here are some fun ways the kids can beat boredom in the Illawarra these July school holidays ...
You'll find ideas for kids of all ages that cater to all budgets.
1. Dragons home game
Watch the Dragons take on the Raiders on July 14 at 6.10pm in the final home game of the WIN Stadium season. Details here.
2. NAIDOC festivities
The Illawarra's popular NAIDOC family fun days return to Warrawong, Koonawarra and Shellharbour. They're all free! Details.
3. Cat in the Hat - live on stage
See the Dr Seuss classic come to life at the IPAC on July 15. Spoiler alert: Things run amok, and quickly. Details.
4. Bass Point Reserve walk
Explore Bass Point, a site Richard Campbell of Gumaraa cultural tours says is the second oldest on the East Coast, occupied by Dharawal people for tens of thousands of years. Details.
5. Light-up playground
Wollongong Central has installed an interactive drop-in area, with light table play, illuminated sand writing, rainbow shadow disco and glow-in-the-dark graffiti wall. Details.
6. Beachside ice-skating
On real ice, not that awful synthetic stuff! This open-air, genuine ice-skating experience is available at the Novotel Northbeach until July 21. Details.
7. Pizza-making class
Criniti's pizza chefs will teach kids how to prepare traditional wood-fired pizza, from kneading the dough to customising their own toppings. Details.
8. Illawarra Grevillea Park open day
The 100-year-old Grevillea Park only opens to the public a handful of days a year - the next ones are July 13 and 14. Explore the display gardens, rainforest and vine forest. Details.
9. Miniature train rides
Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park is running train rides on a number of days throughout the holidays and a special Christmas in July event on the 14th. Details.
10. Bastille Day at Foragers Markets
This month's Foragers Markets at Bulli Showground will be a special French-flavoured festival. July 14 from 9am to 3pm. Details.
11. Crystal Digging at Chatterbox Market
Kids can dig for their own crystals at Wollongong Central's new creative indoor market Chatterbox - and take them home too! July 15 from 10am to 2pm. Details.
12. Farm experience for kids
Walk through Green Connect's 11-acre permaculture garden at Port Kembla to taste the vegies and meet the farm animals. Details.
13. Cave Creek walking track
This pretty 2.6km track near Mittagong takes one-to-two hours to complete the return journey. Details.
14. Jamberoo Music Festival
Enjoy blues, roots and a little bit of country. Four venues, 100 musicians, musical yoga and a line-dancing workshop. Details.
15. Dance classes at Warrawong Plaza
Take your pick between school holiday hip-hop, ballet and cheerleading classes at Warrawong Plaza. Details.
16. Shellharbour Club activities
Enjoy free screenings of The Lego Movie and Small Foot, as well as a liquid nitrogen science show, kids neon dance party, a fitness bootcamp and more. Details.
17. Clay-making and decorating
Ceramics studio Black Duck is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm and Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm-8.30pm during the break. Drop in after noon or book in for clay-making workshops. Details.
18. Moonbase ONE
Wollongong Science Space has installed its very own giant replica moon feature to be on display in the atrium for the entire month of July. Details.
19. Forest adventure at Illawarra Fly
Partnering with Animal Planet, Illawarra Fly is inviting all children to create their own storybook as they journey through the Illawarra rainforest. Details.
20. Botanic gardens holiday adventure
Wollongong Botanic Garden is hosting a Gardens of the Galaxy holiday program. Activities are suitable for children aged 5 to 10 years. Details.
21. Skatefest Kiama
The three-day event from July 12 to 14 offers coaching, shops, demonstrations, contests, games and more. Details.
22. Edith Coal Mine bushwalk
A luscious walk back in time to an oasis of mossy rocks, a waterfall and a deep history of coal mining in the Southern Highlands. Details.
23. Minecraft scavenger hunt
Build a robot, attend a magic show, create with sand or go on a Minecraft Scavenger Hunt at Wollongong City Libraries. Details.