Don’t miss out on the pool parties, indoor and outdoor sports, crafts at the libraries, and Youth Centres’ activities and excursions. 

The public swimming pools are also open every day except Christmas Day (Monday, December 25) and New Year (Monday, January 1).

Some of the holiday highlights include:

Young people are invited to free pool parties at Merriwa pool on Thursday, December 21, and at Scone and Murrurundi pools on Friday, December 22. From 6pm to 8pm there will be free entry, a sausage sizzle, and supervision by Youth Workers. For more information, contact Scone Youth Centre on 0417 287 540.

Laser tag and rock climbing excursion on Tuesday, January 23, supervised by Youth Workers. Cost is $40 and permission notes will be available at Council offices and on the website.

Ever wanted to try freestyle gymnastics, also known as Free-G or parkour? Learn how to spin, roll, and rebound over obstacles with a Free-G coach. Tuesday, January 16, 9am to 9.45am for 5 to 11 year olds and 10.30am to 11.30am for 12 years and older. Cost is $10 and bookings are essential with council’s sports participation officer Nicky Western on 0414 806 074.

Enjoy three mornings of gymnastics at Scone Youth Centre hall, 18 to 20 December with a competition in the evening. Cost is $50. Book with council’s sports participation officer.

Junior triathlon training and racing will be on December 28 and 29, and January 3 and 5, in preparation for the triathlon race at Singleton on Sunday, January 7. For more information contact council’s sports participation officer.

The libraries offer weekly morning craft activities for children. Craft activities are free and bookings are essential to supply the craft materials to make Christmas decorations, wind chimes, snow globes, superhero masks, 3D wooden boats and rockets and more. Book with your library: Aberdeen 6540 1303, Cassilis 6376 1295, Merriwa 6521 7007, Murrurundi 6540 1363, Scone 6540 1183.

For those who need more activities for children five to 12 years, the SOOSH program, located in the grounds of St Mary’s School, Scone runs 8am-6pm weekdays during NSW school holiday periods with afternoon tea provided. Bookings are essential for all SOOSH services and additional costs may apply for excursions and special activities.  

During the summer holidays the SOOSH program includes slip and slide, a live reptile show, an excursion to Maitland pool, freestyle gymnastics, ten pin bowling at Tamworth, going to the cinema at Muswellbrook, and a talent show.

See the full SOOSH program on council’s website at http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/our-facilities/childcare/scone-out-of-school-hours.aspx 

To enrol your child in SOOSH or to find out about the government's childcare subsidy, please contact SOOSH coordinator Maddy Richardson on 6540 1140.

All the holiday activities are included in the Upper Hunter Shire Council ‘What’s On’ guide. ‘What’s On’ is distributed to school children in the Upper Hunter and is available on Council’s website under Hot Topics or http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/our-facilities/childcare/school-holiday-activities.aspx