Central Coast Council has launched a new program of events and activities to help families plan for, and stay entertained, these July school holidays.

Council Director, Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the launch of Council’s new full program of School Holiday events will make it easy for families and visitors to find out what’s on across the Coast and how they can get involved.

“Central Coast Council run and support many events across the Coast which are important in bringing our community together and in supporting local people and local businesses.” Ms Vaughan said.

“Our research shows that people look to Council to see ‘What’s On’ across the Coast and how they can get involved so we have pulled all our school holiday events and activities into one into one easy-to-understand program for the community.

“The Council July School Holidays Program lists a combination of free and paid events including live shows and entertainment, football clinics, graphic design and film editing classes as well as hands-on craft activities and Green Living workshops.

“We are delighted to run these events for the community to help keep the family entertained and make planning easier these school holidays.”

Free live entertainment and activities will be on daily at The Entrance including dinosaur workshops, crocodile encounters, circus skills and special performances by the hit Australian children’s television show ‘dirtgirlworld’. Gosford will also be alive with entertainment and the popular outdoor ice skating rink will be back in Kibble Park.

For the Coast’s Youth, the program showcases new workshops across technology, professional skills development, sports and creative including Graphic Design, Film Editing, Copyright, Branding and Marketing, Custom T-Shirt Design and Skateboard Deck Art. For the first time, Council is also inviting the community to test their skills on 28 different climbing walls at Clip ‘N’ Climb with morning tea provided for parents of participants.

The Mighty Mariners Football Clinics will be back at Central Coast Stadium for three days of football fun. Central Coast Mariners’ CEO Shaun Mielekamp said the club was excited to again hold its popular clinics and be part of Council’s school holiday program.

“The Central Coast Mariners are really excited to offer kids on the Coast an opportunity to have a kick on the pitch at Central Coast Stadium and meet the new Mariners players.” Mr Mielekamp said.

“We encourage all kids to spend their school holidays getting active. Our clinics are focused on fun, so no previous football experience is required. Spots are strictly limited so make sure you get in quick!”

Other activities in the Council program include Whale Watching Talks, guided explorations of local rock pools with Ocean and Coastal Care Initiative (OCCI) guides and a number of free craft and educational workshops across Council’s Libraries.

Children will also be able to get their hands dirty and learn about the importance of sustainability through leaf craft, worm farming and by creating their own take-home terrarium.

Following the school holidays, the community is invited to help build a Yellow-bellied Glider habitat. The Yellow-bellied Glider is found in the tall Eucalypt forests of the Central Coast and is listed as a vulnerable species of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

On 28 July, Doyle Street Bushcare will be planting, mulching and staking 1,000 native trees for feeding and breeding sites for the Gliders at Doyle Street Reserve. There will be a free BBQ breakfast for those who arrive early and the opportunity to meet Australian native animals, courtesy of Taronga Zoo mobile, join a walk to check nest boxes for Yellow-bellied Gliders and go bird watching with Dr Deb Saunders from the Australian National University.

Save the date for this special event and start planning how to keep the family entertained these school holidays.

Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events for more information.