Ten Activities to Feed the Kids' Passions (and Beat the Boredom) These School Holidays

Just like that, we're halfway through the year, and the winter school holidays are here. Wondering how you'll keep the minis busy while you're still working, cooking, shopping and the rest? We've come to your rescue — with ten irresistible activities happening in and around Melbourne in July.

Head to Luna Park for circus shows featuring magic tricks, spinning plates and balloon animals. Then, make tracks to Werribee Open Range Zoo to go behind-the-scenes on the brand new elephant trail. Plus, there are activities and workshops galore for kids who like to learn — covering drama, dance, singing, art, communications and more. Your house is now officially a whine-free zone.

FOR THE KID WHO'S A NATURAL-BORN MAKER: LOST & FOUND BY CJ HENDRY SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

Aussie-made, New York-based artist CJ Hendry has already taken over Chadstone Shopping Centre with her exhibition Lost & Found. Visitors navigate a giant blue labyrinth, browsing lock-inspired artworks and stocking up on collectible caps. But it's on Sunday, July 5, that the magic will really start — when the school holiday program kicks in. Take the kids to hands-on workshops where they'll build their own mazes or create their own key rings. Then swing by for a drop-in play-dough class or a casual bounce on a giant inflatable maze.

FOR THE KID WHO LOVES THE SPOTLIGHT: ACTING, DANCING AND SINGING CLASSES

For kids born for the stage, there's no better way to get through the school holidays than acting classes. Kids aged eight to 18 destined for the spotlight should sign up for Winter On Screen at The National Theatre. This five-day course will introduce them to acting for the camera, finishing with a public screening. Meanwhile, at Brave Studios, take your pick of three-day courses: acting for eight- to 12-year-olds, and film and TV acting for 13- to 17-year-olds. Or book at the Australian School of Performing Arts for two- or three-day programs covering drama, dance, singing and presentation skills. Whichever school your budding star chooses, they'll explore the limits of their creativity and imagination in a fun and supportive environment.

FOR THE KID WHO WANTS TO RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS: WINTER WHIMSY AT LUNA PARK

If there's one way to warm up on a chilly day, it's with an adrenaline hit. The littlies will get just that — and more than once — at Luna Park's Winter Whimsy. The two-week carnival promises circus fun, winter-friendly rides and stacks of comforting snacks. Headlining the extravaganza is Chris Morant with his Magical Circus Show. There'll be four daily shows between Monday, July 7–Friday, July 18, packed with juggling, spinning plates, balloon animals and more. When the show's over, keep the family warm with a feast of hot jam doughnuts, churros, hot chocolate and more, before hitting the rides.

FOR THE KID WHO CAN TALK THEIR WAY OUT OF ANYTHING: COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOPS

Give your mini the gift of life skills these school holidays by enrolling them in an interactive communications workshop with Speaks Craft Australia. The two-day, four-in-one sessions cover public speaking, debating, creative writing and drama, and are held in Essendon, Hawthorn and Point Cook, as well as online. Primary kids of all grades — from kindergarten to year five — can attend. In years one and two, the focus is on building confidence through games and storytelling, while the year three to five sessions aim to develop skills in persuasive speaking and writing.

FOR THE KID WHO LOVES ANIMALS: ELEPHANT EXPERIENCES AT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

Is your little one the next Doctor Dolittle? Nurture their love of animals at Werribee Open Range Zoo these school holidays. Two new elephant experiences are on the program. The first is the Elephant Experience, which gives you 75 minutes behind the scenes of the zoo's new, 21-hectare Elephant Trail. You'll visit an elephant barn, watch a training session and learn what it takes to look after a herd of four-tonne creatures. The Elephant Experience is available on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and costs $171 per person. The second is the Elephant Wellbeing Walking Tour, a 60-minute guided stroll that brings you insights into elephants, their behaviour and their environment. It happens at 1.30pm every Saturday and Sunday.

FOR THE KID WITH INDEFATIGABLE CURIOSITY: PLAYBOUND! FESTIVAL

For 16 days, Playbound! Festival is coming to venues all over the city — from Melbourne Museum to your local library. And it's bringing with it workshops, exhibitions and performances of all kinds. Is your kid a little writer or illustrator? Let them make their own mini magazine at Once Upon a Page, or go bigger at the Create Your Own Book workshop. Do you have a toy-lover on your hands? Bring them along to a teddy bears' picnic at one of City of Melbourne's libraries. Meanwhile, special events on the program include NAIDOC Week Family Day, Dino Days, Bila's Big Dance: A Musical Storytime and Harry Potter Day.

FOR THE KID WHO WANTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD: PLANS FOR THE PLANET BY OLAF BREUNING

Swiss-born, New York-based artist Olaf Breuning has taken over the ground level of the NGV International with Plans for the Planet. It's an adventure playground where kids can interact with artworks, learn about nature and express their ideas about the world. The hero installation is a forest featuring Breuning's illustrations. Here, participants are invited to draw native habitats and relax in a hollow, losing themselves in the artist's first kids' book. There's also an animation starring animals discussing contemporary issues and a photo booth for building creative self-portraits. Entry is free, and kids of all ages will get something out of the experience.

FOR THE KID WHO LIKES ADVENTURE: LITTLE EXPLORERS STAYCATION AT LANCEMORE MANSION HOTEL

If you're itching to skip the city this holiday, but don't quite know how to keep the kids busy, here's a possibility. Lancemore Mansion Hotel in Werribee Park is giving parents a helping hand with the Little Explorers program. Any kid under 12 who travels with you will stay and eat free. Plus, they'll be well occupied with an adventure pack filled with activity booklets, treasure hunt maps and little presents. Once they've worked through that, send them to a cookie decorating workshop, a pamper and polish session or a movie night — or pull out the lawn games and get the whole family involved.

FOR THE KID WHO'S ALREADY A FILM BUFF: THE CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Does your ankle-biter wander around the house quoting Finding Nemo? Or maybe sharing their opinion of Paddington in Peru like a mini David or Margaret? Fuel their future as a film buff these school holidays at the Children's International Film Festival. Having started in early June, it'll keep rolling until Sunday, July 20. The massive program includes the Australian premieres of A Tooth Fairy Tale (US), Bartali's Bicycle (Italy) and Norbert (Spain) — among many others. Plus, there are special screenings of Smurfs (with Funday Natural Sweets included with every ticket), and Friday, July 11, has been declared pyjama day.

FOR THE KID WHO'S ALL ABOUT FUN: MINI-GOLF, BOWLING AND CHALLENGE ROOMS AT FUNLAB

If your house is full of fun-lovers, then here's your school holiday solution. Funlab — which runs Holey Moley, Strike Bowling, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and Hijinx Hotel — is offering a bunch of family-friendly discounts and deals this July. Pay just $14 per kid for a game of mini-golf, a round of bowling, or a session in a challenge room. Double your dollars at Archie Brothers — spend $35 on game cards for $70 credit, or spend $100 and get $200 in value. Plus, there's a $20 food and drink bundle at all venues, which buys you a potato tornado, a panda keep cup and unlimited soft drinks.