Fun for the family: a roundup of the best winter school holiday activities in Geelong

From slime to hoops, there are so many activities to keep the family busy this winter school holidays. We have options that won't break the bank!

Our region is known as a summer destination thanks to our glorious beach surrounds, stunning waterfront and outdoor theme park, Adventure Park. We also have mini-golf centres and picturesque hikes on the You Yangs as go to activities for the family. When it comes to the winter, Geelong is overlooked for all of the exciting activities on offer. Don’t spend your time rugged up at home with the family these winter holidays! Get out to these indoor family-friendly fun centres and bring adventure back into the winter!

Here is our round-up of some of the best winter friendly spaces to take the family for a fun and affordable day out.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive and will be updated to reflect current activities and events.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

General Public

• Where: Corio Village Shopping Centre, 83A Purnell Road Corio Vic 3214
• When: Sunday – Thursday 10am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 10am – late
• Cost: Special School holiday packages: 1 – 2 players, $29 | 3 -4 players, $87 | 5 or more players, $145

The new underground eatertainment centre opened in Geelong earlier in the year, bringing the family fun from Melbourne into our suburbs. Offering eleven tenpin bowling lanes, billiard tables, event spaces, groovy beats and Geelong’s biggest arcade centre housing a suite of interactive games all under the one roof, General Public is a great day out for the family.

Learn more here.

 

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Lazerquest

• Where: 89 Malop Street Geelong and Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, 173-199 Pioneer Rd, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
• When: Geelong Location: 10am – 10pm daily | Waurnponds Location: Monday – Wednesday, 11am – 8.30pm, Thursday & Friday, 11am – 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 9pmm
• Cost: From $12

The former Timezone location of Geelong CBD transformed in Lazerquest and expanded into Waurnponds Shopping Centre (next to Reading Cinemas). Keeping in line with the former hotspot for parties and play, Lazerquest boasts lazertag, arcade games and ten pin bowling all under the one roof in the CBD location and arcade games at the Waurnponds home.

Learn more here.

Hoop City

• Where: 190 Torquay Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216
• When: Monday – Friday 10am – 8.30pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 7pm
• Cost: From $25

Geelong dedicated basketball centre is Hoop City. Flex your dribbling and shooting skills at this all purpose location. For the school holidays they are running Domestic Camps for specific ages groups where participants will develop their hoop skills with dedicated trainers.

Learn more here.

Bounce

• Where: 3/174 Torquay Road, Grovedale VIC 3216
• When: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 7pm, Friday: 9am – 9pm, Saturday: 9am – 7pm, Sunday: 9am – 5pm
• Cost: From $11 (full price list here)

Get your jump on at Bounce. This facility is a space where the floor is trampolines. From their free-jump area, to their dodgeball area, the basketball area,  their big bag zone and the wall zone, you can get serious height in this place! Aside from the bouncing activities, Bounce also has a playground and a climbing wall for the novice rockclimbers.

Learn more here.

 

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The Mystery Rooms

• Where: 10 Essington Street, Geelong Victoria 3216
• When: Friday – 4pm – 9.30pm, Saturday 10am – 9pm, Sunday 10am – 7pm
• Cost: From $40 (Full price list here)

Want to be Sherlock Holmes for a night? The Mystery Rooms are for you! Gather a group or test your knowledge with a friend as you try to work out the clues to get of these escape rooms.

Learn more here.

MoPA (Museum of Play and Art)

• Where: 51 McKillop Street, Geelong Victoria 3220
• When: Daily 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Cost: $11

MoPA is the Museum of Art and Play located in Geelong’s CBD. This cafe and interactive art meets play area is a space of wonder for kids. Designed to look like an art museum with bold artworks and exhibition pieces, this centre doubles as a space for kids to play, explore and contribute to the world of art.

Learn more here.

The Bellarine Railway

• Where: 20 Symonds Street, Point Lonsdale Victoria 3225
• When: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
• Cost: From $13

The Bellarine Railway is a fixture of the Bellarine, taking eager passengers on a circuit around the bay with gorgeous views. They frequently have family friendly events including Thomas The Tank stopping by the station and this school holidays they will be bringing Christmas to the region with a special Polar Express railway run.

Learn more here.

 

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Slime Time Workshop

• Where: Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Cnr Colac & Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216
• When: Monday 8 July – Friday 12 July, 11am – 2pm
• Cost: Free

Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre always activate the site with kids friendly school holiday activities. This winter holidays they are running a free slime time workshop. This sensory workshop will have kids immersing their hands in the slimy, gooey play product, whilst also making their own take home tub. Setup outside of Target, this is a great free activity for the family.

Learn more here.

Oz Tenpin Geelong

• Where: 45-75 Reynolds Road, Belmont Victoria 3216
• When: Sunday – Tuesday 10am – 9.30pm, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 10am – 10pm, Friday 10am -11pm
• Cost: From $15

Oz Tenpin Geelong has been a favourite for Geelongian’s all year round. With their whopping 28 lanes, disco themed music and arcade game entry, Oz Tenpin is a must for the family all year round.

Learn more here.

Marvel Activity Station at Westfield

• Where: Westfield Geelong, 95 Malop Street, Geelong
• When: Thursday 11 July, 10.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Cost: $14 per child

Attention all Marvel fans! Westfield in Geelong will be hosting a special Marvel photo moment, as well as several Marvel craft activities this school holidays.

Learn more here.

Words by Staff Writer