School Holiday Programs in Canberra: A Parent's Guide to Keeping Kids Active

The school holidays are longer than they look

Two weeks sounds manageable. Then day three arrives, the screens are on, the "I'm bored" starts, and the rest of the week stretches out in front of you.

For working parents in Canberra, the July break is one of the trickier ones. It's cold, the days are short, and the usual park-and-playground routine doesn't hold up. Kids need somewhere warm to go, something to do, and other kids to do it with.

That's the gap a good school holiday program fills.

What a holiday program should actually do for kids

A holiday program isn't just childcare with a different name. The good ones give kids three things a screen never will.

Movement. Kids who've been cooped up need to burn energy, not sit still. A full day on their feet means they sleep better and settle faster.

Connection. School holidays can be isolating, especially for an only child or a kid whose friends have gone away. A program puts them back in a group.

Structure. A loose day drifts. A day with a start time, a lunch break and a clear finish gives kids something to anchor to – and gives you a predictable pickup.

A good holiday program does what a screen never will – it sends your kids home tired, social and proud of something they did that day.

What to look for in a Canberra holiday program

Not all programs are equal. Before you book, check a few things:

• Clear daily times, so you can plan drop-off and pickup around work.
• Coaches the kids already know, and a sensible ratio of staff to children.
• A mix of activity and downtime – all-go all-day burns kids out as much as no structure does.
• An age range that suits your child, so a five-year-old isn't lost among twelve-year-olds.
• Somewhere warm and indoors for a Canberra winter.

Our kids programs run on these principles year-round, and the holiday program is built the same way.

What a day looks like

At Canberra Martial Arts & Fitness, a holiday program day has a rhythm. Doors open at 8am for early drop-off. The first activity starts at 9:15am sharp, and the day runs through to 4pm with structured sessions, games and breaks in between.

Kids bring a drink bottle and a packed lunch – we provide snacks for morning and afternoon tea. They move, they pick up a few skills, and they spend the day with other kids rather than a tablet.

Two days stand out. Thursday is movie day, when the group heads to the cinema. Friday is the big nerf war – all the gear is provided, so there's nothing extra to pack.

July school holidays at the club

Here's what's running these July holidays.

Regular kids classes keep going right through the first week, up to Thursday 9 July, with all classes on as normal on Saturday 4 July. Classes then restart on Saturday 18 July.

The holiday program itself runs in the second week, kicking off Monday 13 July, for kids aged 5 to 14. Each day runs 9:15am to 4pm, with doors open from 8am. Collection is by 4:30pm Tuesday to Thursday, and by 4pm on Friday. Thursday 16 July is movie day, and Friday is the nerf war.

The 10% early-bird has been extended to Friday 3 July, and about half the spots are already taken. You can see the full July holiday timetable on the website.

Booking a spot

If you'd like your child in the July program, book through the holiday timetable page, or call or text the team on 0488 852 191.

New to the club? Start on our getting started page and come & try a class first, so your child walks in already knowing a face or two.

Either way – it beats another week of screens.