First Steps Count's Autumn 2026 School-Holiday Program: Connection, Creativity and Community
The program ran across two weeks in April - Tuesday 7 April to Friday 17 April - filling the Hub with laughter, creativity and connection. We're so grateful to the service providers who generously delivered the majority of sessions in-kind, sharing their expertise, fun and enthusiasm to make this program possible for local families.
Week 1
Tuesday 07 April – Modge Podge & Tote Bags
Hanna from Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services hosted a fun morning of modge podge creations and tote-bag decorating. Children left with colourful, personalised bags they were proud to carry home.
Wednesday 08 April – Fun with Kate from Karitane
Kate, & Alicia hosted a connect and play session, where parents learn simple connecting games to play together with their children. Designed for parents with children 3 years and older, these easy activities support parents to have fun and engage through play throughout the day.
Thursday 09 April – Community Garden
Families rolled up their sleeves for a fantastic morning in the garden with Alicia. Together they planted broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots, flowers and lettuce, mulched, turned the compost and fixed the potting table — a real community effort!
Friday 10 April - Room On The Broom Craft & Play
Laura from Patterns Speech Pathology whipped up a magical morning. Families got creative in the kitchen preparing witch-inspired treats before concocting a delightfully spooky potion filled with worms, snakes and other scary surprises.
Week 2
Monday 13 April – Anzac Day Craft
Families came together for poppy making and wreath crafting in preparation for ANZAC Day — a quiet, meaningful moment of reflection and remembrance woven into the program.
Tuesday 14 April – Badge Making
Keri from Karitane led a bright and busy badge-making session where children designed and pressed their own wearable creations.
Wednesday 15 April – Connect and Play & Crazy Hair Day
Kate from Karitane hosted another fun-filled Connect and Play session with games aimed at supporting family connection. Families then rallied behind Nycolle from Karitane as she shaved her head for the World's Greatest Shave, with children and parents getting involved in a crazy hair day!
Thursday 16 April – Silly Restaurants Pizza Craft
Jarred from Coast Kids Occupational Therapy served up his signature session. Children donned paper chef hats and moustaches, took pizza orders from their parents, then crafted cardboard pizzas to match. The pride on their faces as parents complimented their little chefs was a real delight.
Friday 17 April – Wool Dolls
Victoria led a cosy wool-doll workshop. While children crafted away, mums made new connections and shared stories over endless cups of coffee from the play kitchen corner.
First Steps Count remains committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces where children can explore, learn and belong. The positive feedback from families and the joyful energy of the participants reaffirm the value of these holiday programs. When service providers and families come together under one roof — without referrals, fees or barriers — the outcomes speak for themselves. We look forward to continuing to grow this model, weaving creativity, connection and community into every activity.
Media Enquiries:
Clare Brennan, Hub Director
clare.brennan@firststepscount.org
Links:
Follow First Steps Count on Facebook to get updates on School Holiday programs as they become available
