School Holiday Program

Collingwood Children’s Farm is a working community farm open year-round. With a commitment to life-long learning, the Farm’s Education Program extends beyond the school term and provides hands-on, outdoor educational activities through our school holiday bookings.

Our School Holiday Program offers a structured and guided Farmer for a Day option for children aged 8–14 years old who learn best by doing. Join the industry professionals and many helping hands that make Collingwood Children’s Farm a special place by putting your farmer hat on for the day. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour to see what it takes to run a community farm, then get involved by getting up close with some of our animals and picking up the tools to do farm work and a workshop!

Alternatively, learn at your leisure by discovering the Farm through our Self-guided Groups optionsuitable for children of all ages. Designed by our team of educators, self-guided bookings are supported by a map and pack of optional activities to introduce you to the Farm and get you on your way to exploring the green space. The Self-guided option is inspired by the educational and personal benefits our teams and visitors experience by interacting with their senses on walks through the open space and gardens onsite—asking questions, reflecting on the environment around us, and learning about plants and animals along the way.

Join us at the Farm! Simply pick your preferred School Holiday Program option from the descriptions below and book online.

Make Your Booking

Learn more about the educational opportunities we have on offer during the Victorian school holidays below, choose your favourite option and click on the button to make your booking.

FARMER FOR A DAY
self-guided groups

Bookings are made online only via Eventbrite. As such, payment must be made online to secure a booking.
Please include the number of adults accompanying children in the Self-guided Groups option as we cannot exceed the booking capacities below.

Key Details

  • Available to children aged 8–14 years old only
  • A maximum of 20 attendees per day, supervised by CCF staff
  • Runs from 9 am—4 pm|booking duration: 7 hours
  • Available on weekdays during Victorian school holidays only (check dates seasonally)
  • Priced per person: $120 + GST and booking fees (concession pricing available)

What to Expect

You’ll get the chance to be one of our farmers for the day by getting outdoors, meeting some of our animals and doing hands-on farm work and a workshop. You’ll learn about how we take care of the animals and land we rely on as humans. Your tour, farm work and workshop will be facilitated by a Collingwood Children’s Farm staff member.

Outline of the Day

Just like our farmers, what you do at Farmer for a Day changes slightly depending on the season.

9:00 am: Arrival at Farm Reception, followed by welcoming activities in the Barn

9:30 am: Farm tour and a chance to meet some of the animals

10:30 am: Morning tea
Please bring your own food with you.

11:00–12:30 pm: The first rotation of a woodwork workshop or farm work

12:30–1:30 pm: Lunch
Please bring your own food with you.

1:30–3:00 pm: The second rotation of a woodwork workshop or farm work

3:00–4:00 pm: End of day closing activities

4:00 pm: Pick up from Reception.

What to Wear & Bring

  • Come dressed for any weather—rain, hail or shine!
    We suggest wearing waterproof and sun-smart clothing, including:
    a rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, pants and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Please note: to protect yourself on the Farm, you must wear closed-toe shoes. Flat boots or gumboots are suitable options, especially when it rains and the Farm gets muddy.
  • We are a working community farm, so getting hands-on is all a part of the fun! You can bring a spare change of clean clothes for the end of the day if you’d like.
  • There will be time between activities for you to have morning tea and lunch.
    Please bring your own food with you. Unfortunately, there will not be time to purchase food from the Farm Cafe.
  • There is not an enclosed space at the Farm, only light coverage, to leave your bags or valuables during your booking. Please avoid overpacking and use a backpack if possible.

Concession Pricing

A 50% discount is available for valid concession card holders. To access the discount code, please email proof of your valid concession to [email protected].

Our Reception team will get back to you as soon as possible with a discount code to enter at the Eventbrite checkout online. This will allow you to book your tickets for $60 each (+ GST & booking fees).

These cards entitle you to concession entry:
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Card, Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card.

Entry is free for Carer/Companion Card holders supporting an attendee. Please make a note that you will be attending in the booking.

Behavioural Expectations

Farmer for a Day is a busy day full of interactions with animals, visitors, staff and farm equipment. Please have a chat before your child’s visit about behavioural expectations to ensure they are aware of the importance of listening to instructions and showing respect to animals and each other. We will do everything we can to support your child and their needs, however, if there are circumstances where their behaviour becomes a concern, their emergency contact will be called to collect them.

Key Details

  • Available to children of all ages
  • Booking options include: 20, 40, 60 or 80 attendees, including adults
    If making multiple bookings for schools or a service, please book each group separately.
  • Start time from 10 am—2 pm (specify start time in booking)|duration: 2+ hours
  • Available on weekdays during Victorian school holidays only (check dates seasonally)
  • Priced per group: from $217 + GST and booking fees

What to Expect

You’ll get the chance to discover the Farm at your own pace with your self-guided experience supported by a map and learning materials provided by staff to encourage wider exploration of the Farm. By taking a ‘wonder walk’ focusing on your senses and interacting with the animals and gardens, this option is fun for active children to get together and explore the grounds during the school holidays. Pack a picnic to end your day relaxing on the grass or have the Farm Cafe take care of it for you by purchasing morning tea or lunch.

Outline of the Day

While the Self-guided Groups option is determined by your preferred arrival time and pace, the following outline may help you to plan your day:

  • Upon arrival at the Farm, please check in at Reception who will provide you with your map and pack of learning materials. They will organise for an on-ground staff member to welcome you and give you a short introduction to the Farm’s facilities and expectations.
  • If you are a part of a larger booking, with a strict maximum of eighty attendees including accompanying adults, your group will be divided into smaller groups of no more than ten attendees to avoid overcrowding and congestion.
  • You will be free to start your self-guided booking, learning and joining in on daily activities at your leisure.
  • You may choose to have a packed picnic on the grass or purchase morning tea or lunch from the Farm Cafe.
  • At the end of your booking, please return your map and pack of learning materials to Reception.

What to Wear & Bring

  • Come dressed for any weather—rain, hail or shine!
    We suggest wearing waterproof and sun-smart clothing, including:
    a rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, pants and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Please note: to protect yourself on the Farm, you must wear closed-toe shoes. Flat boots or gumboots are suitable options, especially when it rains and the Farm gets muddy.
  • We are a working community farm, so getting hands-on is all a part of the fun! You can bring a spare change of clean clothes for the end of the day if you’d like.
  • Pack a picnic if you plan to bring your own food, or purchase morning tea or lunch from the Farm Cafe.
  • There is not an enclosed space at the Farm, only light coverage, to leave your bags or valuables during your booking. Please avoid overpacking and use a backpack if possible.

Once you’ve made your booking, we’ll send you a confirmation email that outlines the key logistical, behavioural and safety information to read and understand before your visit. If you are booking on behalf of a school or service, please ensure that the staff attending the booking receive this document so that they can arrive prepared. A discussion with children about interacting with animals in a calm and safe manner is encouraged to ensure everyone enjoys their visit to the Farm.

Please read the Supporting Documents, which includes guidance for teachers’ or carers’ risk assessments, and the Terms and Conditions below.
If you have any questions, our friendly Reception team can help you.

Thank you for your support! Your bookings help us to fund and care for the animals, land and programs that make Collingwood Children’s Farm a place for community through social inclusion.

1. Booking and Payment:
1.1 Booking date will be held at time of booking.

2. Cancellations:
2.1 Bookings cancelled at least 30 days prior to the event date will be given a full refund.
2.2 Cancellations between 14 and 30 days prior to the event date incur a 50% cancellation fee.
2.3 Bookings cancelled within 14 days of the tour date incur a 100% cancellation fee.

3. Rescheduling Your Tour:
3.1 Bookings at least 30 days prior to the event date may be rescheduled without a fee.
3.2 Rescheduling between 14 and 30 days prior to the event date will incur a 30% rebooking fee.
3.3 Bookings cannot be rescheduled within 14 days of the event date.

4. Weather and Extreme Conditions:
4.1 Collingwood Children’s Farm is an outdoor venue; please plan your visit accordingly and ensure students wear weather-appropriate clothing.
4.2 Inclement weather is not considered reasonable grounds for cancellation or to reschedule.
4.3 Collingwood Children’s Farm treats the health, wellbeing and safety of its visitors, volunteers, employees and animals with the utmost importance.
In the event that:
– temperatures exceed 35℃
– an extreme weather warning has been issued
– EPA AirWatch rates air quality as ‘hazardous’
– CCF deems conditions to be unsafe.
Collingwood Children’s Farm’s Extreme Weather Policy will come into effect and all Farm activities will be cancelled. A representative from Collingwood Children’s Farm will contact you if your booking is forecasted to be impacted.
You may not reschedule / cancel your booking after the booked activity begins.

5. COVID-19 Conditions and Restrictions.
5.1 Collingwood Children’s Farm operates in accordance with a COVID-safe Plan.
5.2 In the event that government restrictions are imposed within 4 weeks of the booking date that will prevent (or materially impact) the event taking place, CCF will, at their discretion, agree to waive the standard rescheduling penalties applicable* and enable re-booking of the event within a 12 month period.

*sections 3.2 & 3.3