6 Amazing STEM & Tech Holiday Camps for Kids in Sydney

School holidays are just around the corner, and for parents of curious kids, it's the perfect time to trade screen time for hands-on, mind-expanding experiences.

Sydney is a hub for innovation, offering a wide variety of STEM and tech holiday camps designed to ignite a passion for learning in children aged 6 to 14.

These programs go far beyond traditional classroom learning. They provide a dynamic, fun environment where kids can build robots, code their own video games, and conduct exciting science experiments. These camps are an investment in your child's future, nurturing crucial skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. We've compiled a list of six amazing STEM and tech holiday camps across Sydney, focusing on their unique offerings and value for money.

Ready to make more magical memories? Here are six brilliant places for your budding innovator!

Code Camp is one of Australia's leading providers of coding and digital creative camps, known for its fun and engaging approach. They offer a range of programs that cater to different age groups and skill levels, from introductory coding with 'Spark' to more advanced game design and app development. Kids learn to build their own games and apps, bringing their imaginative ideas to life with guidance from enthusiastic instructors. They focus on developing logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a solid foundation in computational thinking.

Why You’ll Love It: Code Camp makes learning to code accessible and incredibly fun, often leading to a noticeable boost in kids' confidence and creativity. They have multiple locations across Sydney, making it convenient for many families.

• Ages: 7-12 years (Spark, Ignite, Blast), 8-13 years (Web Builders), 9-13 years (YouTube Creators)

• Cost: $$$ (Typically starting from around $350 for a 3-day camp)

• Key Programs: Spark (intro to coding), Ignite (game design), Blast (app development), Web Builders, YouTube Creators, Robotics.

• Locations: Multiple locations across Sydney, including various schools in the Sydney CBD, Inner West, North Shore, and Western Sydney.

Junior Engineers offers a diverse array of STEM-focused holiday programs designed to inspire the next generation of innovators. Their camps cover everything from coding with Scratch and Python to robotics, Minecraft modding, and even artificial intelligence. They aim to make complex concepts digestible and exciting for young learners, fostering a love for technology through hands-on projects and collaborative activities. Their structured curriculum progresses with age and skill level, ensuring a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Why You’ll Love It: Junior Engineers provides a comprehensive pathway for kids to explore various tech fields, with programs that grow with them. Their focus on real-world applications of technology is a big plus.

• Ages: 6-15 years (programs segmented by age, e.g., 6-8, 9-11, 12-15)

• Cost: $$-$$$ (Varies by program length, typically around $280-$450 for multi-day camps)

• Key Programs: Robotics, Minecraft Coding, Python Coding, Web Design, Game Development, AI & Machine Learning.

• Locations: Various schools and community centres in Sydney, including North Sydney, Inner West, and Eastern Suburbs.

UTS (University of Technology Sydney) offers immersive STEM workshops for school students on their campus. These programs are designed to give young people a taste of what it's like to be an engineer or IT professional. They focus on hands-on, project-based learning, with past workshops covering everything from designing rockets to creating wearable technology and even "mind reading" with Arduino. These camps aim to solve real-world problems and expose students to different areas of engineering and IT in a fun and practical way.

Why You’ll Love It: This is a fantastic opportunity for older kids and teens to experience a university environment and explore potential career paths. The workshops are often led by UTS academics and students, offering a high-level, practical learning experience.

• Ages: 10-14 years (typically for students in Years 5-11, with programs segmented by school stage)

• Cost: Cost can vary, but many programs are free as part of their outreach initiatives. Check the website for the latest details.

• Key Programs: Rocketry, Wearable Technology, Civil Engineering (Building bridges), and more.

• Street Address: UTS Campus, Ultimo NSW

Fizzics Education brings science to life with their engaging and explosive (safely, of course!) holiday science camps. These programs are packed with hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, and fun challenges that explore various scientific principles. Kids might delve into chemistry, physics, biology, or even forensic science, conducting experiments, building small contraptions, and learning through discovery. Fizzics Education focuses on making science exciting and accessible, fostering a deep curiosity about the natural world.

Why You’ll Love It: Perfect for budding scientists, these camps offer a vibrant and interactive way to explore scientific concepts, often with memorable "wow" moments.

• Ages: Typically 5-12 years (programs are often differentiated for younger vs. older primary school kids)

• Cost: $$-$$$ (Varies, often around $100-$120 per day for full-day programs)

• Key Programs: Rocketry & Flight, Chemical Concoctions, Dissection Workshops, Electrical Circuits, Forensic Science, Awesome Acids & Bases.

• Locations: Various schools and community venues across Sydney, check their schedule for specific locations each holiday.

Big Fat Smile, a well-known community-based organisation, extends its offerings to exciting tech camps during school holidays. Their programs aim to provide a nurturing and fun environment for children to explore various aspects of technology. These camps can include robotics, coding, stop-motion animation, and digital art, focusing on creativity and problem-solving. They often incorporate a mix of structured learning and free-play challenges, allowing kids to learn at their own pace.

Why You’ll Love It: Big Fat Smile is known for its supportive and inclusive environment. Their tech camps offer a balanced approach to learning and fun, often with a strong community feel.

• Ages: 5-12 years (programs often tailored to specific age bands within this range)

• Cost: $$ (Generally affordable, often around $70-$90 per day, with multi-day discounts)

• Key Programs: Robotics challenges, introductory coding, digital storytelling, animation.

• Locations: Various community hubs and centres in the Illawarra and some Sydney fringe areas. (Note: Primarily Illawarra, but check for specific Sydney holiday programs)

Young Engineers focuses specifically on robotics and engineering using LEGO®. Their holiday workshops are designed to introduce children to fundamental engineering principles, physics, and programming concepts through building and operating motorized LEGO models. Kids get to construct complex machines, learn about gears, levers, and power transmission, and then program their creations to perform various tasks. It's a highly tactile and engaging way to learn about STEM.

Why You’ll Love It: If your child loves LEGO, this camp is a dream come true. It's a hands-on, concrete way to learn abstract engineering and coding concepts.

• Ages: 6-12 years (programs are typically split into junior and advanced groups)

• Cost: $$-$$$ (Often around $80-$120 per day or multi-day packages from $200-$350)

• Key Programs: Robotics with LEGO, Advanced Robotics, Mechanical Engineering with LEGO.

• Locations: Various locations in Sydney, including North Shore and some Western Sydney suburbs.