The Hills District has undergone a significant population expansion over the past decade, and the family programming has grown to match. The Hills Shire Council runs one of the largest council events programs in Sydney — well over 300 active events in any given 90-day window — with a strong emphasis on STEM, arts, and multi-session classes for school-age children.
The Hills Shire Council
The Hills Shire Council is the primary provider of free children's activities in the district. Its events calendar covers the full spectrum: library programs for babies and toddlers, structured workshops for school-age kids, performing arts programs, and community events open to all ages.
Library Programs
The Hills Shire library network operates branches at Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Vinegar Hill (Rouse Hill Town Centre), and Windsor. Each runs its own children's program.
- Storytime (ages 3–5): Weekly at all branches, drop-in. Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill branches run multiple sessions per week.
- Baby Bounce / Rhymetime (ages 0–2): Regular sessions at all branches. Castle Hill and Rouse Hill are the most frequent.
- STEM and maker workshops: The Hills Shire runs some of the best free STEM sessions in Western Sydney — coding, robotics, 3D printing, and maker activities for 6–12 year olds. These typically require booking and fill within days of opening.
- School holiday programs: An extensive holiday program runs every term across branches and community venues. Programs cover arts, craft, science, sport, and performance.
Multi-session Classes
A notable feature of the Hills program: many events are multi-session programs running across 6–10 weeks. These include structured art classes, beginner coding, drama workshops, and sports programs. Most are free or very low cost for Hills Shire residents.
Browse all Hills District kids' activities →
Showground Precinct and Community Venues
The Hills Showground (Castle Hill) hosts major community events including school holiday programs and family days, particularly around the Royal Easter Show season. The precinct has extensive open grounds suitable for kids of all ages.
Crestwood Community Centre (Baulkham Hills) and Annangrove Road Community Centre run free and low-cost children's workshops outside the library network. Check Little Rascal's Hills listings for current programs at these venues.
Stockland The Gables
Stockland The Gables shopping centre (Box Hill) runs occasional free holiday activities for children. These appear on Little Rascal's Hills District listings when published — worth checking for school holiday periods.
"Show All Dates" Programs
A useful quirk of Hills Shire events: many recurring programs (weekly classes, term-length workshops) list all their upcoming dates on a single event page. Little Rascal expands these into individual calendar entries so you can see exactly which dates are still available and plan around school holidays or other commitments.
Parks and Outdoor Space
Caddies Creek, Rouse Hill Regional Park: Free entry. Open parkland, creek access, picnic facilities, walking tracks. Popular with Hills families for weekend mornings.
Bella Vista Farm Park: Heritage farm setting with walking tracks and occasional free community events. Suited to older children who can walk independently.
Windsor / Hawkesbury River area: For families in the upper Hills and Windsor, the Hawkesbury River and Thompson Square area provide free outdoor space with genuine historical character.
Tips for Hills District Families
- Book STEM sessions early. Hills Shire STEM workshops are among the most in-demand free programs in Sydney. Check Little Rascal in the week before each school holiday; sessions open and fill within 24–48 hours.
- Multi-session programs are worth committing to. The term-length classes at Hills Shire libraries offer structured learning at no cost — more valuable than a one-off session for kids who engage well with repetition and progress.
- Rouse Hill Town Centre library is easy to underestimate. The Vinegar Hill branch inside Rouse Hill Town Centre runs a full children's program in a very convenient location for families in the Box Hill, Rouse Hill, and Kellyville areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free kids' activities in Castle Hill?
Castle Hill Library runs the most frequent children's programs in the Hills District — Storytime, Baby Bounce, STEM workshops, and school holiday sessions. The Hills Showground precinct adds community events year-round.
Are there free STEM programs for kids in the Hills District?
Yes. The Hills Shire Council runs robotics, coding, and maker workshops at library branches across the LGA. These are free and very popular — book as soon as they open.
What's on in the Hills District this school holidays?
The Hills Shire Council runs a full school holiday program every term across library branches and community venues. Check Little Rascal's Hills District listings filtered to the holiday date range for the current program.
Are there free toddler programs in the Hills District?
Yes. Baby Bounce and Rhymetime sessions run at all Hills Shire library branches. Castle Hill and Rouse Hill branches run multiple sessions per week.
See All Hills District Events
Little Rascal lists free and paid kids' activities across Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Rouse Hill, Kellyville and the Hills District — updated daily.