At a glance
- The WA October school holidays run from 26 September to 11 October 2026.
- Several Perth occupational therapists (OTs), speech pathologists and disability support organisations are running small-group holiday programs.
- Options range from kindy readiness groups for 3 to 5 year olds to executive functioning workshops for Years 6 to 9.
- Some programs can be funded through NDIS plans. Others are paid privately.
- Places are small and tend to fill fast. Book early if something catches your eye.
Why the school holidays can be hard
For lots of families, the school holidays feel less like a break and more like a puzzle. The routine is gone. The days are long. And the usual holiday programs don’t always suit every child.
Maybe your child finds big, noisy vacation care groups overwhelming. Maybe they’ve been knocked back from a program before, or came home so dysregulated it wasn’t worth it.
If that sounds familiar, you might be looking for something smaller, calmer and run by people who understand how your child works. That’s where therapy-led school holiday programs come in.
What makes a therapy-led holiday program different
These programs are run or designed by allied health professionals, such as OTs, speech pathologists and physiotherapists. They look like fun on the surface. Think dinosaur digs, cooking, LEGO and escape rooms.
Underneath, each activity is chosen to build specific skills. Those skills include turn-taking, following instructions, planning, emotional regulation and working as part of a team.
The groups are also usually much smaller than regular holiday care. Some have as few as four to six children. That means more support, less noise and more room for your child to be themselves.
Functional Therapy Co (North Perth)
How to choose the right program for your child
Start with your child, not the activity. What do they find tricky right now? What lights them up? A dinosaur-mad four year old and an anxious Year 6 student need very different things.
It also helps to ask the provider a few questions before you book:
- How many children are in the group, and how many staff?
- Who runs it? Is it an OT, speech pathologist or support worker?
- What happens if my child needs a break?
- Can I stay nearby, or join in?
- Is this funded through the NDIS, or paid privately?
You will read some of these program descriptions and think, no way will that work for MY child. That’s OK. Every child is different, so trust your read on what yours can manage right now.
Using NDIS funding for holiday programs
Several of these programs can be claimed under NDIS Capacity Building or Improved Daily Living supports. Whether your child’s plan covers a program depends on how it’s managed and what funding is left.
Before you book, check with your plan manager or support coordinator. Ask the provider exactly which line item they claim under. Then budget separately for any costs the NDIS won’t cover, such as excursion fees.
Here’s what to do next
Pick one or two programs that fit your child’s age and interests, then get in touch with the provider this week. Groups are small, and October places go quickly.
You can see every current school holiday program on the Perth Kids Hub events page. New programs are added as providers share them.
This article is for general information only. It isn’t a substitute for personalised advice from a health professional. Program details were correct at the time of writing, so please confirm dates, costs and funding with each provider.
Functional Therapy Co (North Perth)
Functional Therapy Co is running a full calendar of themed 90-minute group sessions these holidays. Most are held at 429 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth, and each session focuses on a different set of skills.
Dino Diggers (9 October, ages 3 to 5). Fossil digs and dinosaur play that build fine motor skills, attention, turn-taking and sensory exploration.
Mission Possible (1 and 8 October). Kids plan and finish a mini project together, working on executive functioning, communication and teamwork.
Code Breakers (2 October, 9:45am to 12pm). A museum adventure in the Perth CBD where kids solve clues and crack codes as a team.
Content Creators (6 October, ages 10+). Kids plan, film and edit their own ASMR-style video, building planning, creativity and digital skills.
Feel Good Factory (29 September, ages 7+), which covers body signals, emotions and regulation strategies
Escape Room: A Night at the Fair (30 September, ages 9+).
Cooking Club (7 October, pre-teens and teens) runs at Vincent Community Centre in Leederville.
To book, email admin@functionaltherapyco.com.
Dove OT (Subiaco)
If your child is heading into middle or high school, Dove OT’s two-hour workshops are worth a look. Both are OT-facilitated small groups for students in Years 6 to 9.
Middle/High School Readiness (Wednesday 30 September, 9am to 11am) uses hands-on challenges to work on organisation, time management, getting started on tasks, working memory and flexible thinking.
Organise and Thrive (Wednesday 7 October, 9am to 11am) is more practical still. It covers lockers, homework tracking, deadlines and setting up simple systems that work at home and at school.
Each workshop costs $200. To book, contact info@otdove.com.au or call 9389 7719.
Spectrum Space
Spectrum Space is a WA not-for-profit that runs the Telethon Holiday Makers Program for autistic children and teens aged 5 to 18. It’s described as strengths-based and neuro-affirming. Activities include excursions, creative sessions and time to explore special interests at each young person’s own pace.
The program runs at Perth Zoo, Cockburn, Fremantle, Marangaroo and Secret Harbour. Children aged 5 to 10 can choose a morning, afternoon or full-day session. Teens aged 10 to 18 attend full days from 9am to 4pm.
Attendance may be covered by your child’s NDIS plan, but excursion and incursion fees are paid privately. NDIA-managed plans aren’t supported. New families submit an expression of interest and may need a meet and greet first. Visit spectrumspace.org.au to apply.
Rocky Bay (Duncraig, Cottesloe, Joondalup and Cockburn)
Rocky Bay is running three therapist-facilitated groups across Perth. Each one has a set number of sessions, and your child needs to attend all of them.
Sprouts Kindy Readiness Group is for 3 to 5 year olds in Duncraig (29 and 30 September, 1 October, 9am to 10:30am). It was designed by OTs, speech pathologists and physiotherapists to support foundational skills before kindy. Parents join in at first, then gradually step back as children become more confident.
Rhythm Rangers is a music-based movement group for 5 to 7 year olds in Cottesloe (29 September and 1, 6 and 8 October, 11am to 11:45am). It uses music therapy principles to help with self-regulation, impulse control, attention and coordination. Groups are capped at six children, and parents are welcome to join in.
Building Buddies LEGO® Group is a social skills group for 8 to 12 year olds. Children work in teams of two to six, taking turns as Builder, Engineer and Supplier. Sessions run in Cockburn (10:30am to 12:30pm) and Joondalup (9:30am to 11:30am) across three two-hour sessions.
All three groups can be funded through NDIS Improved Daily Living or Capacity Building supports, or paid privately. You can book through rockybay.org.au.
Strength Heroes (Floreat)
Strength Heroes runs creative half-day workshops for children aged 6 and up at The Maker Space in Floreat Forum. Their Mistake Maker Camp uses hands-on art to help children get comfortable with getting things wrong, with simple emotional regulation strategies built in.
Workshops start from $80, with $10 off each ticket when you book three or more. Support workers and carers are welcome, and lunch supervision is free. Book at strengthheroes.com.au.
How to choose the right program for your child
Start with your child, not the activity. What do they find tricky right now? What lights them up? A dinosaur-mad four year old and an anxious Year 6 student need very different things.
It also helps to ask the provider a few questions before you book:
- How many children are in the group, and how many staff?
- Who runs it? Is it an OT, speech pathologist or support worker?
- What happens if my child needs a break?
- Can I stay nearby, or join in?
- Is this funded through the NDIS, or paid privately?
You will read some of these program descriptions and think, no way will that work for MY child. That’s OK. Every child is different, so trust your read on what yours can manage right now.
Using NDIS funding for holiday programs
Several of these programs can be claimed under NDIS Capacity Building or Improved Daily Living supports. Whether your child’s plan covers a program depends on how it’s managed and what funding is left.
Before you book, check with your plan manager or support coordinator. Ask the provider exactly which line item they claim under. Then budget separately for any costs the NDIS won’t cover, such as excursion fees.
Here’s what to do next
Pick one or two programs that fit your child’s age and interests, then get in touch with the provider this week. Groups are small, and October places go quickly.
You can see every current school holiday program on the Perth Kids Hub events page. New programs are added as providers share them.
This article is for general information only. It isn’t a substitute for personalised advice from a health professional. Program details were correct at the time of writing, so please confirm dates, costs and funding with each provider.
