Social enterprises to visit these school holidays
Looking for meaningful ways to entertain the kids these school holidays? Why not explore some incredible social enterprises that are making a positive impact in our communities? From sustainable living to empowering individuals, these organisations offer unique experiences and products that make the world a better place.
Each one is able to welcome children on site but some require bookings. See their websites for more information and to check availability / open hours.
Image credit: Reverse Garbage
Central Sydney
Banish - Haymarket
Need a school holiday activity that’s both fun and educational? Look no further than the Kids Recycling Session hosted by Banish at their Sustainability Hub in Haymarket, Sydney! Designed for kids aged 8 and up (with separate sessions for youth 13-16), this 90-minute workshop offers a hands-on experience where children learn about plastics, practice sorting, and are inspired to take real-world environmental action. Each participant also gets to include a 2kg "BRAD drop-off" of those tricky, hard-to-recycle items, making them an active part of Banish’s social mission right away. Book your child’s spot for this expert-led session and turn their holiday break into a meaningful lesson in recycling and sustainability by visiting banish.com.au.
Pocket City Farms - Camperdown
Swap screen time for soil time this school break by visiting Pocket City Farms in Camperdown! This innovative urban farm is a social enterprise committed to fair food, education, and community, empowering Australians to improve the environment right in the city. Families can explore the farm by joining one of their Sustainability Farm Tours, or if you're part of a holiday care program, they offer dedicated Vacation Care / OOSH Groups excursions. It's a fantastic way to teach kids about where their food comes from, the power of regenerative farming, and the importance of better communities and a better planet for our children—all while enjoying a day out in a unique green space. Find the farm at 31A Mallett St, Camperdown, and check out what's on at www.pocketcityfarms.com.au.
ReStory by ReLove - Surry Hills
Combine your love for pre-loved design and social good this holiday break by visiting the ReStory by ReLove showroom in Surry Hills! ReStory is a social enterprise run by the registered charity ReLove, dedicated to keeping high-quality, pre-owned designer furniture out of landfill. Their mission is twofold: promoting the circular economy and, crucially, using 100% of proceeds to create homes for people in crisis by furnishing their living spaces. Every piece you buy—from unique homewares to designer seating—has a past and creates a future for someone in need, making a visit to their showroom at 422 Cleveland Street a powerful, sustainable, and stylish way to shop this school holiday. Learn more and check their opening hours (Thursday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm) at https://shop.relove.org.au/.
She Shapes History - Sydney
For a school holiday activity that is both educational and empowering, book a historical walking tour with She Shapes History! This social enterprise runs captivating tours in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, dedicated to reclaiming Australian history by uncovering the forgotten and untold stories of women, First Nations people, and queer communities who challenged the status quo. More than just sightseeing, their tours—like the popular "Badass Women of Sydney"—offer an accessible, feminist-led perspective on familiar streets, making history exciting and showing families that everyone shapes the narrative. You can book a tour to inspire your children to see the incredible, often-overlooked resilience and power around them, directly supporting a movement for inclusive storytelling by visiting https://www.sheshapeshistory.com.au/.
Cafes in Sydney
For social enterprise cafes and restaurants that you can visit in the city and further afield, see https://www.secna.org.au/news/social-enterprise-cafes-and-restaurants
Inner West Sydney
Revolve Recycling - Alexandria
Looking to get your family moving these school holidays while making a massive impact? Visit Revolve Recycling in Alexandria, Sydney’s largest store for affordable, professionally refurbished bikes! This award-winning social enterprise is on a mission to recover, recycle, and redeploy Australia's unwanted bikes, e-bikes, and scooters, keeping thousands of kilograms of metal out of landfill. Every purchase from their stock of warrantied, high-quality kids, hybrid, or mountain bikes helps fund their mission to donate hundreds of free bikes to kids in need across Australia, ensuring "bike equity." Stop by their workshop, check out their range of affordable rides, or even book a bike service, all while contributing to a powerful circular economy initiative. Find them at 84 Burrows Rd, Alexandria, NSW, or check their range online at https://revolverecycling.net/.
Among the Trees - Marrickville
Looking for a unique, hands-on activity these school holidays? Head to Among The Trees in Marrickville, a fantastic social enterprise dedicated to saving beautiful timber from landfill and giving it a new life. This isn't just a reclaimed wood shop; it's a bustling workshop that offers a range of woodworking and handcrafting courses, including specific Kids Courses @ ATT. Visiting Among The Trees offers a fun, educational experience where your family can learn new skills, appreciate sustainability, and support a business that makes a tangible positive impact—a perfect antidote to screen time! Check their website at www.amongthetrees.com.au for course schedules and opening times.
Reverse Garbage - Marrickville
Turn your school holiday craft session into an epic adventure by visiting the Reverse Garbage warehouse in Marrickville! As an internationally-recognised creative reuse centre and not-for-profit social enterprise, Reverse Garbage intercepts tonnes of high-quality industrial and commercial waste, ensuring it avoids landfill. Kids, artists, and DIY enthusiasts can explore the overflowing shelves for unexpected treasures—from fabric scraps and cardboard tubes to film props and offcuts—inspiring boundless creativity. Beyond the thrifty shopping, a visit supports their mission to educate the community on sustainability and creative reuse, helping everyone to "consume less, make more, save money – and feel good doing it!" Find them at 30 Carrington Rd, Marrickville, or learn more at www.reversegarbage.org.au.
The Social Outfit - Newtown
Give your wardrobe a conscious update these school holidays by visiting The Social Outfit in Newtown! This ethical fashion social enterprise is much more than a retail store; its core mission is to empower women from refugee and new migrant backgrounds by providing them with vital industrial sewing training, retail experience, and over $2 million in paid wages since their founding. Every beautiful, sustainable garment and accessory is made from donated or remnant fabric in their Newtown workroom, championing both people and planet. A visit to their 188 King Street shop is a perfect way to support a business that creates jobs, builds confidence, and proves that ethical, sustainable fashion can be both stylish and impactful. Check out their new arrivals and mission details at https://thesocialoutfit.org.
Circle Paints - St Peters
Planning a quick DIY project during the school holidays, like painting a feature wall or refreshing a piece of furniture? Make your supply run a sustainable one by visiting the Circle Paints shop in the Inner West. This fantastic social enterprise intercepts high-quality, surplus trade paint—mostly Dulux—before it hits landfill and sells it to you at a massive 50% discount compared to retail prices. By browsing their shelves for pre-loved colours, or even asking for a custom colour tint, you get premium paint for less while actively helping to minimise waste and reduce carbon emissions. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the planet, perfect for supporting a circular economy in action! Check out their stock and location at www.circlepaints.org.au.
Cafes in the Inner West
For social enterprise cafes and restaurants that you can visit in Newtown, Erskineville and beyond, see https://www.secna.org.au/news/social-enterprise-cafes-and-restaurants
Inner South Sydney
The Reconnect Project - Penshurst
Planning a tech cleanout these school holidays? Before tossing old gadgets, bring your family's unused phones, tablets, or laptops to The Reconnect Project in Penshurst! This award-winning social enterprise is dedicated to closing Australia's digital divide by refurbishing donated tech and distributing it to people facing severe disadvantage, including women fleeing violence, refugees, and low-income families. Furthermore, devices needing repair are fixed through their training program, empowering their most disadvantaged staff with valuable repair skills. By using their repair services or donating your old device, you’re not just being sustainable; you're providing a lifeline of connection, education, and employment. Find out more about their powerful cycle of positive impact and their Penshurst shop at www.thereconnectproject.com.au.
Cafes in Southern Sydney
For social enterprise cafes and restaurants that you can visit in Jannali, Caringbah, Engadine and beyond, see https://www.secna.org.au/news/social-enterprise-cafes-and-restaurants
Blue Mountains
RoseyRavelston Books - Lawson
Spend a quiet afternoon of your school holidays supporting an incredible social mission at Rosey Ravelston Books in Lawson! This charming bookshop is a purpose-driven enterprise built on the values of community support, especially for those in need. They donate 50% of their profits to local refugee charities, advocating on behalf of refugees and making every book purchase an act of tangible help. Browse their curated collection of new and second-hand books, grab a coffee or specialty tea, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of their heritage-listed building. For a truly unique experience, you can even enquire about their "A Bookshop of One's Own" session. Visiting Rosey Ravelston is the perfect way to stock up on holiday reads while giving back to the community. Find them at 1 Badgery Crescent, Lawson NSW 2783, or visit https://roseyravelstonbooks.com.au.
Hotel Etico - Mount Victoria
Dreaming of a school holiday getaway that feels good and does good? Book a stay or simply a meal at Hotel Etico in Mount Victoria, Australia’s first social enterprise hotel located in the beautiful Blue Mountains. This unique hotel, housed in the historic Mount Victoria Manor, offers a fantastic holiday experience—delicious food from Niccolo's restaurant, cosy heritage rooms, and live music—while powering a life-changing program. Their core mission is to provide employment and independent living opportunities to young people with disability, helping them to achieve their independence goals. By choosing Hotel Etico for a special family lunch or a holiday night away, you are ensuring your expenditure directly creates opportunities and empowers their incredible team. Explore the next chapter of their story and book your visit at https://hoteletico.com/
Illawarra
Green Connect Farm - Wollongong
Looking for an outdoor adventure that’s genuinely good for the planet? Head to the Green Connect Farm in Warrawong for a unique school holiday experience! Green Connect is a powerful social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for young people and refugees, running an 11-acre urban farm based on permaculture principles. They are all about "More jobs, less waste, fair food," and their farm is open to visitors with dedicated Farm Activities and School Holidays Excursions—perfect for getting your kids out in nature. Your family can explore a working farm, learn where their food comes from, and support a business that creates jobs and grows fair, sustainable food. Plan your visit and check their event calendar at https://green-connect.com.au/.
Reviva Reuse Shop - Shellharbour
Turn your school holiday outing into a thrilling treasure hunt by visiting the Reviva Reuse Shop run by Resource Recovery Australia at the Dunmore facility! This incredible social enterprise intercepts thousands of items that would otherwise go to landfill—from quirky furniture and vintage decor to practical tools and building materials—creating meaningful jobs that care for people and planet in the process. Taking your family on a browse is not only a fantastic way to find a unique bargain or a project starter, but it’s a hands-on lesson in the circular economy that shows kids how to reduce waste and value pre-loved goods. Find your next great find at 44 Buckleys Road, Dunmore, and make a sustainable choice this break by visiting https://resourcerecovery.org.au/locations/dunmore/.
Nowra Community Food Store - Nowra
Use your school holidays to make a direct positive impact by visiting the Nowra Community Food Store! This charity-run social enterprise operates as a low-cost grocery store, providing affordable groceries and essentials to local families in the Shoalhaven community who are experiencing financial hardship. By choosing to donate a couple of dollars or even purchasing a "Pay It Forward Hamper" while you are in the area, your family directly supports their mission to reduce cost-of-living pressures and food insecurity in a friendly, supportive environment. Visiting is a great way to talk to your kids about community support and the importance of lending a "hand up" to neighbours who are doing it tough. You can find them at 10/158 Princes Hwy, South Nowra, NSW 2541, or learn more about their work at https://www.nowrafoodstore.com.au/.
Cafes in the Illawarra
For cafes and restaurants that you can visit in Wollongong, Shell Cove, Nowra and more, see https://www.secna.org.au/news/social-enterprise-cafes-and-restaurants
Newcastle
The Full Circle Collective
Planning a visit to Newcastle these school holidays? Make sure you check out The Full Circle Collective, a social enterprise passionately dedicated to enabling local communities to have a positive environmental impact, especially by championing the circular economy through resource recovery, repair, and reuse. A great way to get hands-on with this mission is to visit one of their initiatives, such as the Weekly Repair Cafe where your family can learn to fix broken items instead of throwing them away, or join one of their Spring Swaps to exchange clothes sustainably. By participating in their events or shopping from their store, you directly support their goal of promoting small-scale environmental action. Find event details and more information on how to get involved at https://thefullcirclecollective.com.au/.
Mid Coast
Reviva Reuse Shop - Tuncurry
Want an eco-friendly treasure hunt this break? Head to one of Resource Recovery Australia’s Reviva Reuse Shops across the MidCoast region (with locations in Tuncurry, Taree, Bulahdelah, and more). This is a unique opportunity to browse for furniture, materials, and quirky household items that have been intercepted from landfill and are being sold at bargain prices. By spending time at the Reviva Reuse Shop, you're not just finding a unique item for a holiday project; you are actively supporting RRA's social mission of "Creating jobs that care for people and planet." It’s a great, hands-on way to teach the family the power of reuse, keeping valuable resources out of the bin and strengthening the circular economy. Find your nearest location and check opening times at https://resourcerecovery.org.au/locations/midcoast/.
Canberra
She Shapes History - Canberra
For a school holiday activity that is both educational and empowering, book a historical walking tour with She Shapes History! This social enterprise runs captivating tours in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, dedicated to reclaiming Australian history by uncovering the forgotten and untold stories of women, First Nations people, and queer communities who challenged the status quo. More than just sightseeing, their tours—like the popular "Badass Women of Canberra"—offer an accessible, feminist-led perspective on familiar streets, making history exciting and showing families that everyone shapes the narrative. You can book a tour to inspire your children to see the incredible, often-overlooked resilience and power around them, directly supporting a movement for inclusive storytelling by visiting https://www.sheshapeshistory.com.au/.
Cafe Stepping Stone - Dickson or Strathnairn
Plan a delicious, feel-good outing these school holidays by visiting Cafe Stepping Stone in Canberra (Dickson or Strathnairn)! This café is a powerful social enterprise dedicated to providing a crucial "stepping stone" for migrant and refugee women, offering them tailored employment and training opportunities. Beyond enjoying great coffee and a constantly evolving menu of delicious, fresh, and vegetarian food inspired by the diverse women they employ, your purchase directly supports their mission to overcome barriers like language and lack of qualifications. Having been recognised by the Australian of the Year Local Heroes award, visiting Cafe Stepping Stone is a simple, delicious way for your family to support a business creating tangible change in people’s lives. Check out their menus and locations at www.cafesteppingstone.com.
Goodies Junction - Mitchell or Mugga Lane
Make your school holiday visit to the recycling centre a treasure hunt by visiting Goodies Junction in Canberra (Mitchell or Mugga Lane)! This social enterprise, proudly trading under St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn, is dedicated to recovering as many resources as possible from landfill—saving nearly half a million items in its first six months alone. Every item you browse or purchase, from furniture and homewares to electronics and toys, supports their core social mission: providing practical support to people doing it tough, including furnishing complete households for families in need. Visiting Goodies Junction is a fantastic way to teach kids about resource recovery, find a bargain for a holiday project, and contribute directly to community welfare. Find their locations at https://www.goodiesjunction.org.au/.
See something that needs fixing up, or know a social enterprise that should be on this list? Please email us and let us know!