Jasmyn Smith, SuperClash Ambassador Parker Catoni and Georgia Patrikios with puppies from All 4 Paws Dog Rescue. Photo: Supplied

AS SCHOOL holidays spring into action around the country over the next three weeks, AFLW matches across Rounds 6, 7 and 8 provide a fun and affordable day out for the whole family.

With children under 18 attending for FREE and adult tickets only $15, families can get up close to their heroes and all the action on the footy field, as well as experience fun activities and offerings around the grounds.

From footy heroes to puppy petting stations, facepainting, arts and crafts, and bracelet making, the AFLW match-day experience has something for everyone across the school holidays – with many games also supporting worthy causes.

Now in its third year, the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will host its SuperClash game in Round 6 against Carlton at Arden Street this Saturday. Raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal, children will be able to receive a Mattel toy for only a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Royal Children's Hospital. The Roo Squad will also be on hand for face painting, footy skills activities and sensory play. 

This Sunday at RSEA Park, it's more than footy – it's Spud's Game. A day to show up for your friends, your team, and each other. Bringing mental health to the W stage, the match encourages fans to grab their besties, pack the stands and honour Spud's Legacy. Around the ground there will be friend portrait sketches, as well as art and craft and bracelet making stations for the children.

Serene Watson, Georgia Patrikios and Jesse Wardlaw unite for Spud's game this weekend at RSEA Park on Sunday. Picture: St Kilda FC

The Western Bulldogs have back-to-back home games in Rounds 6 and 7 at Mission Whitten Oval against Brisbane and Collingwood with children able to cuddle puppies from All 4 Paws Dog Rescue. In Round 6, you can head to the Bedazzle Station and Bestie Bay hosted by TikTok influencer and Rory Lobb's partner, Lexi Mary, while in Round 7 on the eve of the Toyota AFL Grand Final – Friday 26 September – fans will also be treated to a pre-game fireworks show before the Dogs go head-to-head with the Pies.

Earlier that day Essendon faces off against reigning premier, the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Windy Hill. They have a free team-signed poster giveaway as well as face painting, kick-to-kick and a Royal Flying Doctors flight simulation experience. There will be a half-time running relay which will include various community groups from around the Essendon area, and fans can test out their footy skills with the Maccas kick-to-kick post-game.

This weekend the Gold Coast SUNS will wear their iconic pink guernsey for the first time and $2 footy snacks are back. The first 1000 fans through the gates can secure a voucher on entry at People First Stadium and redeem a single fan favourite from the $2 Footy Snacks range, which includes $2 chips, $2 pies and $2 hot dogs.

It's all happening at Thomas Farms Oval in Unley when Adelaide takes on Sydney on Sunday 28 September at 2:35pm in Round 7. There'll be a specific kids' zones with kicking inflatables and jumping castles as well as a sign making competition that will see the winner receive a prize at half-time. It will be a significant day at Unley, with the Crows also celebrating the milestone 100th game for the AFLW team.

In Round 8 at Alberton Oval, Port Adelaide clashes with the Bulldogs and around the ground there will be balloon artists, player card giveaways, colouring in, footy skill activity zone plus a virtual reality experience where fans can see what it’s like to run through the banner with the team.

The West Coast Eagles' Round 8 match against Collingwood at Mineral Resources Park is a Teddy Bear's Picnic theme to support Telethon, that raises funds and awareness for sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children across Western Australia. There will be Teddy Bear signings post-match as well as teddy themed activities and mascots.

$2 Footy snacks are back at People First Stadium this weekend. The first 1000 fans through the gates can redeem a voucher on entry. Picture: Gold Coast FC

General Manager of AFLW Emma Moore encouraged families and fans to experience AFLW games during the school holidays and soak up the match-day experiences.

"Heading to an AFLW game during the school holidays is a perfect way to spend your weekend, there's the elite drama and action on the field as well as all the free activities around the ground," Moore said.

"It is incredibly affordable for families, with kids under 18 free to attend and adult tickets only $15 – it's exceptional value and our clubs do an amazing job to elevate the match-day experience.

"From facepainting and craft stations to giveaways and Macca's Kick to Kick, there's plenty on offer to keep the whole family entertained.

"After the game there's also the unique experience of the fan engagement zone, where fans have the chance to get photos and autographs with the players – this happens at most games and is special to the AFLW experience.

"I encourage all fans to head along during the school holidays and check out club websites and social media for more information."

For more information regarding specific match-day experiences and what’s on offer, head to individual club websites via the AFLW website.

Check out what’s on offer

Round 6

North Melbourne v Carlton, Saturday 20 September at Arden Street

  • SuperClash Game raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal
  • Every child at the game can get their own Mattel toy for just a gold coin donation to the Good Friday Appeal.
  • Roo Squad on the multipurpose courts for face-painting, footy skills activities and sensory play.

Collingwood v Hawthorn, Saturday 20 September at Victoria Park

  • Player designed airbrush tattoos with a new design released each week
  • Face painting
  • Kids zone with magpie mail, colouring in and lawn games
  • KFC Food Drop
  • Post Game fan engagement zone and Macca's Kick 2 Kick post match

Sydney Swans v GWS GIANTS, Sunday 21 September at Henson Park

  • All Australian defender Brenna Tarrant’s match worn boots will be raffled off in the Fan Zone
  • 100 Cynthia Hamilton Key Rings for first attendees in the fan zone
  • Badge lab, team posters and heart sunglasses giveaway

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions, Sunday 21 September at Mission Whitten Oval

  • Bedazzle station & Bestie Bay hosted by Lexi Mary (Rory Lobb’s partner, TikTok influencer)
  • Puppy Petting Station – All 4 Paws Dog Rescue
  • Macca’s Kick 2 Kick post match

St Kilda v Richmond, Sunday 21 September at RSEA Park

  • Spud's Game returns to the W stage
  • Friend portrait sketches
  • Arts and crafts
  • Bracelet making
  • Southside Market
  • Footy inflatables

Gold Coast SUNS v Adelaide Crows, Sunday 21 September at People First Stadium

  • See the SUNS run out in the iconic pink guernseys for the first time
  • $2 Footy Snacks on offer for first 1,000 redeemed at select outlets at People First Stadium including chips, pies and hotdogs
  • Indigenous arts and crafts
  • SIXT Sunglasses giveaways
  • Live music
  • Face painters

Round 7

Melbourne v Gold Coast SUNS, Friday 26 September at Casey Fields

  • Zurich mini golf
  • Free Harvest Snaps giveaways 
  • Haymes Paint Kick into the barrel activation 
  • Coffee van and food trucks
  • Face painting

Essendon v North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos, Friday 26 September at Windy Hill

  • Royal Flying Doctors flight simulation
  • Team-signed poster giveaway
  • Face painting
  • Handball targets

Western Bulldogs v Collingwood, Friday 26 September at Mission Whitten Oval 

  • Grand Final Eve – pre-game fireworks show
  • Puppy Petting Station – All 4 Paws Dog Rescue
  • Macca’s Kick 2 Kick post match

Adelaide Crows v Sydney Swans, Sunday 28 September at Thomas Farms Oval

  • Sign making competition – winner announced at half-time
  • Kids Zone with kicking inflatables and jumping castle 
  • Post-match signing session on field
  • Bring your deck chairs and picnic rugs to settle in for the afternoon!

West Coast Eagles v GWS GIANTS, Sunday 28 September at Mineral Resources Park

  • Hungry Jacks family meal giveaway
  • Crown ball giveaway post-game
  • Mix 94.5 activation
  • Food vans and pop-up bar

Round 8

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Saturday 4 October at Alberton Oval

  • Virtual reality experience – run through the banner with the team
  • Face painting
  • Balloon artist
  • Player card giveaway
  • Football skill activity zone

West Coast Eagles v Collingwood, Sunday 5 October at Mineral Resources Park

  • Bear themed activities and bear mascot
  • Masters Milk activation
  • Mascot activation
  • Teddy bear signing post game
  • Hungry Jacks family meal giveaway