15 Free School Holiday Activities You Should Book Now
Hi! You’ve landed on our blog for the 2025 July School Holidays. If you’re looking for activities on now, head to our most recent blog posts or the daily activities calendars.
School holidays are here again! And as usual, it seems like activities are getting booked out as soon as they’ve been released. We’ve done the hard work for you and found 15 free activities for the July school holidays which still have spots available (at least at the time of writing!). So have a browse and grab your tickets now!
If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out 7 Free Things To Do In The City With Kids, Free Activities for When Its Raining in Sydney, head over to the Sydney or Eastern Suburbs daily activities calendars, or check out our instagram.
NAIDOC Craft at Waverley Library
Date: 7 July
Time: 10:30am - 11:30am
Where: Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Join Waverley Library to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week with a fun and creative crafting session. Children will have the chance to explore a range of hands-on activities inspired by the work of First Nations artists, honouring the world’s oldest continuous culture through art and imagination.
There will also be giveaways including bookmarks, stickers, and colouring sheets to take home and enjoy. This event is for ages 6 plus and requires booking. Book here
Minis: Paint by Numbers Workshop
Date: 8 July 2025
Time: Various
Where: East Village Shopping Centre, 4 Defries Avenue, Zetland
Minis is hosting a free school holiday workshop where kids can paint Australian animals by numbers in celebration of NAIDOC week.
Sessions are running at 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm and 2pm (each runs for 30 minutes).
Bookings are required, and every child participating will require a ticket (tickets are free).
Parental supervision is required throughout the activity (parents do not need their own ticket). Sessions are held on the Ground Floor near Bowan Island Bakery. More details and bookings here
Flexagonal Workshop at Surry Hills Library (8 to 11 years)
Date: 8 July 2025
Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown St, Surry Hills
What has more than two sides, flips like magic, and makes maths fun? Flexagons! In this hands-on STEM workshop, kids aged 8–11 will discover the surprising geometry of these fascinating paper shapes—and then make their own to flex, fold and explore.
It’s a fun blend of creativity, maths and mystery, with all tools, materials, and step-by-step guidance provided.
Parents or guardians must stay in the library during the session.
Spots are limited—bookings essential. More info and bookings here
NSW Art Gallery Kids Access Workshop: My Portrait, My Story
Date: 9 July 2025
Time: 10am, 12pm and 2pm
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, Sydney
A sensory-friendly workshop designed for children with disabilities and their families. Inspired by the Archibald Prize 2025, this relaxed workshop invites children to create their own portraits using watercolours and mixed-media techniques. Experienced facilitators will be on hand to assist.
A wonderful way to bond and create together in an inclusive space.
The event is held in the Ground Level Function Room in the Naala Nura building.
The event is free, but bookings are required. Sessions run for 1 hour starting at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Due to popularity, the event is likely to book out in advance. Book your tickets here: My portrait, my story
Minis: Decorate Your Own Boomerang
Date: 10 July 2025
Time: Various times
Where: East Village Shopping Centre, 4 Defries Avenue, Zetland
Minis is hosting a free school holiday workshop where kids can decorate their own boomerang in celebration of NAIDOC week.
Sessions are running at 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm and 2pm (each runs for 30 minutes).
Bookings are required, and every child participating will require a ticket (tickets are free).
Parental supervision is required throughout the activity (parents do not need their own ticket). Sessions are held on the Ground Floor near Bowan Island Bakery. More details and bookings here
Spinning Threads of Knowledge (8 years +)
Date: 10 July 2025
Time: 11am – 3pm Where: Museum of Sydney, Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with this special hands-on workshop led by Gumbaynggirr textile artist Sancia Ridgeway.
Kids aged 8 and up (with their grown-ups) can discover the art of yarn spinning using traditional techniques and simple tools. After learning the basics, participants will work together to create a collaborative artwork inspired by First Nations songlines—pathways that share knowledge and stories of land and sky.
This creative session is connected to the Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country exhibition currently on display at the museum and offers a meaningful way to engage with First Nations culture through art and making.
All materials are provided and no prior experience is needed. Parents and carers must supervise their kids. More info and bookings here
NAIDOC Storytime and Skewer Sculpture Craft at Randwick Library (5 to 8 years)
Date: 11 July 2025
Time: 10am - 11am
Where: Margaret Martin Library, Level 1, Royal Randwick Shopping Centre, Belmore Road Randwick
Join Randwick Library in celebrating NAIDOC Week with Storytime, Dreamtime animals, and a hands-on craft - create your own story skewer using natural materials. Aunty Maxine - a respected Aboriginal Elder from La Perouse - will speak about the importance of animals in local Dharawal culture. Book here
Felt Garlands Workshop at Glebe Library (8 to 12 years)
Date: 16 July 2025
Time: 10:30am
Where: Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Kids aged 8 to 12 can learn to sew and create their own colourful felt garland in this beginner-friendly holiday workshop. Guided by library staff, participants will be introduced to hand-stitching using bright, soft felt—perfect for little hands and curious minds.
All materials and tools are provided, and every child will take home a handmade garland they’ve crafted themselves. A great way to build confidence, creativity, and a love for sewing.
Parents or guardians must stay on library premises during the session. Places are limited, so bookings are essential. More info + bookings here
Treasures Baskets and Sensory Fun at Maroubra Library (0 to 5 years)
Date: 16 July 2025
Time: 10:30am - 11:45am
Where: Lionel Bowen Maroubra, 669 Anzac Parade, Maroubra
Join Lionel Bowen Library for a delightful sensory adventure designed especially for babies and young children. This winter-themed session invites little ones to explore two immersive, sensory-rich zones that encourage play, curiosity, and development through touch, sight, and sound. This event is for kids aged 0 to 5 years.
Children will rotate between two engaging activity areas:
Winter Treasure Baskets – Little hands can rummage through baby-safe baskets filled with soft scarves, mittens, and seasonal toys. This tactile experience encourages sensory exploration through everyday winter items.
Sensory Bags – Sealed, squishy bags and gloves filled with colourful, safe materials offer a mess-free way for children to experience different textures and shapes, sparking both sensory development and fun.
This session is a calm, engaging way for young children to explore the world around them, while connecting with others in a warm, welcoming space.
Parents and caregivers are required to stay for the duration. Book here.
Starr’s Planetarium: Indigenous Astronomy at Waverley Library (5 to 8 years)
Date: 16 July 2025
Time: 10:45am - 11:15am
Where: Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at Waverley Library with Starr’s Planetarium, an awe-inspiring indoor experience designed for children aged 5 to 8. This 45-minute show takes you on a space adventure to explore the solar system, planets, stars, and constellations through the lens of Indigenous astronomy.
Enjoy a stunning 360° movie that shares Indigenous stories in the stars, then learn what to look for in the night sky. Please note, participants will need to remove their shoes (socks are fine) before entering the dome. While the planetarium is exciting, it is a quiet, immersive activity. Book here.
Have Fun with Augmented Reality (6 years +)
Date: 17 July 2025
Time: 10:30am - 11:15am
Where: Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Experience the magic of augmented reality at Waverley Library in this interactive session designed for children aged 6 and up. Using the Quiver App, kids will colour in printed designs and then watch their creations come to life in 3D with the help of an iPad.
The session runs for approximately 45 minutes, but children are welcome to participate for as little or as long as they like within that time. Parents and carers must remain in the library throughout the activity. Book here.
Watercolours: Hidden Snowflakes at Waverley Library (8 years +)
Date: 17 July 2025
Time: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Where: Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Join Waverley Library for a magical watercolour art session perfect for creative kids aged 8 and over. In this 45-minute workshop, children will discover the magic of combining crayon and paint to reveal hidden snowflake designs. They'll use crayons to draw their frosty creations, which will be brought to life with vibrant watercolours.
This hands-on activity is a fun introduction to a classic art technique that encourages imagination and experimentation. As things might get a little messy, we recommend wearing clothes that can handle a splash of creativity. Book here.
Macrame Keyring Workshop at Waterloo Library (Family session, 8+)
Date: 18 July 2025
Time:
10:30am
Where: Waterloo Library, 770 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo
Get crafty these school holidays with a hands-on macramé keyring workshop for kids aged 8+ and their families. Guided by library staff, you’ll learn the basics of macramé—a fun and creative knotting technique used to make beautiful handmade items.
All tools and materials are supplied, and everyone will leave with a keyring they’ve made from scratch. A great way for families to try something new and get creative together!
Parents or guardians must participate and stay for the full session.
Places are limited, so bookings are essential (although tickets are free).More info and book here
Chill Out Cinema at Waverley Library (6 years +)
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: 10:30am - 12pm
Where: Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Join Waverley Library for Chill Out Cinema, a fun family animated movie screening perfect for kids aged 6 and over. Enjoy a heartwarming story about a woolly mammoth, a saber-toothed big cat, and a goofy sloth teaming up on a journey filled with laughs, adventure, and prehistoric charm. Along the way, they face challenges, make new discoveries, and learn the true meaning of friendship.
The screening lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and is rated G. Snacks will be available during the movie. Due to copyright restrictions, the film’s title isn’t listed here—please contact Waverley Library at library_enquiries@waverley.nsw.gov.au for more details. Book here.
Spanish Language Storytime at Instituto Cervantes (5 to 8 years)
Date: 8 - 18 July
Time: 12pm - 12:45pm
Where: Instituto Cervantes, 3/299-305 Sussex St, Sydney
During these school holidays, kids from 5 to 8 can dive into the world of storytelling in Spanish at the Instituto Cervantes. Part of their School Holiday Camp, this engaging session allows children to explore the Spanish language through exciting, interactive tales. Even if you're not enrolled in the camp, you can still join the fun—just sign up in advance!
Bookings are required and often book out ahead of time. Book tickets and find out more here (note - tickets are free)
