School Holiday Activities in Sydney
School holidays are here!
We’ve taken the stress out of finding free kids activities on in the school holidays by rounding up some of our top free activities and exhibitions to head to with the kids over the next couple of weeks.
Sign up to our newsletter and keep an eye on our insta for more activities and updates over the rest of the holidays!
First Week Only
Festival Wreaths and Garlands Drop-In Workshop | Art Gallery of NSW
30 Sep - 4 Oct | 11am - 3:30pm | Free | Drop-in | https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/wreath-and-garlands/
Head to Lower Level 2 of the Naala Badu building in the Art Gallery for a free, drop in kids workshop. Materials are provided for kids of all ages to make a garland, wreath, dancing sticks or lanterns. Inspired by Angelica Mesiti’s “The Rites of When” exhibit, which explores rhythms and celebrations throughout the calendar.
Adult supervision required for children under 12.
Big City Building Workshop | Darling Harbour
Thur 3 Oct | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Free | No bookings required https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/events/you-can-build-it
Head to the Pier Street Underpass in Darling Harbour for a workshop where kids will get involved in building a model city from reclaimed materials.
Plant Workshop | Darling Harbour
Fri 4 Oct | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Free | No bookings required
https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/events/you-can-grow-it
Head to the Pier Street Underpass in Darling Harbour for an interactive plant workshop where kids will be able to make their own seed mix, and choose from a range of flowering and edible varieties of seedlings and seeds to plant.
If there’s enough time, kids will also be able to build seed balls from edible seeds, compost and baking flour to take home and plant in their own gardens.
Second Week Only
Dinosaur Festival | Australian Museum
8 - 11 Oct | Various times | Free and Paid | Bookings required for some events
The Australian Museum is hosting a bunch of free and paid events as part of their Annual Dinosaur Festival. While you’re there, make sure you also pop into the permanent Dinosaur exhibition on Level 2 of the Museum!
Check out the schedule of events here: https://australian.museum/event/school-holidays/
Colours and Lines Art Making Workshop | Art Gallery of New South Wales
Wed 9 Oct | 11am - 1pm | Free | Drop-in | https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/colours-and-lines/
Drop into the Children’s Art Library on lower level 3 of Naala Nura (the south building of the Art Gallery) for a free art-making workshop for kids of all ages.
Materials will be provided for kids to create their own geometric artwork inspired by Lesley Dumbrell’s abstract work and exploration of structured line, colour and movement.
Kids Access Workshop: Making Worlds | Art Gallery of New South Wales
Wed 9 Oct | 10am - 11:30am, 12pm - 1:30pm, 2pm - 3:30pm | Free | Bookings required | https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/kids-access-workshop-making-worlds/
An open-ended workshop for children with disabilities and their families to enjoy art in a sensory, friendly and flexible environment. Book at via the link above.
Family Fun Day | State Library, NSW Parliament House, Museums of History
Fri 11 Oct | 10am - 3pm | Free | Bookings required
NSW Parliament House, the NSW State Library and Museums of History are all throwing a free family fun day on 11 October. Particularly aimed at children between 4 and 12, come along for craft, tours, interactive experiences, music and performers.
Free tickets need to be booked for the Museums of History and NSW Parliament House.
Book free tickets to the Museums of History: https://mhnsw.au/whats-on/events/family-fun-day/
Book free tickets to NSW Parliament House: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-family-fun-day-at-parliament-of-nsw-tickets-1008060896277
NSW State Library fun day (no bookings required: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/family-fun-day
On Both Weeks
Light Lab | Museum of Contemporary Art
29 Sep - 13 Oct | 10am - 4pm | Free | Drop-in | https://www.mca.com.au/events-programs/calendar/family-space-light-lab/
The MCA’s Light Lab is a free activity space for all ages, open every day during the term three school holidays (as well as weekends in October). Head up to Level 3 to play, capture and experiment with refracted light.
Alchemy of a Rainforest Exhibit | The Calynx, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
1 Oct - 9 Oct* | 10am - 4pm* | Entry by donation | Drop-in | https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/whats-on/alchemy-rainforest
*Note: Make sure to check the “Closures” section of the website before visiting. The exhibition and/or the cafe close early or completely on some days (e.g. both closed from 1pm on Sat 5 Oct)
An immersive exhibition of over 18,000 live plants and garden sculptures celebrating “the rainforest’s role as an ecological powerhouse” (source).
Pick up some coffees and snacks afterwards at the nearby cafe, or bring a picnic for the gardens and make a day of it!
First Nations Weaving Workshop | The Rocks Discovery Museum
30 Sep - 11 Oct (except 7 Oct) | 11am - 1pm | Free | Drop-in | https://www.therocks.com/whats-on/events/school-holidays-at-the-rocks-discovery-museum
Drop-in to learn about First Nations weaving techniques from expert instructors. Kids can make their own woven piece to take home.
City Scapes and Skylines Drop-In Workshop | Art Gallery of NSW
30 Sep - 11 Oct (except Wed 9 Oct) | 11am - 3:30pm | Free | Drop-in | https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/kids-workshop-city-shapes/
Head to Lower Level 1 of the Naala Badu building in the Art Gallery for a free, drop in kids workshop. Kids can use card and textures to create their own mini tableau of a city skyline.
Adult supervision required for children under 12.
Burra Exhibit | Australian Museum
Every day | 10am - 4:30pm | Free | Drop-in | https://australian.museum/exhibition/burra/
A tactile, fun exhibition for kids (particularly young ones, but there’s something for older kids too!) focusing both on Western science and knowledge from First Nations in Australia and beyond.
Includes microscopes, puzzles, tactile play, dance, film, books, projections, an under 5’s area and so much more.
Next to the family-friendly Billabong Cafe (has high chairs, but can get very busy), and down the ramp from the permanent Dinosaur exhibit.
