School Holiday Activities Sydney & Eastern Suburbs: July 2026 Kids Guide
School Holidays are here! This July, there’s plenty happening across Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs.
This guide brings together school holiday events happening across the city, including hands-on workshops, creative activities, cultural programs, drop-in experiences and family-friendly installations. Keep an eye out for the events which require bookings, and get in fast! School holiday activities almost always book out ahead of time. But there’s plenty of drop-in activities happening too.
Locations featured include the Art Gallery of NSW, State Library of NSW, Museums of History NSW, Darling Harbour precinct, Carriageworks, Westfield Bondi Junction, Broadway Sydney and a range of local libraries across the CBD, Inner West and Eastern Suburbs.
Top Picks by Age
Ages 0-3
Carriageworks – Space Play installations
LEGO Store meet-and-greets
Bondi Beach Playgroups
Ages 4–6
East Village Zetland – plaster painting, Hello Kitty Pour Palz, free treats
Westfield Bondi Junction – Toy Story activity station (drop-in, first come first served)
Darling Harbour – craft workshops, scavenger hunt, Dance Den
Ages 7–9
State Library of NSW – Family Day activities
Chinese Garden of Friendship – Kung Fu workshops
Craft workshops at Broadway Sydney
Ages 10–12
Art Gallery of NSW – Hive Festival workshops and installations
Apple Kids Workshops
Sydney Trapeze School Open Day
Sydney CBD & Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour – Winter School Holiday Program (4–5 July)
The Darling Harbour precinct is running a short school holiday program across 4–5 July, with a series of free, drop-in style activities located around the precinct.
The program includes:
Hands-on craft workshops
A family scavenger hunt across the precinct
A “Dance Den” space with music and movement activities for children
Additional roaming entertainment scheduled across the weekend
Head to Tumbalong Park playground afterwards to complete the day!
When: 4–5 July 2026
Where: Darling Harbour, Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Best suited for: All ages
More information:https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/campaigns/winter-festival
Darling Square – Winter School Holidays (16–19 July)
Free face painting runs daily from 12pm–3pm with rotating winter-themed designs. A large snow globe installation is also open with free entry available with eligible purchase.
When: 16–19 July 2026
Where: Darling Square, Haymarket
Cost: Free (snow globe entry with purchase)
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/events/winter-school-holidays-at-darling-square
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Free entry for children during school holidays with a paying adult, with Kung Fu workshops running at 11am, 12pm and 1pm on weekdays. Also check out the free fish feeding at 11:30am every day, or pick up an Emperor's Quest kid’s guided trail to complete in your own time.
When: Weekdays during school holidays
Where: Darling Harbour, Sydney
Cost: Adults $12, 5-12 yr olds are $8 (although one child enters for free with every paying adult until 19 July), under 5’s free
Bookings: Not required
Best suited for: All ages, except toddlers who are too big to sit in a pram but too small to listen to “stop” - there is a lot of water and ponds in the Garden without fencing.
More information:https://www.darlingharbour.com/offers/kids-go-free
Hay St Market – Winterfest
Winterfest includes ice skating sessions and precinct entertainment, with skating sessions operating on timed entry.
When: 8–19 July
Where: Haymarket
Cost: $10 tickets for skating sessions; free precinct entry
Bookings: Required for skating
More information:https://www.haystmarket.com.au/winterfest
Art Gallery of NSW – Hive Festival
The Art Gallery of NSW transforms for its annual Hive Festival, a free school holiday program centred around hands-on art, play-based installations, workshops, performances and interactive spaces across both gallery buildings.
Activities include large-scale creative installations, drop-in artmaking workshops, storytelling, and sensory-friendly spaces designed for children and families. Festival highlights include artist-led workshops by Kate Mitchell, soft play areas for younger children, and roaming creative activities throughout the gallery.
The festival runs across Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2026. However, there are drop-in workshops and activities running throughout the rest of the holidays. As well as the popular interactive exhibit Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat, which encourages kids to play on the exhibit itself. Check out more here: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/visit/plan-your-visit/kids-and-families/
When: Gallery open daily, Hive Festival is 11–12 July 2026
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Cost: Free (some activities ticketed)
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/?audience=kids
State Library of NSW – Family Day
The State Library is running school holiday programs including workshops, storytelling sessions, and hands-on creative activities inspired by the library’s collections.
A key feature is the Family Day (19 July), which includes drop-in creative activities, storytelling experiences, and interactive sessions designed for children and families across different spaces within the library.
When: 19 July 2026 (Library open everyday)
Where: State Library of NSW, Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required for some sessions
Best suited for: All ages
More details:https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/kids-and-families
Museums of History NSW
Museums of History NSW is offering a rotating program of school holiday activities across its sites, with a focus on hands-on engagement with Sydney’s history.
Across the program, activities include drop-in craft stations connected to historical themes and object-based discovery activities where children handle or explore replicas.
When: School holidays (varies by venue and session)
Cost: Free and paid activities (varies)
Bookings: Required for some sessions
Best suited for: 5 - 12 years
More details:https://mhnsw.au/whats-on/events/school-holiday-activities/
Rocks Discovery Museum
The Rocks Discovery Museum is hosting drop-in badge-making workshops, where children can create their own designs inspired by Sydney’s history and the local area. The activity is self-guided with assistance from museum staff.
Head’s up that the activity is held on the top floor of the Museum, which is only accessible via a flight of stairs. Some pram parking is available at the museum entrance.
When: Weekdays during the school holidays (Mon 6 - Fri 17 July)
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Best suited for: 5 - 12 years
Moreinformation:https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/badge-making-at-the-rocks-discovery-museum
LEGO Store Meet & Greets (CBD – Sydney Arcade)
LEGO character appearances including LEGO Batman (7 and 8 July) and LEGO fireman (14 and 15 July) sessions.
When: 7, 8, 14 & 15 July, 11am–1:30pm
Where: Lego Store, Pitt St Mall, 400 George Street (closest to the King St end)
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Recommended ages: 2 - 8 year olds
More information: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/meet-lego-r-batman
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/meet-lego-r-fireman
Instituto Cervantes – Puppet Workshop
Spanish-language puppet workshop for children aged 4–11 years.
When: School holidays
Where: 299–305 Sussex Street, Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: 4 - 11 years
More information:https://forsyd.my.canva.site/titeres
Once Upon a Time en Español
Interactive storytelling session introducing Spanish through stories.
When: School holidays
Where: Instituto Cervantes Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: 1 - 5 years
More information:https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/once-upon-a-time-en-espanol
A Day in the Life of a Soldier
This is your chance to get a taste of life as a soldier! This two-hour program includes the chance to touch and wear real uniforms and equipment, and get up close to a special tent soldiers use to stay warm at night.
When: 9 and 10 July 2026, various session times
Where: Anzac Memorial Auditorium, Sydney
Cost: $6.60 per child
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: 5 years and older
More information:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/school-holiday-drop-in-activity-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-soldier-tickets-1991645392984
Bastille Festival
The French-themed street festival is set to take over Circular Quay with food, entertainment and roaming performances. More details about the performances should be released closer to the date, but the food and beverage markets are locked in!
When: 16 to 19 July 2026
Where: Circular Quay, Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://bastillefestival.com.au/
Sydney & Inner West
Broadway Sydney – Craft Workshops
Book your primary-schoolers in for a craft workshop at Broadway Shopping Centre. All proceeds from the tickets go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
When: School holidays
Where: Broadway Sydney
Cost: $4.50 per child
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: Ages 5 - 12
More information:https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/broadway-minis-3695639
East Village Zetland
East Village is running free drop-in creative activities including plaster painting and craft stations.
When: 6, 8, 10 - 12 July 2026, various times
Where: Zetland
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://www.eastvillage.com.au/experience/events
Sydney Trapeze School – Open Day
A day for the whole family, with multiple shows from students of Sydney Trapeze School throughout the day. In between shows, join in the free activities including juggling, hula hoops and spinning plates.
Please note the event will be cancelled if it is raining.
When: 12 July 2026, 10am–4pm
Where: Sydney Portugal Community Club (Address: 100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville). Using public transport to make your way there is highly encouraged - a short walk from Sydenham station (buses, trains and Metro)
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/circus-in-full-colour-open-day
Carriageworks – Space Play
Created by Box of Birds, Space Play transforms the venue into a 360-degree immersive experience where children can explore the solar system, navigate planets, moons, meteors and stars, and create their own imaginative outer space adventures.
When: Wed-Sun until Sat 25 July 2026, throughout the day (weekend sessions are limited to 45 min each)
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Cost: Free on weekdays, $5 for 12 months and older on weekends
Bookings: Not required for weekdays
More information: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/spaceplay/
Carriageworks – Skate!
A popular monthly event for active kids, Skate! transforms Carriageworks into a pop-up skate park where children aged 6 and up can learn, practise and build confidence on a skateboard.
Registration for workshops is required, with only 25 spots in each. There’s a girls-only beginners session at 10am, a general beginners session at 11:15am and an intermediate session at 12:30pm.
When: 18 July 2026
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: 6 years and older
More information:https://carriageworks.com.au/events/skate/
Eora NAIDOC Inner City Family Fun Day
A NAIDOC Week community event with cultural activities and performances, hosted at Carriageworks. Includes live music, youth activities, an Elders Space and a free BBQ.
When: Thur 9 July, 10am–2pm
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
More information:https://carriageworks.com.au/events/eora-naidoc-inner-city-family-fun-day/
Public House Petersham
Public House Petersham is running a school holiday program featuring a mix of hands-on workshops and live entertainment, including craft activities, science sessions, performances and themed character appearances. Across the program, children can take part in activities such as plaster painting workshops and science camps, alongside weekend entertainment featuring character appearances, games and interactive experiences.
When: Sun 5 July – Wed 8 July; Mon 13 July – Wed 15 July; Sun 19 July 2026
Where: Public House Petersham, Petersham
Cost: Free
Bookings: Bookings recommended (table reservations encouraged)
Best suited for: Children and familiesMore information:https://publichousepetersham.com.au/july-school-holiday-activities/
Camelia Grove
We love a pub with free kids activities! Camelia Grove is running kids pizza workshops on Thursdays, craft workshops on Fridays and hosting a magic show and an animal farm on the second and third Saturdays of the school holidays. Spaces are limited, so bookings are highly recommended.
When: Thursdays–Saturdays during school holidays, 10:30am–12pm
Where: 146 Henderson Road, Alexandria
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
More information:https://cameliagrovesydney.com/july-school-holidays
Eastern Suburbs
Westfield Bondi Junction – Toy Story Activity Station
Stop by the drop-in Toy Story activity station with themed activities and entertainment on each day from 11am- 2pm.
When: 13–19 July 2026, 11am - 2pm
Where: Westfield Bondi Junction, Level 5 near TK Maxx
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Best suited for: 4 years and older
More information:https://www.westfield.com.au/bondijunction/news
Moore Park Golf Open Day
Moore Park Golf Club throws open its doors for its annual open day this July. Although the schedule doesn’t seem to be as packed as previous years, you can still expect mini putt putt and introductory golf activities for children.
When: Sat 11 July 2026
Where: Moore Park Golf, Sydney
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
More information:https://mooreparkgolf.com.au/moore-park-golf-open-day/
Bondi Beach Playgroups
Bondi Beach Playgroups is one of the few playgroups in Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs that continues running through the school holidays. The times and dates for playgroups are released the Sunday before each week begins via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BondiBeachPlaygroups/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bondibeachplaygroups/).
Sessions are held across three locations in Bondi Beach and Vaucluse, and include a mix of nature play, craft, dress ups, messy play, cars etc. Attending carers are required to have a free PlaygroupsNSW membership (for insurance purposes) and sessions are $4 per family. No pre-booking required, just pay via QR code when you arrive.
The playgroups are aimed at 0-5 year olds, but during school holidays older siblings are also welcome.
When: Dates and times vary, with schedules published the Sunday before each week
Where: Wairoa Community Centre in Bondi Beach, Thomas Hogan Reserve in Bondi Beach, and Kimberley Reserve in Vaucluse
Cost: $4 per family
Bookings: Not required, register upon arrival
Best suited for: 0 - 5 years
More information: https://www.facebook.com/BondiBeachPlaygroups/
Apple Kids Workshops
Creative technology workshops for children aged 6+.
When: Selected school holiday dates
Where: Apple Sydney, Bondi, Broadway
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
More information: https://www.apple.com/au/today/calendar/?topics=kids-and-families
Bunnings – Kids Workshops
Kids can get creative at these free hands-on DIY workshops. Registration is required and events are likely to book out. So grab your spot now if you’re keen!
When: Selected school holiday dates
Where: Most Bunnings stores
Cost: Free
Bookings: Required
Best suited for: 5-12 years
More information: https://bookings.bunnings.com.au/events/au
Libraries Across Sydney & the Eastern Suburbs
School holiday programs across Sydney libraries include storytelling, craft activities and workshops across multiple branches.
Randwick City Libraries: https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/library/library-events/library-calendar
Waverley Library: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/library/library_news/library_news/did_you_know/winter_school_holidays_at_waverley_library
Woollahra Library: https://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/Library/Whats-on/School-Holidays
City of Sydney Libraries: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/programs/city-of-sydney-library
Inner West Libraries: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/childrens-events-and-programs-6829
