22 Things to do with Kids in the October School Holidays 2026

26 Sept

Looking for things to do with kids in Sydney these spring school holidays? We’ve put together a guide to the best family-friendly Sydney school holiday activities, including free events, festivals, creative workshops, outdoor activities, art and craft, animal experiences and family movie sessions. From the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour to the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West, there are activities for toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged kids and older children, with free and low-cost options as well as activities that require bookings.

Family Days Out

Wild Things Festival at The Opera House

Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct | Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney | Free | Various activities and performance times | More information and the full Wild Things program

The Sydney Opera House’s new international kids festival, Wild Things, is running from 26 September to 11 October, with a range of free experiences alongside the ticketed performances. Free activities include interactive installations, outdoor performances, roving puppetry and creative play.

SWING is a nine-metre-high interactive swing on the Forecourt, suitable for all ages, while Iwagumi Air Scape is a walk-through inflatable rock installation with interactive sounds and lighting. Puzzle brings circus performers and large cube frames to the Forecourt, and Erth’s Wild Rumpus features lifelike animal and dinosaur puppets roaming the Opera House and Forecourt.

From 2–6 October, Living Sculptures: How the birds got their colours combines First Nations dance, storytelling and contemporary circus in a free outdoor performance. From 7–11 October, Les moutons brings a flock of sheep, a ram and a shepherd to the Forecourt in a wordless roving performance combining dance, theatre and visual comedy.

There are also free creative play activities inside the Opera House, including Plasmotopia, a 60-minute augmented-reality drawing workshop for ages 5+, running from 26 September to 1 October.

Big Ideas Factory at Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is throwing a free school holiday program all about science, technology, creativity and engineering. Activities include science storytime, construction and making, coding and robotics, a sustainable sculpture, lawn games and a roaming humanoid robot.

Many activities are drop-in, so families can arrive and move between activities at their own pace. There will also be free outdoor family movies on Saturday afternoon, with The LEGO Movie at 3:30pm and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at 5:30pm.

Drop-In Activities by age:
Science Storytime: ages 3–5
Creative Construction Zone: ages 5–8 (some activities from age 3)
Robotics Workshop: ages 8–12
Build a Sustainable Bridge, Robot Meet N Greet and Lawn Games: Whole family

NSW Police Force Open Day

Sun 11 Oct | 10am - 3pm | Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour | Free | More information

Whether you’ve got some little Paw Patrol fans at home, or some older kids who would be keen to see some real life Police Dogs, this is the event for you.

The NSW Police Force Open Day at Tumbalong Park gives visitors the opportunity to meet police officers, explore specialist areas of NSW Police and see police vehicles and equipment up close.

There will be interactive displays and demonstrations from specialist teams including the Air Wing, Rescue, Forensic Services, Marine Area Command, Highway Patrol, Dog Unit and Mounted Unit. Families can also meet representatives from Sydney City Police Area Command, Crime Prevention Command, Crime Stoppers, Police Legacy, Police Media and Recruitment.

The NSW Police Band will perform live on the main stage from 11am–12:30pm, with an intermission.

(Please note there is no official Paw Patrol association with this event that we are aware of.)

Art Gallery of NSW: School Holiday Activities

26 Sep–11 Oct 2026 | Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain | Free | No bookings required for drop-in activities and tours | More information and the full program

The Art Gallery of NSW is running a range of free, family-friendly workshops, activities and guided tours throughout the spring school holidays. The program includes drop-in art-making activities as well as guided tours exploring different parts of the Gallery and its collections.

At the Double Birds in Flight drop-in workshop, children can decorate a double-bird shape using collaged paper textures, inspired by Sidney Nolan's paintings in the Nolan: Origins exhibition. The finished bird can be attached to string so it can be suspended and made to fly. The workshop runs daily from 26 September to 11 October, 10am–5pm (Wednesdays until 9pm).

At Woven Tortoises, families can use colourful yarn to weave a tortoise shell and create a mini tortoise protector inspired by Desmond Lazaro's Samudra Manthana, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, part of the Avatar: Forms of Vishnu exhibition. This drop-in workshop runs daily from 26 September to 11 October, 11am–3:30pm.

The Guided Tour for Kids: Australian Landscapes is a 40-minute roving art-making tour through the Naala Nura building, exploring Australian landscapes from beach to bush. The tours include activities and opportunities to make art along the way. Tours run at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 29 September to 8 October.

The Guided Tour for Kids: Yiribana Gallery explores the Gallery's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection. The 45-minute tour meets at the entrance to the Yiribana Gallery in the Naala Badu building and runs at 1pm on Wednesday 30 September and Wednesday 7 October.

There are also several activities continuing beyond the school holidays. Indian Illustrations is a drop-in drawing activity in the Asian Lantern gallery, where children can create their own scenes inspired by the animals, people and nature depicted in the Indian paintings in the Elemental exhibition. ສູ້ສູ້ Sou Sou by Mechelle Bounpraseuth is a drop-in workshop exploring food, family and imagination through hands-on making. Both activities run during Gallery opening hours. The Roving Tour: Kids is a guided art-making tour through the Gallery's collection, with activities exploring colour, shapes, imagery, emotions and artistic techniques, followed by an opportunity to create some art.

Crafty Workshops for 5-12 years

Build Your Own Chinese Garden

Mon 28 Sep–Fri 9 Oct | 11am–1pm weekdays (Mon 5 Oct excluded) | Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier Street, cnr Harbour Street, Darling Harbour | Under 5 yrs free, 5-12 years $8 entry, 12+ years is $12 entry | More information

Children can create a miniature Chinese Garden inspired by the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Using cardboard pieces, they can assemble and decorate features including traditional pavilions, willow trees, koi carp, a water dragon, bamboo, rock formations and waterways. The completed 3D model can be taken home.

Animal Tales Writing Workshop

Children can join children’s author Lisa Nicol for a creative writing workshop focused on animal stories. Participants can develop a tale about a real pet or invent their own creature and leave with the beginning of their own book.

Suitable for ages 8–12.

A Dose of Whimsy: with Boost Juice

Decorate and bedazzle a reusable Boost cup using colourful embellishments and craft materials, then fill it with your choice of Boost Blends with Benefits smoothie. The workshop is designed for older children, teens and adults rather than young children. All materials are provided and the reusable cup is yours to take home.

Lush QVB x Billion Bees Charity Pot Workshop

Lush QVB is hosting a three-day school holiday event in support of the Billion Bees Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit working to restore and propagate native Australian stingless bee populations.

The one-hour sessions include learning about native stingless bees, tasting native stingless bee honey, bubble activities, bee-themed art and craft using recycled materials, face painting and other activities. Children can also take home a bag of LUSH goodies.

The event is suitable for all ages. A parent or guardian must remain with children under 16 throughout the session. Tickets are $10 per person, bookings required.

Garden Adventures for Kids (Inner West residents only)

Children can explore an urban food garden, learn about growing food at home, propagate plants, discover how composting works and make their own compost and seed bombs to take home. Snacks are provided. Suitable for school-aged children, with each child required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The workshop is free for Inner West Council residents only. Proof of residential address is required, with a maximum of two children per parent or guardian.

Minis Donut Decorating with Brooklyn Donuts

Children can decorate their own donuts in a 20-minute workshop at Brooklyn Donuts, using colourful icing, sprinkles and toppings. Each participating child receives a chef hat and a certificate after completing the workshop, with the decorated donut available to eat afterwards. Parent supervision is required.

A Dose of Whimsy: Bedazzle Your Sol de Janeiro Mist

Sample a selection of Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Mists, choose a fragrance and personalise the bottle with gems and sparkling embellishments. Each ticket includes one Sol de Janeiro mist, customisation materials and the completed fragrance to take home.

Available fragrances include Cheirosa 62, 68, 59, 76, 87, 40 and 48, subject to availability. Fragrance selection is first come, first served. The workshop is held on Level 3 near Kookai.

For All Ages

Image is from previous Box of Birds immersive experience

Shipwreck Odyssey

Shipwreck Odyssey is a family-friendly interactive digital experience from Box of Birds, taking visitors beneath the waters of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Led by the ghost ship Jenny Lind, one of Australia’s famous shipwrecks, the 45-minute experience uses technology, digital art, sound and storytelling to explore the underwater world, with stingrays, whales, coral cays and plankton featured throughout.

The experience is suitable for all ages, with the Gallery recommending it particularly for children aged 4–12. Weekday sessions are free and do not require booking. Weekend sessions cost $5 and require a ticket for a 45-minute timed session. Babies under 12 months do not require a ticket.

A Minis Sensory Dose: Puppy Play

Treat the kids to a sweet sensory experience with plenty of puppy love at Broadway Sydney. Minis can enjoy gentle cuddles, pats and supervised play with adorable toy poodles, creating a calm and engaging experience for little animal lovers.

Each session runs for 10 minutes, with tickets required for each participating child. Numbers are strictly limited, so bookings are essential. The tickets are $4.49. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your allocated session time. Late arrivals may miss their session if capacity has been reached.

Puppy Playtime at South Eveleigh

Need a little puppy therapy? Head to South Eveleigh for some quality time with adorable Cavoodle puppies.

Visitors can enjoy one-on-one puppy cuddles, take a photo and spend some time with the puppies in a relaxed setting. No bookings are required, so you can simply drop by during the session.

There’s also an extra special element to the event, with every puppy having the opportunity to be adopted into a loving forever home. Anyone interested in adoption can find out more on the day.

Family Fun Days @ Bondi Pavillion & Oxford St Bondi Junction

Mon 28 Sept & Tues 29 Sept on Oxford St, Bondi Junction | Tues 6 Oct & Wed 7 Oct at the Bondi Pavilion, Bondi | 10:30am–1:30pm | Free | More information

Make the most of the school holidays with Family Fun Days, a free event packed with activities for kids and families. Little ones can get hands on with STEM and science activities, get creative with arts and crafts, and enjoy plenty of family friendly entertainment.

There’s also a petting zoo, themed fairy floss experience and disco party to keep the kids entertained. A fun holiday outing with plenty to see and do.

Marvel Crafts @ Westfield Bondi

Mon 28 Sep–Fri 9 Oct 2026 | 11am–2pm | Level 5, near Le Creuset, Westfield Bondi | Free | More information

Little Marvel fans can get creative these school holidays with a different free activity on offer each day. Kids can make their own superhero masks, shields and handprint crafts, create Marvel themed snacks or paint their own Marvel figurine.

Activities run daily from 11am–2pm, with the figurine painting available while stocks last. A fun and easy school holiday activity for little superheroes of all ages.

• Mon 28 Sep: Marvel Super Hero masks
• Tue 29 Sep: Marvel Super Hero snacks
• Wed 30 Sep: Marvel Super Hero handprint craft
• Thu 1 Oct: DIY Marvel Super Hero shields
• Fri 2 Oct: Marvel Super Hero snacks
• Sat 3 Oct: Marvel Super Hero masks
• Sun 4 Oct: Marvel Super Hero handprint craft
• Mon 5 Oct: Paint your own Marvel figurine
• Tue 6 Oct: Paint your own Marvel figurine
• Wed 7 Oct: Paint your own Marvel figurine
• Thu 8 Oct: Marvel Super Hero masks
• Fri 9 Oct: Marvel Super Hero handprint craft

Slime Bar at Malabar Library

Get ready for a squishy school holiday activity at the MalaBAR SLIME BAR! Kids can get hands on and create their very own custom slime to take home, while discovering a little bit of the science behind how slime is made.

The activity is open to preschoolers through to Year 6, with one slime creation per person. No bookings are required, but you may need to wait your turn if it gets busy.

Dance Workshops at Darling Square

Get the school holidays moving with free dance workshops at Darling Square. Bring the family along to dance, play and have fun to feel good beats, with a live DJ spinning family friendly tunes throughout the afternoon.

Sessions run from 2:30pm to 4:30pm across both days, with kids and parents welcome to join in. Just drop by and get ready to dance!

Drop in Centre: A Delicious Feast @ State Library of NSW

Pop into the library these school holidays for a food themed art and craft session where kids can get creative with colouring, drawing, gluing and imaginative play.

There’s also a play cafe to explore, where little ones can pretend to be chefs, waitstaff or customers. Suitable for all ages, so it’s an easy school holiday activity to drop into whenever it suits you.

Grandparents Spark in the Park

Wed 7 Oct | Randwick Community Centre, 27 Munda Street, Randwick | Free | Bookings required | More information and bookings

Join Randwick City Library outdoors for stories, songs and play for children aged 0–5 years. The October session has a Grandparents theme. Bring a picnic blanket and join the session at Randwick Community Centre.

The event is weather permitting and may be cancelled at short notice. All children and accompanying adults need to be booked in, and children must be supervised by an adult.

Movie Night

Minis Family Movie Sessions: Forgotten Island

Set sail for a magical family movie adventure at HOYTS Broadway these school holidays. Forgotten Island is a fun adventure filled with imagination, exploration and plenty of family fun, perfect for little movie lovers and their grown ups.

The movie starts at 10am, with doors opening from 9:30am. Tickets are $7.50 per person, with limited spots available.

Minis Family Movie Sessions: Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie

Calling all Paw Patrol enthusiasts! Make your way to HOYTS Broadway this break for an epic prehistoric journey alongside Chase, Skye, Marshall, and the whole team.

Doors open at 9:30am, with the film commencing at 10am. Entry is $7.50 per person, and snacks can be bought directly at the cinema.

Friday Flicks at Woollahra Library

Head to the library for Friday Flicks and enjoy a family friendly movie, popcorn and refreshments.

On Friday 2 October, settle in for a 2025 PG film about a furry alien and a young girl on an island adventure. Then on Friday 9 October, the favourite yellow creatures in blue overalls are back for a brand new adventure to save the planet.

Parents and carers need to stay with their children for the duration of the film. Please remember to book a ticket for each child and adult attending.

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