Looking for ways to entertain the little ones? Here’s a list of what’s on in Sydney for kids and families, from children’s theatre shows to sports camps and events in the school holidays.
What's on for kids?
The Westies Markets
It might be quite a trek to Emu Plains if you live in central Sydney, but the revamped format of the Westies Markets for 2019 could be a sign that the West knows best when it comes to fresh produce and even fresher style. The non-for-profit collective behind the market, the Westies, is all about showcasing the Penrith region while giving local growers and makers the opportunity to sell their products through an accessible event. They’re aiming to create a lazy Sunday atmosphere, where you get to know the community rather than fight over the bargain bin. Visitors can expect homemade one-of-a-kind fashion items, live performances and all manner of edible treats at the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School in Emu Plains. Once popular monthly markets, they're now reducing their frequency to a quarterly set-up. They'll still run from 9am-2pm on the thrid Sunday of selected months, with even more expertly curated offerings.
Event Junior
Taking the kids to the movies is a great family day out, but if they need to run off some of that choc-top sugar strength, cinema aisles aren’t the best place to do it. So, silver screen giants Event Cinemas has come up with the perfect wriggly remedy, and they’re test running the family-friendly experience at their Macquarie Fields complex. Event Junior is a dedicated space for kids under the age of eight, where they can race around slides, climbing nets and interactive digital games before, after or during the intermission of new release family movies. If there aren’t any flicks your little rugrat wants to see, you can simply book a one-hour play session at the Event Junior jungle gym for $5, with free entry for caregivers. If you are in it for the storytelling action, book standard movie tickets and the kids can go wild in the ten-minute intermission, or whack on an extra 30 minutes of playtime for $5. They really get the needs of the young family here, and also offer comfy daybeds and bean bags instead of stiff straight back chairs, as well as a kid-friendly movie snack menu. And if your kidlets really dig it, you can book out the whole space for birthday parties.
Free family-friendly events
Festivilion
This huge celebration of live music, art and feasting presents a day and night program so everyone can get into the party, no matter their schedule on Saturday, November 16. You’ll see some martial art demos, listen to local choirs and hear from school rock bands in the Bondi Pavilion amphitheatre. Be sure to check out the sea dragon installation which local artist Merran Hughes, students and other creatives have worked on together prior to the event in celebration of Bondi’s marine life and coastline. You can also register for one of the creative workshops in making sea-themed lanterns, masks and stage props, and teens can get crafty learning to create cardboard sculptures (some of these classes will cost you a $5 donation). Movers and shakers can also join in the tango workshop upstairs in the Seagull room which will be transformed into a ballroom with live bands. Then get ready for some salsa dancing on the balcony overlooking Bondi Beach. There’ll be plenty food stalls to keep you fuelled all day long. Enjoy the sausage sizzle, then grab something sweet from Republic Bakery or the chill-out-chai tent. As the sun begins to set, the Sea Dragon Lantern Parade will kick off the night with a glowing procession and music.
The Best Gift Market
Christmas by the beach is a bit of an Aussie ideal, so get this year’s salty festivities going by shopping for Xmas gifts on the sand. The Best Gift Market is bringing a host of sustainable and ethical prizes to Coogee Beach on November 17, so you can kick-start your present shopping early. There’ll be everything from fashion and homewares to textiles, kids gifts and even Christmas trees. You can gift someone new shades from Parafina, who make their sunglasses from 100 per cent recycled and eco-friendly materials, or check out Created by Culture’s Ghanaian jewellery, which is wearable art made out of broken bottles and glasses. The Eco Shop Co have all your practical gifts sorted, from reusable water bottles to straws and toothbrushes, and Sheree Creagh Handbags will provide guilt-free recycled leather handbags. They’re keeping things super local and also setting up a car boot sale, so you can nab bargain secondhand finds from your neighbours. Once you’ve filled your sleigh, hit up the food stalls or check out the craft and sustainability workshops. The kids can even grab a snap with Santa, who’s making an appearance on the sand.
Plumer Road Village Fair
You can expect a very wholesome and relaxed day out at this cute community fair in Rose Bay along Plumber Road. There will be lots of delicious food options, local produce, interesting retail stalls, fun activities for the kids and adults as well as live music. Find a spot to relax on the street under the shade of umbrellas while you listen to the DJ play some funky tunes with a side of live saxophone. The kids will be running around all day, enjoying the jumping castle, face painting and hair braiding. That gives you time to wander around the 24 local stalls offering all kinds of unique clothes, beauty products, knick knacks and even natural dog treats – don’t forget about old fluffy Tess. Both you and your pet can take care of your hair by purchasing some human grooming products from Blonde Fox while Dogue looks after your pet’s styling. When it comes to lunch, you’ll have some tough decisions to make. You could get a hamburger from Kingsmore Meats, enjoy some seafood from Costi’s Famous Fish Co or try some French pastries from Robert at La Bretagne Patisserie – or perhaps go straight for the ice-cream cart. There will even be some wine and spirit tastings for grown ups to enjoy.
Dogs of the East
Don’t know what to do with your shih tzu’s glorious (but slightly matted) locks? Head to the Woollahra Sailing Club this weekend and dog grooming pros will teach you how to give Duke a glow-up before he struts in a glam photoshoot. Dogs of the East is a free event organised by Fortis Developmpent Group for woofers and their owners. The groomers from puppy hairdresser, daycare and accessory provider Dogue will show you how to clean, cut and style your dog’s coat before local photographers MM Photos snap the pup pics. It’s all free and you’ll get the digital portraits in December, ready for the Christmas mantle. But there is a catch; you have to register your four-legged pal to enter a ballot to be one of the 130 lucky dog models. So let’s hope you have some good canine karma. The adorable puppy portraits will be going into a glossy coffee table book called DOTE – Dogs of the East, and Eastern Suburb’s residents and their pooches are encouraged to be part of the fun dog day out.
The Westies Markets
It might be quite a trek to Emu Plains if you live in central Sydney, but the revamped format of the Westies Markets for 2019 could be a sign that the West knows best when it comes to fresh produce and even fresher style. The non-for-profit collective behind the market, the Westies, is all about showcasing the Penrith region while giving local growers and makers the opportunity to sell their products through an accessible event. They’re aiming to create a lazy Sunday atmosphere, where you get to know the community rather than fight over the bargain bin. Visitors can expect homemade one-of-a-kind fashion items, live performances and all manner of edible treats at the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School in Emu Plains. Once popular monthly markets, they're now reducing their frequency to a quarterly set-up. They'll still run from 9am-2pm on the thrid Sunday of selected months, with even more expertly curated offerings.
Marrickville Organic Markets
These dog-friendly markets aren’t just a ritual for locals – loyal visitors from all over Sydney trek to Addison Road Community Centre for organic groceries and a wander around Reverse Garbage. You can find pretty much anything here; vintage clothes, books, rugs, eco food wraps to healing crystals, rice bread and tarot reading. There are plenty of stalls selling seasonal fruit and veg, plus Asian greens, honey and fresh seafood. Pick up a paper lunch bag filled with sweet, mini plums and stop by Brooklyn Boy Bagels for a poppy seed dough with cream cheese, lox, dill and caper schmear. If you visit on the first or fourth Sunday of the month, the longest lines will be found at La Casa Latina – a pop-up diner where you can eat authentic Mexican food. It’s a major drawcard for tamales, chilaquiles, tacos al pastor and pazole. Wash it all down with a Michelada – a popular Mexican drink that combines beer, lime, tomato juice, Worcestershire and hot sauce. If the picnic tables are full, there’s plenty of grass behind the community hall to throw down a rug – just watch out for the pony rides passing through. Find the best markets in Sydney.
Bondi Farmers Markets
Bar Pho has been a staple of the weekly produce and snack fare for the past eight years, and the warming basil, beef and star anise-spiked stock makes a solid argument for passing on the usual bacon and egg breakfast. This stall along with Fritter House (try the lion’s share with chipolatas, sour cream, two big corn fritters, bacon and salsa) and the Raclette Shack (oozy cheese-topped potatoes are always a great idea at 10am) make the markets an excellent brunching destination. Grab some grub, BYO picnic mat and sprawl out on the lawn before making your way to the produce section. In summer there’s juicy pineapples, bright peaches and greenery aplenty from Kurrawong Organics, and Mayfarm Flowers always have a great selection of native and tropical blooms to brighten up your home. You’ll also regularly find SOL Cups peddling reusable coffee cups, AB Cheese bringing all the dairy goods, organic nut butters from Chunky Dave and hand carved wood pieces from Byron Bay Chopping Boards. There’s also doggy ‘parking’, live acoustic music and pop-up yoga classes on the lawn. In inclement weather the markets still go ahead, but often with reduced stalls. They also don’t open until 9am, so if you’re an early bird, pop across to the beach first for a walk or swim first. Find more best markets in Sydney.
Plants With Bite
Budding horticulturalists who like plants with attitude should head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for a free exhibition of carnivorous greenery. The Calyx is filled with 25,000 of the world’s hungriest, most clever plants. Watch as the venus fly trap lures unsuspecting insects with nectar and snaps them up in its jaws, where they’ll spend their final days being slowly digested. Or meet the drosera, who use their sticky tentacles to attract and snatch their prey before devouring them. Then marvel at the simplicity of the pitcher plant’s hunting technique, which is to lure hapless bugs with honey and let them fall into the pool of digestive enzymes in their pitfall trap. The Plants with Bite display does sound a little like a horror film, but it’s really all bark and no bite (for humans, anyway) and families can expect a very kid-friendly experience. Plus, there is a range of themed education programs, workshops and a regular feeding display that will intrigue little greenthumbs and their grown-ups.
New Beginnings Festival
Sydney’s vibrant community will come together on November 16 for the fifth year of the New Beginnings Festival. The spring edition of this big day of culture in Tumbalong Park will showcase the skills and talents of Sydneysiders who came to Australia as refugees, those seeking asylum and others who have recently migrated to this fine city. Expect traditional and contemporary dance, live music and slam poetry on stage, plus workshops for kids and adults throughout the festival. The family-friendly event will also host a market of handmade gifts and homewares and provide a varied menu of international cuisines. It’s being organised by the Settlement Services International – a not-for-profit humanitarian group that assists refugees and migrants with issues related to accomodation, employment, disability and youth support.
Make your own fun
The best playgrounds in Sydney
Got a wriggly little one? Let them run off some of that energy at these parks and playgrounds that know how to entertain the real bosses of the household.