Kids activities Sydney
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?
Moon Drops
For many people, their greatest memories of Sydney Festival are those unexpected moments of joy as they interact with an artwork on their way to or from a ticketed event. In the past, we’ve jumped into a monochrome ball pit, marvelled at our infinite reflections in the House of Mirrors and propelled ourselves through the air on a giant swing. This year, the big, free art installation that’ll bring you that magic moment is ‘Moon Drops’ – a giant waterbed that you can walk, jump and clamber over to experience the feeling of weightlessness. The installation is inspired by the 50 year anniversary of the landing on the Moon. It’s like a rubber-encased drop of water or mercury that’s been scaled up by 1,000 per cent. International designers Jasmax collaborated with Alt Group and the Auckland Council Public Arts team to create these super-sized, water-filled droplets. You’ll find them every day during the festival at Darling Harbour – and it’s free to play with. Check out our top 20 picks of the 2019 Sydney Festival program.
Whales Wednesday
If you and your little zoologist children have been itching to get to the Australian Museum and see the epic Whales | Tohorā exhibition, this summer deal will send it right to the top of your school holidays list. Every Wednesday from December 19 until January 30, you’ll get to bring a friend (or kidlet) along to the exhibit free of charge when you purchase one ticket either online or at the museum and whisper the code ‘Whales Wednesday.’ You’ll get the full experience of the exhibit, which blends science with storytelling. Listen to the haunting whale chorus in the sound chamber, touch the vertebra of a fin whale, meet the artists and scientists who have dedicated their lives to studying whales, and explore the whale riding stories of Māori culture. There’s also a special discovery trail with puzzles, craft and learning activities for the kids to follow, as well as self-guided tour you can access through the museum’s app.
Sydney Festival
The annual cultural celebration is the big one on Sydney’s summer must-do list, and the festival’s contemporary programming always manages to surprise. This year’s highlights include Beware of Pity, a new play from international theatrical powerhouses Schaubühne and Complicité, and Home, a magical show where a two-storey house is built live on stage. Local playwright and actor Ursula Yovich is teaming up with physical theatre company Legs on the Wall for Man With The Iron Neck, and Belvoir is transforming Sydney Town Hall into a Sri Lankan town hall for Counting and Cracking. At the other end of the scale, Joel Bray is bringing his very intimate solo show, Biladurang, to QT Hotel. Down at the festival village, Marcia Hines is taking over the spiegeltent with Pigalle, a new 1970s-inspired circus-cabaret made by the people behind Velvet. Le Gateau Chocolat and Camille O’Sullivan will also bring some cabaret shine to the festival. They’re also bringing back Darug language classes called Bayala, and continuing to bring classical music and circus to Parramatta with Symphony Under the Stars and Shanghai Mimi. Check out our top 20 picks of the 2019 Sydney Festival program.
Balance Bike Clinics
If Santa brought your kiddo a shiny red two-wheeler this year, but the little racer is still wobbling without training wheels, bring them to this free bike riding course at the Sydney Park Cycling Centre. It’ll be running throughout the school holidays on Saturdays and other selected dates, and will teach your kids the cycling basics with help from instructors and a little parent tuition. The clinics run from 11am-2pm and they’re best suited to learner riders aged 3-8. There’s no need to book ahead, simply show up with your bike and helmet – or use the hire equipment – and get pedaling.
LittleBits Droid Inventor
The fictional galaxies of Star Wars have been igniting imaginations for decades, and as a world entrenched in artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more of a reality, our kids are becoming more excited about robotics than ever. In this full day workshop, they can learn how to create their own mini Star Wars bots, from your R2D2 types to a more classical C3P0 friend. They’ll be using littleBits, which is system of easy to use electronic building blocks. It’ll let little engineers snap together circuits, lights switches and buzzer to create droids and dioramas. Beyond the building, there’s also plenty to learn about AI, space travel and the world of Star Wars. This school holidays program is running as part of Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition which is currently running at the Powerhouse Museum. This intriguing workshop is suited to primary school aged children.
Kids vs Wild – Water Fun
Looking for something like Wet’n’Wild without the price tag, or a day at the beach without the sunburn and sand rash? Send the kids to the Centennial Parklands these Christmas holidays for two hours of water-based fun. This educational workshop keeps kids entertained running wet sponge gauntlets and fishing in ponds, while they also learn useful science skills like how to make a water filter or water wildlife facts. It’s best suited to kids aged 5-12.
Fairfield Leisure Centre Pool Party
Sydney sees some real scorchers in January, so hedge your bets and plan to spend the 26th chilling in the pool. The Fairfield Leisure Centre will be open free of charge throughout the day to host a massive pool party. In addition to the cooling lagoon, there’ll be DJs to keep the party vibes going, plus pool activities and other entertainment throughout the day, all for free. If you’ve had enough of being a water sprite, head over to the Fairfield Youth and Community Centre which is adjacent to the pool to have a whirl on their rock climbing, trampoline and basketball facilities.
Ickypedia
The Listies have garnered quite the reputation for being every parents favourite kids’ entertainer. Their brand of satirical, gory humour delights all ages, and gets kids keen to experience the theatre. Their latest show, Ickypedia, is based on the best-selling book of the same name by the Listies stars Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly. Expect a stage full of slapstick comedy, improvised chaos and gross jokes that ponder the big questions: How do you take a smellfie, and what actually happens if you never clean your room?
The Howling
Some little weirdos are just naturally into the macabre, and prefer The Shinning or Psycho over High School Musical. We say, good on them. Quit them nagging you to watch the more blood-curdling horror movies by sending them to a school holidays workshop where they can learn how their favourite entertainment is created. The Howling offers two kinds of hands-on classes to cultivate kids’ love for classic horror and teach them all the behind-the-scenes action. The four-day short film workshop will cover everything from script-writing to acting, filming and editing. They’ll create a short film in the process, which will be submitted into the 2019 edition of Bloodfest, which is the horror film festival that’s running the whole show and showcases the industry's tiniest prodigies; your kids. The second workshop is a one-day intensive focused on acting, where your little star can pick up pro tips on perfecting their death screams, making the waterworks flow and nailing auditions. They’ll leave this class with their own showreel to further their gory acting future. While they’ll be keeping it relatively low key, this is still a course in horror, so only suitable for children over ten.
Junior Adventure Tour
Curious kids are invited to embark on a behind-the-scenes adventure that’ll reveal the Opera House’s deepest mysteries. Follow expert guides backstage to see how the magic of theatre comes together – participants will be shown secret stage markings, taught fascinating facts and given the chance to connect with their inner star by dressing up in costumes. Kids and parents alike will leave the one-hour tour with a newfound appreciation for our city’s most iconic building, and probably a bit of peckishness too, from bounding up and down the Opera House’s many stairs.
Free family-friendly events
Australia Day Picnic in Enmore Park
Nothing brings people together like some tunes. If you’re after a laid back January 26, head to Enmore Park in the afternoon and find a group of Inner Westernites grooving to local tunes and enjoying some family-friendly entertainment. The mainstage at this free event will see artists like local indie rockers Dande and the Lion, as well as Aussie music legends Mental as Anything celebrating our diverse nation with song. You’ll be there to live it up. There’s also all the standard jumping castles, crafty workshops and Australian wildlife displays you’d expect of a January 26 celebration.
Cherry Tree Lane
In honour of Emily Blunt’s magical portrayal of the world’s most beloved umbrella-toting nanny in Mary Poppins Returns, the Grounds of Alexandria is transforming their always delightful venue into a lane of nostalgia inspired by the film and its predecessor. Cherry blossoms will adorn the lane, with London street lamps lighting your way past kites flying at the highest height. Each day at 10am, midday and 2pm, there’ll be a little extra razzle dazzle with bubbles under the blossoms. After you’ve immortalised the moment, you can try the Poppins themed cake at the Café. The ever-so-sweet display will float away after February 3, so step in time to the Grounds quick as you like.
Moon Drops
For many people, their greatest memories of Sydney Festival are those unexpected moments of joy as they interact with an artwork on their way to or from a ticketed event. In the past, we’ve jumped into a monochrome ball pit, marvelled at our infinite reflections in the House of Mirrors and propelled ourselves through the air on a giant swing. This year, the big, free art installation that’ll bring you that magic moment is ‘Moon Drops’ – a giant waterbed that you can walk, jump and clamber over to experience the feeling of weightlessness. The installation is inspired by the 50 year anniversary of the landing on the Moon. It’s like a rubber-encased drop of water or mercury that’s been scaled up by 1,000 per cent. International designers Jasmax collaborated with Alt Group and the Auckland Council Public Arts team to create these super-sized, water-filled droplets. You’ll find them every day during the festival at Darling Harbour – and it’s free to play with. Check out our top 20 picks of the 2019 Sydney Festival program.
Yabun Festival
Yabun is a long running Survival Day gathering in Camperdown that provides a positive space for people to share in the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the country. 'Yabun' is a Gadigal word that means 'music to a beat' and the free festival includes stages of live music, a Corroboree Ground where traditional Indigenous dances will be performed, market stalls to browse and workshops for kids and adults in arts and crafts, sport and more in-depth discussions around contemporary issues faced by the community. The 2019 musical line-up features Roger Knox, who was born in Moree, grew up in the Toomelah Mission near Boggabilla and has earned the title of Koori King of Country, as well as induction into the Australian Country Music Foundation’s Hall of Fame. He’ll be joined by Gamilaraay pop-folk singer-songwriter from Delungra Thelma Plum, Kutcha Edwards of the Mutti Mutti people at Balranald, Redfern-based reggae fusion group and social justice advocates Green Hand Band, Sydney hip hop MC Sonboy and more performers that are still to be announced.
Ferrython
Watch as Sydney’s First Fleet of ferries lines up for a race across the water, from Shark Island to the Harbour Bridge. Everyone likes to get a good look at the race, which sees private vessels chug alongside the dolled up fleet. You can get just as good a viewing position from up high, on the Harbour Bridge itself, at Kirribilli or on the Western Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House. It’s free to watch ferries from any location around the Harbour, and the starting whistle blows at 11am. Stick around for the Tug and Yacht Ballet – a huge choreographed dance of jet skis, tugboats, yachts and ferries which is an Australia Day tradition – that starts at 12.05pm.
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 from October 1 for a free exhibition of carnivorous greenery. The Calyx will be 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 will be a range of themed education programs, workshops and a regular feeding display that will intrigue little greenthumbs and their grown-ups.
Australia Day Parramatta
The City of Parramatta is hosting a huge party on January 26 with internationally renowned Indigenous performers, one of Sydney’s biggest hot air balloon launches, family workshops, games, activities and a sparkling fireworks display.It’ll be a solid 15 hours of celebrating Australia’s diversity, with the Australia Day event kicking off at 6am (ooft) for the hot air balloon display and finishing with the crackle of fireworks at 9pm. After the city welcomes a massive contingent of more than 1,400 new citizens into the fold, there will be a spectacular Indigenous dance performance, followed by a set from Aboriginal band, Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project. Visitors to Parramatta park can also expect to find the classic vintage car show, a huge set up of carnival rides, a tasty maze of food stalls, and a troupe of roving performers. It’s free entry into the party zone and you’re welcome to pack a picnic and chill on the lawn. Keep in mind, there’s no parking on site, so it’ll have to be a public transport adventure or a footrace from Parramatta CBD parking stations.
Cosmic Futures free film series
One of the best free things to do in Sydney is to see a movie at the Art Gallery of NSW. They offer year-round programs of screenings in support of their major exhibitions and they are always impeccably curated. Rare, odd and astonishing classics screen there routinely. The films screen on Wednesdays and Sundays in the comfortable Domain Theatre, down at the bottom of the building, and it’s recommended that you book your seat online, as they often fill up. To accompany the Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage exhibition they are presenting Cosmic Futures, a series of visionary Russian movies including works by the great Andrei Tarkovsky. Nobody does existential gloom quite like the Russians, and the movies on offer are some of the most powerful ever made. The films are free, except for the opening film on Sunday November 4: a special screening of the first Soviet sci-fi film, Aelita: Queen of Mars (1924), accompanied by a newly commissioned live score by acclaimed Sydney electronic artist, Lucy Cliché. Tickets are $12-$15. Aelita concerns a lowly Soviet worker who travels to Mars and leads a proletarian revolution; the film influenced the Fritz Lang film Metropolis. Tarkovsky (who died in 1986) is cinema’s metaphysical master, whose mesmerising work spawned an adjective, ‘Tarkovskian’. The gallery is screening three of his greatest films: Stalker (1979), in which a writer, a professor and their guide enter the ‘Forbidden Zone’, a desolate wasteland, to find the my
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