Free school holiday activities in Sydney: Ultimate guide to Easter break on a budget
Sydney’s parks, art galleries and museums are offering up dozens of free and low-cost activities to keep kids busy. Here’s your guide to what’s on these Easter school holidays.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After 10 weeks packing up lunchboxes then parking the kids at the school gates, the fortnight of mandatory fun many parents dread has rolled back around.
But the Easter school holidays don’t have to cost the earth — or turn your hair grey — with Sydney’s parks, art galleries and museums offering up dozens of free and low-cost activities to keep kids busy.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully says there’s something for every family and every budget in the city’s “jam-packed line-up of events”.
“Our parks, gardens and precincts offer fun, active and imaginative experiences and opportunities all year round, and there’s no better time to make the most of them than over the autumn holiday period before winter weather starts to creep in,” he said.
Here’s your guide to what’s on these Easter school holidays.
SYDNEY CBD
Free
Move, Groove, Darling Festival at Darling Harbour, Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20: 3-day event including zen moments in a yoga and meditation zone, high-flying adventures at Parkoursome, and a Saturday night Disco.
Rhythm n Bubs at Darling Harbour, every Wednesday: Interactive musical performance for bubs and carers from 10.30am–11.15am.
Kids Yoga at Darling Quarter, every Friday: Weekly 30-minute session to help children connect with their body, breath and mind. Sessions start at 10.30am and 11.30am.
The Art of Chinese Paper Cutting at the Chinese Garden of Friendship (Darling Harbour), Monday, April 14, to Friday, May 23: Explore the fascinating origins of this ancient folk art, passed down through generations, and learn about the intricate techniques while creating your own beautiful paper cut designs of the Chinese Garden. Available 11am to 2pm.
The Rocks Discovery Museum at The Rocks: A free family-friendly museum that tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present. Open 10am-5pm daily.
Free Doll House Making at The Rocks Discovery Museum, Monday April, 14, to Thursday, April 17, and Tuesday, April 22, to Thursday, April 24: Children can build their very own charming dollhouse and personalise it to their own style, 11am-1pm.
Alchemy of a Rainforest Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney: Step inside this immersive, sensory exhibition featuring spectacular rare and unusual tropical and subtropical rainforest plants. Open 10am-4pm daily. Guided tour of the gardens also available from 10.30am-noon.
Festival of Democracy at the Parliament of New South Wales, Macquarie Street, Tuesday, April 15: Young people will be able to have a go at voting, wander through the Legislative Chamber and participate in engaging democracy-themed activities in a day-long adventure program. From 9.30am to 3.00pm.
Ticketed
Plant Hunger Games at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Tuesday, April 15: Come meet Arnie, the plant with a ferocious appetite, in this seriously silly outdoor theatre performance in the Gardens. Sessions at 11.50am and 1.50pm, $18 per ticket.
Teatime With Your Elders at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Mondays, April 14 and 21: Led by First Nations educators, children and their guardians will explore the Botanic Gardens to find plants used by the local Gadigal people of Sydney Harbour. 10.30am to noon, $20 per child.
Sunset Spotlight tour at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Wednesdays April 16 and 23: Wander the garden pathways and visit special biodiversity locations such as the ponds to look for nocturnal animals – some who fly in for the night, others who are long-term residents. 6.30pm-8pm, $20 per child, $42 per adult.
Wicked and Weird Plants at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, April 15-17 and 22-24: Join a workshop to create a carnivorous plant habitat, take a guided tour of the Gardens, and learn about incredible adaptations for survival; 10.30am-noon, $25 per child, supervising adults are free.
Ocean Photographer of the Year at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, until Sunday, April 27: Explore the awe-inspiring beauty and fragility of our oceans. Featuring 118 extraordinary images, this exhibition celebrates the vision of talented photographers from around the world. Open 10am-4pm, $25 per child, $35 per adult.
EASTERN SUBURBS
Ticketed
Alice in Easterland at Centennial Park, Saturday, April 19: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet, and deals with the Queen of Hearts. Sessions at 10.30am and 1.30pm, $20 per ticket.
Hunt for Clues at Vaucluse House, Wednesdays April 16 and 23: Dress up and go undercover as you search for clues to solve a puzzle at the house. Along the way, you’ll uncover fascinating stories about Vaucluse House, the lives of the Wentworth family, and the Birrabirragal and Gadigal people; 10.30am, $15 per person.
INNER WEST
Free
Weekend fun at Public House Petersham, Saturdays and Sundays: Families can enjoy a variety of free activities, including jumping castles and face-painting (Saturdays), farm animals (Sunday, April 13), Easter egg hunts (Sunday, April 20), and reptile encounters (Sunday, April 27). Kids eat free with every main meal purchased.
Ticketed
Alice in Easterland at Callan Park, Sunday, April 20: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet, and deals with the Queen of Hearts; 10.30am, $20 per ticket.
Park Rangers’ Incredible Insects at Callan Park, Monday, April 14, and Thursday, April 24: Through bug hunts, nature walks, and hands-on activities like creating an insect hotel and insect-inspired art, your child will gain a deeper understanding of the important role insects play in our ecosystem; 10am-noon, $23 per ticket.
Kids Dance School Holiday program at Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Designed to enhance children’s coordination, rhythm, and motor skills through engaging choreography and fun activities. Each class will combine structured learning with playful exploration to foster confidence, love for dance and physical activity. One-hour sessions starting at 11am, $14.70 per class.
Kids Yoga & Acrobatics at Flying Yogis Annandale, multiple dates and times: Think acrobatics, art, dance, outdoor adventures — and signature daily glow-in-the-dark fun.
NORTH SYDNEY AND NORTHERN BEACHES
Ticketed
Ginger and the Vegesaurs Immersive Experience at Luna Park Milsons Point: Adapted from the wildly successful ABC Kids series, this immersive experience will have audiences running, swimming and flying through the incredible environments of Vegesaur Valley alongside their favourite characters from the show; 10.30am daily, $22 per ticket.
Egg-splosive Easter Slime Workshop at Macquarie Centre, Tuesday, April 15, Wednesday, April 16, Tuesday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 23: Create your own Easter egg butter slime masterpiece with a surprise hidden inside in this workshop hosted by Scoopi. Noon-1pm, $33 per person.
Craft Workshops at Wave Art Crows Nest, daily: Activities include Fluid Art, mosaics, tie dye and fabric art, and clay. Multiple sessions and times, $80 per child with sibling discounts available.
Face Painting and Jumping Castle at Taronga Zoo, daily: Free with a ticket to the zoo (or membership), head to the Pit Stop to let the kids go wild with jumping castle fun, face painting, lawns games and more running all holidays long.
WESTERN SYDNEY
Free
Engineer your own plane at the Western Sydney International Airport Experience Centre (Luddenham), Saturday, April 26, to Tuesday, April 29: Craft, decorate and assemble paper and wooden planes. See how far your paper planes can soar across the Experience Centre lawn right next to the new runway! Sessions from 10am to 4pm.
Whiskers Wonderland at Macarthur Square Shopping Centre (Campbelltown), to Wednesday, April 23: Kids can enjoy Easter-themed activities and an interactive zone with a golden egg scoop game, carrot toss, match game, and interaction with adorable bunnies; 11am to 2pm daily.
Ticketed
Nocturnal Wildlife Walk at Western Sydney Parklands, Thursday, April 24: A one-hour guided wildlife adventure as the sun goes down. Spot animals from brushtail possums to microbats, tawny frogmouths and grey-headed flying-foxes. Sessions at 4.45pm or 7pm, $20 per ticket.
Little Red Riding Hood at Western Sydney Parklands on Wednesday, April 23: Step into this interactive theatre experience and meet beloved characters like the hungry wolf, innocent Red Riding Hood, and the brave huntsman; 10.30am-11.30am, $20 per ticket.
Park Science at Western Sydney Parklands, Wednesday, April 16, and Tuesday, April 22: Meet the incredible insects at Lizard Log and investigate why some bugs are brightly coloured while others blend in, discover how bees see, and learn about the wonders of invertebrates; 10am-noon, $23 per ticket.
Alice in Easterland at Parramatta Park, Monday, April 21: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet, and deals with the Queen of Hearts; 10.30am, $20 per ticket.
Movies and Magic at Panthers Penrith, Wednesday, April 16, and Thursday, April 17: Panthers Leagues Club is hosting a range of low-cost events for kids, including a free screening of The Wild Robot (Wednesday) and performance by Magician Jack Sharp (Thursday) in the Evans Theatre.
Bricks 4 Kidz Lego Workshop at Bankstown Sports Club, Tuesday, April 22: Children will construct amazing technical models with motors and batteries to make their creations come to life! Session starts at 1,30pm, $30 per child.
Kids Bingo at Baulkham Hills Sports Club, Thursday, April 17: Come along to Kids Bingo, your child can enjoy multiple games of bingo with some great prizes on offer; 11am, $25 per child.
Hunt for Clues at Elizabeth Farm (Rosehill), Thursdays, April 17 and 24: Dress up and go undercover as you search for clues to solve a puzzle at the house. Along the way, you’ll uncover fascinating stories about Elizabeth Farm, the lives of the Macarthur family, and the Barramadagal people; 10.30am (both days) and 1.30pm (April 24 only), $15 per person.
SUTHERLAND SHIRE
Free
Keep Me Safe Holiday Hangout Sausage Sizzle, multiple locations: Join Phoenix Community Project for games, good vibes, and great giveaways every day. Pop-ups at Cronulla Beach (Tuesday, April 15), Cooper St Park Engadine (Wednesday, April 16), Miranda Skate Park (Thursdays, April 17 and 24) and Menai Skate Park (Wednesday, April 23).
More Coverage
Originally published as Free school holiday activities in Sydney: Ultimate guide to Easter break on a budget
Four dead after horror Anzac Eve on regional NSW roads
A 21-year-old learner motorcyclist is among four dead in a horror night on regional NSW roads ahead of Anzac Day. Here’s the latest.
Why Anzac Day still moves younger generation
As the nation marks 110 years since Gallipoli, young Australians reflect on what Anzac Day means to them – and say despite a perception that the youth are “detached” – they too can honour the past.