A guide to NSW school holiday events and attractions
From action-packed activities, to the best holiday reads and video games, there’s loads of fun for kids and adults alike.
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Jaw-dropping exhibitions, coding workshops, magical performances – there is no shortage of brilliant boredom busters to keep the kids happy and active for the spring school holidays.
Patrick Tadros picks the best family-friendly attractions around Sydney, as well as top reads and video games for kids.
TOP 21 ACTIVITIES
1. EXPLORE THE CITY
Head to Darling Harbour for free kids parkour classes (October 1-8) and test out your inner daredevil in a safe environment. There’s also free spring yoga classes (October 4) in the Monkey Baa Theatre. Be entertained by world-class illusions and tumbling acrobats at Circus: The Show, or take part in the biggest smallest show on earth, A Pocket Sized Circus, at Darling Quarter. Until September 29, interact with the beautiful surrounds of Barangaroo Reserve to learn about the amazing native plants, animals and habitats. darlingharbour.com; barangaroo.com
2. WALK THE BRIDGE
Scale the arches of the iconic Harbour Bridge and rediscover the beauty of Sydney. BridgeClimb’s latest cashback offer allows adults living in the Greater Sydney postcode area a BridgeClimb prepaid digital Mastercard of $100 per person if they climb the Bridge before the end of September. Children as young as eight can climb the Bridge for only $99. Until October 8; bridgeclimb.com
3. GO BACK IN TIME
The closest you’ll ever come to living dinosaurs. Walk through the iconic “Jurassic World” gates, board the ferry to Isla Nublar, come face-to-face with ferocious raptors, and get a rare up-close look at the most vicious dinosaur of them all; the Tyrannosaurus rex, at the Jurassic World exhibition at Sydney Showground. Until December; jurassicworldexhibition.com.au
4. HEAD TO THE CINEMA
There’s something for everyone at the local cinema, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (that will keep adults entertained), while Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie will captivate youngsters. Dreamworks’ Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken and Disney’s Haunted Mansion are bound to please kids and teens alike. At Hoyts’ D-Box, the seats move and vibrate in sync with the on-screen action. hoyts.com.au
5. START YOUR ENGINES
Experience the adrenaline of indoor e-kart racing and other attractions like never before at Entertainment Park in Milperra. There’s something for everyone, including a 3500sqm indoor race track, six lanes of bowling, virtual reality, racing car simulators, the latest arcade games, pool tables, redemption counters and more. For private parties, book the Snapshot Selfie Gallery. Daily, 10am-10pm; entertainmentpark.com.au
6. TAKE A SELFIE WITH HARRY
Prepare your feather boas for a selfie with Harry Styles at Madame Tussauds Sydney. The interactive set features dress-up items and props, a large screen with animated graphics, a directional speaker and a self-serve camera for guests to create a photo with their hero, inspired by the cover of his album ‘Fine Line’. madametussauds.com/sydney
7. GO ON A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE
Catch the world’s steepest railway, the Scenic Railway, and descend into Dinosaur Valley at Scenic World. Roam the elevated boardwalk beneath the rainforest canopy and spot the dinosaurs in the natural habitat. When you’ve finished in the valley, catch the Scenic Cableway up the escarpment and continue your hunt for more dinosaurs topside. Until January 28, 2024; dinosaurvalley.com.au
8. SEE A PUPPET SHOW
Kids of all ages will be entertained by traditional puppets at Puppeteria theatre in Castle Cove. Performances include Who’s New At The Zoo, The Three Little Pigs, Alice in Wonderland, Rumpelstiltskin and more. Until October 8; puppeteria.com.au
9. BE SPELLBOUND
The musical phenomenon Wicked has begun performances in Australia’s very own Emerald City at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. The stellar cast is led by Courtney Monsma as Glinda and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, the girl born with emerald-green skin who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West. The production has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. ticketmaster.com.au
10. MEET MAGICAL FAIRIES
Join in an enchanting world of song and dance as the adventurous Tinkerbell flys into the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Along the way, she’ll meet up with other fairies who will help Tinkerbell on a magical quest to find her lost wings. Dress up as a fairy or elf. Until October 8; shakespeareaustralia.com.au
11. RIDE AND SEEK
For smiles as wide as the entrance gates, book a family visit to Luna Park Sydney, with attractions including the Big Dipper, Sledgehammer and Volare. A day pass allows guests unlimited access to rides and free entry. Ticket prices from $34. lunaparksydney.com
12. GET CREATIVE WITH TECH
Explore the world of robotics at Code Camp. Over three days, command your robot to navigate mazes, solve puzzles and compete in a wrestling match with other robots. New workshops include Minecraft Minis and Robotics Camp. Perfect for aspiring YouTubers, animators, gaming coders, DJs and even the next generation of robotic engineers. Various locations; codecamp.com.au
13. HAVE MALL FUN
There’s fun to be had at your local Westfield. Create your own Trolls backstage pass and take a backstage picture with Queen Poppy at Westfield Penrith (October 4-8). At Westfield Burwood, take part in an interactive 60-minute science workshop (until October 7), or learn how to juggle or spin a plate at Westfield Hurstville (October 4-6). westfield.com.au
14. SAVE THE DAY
Pounce into action to help the Mighty PAW Patrol as they embark on missions at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Search for hidden clues on an interactive trail and discover a range of creatures with superpowers, including sub-Antarctic penguins and more native animals. Until October 8; visitsealife.com, wildlifesydney.com.au
15. CLIMB ON BOARD FOR FUN
The Australian National Maritime Museum is buzzing with fun. Visit the Mana and Baru and Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, get hands-on with creative artmaking and experiments in the Kids on Deck activity space, explore touchable objects and specimens at the Cabinet of Curiosities, and discover innovative solutions to plastics pollution at the Seabin Ocean Health Lab. Daily, from 10am; sea.museum
16. MEET AN ALIEN
Join theatre artist Alison Bennett and the Alien Rescue Team for a day of imaginative theatre play to find the left-behind alien at the Sydney Opera House. Witness alien sightings, learn an alien language or even review some hilarious ‘alien security footage’, all in the search for an alien friend. October 4-5; sydneyoperahouse.com
17. VISIT SYDNEY FRINGE
Sydney’s Fringe Festival presents a vibrant lineup of shows across various venues. Be transported to an underwater world full of circus tricks, digital imagery at Darling Quarter Theatre. At the Spiegeltent Festival Gardens in EQ, KABOOM! is a science spectacular full of explosions and experiments by mad scientist Magnus Danger Magnus. The Kaleidoscope Show at Marrickville highlights the importance of inclusivity and kindness. sydneyfringe.com
18. BE INSPIRED
The Powerhouse in Ultimo and Castle Hill are offering a range of workshops and free drop-in creative experiences. Join Movement Nation in a bespoke hip-hop dance routine to Kylie Minogue’s hit single ‘Padam Padam’ at Ultimo (September 29). Or help Castle Hill reach its goal of 3001 stories by adding your own story to the wall. While you’re there, build your own electric toy car to take home. Until October 8; powerhouse.com.au
19. WATCH A FILM UNDER THE STARS
Taronga Zoo is launching an open-air cinema in the heart of the zoo. Bring a picnic rug or opt for a VIP package as you watch films such as The Lion King, Scream, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Dirty Dancing. Tickets include complimentary entry from 2pm. There will also be popcorn, ice cream and a licensed bar. Until October 1; taronga.org.au
20. MAKE SMART MONEY DECISIONS
Head over to Pier Street Underpass in Darling Harbour for a free interactive experience hosted by Commonwealth Bank’s kids money app, Kit. Learn vital money lessons, from how to spot a scam, to how to make smart money decisions when gaming, all while having fun. There’s also free merch and a giant colouring wall. September 26-27. heykit.com.au
21. BECOME A ZOOKEEPER
Are you an animal lover? Become a zookeeper (for a day) at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. Make friends with a variety of animals and learn about their specific diets, while being supervised by qualified zookeepers. Morning tea, lunch and drinks will be provided. October 3 and 5; featherdale.com.au
HOLIDAY READS KIDS WILL LOVE
Bedtime Stories by R.A. Spratt
Bestselling author R. A. Spratt has assembled the most comprehensive collection of silly stories ever bound together in one book. Stories so good no human mind could come up with them. There’s a never-before-seen Friday Barnes mystery, and tall tales from R.A.’s own domestic life. You’d better brace yourself – these are tales so tall you will get altitude sickness.
This year’s edition compiles the very best of the thousands of new records approved over the past year. The theme is the Blue Planet, so journey on an aquatic odyssey from snowy mountaintops to the bottom of the ocean. Encounter the most bizarre and deadly sea creatures, swim through the largest coral reefs and kelp forests and meet the ocean’s most fearless pioneers. You’ll also find new records, from rollercoasters to movie props.
Creeping Beauty by Andrea Portes
The dark and deadly world of Heartless meets the empowering twist of Cruel Beauty in this thrilling, unpredictable, multigenre retelling of one of the most beloved fairy tales: where instead of falling asleep to await her prince, this sleeping beauty finally wakes up. Princess Bitsy pricks her finger on a spindle and falls into a world where no one ages and everyone is beautiful. A land where her future is solely in her own hands.
GAMES FOR KIDS TO ENJOY
Only on Nintendo Switch, the Mario Kart series allows you to race on 48 courses on the big screen in your living room. Up to eight players, it can connect for local multiplayer fun and you can also challenge races from around the world. $79.95
Another one for Nintendo Switch fans. Discover a strange new world inhabited by tiny plant-like creatures. What begins as a tiny sprout, Pikmin initially lie dormant in the ground – a quick pull on the stalk and they emerge. From digging holes and breaking down barriers to carrying precious cargo, watching them work in the wild is quite remarkable. $79.95
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
For older teens, The Legend of Zelda is the perfect adventure that awaits. Explore a transformed kingdom through Link’s character and choose your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the skies above. $89.95
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