Special offers and tips to have fun on the cheap these school holidays

As the cost-of-living crunch bites, parents are desperate to find ways to keep their children entertained these holidays without going broke. Never fear, we’ve got your back!

Kids can enjoy a free trip to the museum as part of a “supercharged” school holiday package in moves to save parents.

The state government has committed $28.3 million over four years to keep the Australian Museum and ­Museums of History NSW, which ­includes Hyde Park Barracks, free for general admission.

During the school holidays there is plenty on offer for low cost — if you know where to look.

The Art Gallery of NSW is holding Paper, Scissors, Shadows, a free shadow puppet theatre workshop, and the Opera House holds a free monthly walking and drawing tour for art ­enthusiasts.

Some low-cost options include the Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Festival, which includes kids’ science ­programs and hologram dinosaurs to wow the whole family.

Lauren Dunlop with her kids David, 6, Austin, 4, and Louis, 1, love going to the Australian Museum. Picture: Tim Hunter

Taronga Zoo has opened Nguwing Nura, where guests can discover Australian wildlife usually only seen after dark. Picture: Getty

For video game fans, the Powerhouse Ultimo is hosting workshops for the whole family to learn Minecraft basics and computer skills.

While the Australian Museum currently has free entry, it hasn’t always been the case — and the state government funding would ensure it continued, Arts Minister John Graham said.

“Free general entry to the museums is supported in this budget,” he said.

“It is an ­important principle to allow equal ­access to knowledge and learning to all.

“This supercharged school holiday program will offer unforgettable experiences with culture and art, and thanks to these free activities, exhibitions and workshops, they’re accessible to all families.”

Bondi mum Lauren Dunlop and her three sons were enjoying the dinosaur exhibit at the Australian Museum.

Mrs Dunlop said it was her favourite place to take visitors without breaking the bank.

“We’ll come here for the day any time we have friends in town, we do the same thing.

“We come here on the bus for a few hours and then go get some lunch and that’s the day done,” she said.

“Free entry is important, especially for visitors, if there are 10 or 12 of us entry fees add up. 

“If you take that many people to the zoo it’s a big expense for the day.”

We’ve compiled our own itinerary of free and low cost alternatives to ­pricey school holidays activities so you can still have fun while saving a few dollars.

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