Top 15 free activities for kids in Sydney these school holidays
HAVING fun doesn’t have to prove costly. Check out our list of 15 free and fun activities for kids to enjoy in and around Sydney these school holidays.
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THE school holidays are here and parents across the city are on the lookout for activities that will keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank.
Luckily, Sydney is the perfect spot for fun and free activities that will have the whole family enjoying the time off without being stuck inside and won’t cost you a dime.
Here are our top 15 free activities for the kids to do these school holidays.
1. Meet the Wanderers
Western Sydney A-League fans can test their merit against some of Australia’s best soccer players when the Western Sydney Wanderers visit Penrith. There will be an interactive kicking zone for aspiring soccer stars to bend it like Beckham and a chance to have a chat and get a photo with your favourite players.
Ages: All ages
When: Wednesday, September 28
Where: Westfield Penrith
Details:westfield.com.au/penrith
2. Bushwalking at Lake Parramatta
You don’t need fancy toys to have fun. Lake Parramatta’s bush walk will give the family a chance to get back to nature. There are a range of bushwalking paths for all experience levels from the ‘She-Oak’ track, which follows a short bitumen road through the parks red gums right through to the ‘Lake Circuit’, where you can see wildflowers and a small rainforest. The lake is also perfect for a picnic or barbecue after you’ve tired the family out.
Ages: All ages
When: Gates open at 6.30am and close at 5.30pm (7.30pm during daylight saving)
Where: Main entrance from Lackey Street off Bourke Street, North Parramatta
Details:parracity.nsw.gov.au
3. Pop-up play city
It’s never too early to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. Kids will have a chance to try out a range of careers at the Wannabees Family Playtown pop-up activity centre. They can play firefighters, police officers, doctors, beauticians and more.
Ages: All ages
When: Monday, September 26 — Friday, September 30
Where: Westfield Hornsby
Details: westfield.com.au/hornsby
4.Dinosaur dig
Grab your tools and start sifting through the sand for fossil remains at Circus Solarus’ Dinosaur Dig. Kids will find their very own unique dinosaur under the dirt of Cathy Freeman Park. There will also be some prehistoric art for the intrepid archaeologists to take home.
Ages: 4-10 years
When: Monday to Friday, September 26-30 and October 4-7
Where: Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park
Details: sydneyolympicpark.com.au
5. Spot On Festival
There are plenty of fun and free activities at Riverside Theatre to celebrate the Spot On Festival. Kids can get their faces painted, play giant Jenga, jump through the play equipment or take some time out in the reading tent.
Ages: All ages
When: Tuesday, September 27 to Sunday, October 9
Where: Courtyard, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Details:riversideparramatta.com.au
6. Drop-in at the museum
The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences gives kids the chance to get stuck into some fun hands-on creating. Workshops will run Monday to Friday at the museum’s discovery centre. While there, check out the interesting treasures and learn about museum collecting, conservation and research practices.
Ages: 4+
When: Monday, September 26 to Friday, October 7
Where: 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill
Details: maas.museum
7. Operation Art
The Operation Art exhibition is a statewide visual arts competition for school kids from kindergarten to Year 10. There are more than 800 artworks on display. The exhibition is a joint program by The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the NSW Department of Education.
Ages: All ages
When: Until Friday, October 30
Where: Newington Armory, Wharf and Gallery
Details: sydneyolympicpark.com.au
8. Go on a quest
There are a range of nature quests for school-aged kids to do during the holidays across NSW national parks. Some are guided tours that require a payment to the park, but others you can do on your own through the WilderQuest website and app. The website can provide you with hints, tips, videos and a scrap book ideas for all the native wildlife you see when you’re out adventuring.
Ages: All ages, with quests for easy, medium and hard experience levels
Where: Any national park
Details:wilderquest.nsw.gov.au
9. Little builders
Grab a hard hat and a hi-vis vest and get building at HomeHQ’s free brick building week. The Lego building area will be open to kids of all ages, so they can create their own buildings or add to the tower building challenge. There will also be prizes and games for kids to join throughout the week.
Ages: All ages with parent supervision required
When: Monday October 3 to Friday October 7, 10am to 2pm daily
Where: HomeHQ, 1 Frederick Street, Artarmon
Details: homehq.com.au
10. Paws for thought
Everyone’s favourite law-abiding canines from Paw Patrol will be on guard at Westpoint these holidays. The “pawsome’’ line up will get audience ready for a “ruff ruff rescue” as the brave friends help rescue characters and teach some important lessons on safety and caring. For serious fans, the fun continues at the craft workshop where they can personalise a Paw Patrol mask to take home. Youngsters can also collect a treasure map from the craft workshop to find hidden pup prints around Westpoint. Kid cadets can also meet real-life human police and Rural Fire Service volunteers.
Ages: 2 — 11 years
When: until Sunday, October 9, 11am and 1pm, craft workshop 10am — 4pm daily
Where: Westpoint Blacktown
Details:westpoint.com.au
11. Bike day
The Campbelltown Bicycle Education and Road Safety Centre will be open every day throughout the holidays for kids to learn the ins and outs of proper road safety. Make sure you bring your bike and a helmet and take a trip through the roads and pedestrian crossings in a safe and supervised place that will prepare kids for the ride to school when the holidays are over.
Ages: 5-17 years
When: Monday, September 26 to Friday, October 7, excluding Monday October 3 public holiday
Where: end of King Street, Campbelltown
Details: campbelltown.nsw.gov.au
12. Who you gonna call?
The 2016 revamp may have brought new life to the Ghostbuster franchise, but nothing beats the original. Give the kids a lesson in classic comedy with Waverly Library’s free screening of Ghostbusters. Bring your own cushion or bean bag, enjoy free popcorn and drinks and take in the genius of Bill Murray.
Ages: All ages
When: Thursday, September 29 at 6pm
Where: 32/48 Denison Street, Bondi Junction
Details: waverly.nsw.gov.au
13. Ukulele festival
Bring the sounds of Hawaii to your holiday with the Central Coast Ukulele Festival. Australia’s best ukulele players will be meeting at The Entrance memorial park for a day of beautiful music, market stalls and rides. Bring your own ukulele and join in on the jam sessions.
Ages: All ages
When: Saturday, September 24 at 10am
Where: 46 Marine Parade, The Entrance
Details:wyong.nsw.gov.au
14. A lesson in history
In 1942 there were eight submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour by Japanese submarines. It was an important time in Australia’s history and local historian Peter Rea has put together a display that will educate and enthral. With 11 models, dioramas, artworks, maps, and even computer-enhanced photography, you will be able to dive into those days before the War, with grandparents and grandchildren sure to get something from the exhibit.
Ages: All ages
When: Until Friday, September 30
Where: 3 Bungoona Road, Kincumber
Details:gosford.nsw.gov.au
15. Ride the next wave
Manly will be bringing the funk for 11 days of non-stop music action. The Manly Jazz Festival will feature musicians from around the world bringing jazz, soul and reggae to the beach. The Next Wave Youth Concert will be a chance for teenagers and pre-teens to enjoy music in a safe environment. The drug and alcohol free event will feature Black Iguana’s combination of jazz blues, funk, ska and reggae soul; breakout Sydney five-piece group Marvell and Knowing Ivy along with Aussie indie five-piece band Hey Geronimo.
Ages: 11-17 years
When: Friday, September 30 at 5.30pm
Where: Manly Corso
Details:manly.nsw.gov.au
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