Sydney and Surrounds
Kids in The Park
Circus Arts Hoops
The fabulous school holidays program of activities is back again at Sydney Olympic Park! Every day of the school holidays, from 28 June – 13 July 2014 (inclusive), kids can take part in over 55 activities with six new options and many FREE and good-value activities for under $20 to suit children of all ages.
Kids in The Park caters for sporty kids, science kids, nature kids and creative kids with a range of fun activities.
Solarus in Space will see kids get hands-on in a sci-fi show like no other for FREE from 30 June – 4 July and 7 – 11 July. Other new activities for creative children include Disney On Ice Presents Treasure Trove (9-13 July for $25.50 per child) and the half-day Writing for Performance workshop on 12 July for $75 per child.
Click here for the full Kids in the Park winter 2014 program
Cool Yule @ Darling Harbour
There’s heaps of Cool Yule fun for the whole family at Darling Harbour over the school holidays – from snow-pits for the kids to open-air ice-skating, mind-blowing ice-carvings, a floating iceberg and more, Darling Harbour Cool Yule is a celebration of winter, proudly presented by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Darling Harbour Alliance.
School holiday entertainment will be offered at The Cool Yule Snow Pit under the Pyrmont Bridge, between Harbourside Shopping Centre and the Australian National Maritime Museum. For $5 per child for 20 minutes of frolicking in the snow, The Cool Yule Snow Pit will operate from Sunday – Thursday, 29 June – 3 July and 6 July – 10 July.
At Tumbalong Park, the 25 metre inflatable Thredbo Snow Slide is guaranteed to thrill all members of the family – including mums and dads as the slide will be FREE of charge daily.
For more information, visit darlingharbour.com
Saturn Fever school holiday fun at Sydney Observatory
Treat your child to an astronomical experience at Sydney Observatory during the school holidays, 28 June to 14 July 2014.
Winter’s clear skies make it one of the best times of the year for night viewing, with highlights including the Southern Cross, the red planet Mars and spectacular Saturn.
Day or night, enjoy astronomer-led telescope tours, shows in the 3-D Space Theatre and Sydney Planetarium, plus the Saturn Fever party day just for the little ones.
Visit sydneyobservatory.com.au.
Sea Creatures Great and Small at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
There are an amazing 13,000 ocean stars at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and these winter holidays, the aquarium is celebrating all SEA Creatures Great and Small.
Meet Lucky, the Giant Tasmanian Smooth Ray, the Queensland Grouper, Beau, Princess Sparkle, the female of the two Giant Japanese Spider Crabs on display, Rhino, the most cruisey of all the Smalltooth Sawfish, Bonny and Clyde the two Banded Shrimp, Punk, the baby Pig-nosed Turtle, and, of course, countless Nemos!
The ALL NEW Shark Reef Snorkel experience brings adults and kids face-to-fin with some of the reef’s most amazing creatures and no diving experience is required with all instructions given by the aquarium’s experienced team.
Visit Sydney SEA LIFE AQUARIUM for details, times, bookings and tickets.
Meet the stars at Madame Tussauds
There’s something for everyone these holidays at Madame Tussauds Sydney. Fans of Marvel superheros can “hang out” with Spiderman in an all new interactive set. The world’s most radioactive spider is the newest permanent addition to the attraction. Beatle-maniacs can relive Abbey Road and create their own album cover photo with the Fab 4 taking up residence in Sydney for three months only. As well as this, soccer fans who can’t get enough World Cup action can jump on the field to take on Beckham and Ronaldo in our interactive soccer set.
For more information visit madametussauds.com/sydney
Adventures at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Featuring over 25 keeper talks and animal encounters, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is the place to visit these school holidays for up close encounters with Australia’s most loved and feared animals.
From meeting Rex, the huge 5 metre crocodile in Kakadu Gorge to cuddling up to koalas at Koala Encounters and not forgetting to bravely hold a python in Kangaroo Walk-about or to pat an unbearably cute sugar glider, there’s so much to see and do at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo!
And with interactive displays, captivating daily feeding sessions and enhanced walk-through habitats, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is a fun day out for the whole family, conveniently located right in the heart of Sydney on Darling Harbour.
For more information visit WILD-LIFE.com.au
School Holiday Fun at Sydney Tower Eye
These school holidays, the best place to see Sydney is from 250 metres above it all from the Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck. New interactive elements throughout the attraction give guests a complete history of Sydney and its iconic tower. Measure up against other towers of the world and learn how Sydney tower is so unique compared to other famous structures. Get unrivalled 360-degree views of the city from 250 metres above it all on our Observation Deck, and experience SKYWALK – Sydney’s highest outdoor adventure!
Included in admission, the 4D Experience is a ground-breaking 3D film with spectacular in-theatre effects and a breathtaking fourth dimension that gives an amazing view of the city.
For more information visit sydneytowereye.com.au
The Rise of Reptiles at Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary
Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is turning cold-blooded and scaly these school holidays with the addition of four baby freshwater crocodiles!
Visitors over the school holidays will have the opportunity to watch the brand new crocodile feed show, get creative with croc art and craft sessions, put their Reptilia knowledge to the test with the new quiz trail and learn how Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is helping critically endangered animals through their Breed, Rescue and Protect program.
With a whole aquarium to explore featuring one of Australia’s biggest oceanariums and over 4,000 animals, free guided tours and a hands-on interactive rockpool, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary offers a fun packed day for all ages!
To book tickets visit manlysealifesanctuary.com.au
Playground of activities and entertainment @ Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is turning up the heat in the July school holidays. Between 28 June and 14 July two children’s shows, free creative play, junior tours and special lunch menus will keep kids and families entertained and engaged.
Horrible Histories Barmy Britain takes the dramatic formative years of Britain and brings history to life in all its gory detail. Barmy Britain combines hysterical comedy and historical fact with the magic of Bogglevision, a 3D feature that has become a hallmark of Horrible Histories shows. Direct from a sell-out international tour and the longest ever West End run of a children’s show, Barmy Britain will bring the Tower of London to the Concert Hall stage from 3 – 6 July.
Culinary chaos ensues in The Magic Chicken as two zany chefs blend mime, acrobatics, puppetry and physical comedy. A restaurant in ruins, a cranky customer and an incompetent kitchen combine for a messy menu. Throw a feathered friend into the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. The Magic Chicken will be steaming up the Studio from 9 – 13 July.
Visit Kids at the House
Australian Museum
Check out the fantastic and fun range of school holidays activities for kids of all ages – including tiny tots – at the Australian Museum.
There’s Winny the Muttaburrasaurus show, Scientist for a Day workshops on Spiders & Insects and Dinosaurs Today, Hatch-a-dino, dinosaur-themed cookie making classes, and Feathers Furs & Scales.
Visit australianmuseum.net.au
Marian Street Theatre for Young People presents Snow White
SNOW WHITE is back! MSTYP, together with Knox Grammar School brings the magic of Snow White to life from June 28 to July 12, with two sessions each day from Monday to Saturday.
Snow White, the magical Mirror, the faithful Dwarves who protect her from the envious Queen, as well as many other delightful characters will be played by the talented young performers from Marian Street Theatre’s Drama School. MSTYP’s trademark audience participation will keep young audiences on the edge of their seats.
For information and bookings visit mca-tix.com.au and facebook.com/marianstreettheatre
Kids soar at the Powerhouse Museum these holidays
Cogs with Chris Hoff (white t-shirt), Owen Pollard (green t-shirt), Marina Iacutone (girl)
The Powerhouse Museum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first airmail flight in Australia with a program of holiday activities that will have the kids soaring! Explore the science behind how things fly, discover early examples of flying machines, enjoy a performance of Cogs’ Flight show and create your own model aeroplane.
Plus immerse yourselves in the world of Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedgehog and many more much loved characters inside the Game Masters exhibition before it closes on 13 July.
For more details, workshop times and bookings and the full school holiday program visit powerhousemuseum.com
The Gruffalo returns to Sydney these school holidays!
Whether their favourite food is roasted fox, owl ice cream, scrambled snake or Gruffalo crumble, audiences eat up this delectable tale about the adventures of a clever little mouse in a forest full of predators, which returns to Sydney after sold out seasons in 2010 and 2011.
London’s Tall Stories Theatre Company have toured in Britain, Europe, America and beyond with their monster hit THE GRUFFALO and this “transformation of a well-loved story into an exuberant, funny show” (Time Out, London) has been an even bigger hit in Australia, with sold-out seasons and a prestigious 2009 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children.
Adapted from the Gold Award-winning children’s book, THE GRUFFALO follows Mouse into the deep dark wood on a lunchtime hunt for hazelnuts.
The Gruffalo is on at Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale until 5 July with a range of performance times. For more information and booking visit seymourcentre.com.au or call 9351 7940
Out of Town
School holiday fun at Featherdale Wildlife Park
Doonside’s Featherdale Wildlife Park is the proud recipient of the Gold award for Tourist Attractions at the Greater Sydney Tourism Awards and deservedly so! Keep the kids entertained these school holidays by taking a walk on the WILDside – with over 2,000 Australian animals, you’ll keep the kids entertained for hours. For just $75, save with Featherdale’s Wild Winter Family offer which includes:
• Entry to Featherdale Wildlife Park for 2 adults and 2 children
• Koala toy gift for each child
• Kangaroo food for each child
• Tea/Coffee for two adults
In addition to the popular Keeper presentations, Featherdale will be featuring Special hands-on encounters from June 30th through to July 13th, 2014.
Pack a picnic or sizzle up a bbq and enjoy a great family day out – just 45 minutes from Sydney CBD!
For more information call (02) 9622 1644 or visit featherdale.com.au
WOW Festival for Children @ Casula
The Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre will be taken over by budding young artists when the 3rd annual Way out West (WOW) Festival for Children takes place on 9th to 12th July 2014. A FREE event, it is Sydney’s only contemporary arts festival dedicated to children and features hands-on sessions with some of Australia’s leading artists.
With the 2014 theme of ‘cultural storytelling’, the Festival’s program has pulled stories from across the globe including Japan, Egypt and Australia. It features an exciting selection of family-friendly performances, fantastical films and art making workshops, all designed to generate a new wave of creativity in youths.
For more information visit casulapowerhouse.com or call (02) 9824 1121
New Self-Guided Trail for Children at PlantBank
The Australian Botanic Garden, Narellan Rd, Mount Annan, in the Macarthur region is just 45 mins from the Sydney CBD.
Children aged between five and 13 years can experience PlantBank, the new ‘environmental insurance policy’ for Australia’s native plants, with a new self-guided trail, ‘The Journey of a Seed’.
The trail incorporates hands-on activities, experiments, and a quiz with a prize, enabling children to discover the science behind seeds. Kits can be purchased for $5 from the visitors centre, and the children’s trail – perfect for school holidays – involves a journey through the Cumberland Plain Woodland and the new $20 million PlantBank facility.
Join the trail these school holidays: Monday – Friday 10am – 4.30pm. $5 for Children’s Trail Kit and FREE entry to the Botanic Gardens and PlantBank Facility
For more information call (02) 4634 7935 or visit macarthur.com.au
Step Back in Time with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure
Back by popular demand! During the July school holidays, Erth -Visual and Physical Inc. will be presenting their extraordinary Dinosaur Zoo show. This bushwalk and treetop experience brings dinosaurs to life! Hunt for stegosaurus tracks on the ground, track a life-size T-Rex throughout the attraction and creatures both big and small among the treetops!
The Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure, located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is one of Australia’s premier rainforest experiences. The elevated steel walkway features two gently swaying cantilevered arms and a central spiral tower raised nearly fifty meters off the forest floor. The stunning views take in everything from the rainforest canopy to Lake Illawarra and out to the South Pacific Ocean.
For more information visit illawarrafly.com.au
Snow Time at Hunter Valley Gardens
Snow Time in the Garden is on again these School Holidays at Hunter Valley Gardens. Bring along the whole family and enjoy a number of fabulous icy experiences in the brand new Marquee Area and Storybook Garden Play Zone.
Toboggan, ice-skate, make snowballs and have a heap of icy fun! All activities are FREE after paid Garden entry.
Visit huntervalleygardens.com.au