From building robots and creative workshops to cinema excursions and cycling adventures, there are activities for kids of all ages in Sydney these spring school holidays.
The City of Sydney’s school holidays program is packed with dozens of fun and educational activities, with something for everyone from five to 18 years of age.
The City has developed the program to ensure there are plenty of options to keep primary and high school children and young people occupied during the spring break.
“I encourage our younger residents take the opportunity to explore different parts of the city, try a new sport or hobby, and make new friends these holidays,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“The program is always popular – whether you’re tech-minded, love getting creative with words or prefer being outdoors, we’ve made sure there’s something for everyone with a great line-up of free and affordable events.”
Highlights of the spring school holiday program include:
Not another HSC study session! (year 11 and 12 students) Customs House Library: Friday 28 September, 7–8.30pm A creative writing workshop designed for students in their final years of high school. Students will learn how to use experimental writing techniques, from Dada, the surrealists, concrete poets, beat poets and more, to reimagine their HSC texts in prose, poetry and art.
Students are encouraged to bring along photocopies from three different HSC texts that have most irritated them along with one of their textbooks.
Edison Robots (10–15 years) Ultimo Library: Tuesday 2 October, 10.30am–12pm Participants will explore engineering challenges using the new EdCreate extension construction kits for Edison Robots. Projects to choose from include a tank and a digger.
Youth in the city: (13–18 years) Various venues and times: Tuesday 2 – Friday 12 October Our Youth in the City school holiday program features a mix of events, workshops and activities for 13 to 18 year-olds and most of them are free.
As well as excursions to the movies and Jamberoo, young people can take part in workshops from robotics and public speaking to creative arts for mental health month.
For the more energetic, recreational activities include parkour at Pyrmont’s Pirrama Park and snorkelling at Coogee Beach.
Creative workshops
Pine Street Creative Arts Centre: Tuesday 2 – Thursday 11 October, 9am–5pm
Pine Street Creative Arts Centre in Chippendale will offer workshops for students aged five through to 17. School holiday workshops include everything from ceramics and digital stencilling to painting and portraiture. Participants are encouraged to work on projects at their own pace under the guidance of a tutor in fully equipped studios. Bookings are essential.
Wind tube (5–8 years)
Kings Cross Library: Wednesday 3 October, 11am–12pm
Waterloo Library: Friday 12 October, 11am–12pm (free play 12pm–1pm)
Children can learn to make their own flying machine from recycled materials and watch it soar.
LittleBits building (8–12 years)
Newtown Library: Wednesday 3 October, 10am–11.30am
Haymarket Library: Monday 8 October, 10.30am–12pm
Children will get to combine our LittleBits electronic building blocks with sensors and motors to create fun electrical circuits.
Test drive a makerspace kit (ages 5+)
Green Square Library: Wednesdays 3 and 10 October, 4–5pm
Participants can test drive kits from the makerspace collection designed to inspire learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Makerspace kits include robots, coding equipment and electronics.
Marble run (8–12 years)
Glebe Library: Thursday 4 October, 11am–12pm (free play 12pm–1pm)
Green Square Library: Thursday 11 October, 11am–12pm (free play 12pm–1pm)
Kids will use marble run peg boards to successfully guide balls through a series of tubes, obstacles and funnels in this creative thinking challenge.
The Big Adventure
Sydney Park, St Peters: Saturday 6 October, 9am–4pm
An enormous family fun day of free activities like mountain boarding, rock climbing, sports clinics, dancing and bike yoga. Bring a picnic rug for a food truck feast and watch BMX stunt riders in action and enjoy roving entertainers throughout Sydney Park. bigadventure.sydney
Sydney Rides Photo Exhibition
Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Oxford Street: Sunday 7 – Saturday 27 October, 8am–8pm
Take a trip to a stunning, free outdoor gallery in Sydney’s sunken gardens, with images of bike-based adventures and the most spectacular rides from across Sydney.
Steady-hand game (8–12 years)
Surry Hills Library: Wednesday 10 October, 11am–12pm
Participants design their own steady-hand game and, using simple electronics, test their hand-eye coordination skills.
Spring Cycle (Ages 8+)
Various ride options and start times: Sunday 14 October
Sydney’s big bike ride with options for beginners through to regular riders. Ride traffic-free across Sydney Harbour Bridge and through The Rocks before a family-friendly festival in Pirrama Park.
Bookings essential. More information at springcycle.com.au
For more information on all school holidays programs and bookings, visit the City’s What’s On website.
For media inquiries contact Elaine Kelly on 0477 362 550 or ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore contact Julia Lenton on 0410 748 039 or jlenton@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
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