15 Fun (& Mostly Free) Things to do These School Holidays!

Make the most of the school holidays here in Sydney and set your family up for a great rest of the year!

Here’s the good news: if you’re sticking to a budget, you can still have fun together without breaking the bank.

1. Royal Botanic Gardens *Mostly Free*

Pack a picnic, grab your rug and head to the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. While you’re there, you can take a walk past the Opera House, over the Harbour Bridge or visit The Rocks. A short ferry ride will even take you around to Darling Harbour or across to the beach at Clifton Gardens.

Visit botanicgardens.org.au

2. State Library of NSW *Free*

Keen for a day out in the city? Drop in to the State Library of NSW. The Children’s Library is currently closed for refurbishment, but the library has just opened its new playful family exhibition, The Curious World of Pamela Allen.

From the antics of Mr McGee to Who Sank the Boat?, Belinda, and Mr Archimedes’ Bath, for more than 40 years, Allen’s stories have been captivating children and parents alike.

This interactive exhibition brings the stories to life for everyone. Play in Mr McGee’s tree, turn the giant pages of Bertie and the Bear, and make a splash with the animals from Who Sank the Boat? There are reading nooks, corners to explore, and even a hat to try on!

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Visit sl.nsw.gov.au

Make the most of the school holidays and set your family up for a great rest of the year!

3. SUPA Art Camp in Baulkham Hills *$50 for two days*

Organised by Scripture Union Australia, this one’s for children in Years 5 and 6 who love art and Minecraft. Two days of fun exploring God, faith, and life through the Bible, art, craft and games.

Cost for two days is $50 which includes all materials, morning and afternoon tea.

Visit su.org.au

4. Art Gallery of NSW *Free*

Open from 10am to 5pm each day, and to 10pm on Wednesdays, entry is free to the permanent displays. Visit for as long or as little as you like.

During these holidays, you can even visit the free Busy Bees drop-in workshop for children. With no booking required, this hands-on activity gives children the chance to make their own busy bee using paper, raffia, and twine. At the end, they can either take their bee home or add it to the Gallery’s eucalypt forest installation.

And if you’re entertaining under 5s, make sure to be there on Fridays at 11am for story time. No booking required.

Visit: artgallery.nsw.gov.au

5. KYCK Weekend 4 in the Blue Mountains *$102 for the weekend*

Start the school holidays right. High school students are invited to join 6000 other young people for a weekend of learning and growing in the Blue Mountains, from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September.

Featuring engaging Bible talks, energetic worship, food breaks, free time, and fun activities, they’ll be challenged, encouraged, and strengthened in their walk with Jesus.

Cost for the weekend is $102 which includes conference program, booklet, pen and morning tea for Saturday and Sunday.

Visit kyck.org.au

6. Australian Museum *Free*

For curious children, a visit to the Australian Museum could answer some of their questions or leave them with even more!

Entry is free to access all the permanent exhibitions, the Museum Shop, and the Burra learning and play space. Spend time exploring dinosaurs, 200 treasures of the Museum, our Indigenous history, and learning about Pasifika culture.

During the holidays, make the most of the free family-friendly drop-in activities or consider a ticketed event for a special day out.

Open 10am to 5pm every day.

Visit australianmuseum.com

7. The World’s Largest Lego Store *Free*

Yes, you can visit the world’s largest Lego store right here in Sydney! Located in Pitt Street Mall, entry is free.

Check out the incredible displays, express your creativity at the Lego play tables, and enjoy the wonder of what is possible when you use your imagination and Lego.

Visit lego.bricksmegastore.com

8. Holiday Bible School – God of Wonders *$50 for the week*

An exciting week of fun, learning and growing in faith at Wetherill Park Seventh Day Adventist Church.

For children aged 3 to 12 years, each day will be packed with adventure, and include interactive games, hands-on science lessons, creative art projects, joyful singing and energetic dancing.

Children can build friendships, explore their talents and deepen their faith from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October.

Cost is $50 for the week.

Visit events.varialabs.com

Enjoy the wonder of what is possible when you use your imagination and Lego.

9. Darling Harbour – Tumbalong Park Waterplay and Playground *Free*

Enjoy a day playing outside in the heart of the city!

Remember to pack a towel and a change of clothes for your child – it’s hard to keep clear of the waterplay, especially on a hot day.

Keep an eye out for the wandering bird life, or you might find them taking off with your lunch!

Visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

10. Holiday Bible Club in Blacktown *Free*

Are your kids ready for a week of fun these school holidays? Bring them along to the Holiday Bible Club, ‘Keepers of the Kingdom’ at Fellowship Baptist Church in Blacktown.

They’ll enjoy time with friends, learn about God, and play fun games.

For children aged Kindergarten to Year 6, this morning program from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October is free to attend and will get your school holidays off to a great start.

Visit fbcholidaybibleclub.myanswers.com

School holidays are a great opportunity for kids to have fun with their friends, while learning about God!

11. Cockatoo Island *Mostly Free*

A short, inexpensive ferry ride will take you to Cockatoo Island in the middle of Sydney Harbour.

Enjoy a half day or full day exploring the Island. Download the map and guide to plan your trip.

Entry is free. Plan your visit before you go or drop in to the Visitors Centre between 10am and 4pm.

Visit cockatooisland.gov.au

12. Holiday Kids Club in Gymea Bay *Free*

Unmissable fun for children from Kindergarten to Year 6 at this Holiday Kids Club at Gymea Peoples Church from Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 October.

Singing, games, crafts, Bible stories and more, Surf’n God’s Word together.

Free to attend but registration required.

Visit gpc.org.au

13. Centennial Parklands *Free*

Looking for a place to enjoy the great outdoors? Head to Centennial Parklands and make the most of the wide, green spaces, play areas, BBQs and bike tracks.

Children will love exploring The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden. Open from 10am to 5pm daily, this is nature-play at its best for children of all ages.

Explore the dry creek beds, water play area, bamboo forest, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds and treehouse.

Wild Play is best accessed from the York Road gates.

Visit centennialparklands.com.au

14. Follow the King School Holiday Kids Club in Riverwood *$10-$20*

If your children are in Kindergarten to Year 6, they’re invited to come and learn what it means to ‘Follow the King’ these school holidays.

The Holiday Kids Club at Riverwood Punchbowl Anglican Church runs from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 October includes music, games, craft, Bible stories and plenty of other fun activities.

Cost is $10 per child, or $20 for a family for each day, morning tea included.

Visit: rpac.org.au

To keep your children curious and busy, here are our top picks for things to do in and around Sydney.

15. Sydney Olympic Park

Blaxland Riverside Park *Free*

Time to get out of the city?

Head to Sydney Olympic Park these holidays and make the most of all that’s on offer there – and it’s all free!

Blaxland Riverside Park is a child’s dream playground.

With plenty of space, things to climb over, under, through and around, swings, slides and even waterplay, there’s something to keep kids of all ages busy.

With open space to set up your picnic or for older kids to play some soccer, this is the perfect place to spend a day with your family.

Visit sydneyolympicpark.com.au

Brickpit Ring Walk *Free*

Enjoy a stroll 18m above the ground as you take in the wetlands below.

Featuring an inbuilt multimedia experience, as you stroll the 550m walkway you’ll learn about the history of the Brickpit that once supplied 60 per cent of the bricks used to build homes in Sydney.

Use the self-guided tour app to explore the parklands on foot or bring your bikes for a day of leisurely riding or high adventure on the bike tracks.

With 50 artworks to enjoy throughout the park, plus wildlife to spot you’ll always have something new to marvel at.

Visit sydneyolympicpark.com.au

Keep an eye on our Community Noticeboard for more community and church events, all throughout the year.

Article supplied with thanks to Edwina Baily.

Feature image: CanvaPro