If you’re headed on an island holiday these July school holidays, soak up the sun, you lucky dog! But, for those of us staying put in Sydney, don’t think the winter blues are ahead. There is just a massive number of arts activities on for kids, as you’ll see by the crazy length of this guide! Where better to be when it’s chilly outside than getting creative inside a theatre, museum, or workshop? There’s something for every age and taste here.
(Cover image via Applause Musical Theatre Academy)
See a Show
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Skidmark – The Listies, maestros of children’s entertainment, have pulled apart Shakespeare’s classic and glued it back together with hilarious costumes, loads of silliness and plenty of interactivity. Recommended for ages 5+.
Catch this one at the Seymour Centre 7 – 22 July and then Riverside Theatre (Parramatta) 25 – 27 July.
Diary of a Wombat – Did you miss Monkey Baa Theatre’s production, based on the beloved Jackie French book, during its run last year? Here’s one more chance to catch that cheeky wombat. Recommended or ages 3+. This limited engagement runs 17 – 21 July at Monkey Baa’s Lendlease Theatre.
Tribunal – Welcome to the Australian Truth and Reconciliation Tribunal we’ve never had. Artists, lawyers, leaders and activists put Australia’s colonial past and murky refugee policies on trial in this powerful piece of political theatre. Each performance is different, with guests airing their experiences and the issues directly affecting their communities. Tribunal is a space where the truth can be told, connections can be made, and intimacies shared. Recommended for ages 12+. Runs 6 – 7 July at the Sydney Opera House.
Wilde Creatures – Step into a fairytale with this new production based on Oscar Wilde’s most loved stories including the Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose. Recommended for ages 5+. Get Wilde 7 – 14 July at the Sydney Opera House and then 19 – 21 July at Riverside Parramatta.
Hunting of the Snark – Enter the imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland creator, Lewis Carroll, in this brand new adaptation inspired by his much loved classic poem. Fresh from London’s West End, this show features five high-energy actors, life-like puppets, fantastical characters, and lashings of daft humour. Recommended for ages 6+. Find it at the Sydney Opera House 17 – 22 July.
The Great Illusionist – Jump into this enchanting tale of a young boy who longs to be an illusionist. A tale of daring and willpower, the importance of a good assistant, and of course, a white rabbit! Packed with cleverly executed illusions and tantalising tricks, it proves there’s more to magic than meets the eye! This rich, multilayered production from the Netherlands’ acclaimed Het Filiaal theatre makers is sure to captivate the whole family with live music, impressive illusions, magical puppetry and marvellous tricks. Recommended for ages 8+. Appearing at the Sydney Opera House 21 – 29 July.
Get Groovy
Kinderling House Party – Kinderling is bringing some of the absolute best acts in Australian children’s music (and we know they’re the best because we’ve reviewed a lot of them!) together for one big partaaaay. Join Benny Time, The Beanies, Jay Laga’aia, The Vegetable Plot, Bunny Racket, and the Teeny Tiny Stevies at City Recital Hall on 7 July.
Kid/Dub – Kid/Dub’s tagline is “Best. Kid’s. Party. Ever. And, after getting a taste of their high energy, back in time dance party at the Sydney Comedy Festival, I cannot argue. They’re bringing the party back to the Factory Theatre on 7 July. Get your dance on!
Botanic Beats – Go wild at the Royal Botanic Garden, where children will have a ball learning some funky dance moves, then enjoy a day-time disco complete with fun dance games! Recommended for ages 5 – 10. Takes place 10 and 17 July.
Go West!
WOW Festival – Between 18 and 21 July, The Way Out West (WOW) Festival will be presenting 8 Performances & Events, 4 Interactive Art Experiences, 33 Workshops , 5 Music events, and 6 Films. It’s a bit of a drive from Sydney, but it’s a jam packed schedule of art and creativity, so consider making a day trip of it. The WOW Festival takes place at the Casula Powerhouse.
Art Attack
Women of Craft – Barangaroo celebrates NAIDOC week with a free Women of Craft event on 8 July. 45 minute kids workshops will take place 10:30am, 11.30am, 12:30pm, 12:45pm 1:30pm, 2:15pm, 3pm and 3:30pm.
Contemporary Kids School Holidays Program – The Museum of Contemporary Art always puts on a fun event that encourages kids to get to know some of the work in the museum, and then create their own creations. This July, celebrate the work of master bark painter John Mawurndjul, and make a mobile inspired by a place that is special to you. Your $18 family ticket lets you attend as many times during the week, as you’d like. Runs 8 – 13 July at the MCA.
Drop in and Make – Drop in to the Art Gallery of NSW for free art making activities in the Entrance Court. Celebrate NAIDOC Week Monday – Friday 9 – 13 July and Sunday 15 July. Then, Monday – Friday 16 – 20 July, make “Faces, Places, and Spaces,” inspired by the Archibald Prize.
Bookish Kids
State Library NSW – The State Library’s school holiday program will run from Monday 9 July to Friday 20 July and will feature NAIDOC-themed workshops, tours and activities for kids of all ages. Come and try your hand at weaving, paper sculpture or animation as we celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week theme Because of Her, We Can!
The 104-Storey Treehouse – Do you have a Treehouse fan? In this live event, the authors will take the audience through a morning of mapcap fun as they take us through the treehouse with live drawing, performances and an after show meet and greet. Tickets include a copy of the book. The adventure continues 14 July at the Enmore Theatre.
And, make sure to see if your local library has anything on offer during the school holidays. Libraries are a treasure trove of affordable family fun.
Do a Workshop
There are plenty of workshops to give your artsplorers hands on experience for a day or across multiple days. A few of the businesses in the Artsplorers Directory of Sydney Arts Classes told us about the classes that they’re offering your creative kids:
Applause Musical Theatre Academy (Willoughby, Lindfield, St Ives and Killarney Heights) – Would your child or teen fancy a bit of royalty these holidays? At our “Royal” holiday workshops, budding performers will have a right royal old time singing and dancing to songs from fun, popular musicals fit for Kings and Queens! Script-work (from Year 3 and up) and acting games are included too. After the performance on the last day each performer will leave singing happily ever after! Crowns & Tiaras permitted.
Website
**Applause Musical Theatre Academy is offering Artsplorers readers a 5% discount off their July school holiday workshops. Use discount code ART5OFF **
Maker’s Loft (Cammeray) – We offer a wide range of holiday workshops for ages 5 to 15, from messy crafts to sewing and printing and so much more. See details on our website.
4Cats Arts Studio (North Sydney and Lindfield) – Our camps are designed to put kids in charge of creating their own art adventure. Throughout the camp, kids are given the opportunity to choose their own projects from a variety of mediums, which encourages a love of learning, independence, creativity and artistic flow. Artists are encouraged to follow their own interests! Earn and collect badges throughout the adventure.
Website and bookings
Suitable for age 5 to 12 years old, small groups of up to 12 children, learning new art skills, having fun with friends and going home with your lovely creations!
We offer a full day – From 9:30 am to 3:00 pm for $70 including all art materials, 2 creative workshops and snacks.
Thursday 12th July – KidsXpress, Macquarie Park
Friday 13th July – KidsXpress, Macquarie Park
Monday 16th July – Whoosh Club, Neutral Bay
Tuesday 17th July – Whoosh Club, Neutral Bay
Wednesday 18th July – Whoosh Club, Neutral Bay
Thursday 19th July – Whoosh Club, Neutral Bay
Book via Eventbrite or Big Wild Imagination website
Learn the basics of hand building in clay and use pinch pots, coils and slabs to create a fantastic creature of your own imagining. Make an alien, a dinosaur, a creepy monster or any animal you please. Decorate your creature with colourful craft supplies or natural materials. Students will also have time for “Free Clay Play”.
*DIY GUITARS!
Friday 20th July 9:30am – 12noon
Get the opportunity to see and hear real guitars before being guided to make an amazing guitar from cardboard boxes, tubes and other recycled materials. Embellish it any way you wish – with neon markers, tape, paint, glitter or sequins, it’s up to you. Guitars will have elastic “strings”, a twangy sound and will be perfect for pretend play! Rock on!
Website
Awesome round up! It has got me thinking!