Is artsploring in your plans these school holidays? If you’re in Sydney this January, there is a whole world of options. Sydney Festival is host to a huge range of family friendly events, plus kids of all ages will find something to get excited about in the stages, galleries, and libraries around town.
Here are quite a few ideas for getting plenty of creativity into your kids’ school holidays this summer in Sydney!
See a Show
Are We There Yet?
Read our review here. Based on the book by Alison Lester. “These summer holidays, join 8-year-old Grace and her family on an adventurous (and often funny) expedition across the country, visiting iconic Australian landmarks along the way including the Great Australian Bight, Uluru, Surfers Paradise and our very own Sydney Opera House.”
Are We There Yet? rides into the Sydney Opera House January 3 – 22. It is recommended for ages 3+.
The Listies: Make Some Noise
Read our review of The Listies’ Make Some Noise from their 2022 run at Monkey Baa. “Start with knowing up to three notes on the bass guitar. Add in half a banana, a dad-powered fog machine, and a kid who can burp on command. Sprinkle liberally with bum-crack jokes. You’re well on your way to the treat that is The Listies’ newest show, Make Some Noise. “
The Listies will be making all sorts of noise for ages 4+ (recommended) at Sydney Opera House from January 5 – 20.
Hide the Dog
“Two best friends save the world’s last Tassie Tiger and discover First Nations culture on the way in this magical work of family theatre.” Hide the Dog runs January 6-8 at the Sydney Opera House, as part of the Sydney Festival. The recommended age is 5 – 15.
Edward the Emu
“After sell-out shows across Australia in 2022 playing to over 50,000 young people, Edward and Edwina are back!” Based on the books by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement, Edward the Emu is recommended for ages 4+. It runs January 10 – 21 at ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Monkey Baa).
The Gruffalo’s Child
“Adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this magical musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book.” The Gruffalo’s Child is recommended for ages 3+. It runs at Riverside Theatres (Parramatta) January 19 – 21 and The Concourse (Chatswood) January 22 – 23.
The Wind in the Willows
An annual tradition, The Wind in the Willows by Australian Shakespeare Company returns to the Royal Botanic Garden January 5 – 22.. “This critically acclaimed outdoor theatre production delivers music, songs, and laughs. There is fun for young and old as the Head Chief Rabbit transforms the audience into rabbits with a waggle of the ears and a wiggle of the nose. The young ‘rabbits’ are encouraged to get involved in the action and are given every opportunity to scream out loud, sing along and become part of the adventure. With laughs and surprises for children and adults, this is interactive theatre at its best.”
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award ® winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music that delighted Broadway audiences with its surprisingly contemporary take on the classic tale.” Cinderella is currently playing at the Lyric Theatre. The show’s running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets are on sale through the end of January.
Slava’s Snow Show
Slava’s Snow Show is a long-running clowning show. “Slava’s Snowshow brilliantly creates a world of wonderment and fantasy transporting audiences to a joyous dream-like place. A place where a bed becomes a boat in a storm-tossed sea, a woman wrapped in cellophane becomes flowers in a vase and a child walks in amazement inside a bubble. In the breathtaking finale, a letter is transformed into a snowstorm that whirls around the auditorium, leaving the audience ankle deep in snow.” It will play the State Theatre January 18 – 29. The show is recommended for children 8+.
Festival Vibes
Sydney Festival
Sydney’s beloved arts festival never fails to bring fascinating, audacious work to our fair city each January. This year is no exception, and families certainly have not been forgotten. Some of the events are listed elsewhere in this guide, but you can find the full listing of family-friendly events here. There are lots of sharks and shipwrecks, a return of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle in Sutherland (read our review here), an ibis puppet, and a lot more. Perhaps the most anticipated event is the mulit-sensory Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon exhibit at Barangaroo, which is not specifically for kids, but should be interesting for all ages.
ELEVATE Sydney
After a successful launch in 2022, ELEVATE Sydney is back on the Cahill Expressway.
“Four mega mornings for families to build incredible memories.
Taking family events to another level, some of Australia’s most loved characters and performers will be live on stage. Watch, dance and sing along – you’ll know all the words.
Bluey & Bingo, Monski Mouse, Erth and the Gagliardies will perform on all four mornings!
Mornings at ELEVATE are a massive street party just for the little ones with playful surprises at every turn! From zig zagging between performers on and off the stage, or simply taking in the view.”
ELEVATE Family is on 10a.m. – 12:30p.m. January 4 – 7 on the Cahill Expressway. The event is free, but tickets are required.
Museum Kids
Art Gallery of NSW
Have you been to the Art Gallery of NSW’s new building, yet? School holidays are a great time to drop in to see this major addition to the Sydney art landscape. You can just drop in and explore, or enhance your visit with one of the several activities they have on for kids and families over the holidays.
There are guided tours for families (January 16 – 20), drop in workshops (most Mondays through Fridays and Sundays during January – check their website for schedule), and some paid workshops, as well.
Museum of Contemporary Art
This summer, MCA is home to the Do Ho Suh exhibit (paid). Their family space features an interactive activity in response to the exhibit – “Draw Home” is open on weekends, plus some weekdays during the first two weeks of January for free, drop in from 10a.m. – 4p.m.
In addition, a drop in activity related to Primavera 2022 (free) takes place January 10 – 15 from 10a.m. – 4p.m.. “Taking inspiration from Primavera 2022: Young Australian Artists, watch the water float by, smell the mixing of fresh and saltwater and imagine the underwater world that lives in Warrang.”
Museum of Sydney
Museum of Sydney’s current interactive exhibition is PlayScapes. “In 2023 Museums of History NSW will be celebrating a season of play by transforming the Museum of Sydney into a physical and digital playground. Activations will push your imagination, encourage creativity, innovation and problem-solving, and explore the possibilities of play.” Entry to the Museum of Sydney is free (book ahead online). PlayScapes runs through June 4. We shared our visit over on Instagram – click over to see more about our experience.
Book Lovers
State Library of NSW
The State Library of NSW has a school holidays schedule full of all sorts of different activities – both in person and online. Take a tour of their exceptional picture book exhibit, do a writing, drawing, or art workshop, meet an author, or take a book quiz. Find the full schedule in the link above. While you’re there, be sure to pop into the children’s library – one of the most inspiring book spaces for kids in town.
Local Libraries
Be sure to check out what’s happening at your local library this summer! From summer reading to maker spaces and other creative activities, most Council libraries will have something on offer for kids – usually for free! Libraries are a great way to get some creative activity in without breaking the bank.
Centre for Creativity at Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House’s innovative Centre for Creativity is host to several kid-friendly activities over the school holidays. They are:
Wild City – “What could life be like for animals – including human animals – living together in our city? Come make, create and play in this wild city where animals take over!” This project runs January 3 – 15. Morning workshops are $10, recommended for ages 6 – 9. Afternoon art installation sessions are free.
Dance Mania – “Ever dreamt of dancing on one of Sydney Opera House’s world-renowned stages? Make a young dancer’s dreams come true with our special School Holiday dance experience where ballet, contemporary and hip hop collide in a beautiful dance explosion!” This is a 2-day workshop (January 17 and 18), recommended for ages 9 – 11. $250.
The Magic Garden – “Join Ru Barb, Aspara Gus and Sir Paul McCarrotney for a berry wonderful music-making songwriting workshop.” The 90-minute workshops are recommended for ages 4 – 9. They run January 19 – 20, and cost $35.
We hope you have fun adventuring these school holidays! Join us on Instagram where we share our artsploring, books, and more.