Fun and learning for autumn school holidays

From building your own robots to producing a horror movie, there are plenty of fun and educational activities to keep children and young adults active during the autumn school holidays.

The City of Sydney’s school holidays program is packed full of exciting workshops, day trips and sporting activities with something for everyone from five to 18 years old.

“We want to see young people in the city realise their potential and make a valuable contribution to our community,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“For their mental and physical wellbeing, young people need to balance the amount of time they spend online with real connections and experiences.

“The City’s school holiday program includes activities to suit every child and every budget, and I hope parents and carers encourage their children to take part.”

The City’s youth and children’s services teams and libraries staff work together to develop the program to ensure there are plenty of options to choose from during the holidays from 13 to 30 April.

Makerspace workshops

Makerspace workshops – bookings essential

Vibro Bots (5–8 years)
Tuesday 24 April, 11am–12pm
Kings Cross Library

Children can increase their understanding of technology by using a brush and a small motor to make a simple jittering robot to take home.

Little Bits (8–12 years)
Green Square: Wednesday 18 April, 11am–12pm
Waterloo: Monday 23 April, 11am–12pm
Haymarket: Friday 27 April, 2–3pm

Children will get to combine our littleBits® electronic building blocks with sensors and motors to create fun electrical circuits.

Steady Hand Game (10 years and older)
Newtown: Tues 24 April 11am–12pm
Glebe: Friday 20 April. Steady-hand game build 11am–12pm

Participants will design their own steady-hand game and, using simple electronics, test their hand-eye coordination skills.

Youth in the city: (12–18 years)

Monday 16 – Friday 27 April
Various venues and times

Our Youth in the City school holiday program features a mix of events, workshops and activities for older kids aged 12 to 18 years and most of them are free.

As part of a two-day filmmaking program, youths can learn the art of film scriptwriting and how to make horror special effects. Students will be guided through basics of film story structure and creating props and make-up effects. Participants will bring their stories to life by filming on location at Paddington Reservoir Gardens.

An inclusive sports day at Alexandria Park will give youths at all skill levels the opportunity to enjoy tennis, basketball, soccer and badminton along with wheelchair sports with prizes and medals.

Other activities include excursions to Skyzone, Urban Jungle Adventure Park and horse riding.

Creative workshops

Monday 16 – Tuesday 24 April, times vary
Pine Street Creative Arts Centre

Pine Street Creative Arts Centre in Chippendale will offer workshops for children aged five through to 17. School holiday workshops include everything from ceramics and digital photography 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.

There is a Tribe of Kids

Thursday 26 April, 10–10.30am at Glebe Library
Thursday 26 April, 3–3.30pm at Newtown Library
Friday 27 April, 11–11.30am at Customs House Library

The City of Sydney and Matriark Theatre present an original performance adaptation of the children’s story, There is a Tribe of Kids. Using projections, music and live performance, Matriark will bring the contemporary children’s story to life.

The event is free and suitable for children aged 3 to 6 years and their families. Bookings are recommended as places are limited.

Parent and child bike riding workshop
15 April 2018 9am–1pm, $10 – bookings essential
Sydney Park Cycling Centre

This short workshop is ideal for parents interested in getting their kids into bike riding, and learning to bike ride as a family. Small group tuition will be provided in a safe and off-road environment, giving parents the skills to ride with their children more often. Suitable for children aged 5–8 years of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the course.

Free balance bike clinics

16–20 April and 23, 24, 26 and 27 April, 11am–3pm
Sydney Park Cycling Centre

Expert instructors will be on hand to help parents teach children aged 3 to 8 to ride using balance bikes, which do not have pedals or training wheels. Helmets and up to 20 balance bikes are provided. Participants do not need to book in advance, just turn up and register with the instructors on the day.

For more information on all school holidays programs and bookings, visit the City of Sydney’s What’s On website.