The Spring School Holidays are around the corner and Darling Harbour has a variety of activities to get kids’ creative juices flowing and invigorate the imagination. From open-air roller skating and fireworks, to a line-up of artsy workshops and exciting Sydney Fringe Kids shows, Darling Harbour’s spring program has something for every family this school holidays (Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October).
CONNECT WITH SOUNDS, STORIES & MOVEMENT
If you want to get the kids out of the house and moving, a harbourside 70s-inspired Open Air Roller Rink coming to Palm Grove, is ideal for children and parents or carers alike. Rolling from 10am till late, the retro-themed rink will be the go-to nighttime destination for those wanting to skate and bop to the DJ’s 70s bangers or simply enjoy the atmosphere at the nearby food trucks and bar.
The school holiday pursuits don’t stop there! Darling Harbour will also see the return of a free family favourite, Rhythm N Bubs. Every Wednesday between 10:30am – 11:15am, Rhythm N Bubs will be hosted at Playground Lawn, Darling Quarter, and will explore sound through playful activities, catchy tunes, and rhythmic adventures by passionate music educators.
Also located at Pier Street Underpass, the First Nations Storytelling Workshop – on Wednesday 2 October from 1:30pm – will invoke Dreamtime with art, music and storytelling, exploring the rich cultural heritage of Gamilaroy Country.
INVOKE WONDER
Crossing over with the start of the spring holidays, the Sydney Fringe Festival will take over Darling Quarter to bring award-winning Fringe Kids shows 101 Ways to Annoy your Parents and old people, The Giant Balloon Show and Restricted Access, among others. Scheduled from Thursday 5 September to Sunday 6 October, the Fringe program offers different spectacles – for a range of ages – including sensory displays, interactive music, bubble magic, mad science and more.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure this school holiday at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium! With their Aussie Animal Passport, journey across land and sea, exploring Australia’s most unique and iconic creatures. The precinct will continue to host activities such as the cracking Saturday night fireworks at Cockle Bay. Kids and carers can see Australia’s best-loved animals and sea life up close at the zoo and the aquarium, from koalas and crocodiles to sharks and dugongs and much more. The aquarium’s glass viewing tunnels make it the perfect day out!
UNLEASH IMAGINATION WITH HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
The precinct’s Chinese Garden of Friendship will inspire children and teens of all ages with Flower Pressing and Lantern Making workshops.
For the kids keen to participate in interactive activities, the Pier Street Underpass will host a series of free and interactive workshops that are perfect to bloom and nurture an interest in all things botany, ecology and creativity. These workshops include the Cartoon and Comic Book Workshop, inviting kids to design, draw and develop their own comic world and characters. Kids can also roll up their sleeves and build a sustainable city from reclaimed materials at the Big City Building Workshop with Reverse Garbage, take part in a hands-on interactive plant workshop with Urban Grow. Kids can also help bring giant art cubes to life with an interactive colouring at Art Cube Creations, hosted by illustrator James Gulliver Hancock, and simply chill out, borrow a book and enjoy the wonders of Sydney’s favourite mobile library, Russ the Story Bus.
EXPLORE FLAVOURS OF SPRING
There is a range of kid-friendly dining and quick-bite options at Darling Harbour, from the iconic Pancakes on the Rocks to harbour views at Blackbird Cafe. Other mouth-watering options in the precinct include Betty’s Burgers kids menu, and Fratelli Fresh – where kids under 12 can eat free.
For more details and further information on all activities and offers, visit the Darling Harbour website.
