The NSW Government is supporting families with free activities, workshops, and exhibitions to engage and inspire children during the school holidays starting next week.
The state's Cultural Institutions are offering a selection of activities for children to support families wanting to make the school holidays memorable without breaking the bank.
Families are doing it tough and NSW Budget 2023-24 allocated $28.3 million over four years for free general admission to the Australian Museum and Museums of History NSW which will allow families with children to keep coming through the door to enjoy the educational exhibits and hands-on offerings.
During this cost-of-living crisis families should not be denied access to basic services and that includes arts and culture.
School holiday activity highlights include:
- Art Gallery of NSW: Paper, Scissors, Shadows - A free shadow-puppet theatre workshop for kids and families
- Australian Museum: Dinosaur Festival - An annual dinosaur festival featuring live science shows, performances, roaming dinosaurs, a T.rex autopsy, and the brand-new Hologram Dinosaurs experience
- State Library of NSW: Monster Madness - Design your own monster, dress up and scare your grown-ups or design a house for a monster
- Museums of History NSW: Hyde Park Barracks Kids Audioguide and Trail - an adventure through time at the Hyde Park Barracks with a tailored audio guide and kids' activity trail
- Powerhouse Ultimo: Family Minecraft - Intergenerational groups will be guided through Minecraft activities and games
- Sydney Opera House: Draw the House: The Sketchbook Tour - A free monthly walking and drawing tour led by artist Catherine O'Donnell that explores various drawing techniques and perspectives inspired by one of the world's most iconic buildings
The NSW Government has shown its support for creative audiences and workers with a boost for music, arts, events and the night-time economy as outlined in the first Minns Labor Government Budget.
This Budget has focused on supporting arts and culture at a grass roots level while allowing greater access to our cultural institutions.
For information on specific school holiday programming from our NSW cultural institutions, visit the individual venue's website.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said:
"NSW families are really feeling the cost-of-living pressures and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring families continue to have fulfilling experiences through arts and culture.
"Free general entry to the museums is supported in this budget. It is an important principle to allow equal access to knowledge and learning to all.
"This super-charged school holiday program will offer unforgettable experiences with culture and art, and thanks to these free activities, exhibitions and workshops, they're accessible to all families."
"The free entry program will offer children the opportunity to create shadow puppets and monsters, take an adventure through time, and have a roaring good adventure while visiting our important cultural institutions."
