Creative Summer Activities for Kids These School Holidays

At ellaslist, we spend our days searching Sydney for the best things for you to do with your kids. Summer is our favourite time of the year – school’s out and the heat is on. But it can be a challenge to find exciting activities to keep the kids happy every day. So we’ve done the hard work for you!

We’ve picked out some amazing creative venues to take the kids over the summer holidays. All these places have designed the most incredible programs especially for children – guaranteed to keep them entertained and smiling. They’re arty, crafty, magical, imaginative and so much fun! Plus they’re indoors so perfect for all weather conditions – especially those sweltering summer days.

Here are our ellaslist’s top things to do with your kids this summer:

1. Drop in and Make: Pop-Up Toy Theatre, Art Gallery of NSW

We love the idea of making our own puppet theatre so we can take it home and create our own mini-shows. This is a pop-in workshop at the Art Gallery of NSW anytime between 11am and 4pm. All materials and instructions are provided.

2. Strange and Spectacular Stories From A Most Peculiar Past, Australian Museum

This is a theatrical adventure perfect for little explorers. It’s a journey of a lifetime – blazing a trail through history. There’ll be music, drama, dinosaurs, ice and magic in this show of fantasy and fun at the Australian Museum.

3. Horrible Histories Pirates – The Exhibition, Australian National Maritime Museum

Arrrrr, me hearties. It’s time for some pirate fun at the Maritime Museum. Take command of a pirate ship, design your own pirate flag, discover the best loot to steal and learn to talk like a pirate. Full of lively illustrations, foul facts and gruesome games, this hands-on exhibition is a rollicking ride back in time to the days when putrid pirates ruled the water and gave merchant sailors jelly-legs!

4. The Art of the Brick: DC Comics, Powerhouse Museum

Calling all Super Heroes and Villains! Be amazed at the Powerhouse Museum by these giant LEGO sculptures of our favourite comic heroes and villains – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Joker and more. It’s the world’s largest collection of DC Comics-inspired LEGO artwork, ever!

5. My Pretty Little Art Studio, Museum of Contemporary Art

This is a creative pop-up space for little artists to let their imagination run wild. There is a variety of free and fun interactive activities for the whole family at the MCA. How about designing your own dazzling pot or challenge your friends to a paper-place flying contest?

 6.Drawing with Ben Brown, State Library of NSW

Do you have a budding artist at home? They will love this interactive workshop where kids can create their own artwork, inspired by the graphical genius of Ben Brown. To check out more activities during the Kids @ the Library program, go here.

7. Sydney Harbour Icons with LEGO® Bricks, Museum of Sydney

This is a must-see exhibition for your little LEGO lover! This hands-on show brings Sydney Harbour to life in LEGO bricks complete with fireworks. And look out for the surprise celebrities at LEGO Luna Park? Kids can also create their own LEGO Masterpieces.