I don’t think we can say “back to normal.” Who knows what that means any longer; but, as I look at the schedules of activities popping up for the April 2022 school holidays in Sydney, I do see green shoots of renewal, especially in our arts sector. Old favorites are returning and new initiatives are springing forth from the arts organisations around town.
No matter your comfort level for venturing out, at the moment, I think you’ll find something here that may suit your family’s interests and requirements. Now is a great time to start exposing/re-exposing your kids to the arts. The arts are best experienced in person, human to human.
To that end, I have rounded up many family-specific arts experiences that are happening in Sydney over the April School holidays. I will continue to add to this as more organisations announce their programming.
An Artsy Outing to the Biennale
The Biennale of Sydney is our city’s bi-annual art extravaganza, often featuring large scale work on thought-provoking themes. This year’s Biennale, “titled rīvus, meaning ‘stream’ in Latin, will feature new work and commissions responding to water ecology and relationships with the natural world.” You can see works from the Biennale across the city. Locations are: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Barangaroo including The Cutaway, Circular Quay, Information + Cultural Exchange, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, National Art School in partnership with Artspace, The Rocks and Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
The Cutaway at Barangaroo is one of the largest precincts, and there you will also find “The Waterhouse,” which offers daily programming, including for children and families. Visit their site for a full schedule of events to plan your outing (hint: under “Filters,” you can choose “Children and Families” to find the events most suitable for young people).
The Biennale of Sydney runs through June 13.
Also celebrating the Biennale, the Museum of Contemporary Art is re-introducing their school holidays workshops. Families may join a 2 hour session that includes a tour and creative workshop.
MCA’s school holidays workshops run April 21-23. They are designed for children ages 5 – 12. Children 5+: $27 / Adults: $15. Bookings are necessary and space is limited.
Something for Everyone on Stage
Guess How Much I Love You
CDP
Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare come to the stage in this new adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram. “I love you right up to the moon and back!”
Guess How Much I Love You runs April 9 – 10 at the Seymour Centre’s Everest Theatre
Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies
Dress as a fairy (or whatever you like) for some theatre in the garden. The Australian Shakespeare Theatre brings their show, inspired by the fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, back to the Royal Botanic Garden for the school holidays.
Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies Adventure to Bubble Land runs April 9-24 at the Royal Botanic Garden
Edward the Emu
The story-to-stage legends of Monkey Baa Theatre bring their new show, Edward the Emu (based on the book by Sheen Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement) to the Sydney Opera House. Edward the Emu is bored with the zoo – and that is where the fun begins.
Edward the Emu runs April 9 – 23 at the Sydney Opera House. The recommended age is 4+.
Girls With Altitude
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ brand-new show is Girls with Altitude, a stunning aerial and acrobatic production featuring the talents of a 17-strong all-female cast. “From the environment to equality, these young acrobats (aged 10-18) reframe, reinvent and propose new perspectives on the future of their generation in a family spectacular for all to enjoy. “
Girls With Altitude runs April 13 – 14 at Riverside Theatres (Parramatta). Recommended age is 6+.
The Box Show
Junkyard Beats is one of the most fun acts around, with their high-energy percussion, which uses “junk” like you’ve never seen – or heard – it before. In The Box Show, “Tag along for a day in the life of a bunch of musical misfits as they reinvigorate the junk that the world has forgotten. “
The Box Show runs at Glen Street Theatre (Belrose) April 13 – 14.
Mr Snotbottom’s Horrible, Terrible, Really, Really, Bad, Bad, Show
“He’s The Willy Wonka of Weird, The Prince of Putrid, The King of Kids Comedy – it’s the disgustingly distasteful Mr Snot Bottom!” It’s sure to be funny, and probably pretty gross. I mean, the name of the show pretty much says it all!
Mr Snotbottom’s Horrible, Terrible, Really, Really, Bad, Bad, Show runs April 20 – 22 at Riverside Theatres (Paramatta). The recommended age is 5+.
The 13-Storey Treehouse
CDP
It’s the original Treehouse. “Where will they find flying cats, a mermaid, a sea monster, an invasion of monkeys, and a giant gorilla?” Andy and Terry fans will love to see this book brought to stage.
The 13-Storey Treehouse runs at the Seymour Centre’s Everest Theatre April 20 – 22. The recommended age is 6 – 12.
Room on the Broom
Based on the well-loved book by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Sheffler, this is the story of a witch and her ever-growing cast of companions. There’s always room on the broom!
Room on the Broom runs at the Seymour Centre’s Everest Theatre April 21 – 24. Recommended age is 6 – 12.
The Street University Experience
For the older kids: “Born and bred in the heart of Western Sydney, The Street University is a pioneering youth movement where young people aged 10 – 25 years old become the best version of themselves. For the first time ever at the Opera House, The Street University presents a selection of the finest up and coming Australian MCs, DJ’s, singers, dancers, poets and more!“
The Street University Experience runs at the Sydney Opera House April 22 – 23. Recommended age is 12+.
Library Lovers
The State Library of NSW has announced a series of school holidays events, primarily online, but a couple in person, as well. On April 11, there is a cartooning workshop, and on April 12, kids are invited to an event with author Libby Hathorn and illustrator Rosie Handley.
For a full schedule of the State Library’s school holidays events, check their website. The State Library’s Children’s Library is also a great space to drop into any time.
Also, be sure to check your local library, as many of them have interesting activities on during the school holidays!
Rock out (In the Daytime)
The Teeny Tiny Stevies are the masters of music that you and your kids can enjoy equally. They turned toilet training into a legit jam and have kids across the country eating a rainbow of veggies. They’re touring Australia, and landing in Sydney just in time for the final weekend of school holidays.
The Teeny Tiny Stevies appear at the Factory Theatre for two shows on April 24.
Creative Play at the Sydney Opera House
Earlier this year, the Sydney Opera House unveiled their new Centre for Creativity, a multi-purpose space to be used for a variety of creative activities. Over the April school holidays, they are hosting a number of interactive experiences for kids.
Ping Pong WoW
Fling! Bounce! Fly! Drop! Scoop! Join us for free Creative Play these April school holidays and find out what happens when we let 2,000 ping pong balls loose in the Centre for Creativity!
April 10 – 16
Free event/Registration Required
Shadow Puppets
Learn how to draw and design your very own characters and backdrops! Using different paper cutting methods, cast your drawings into animated shadows using various light sources and surfaces.
Tuesday, April 19
6 hour event for ages 9+ (parent drop off)
$125
Edward the Emu Drama Workshop
Join Monkey Baa Theatre for an engaging workshop session! Young dramatists aged 5 – 8 will be taken on a journey of identity, self-belief, and belonging… through the eyes of an emu.
Wednesday 20 April and Friday 22 April. 1 hour activity.
Recommended age: 5 – 8 (parent drop off)
$35
Alien Invasion
The Sydney Opera House has been visited by aliens! Join us on this full-day interactive theatre play experience to find the left-behind alien.
Thursday 21 April
6 hour event for ages 5 – 8 (parent drop off)
$125
Heroes: Musgrove Opera
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Musgrove Opera, returning to the Sydney Opera House for an epic Holiday Concert this April!
Friday 22 April
Recommended: all ages
$45
Are you getting “back out there?” Don’t forget to put your Dine & Discover and Parent vouchers to use at many of these arts experiences! I hope you’ll find some arts adventures to share with your kids these school holidays