Australia’s school holidays are looming, which is enough to fill any parent with dread. The kids will want to be entertained, but it needn’t cost you a fortune.
Sydney residents can enjoy a staycation and soak up all the free activities in their own backyard.
Museums are always a great option for families looking to save cash, with many offering free entry and enough exhibitions to keep folks entertained all day. For a journey back in time, look to The Rocks Discovery Museum tucked away in Kendall Lane, just off Argyle Street. Archival film and archaeological artifacts bring historic Sydney back to life in a way that’s engaging for kids and adults.
For a day out with a more nautical theme, head to the Australian National Maritime Museum. This free museum always runs school holiday programs especially designed to entertain its youngest visitors. This time around little ones can learn all about the travels of Sindbad the Sailor through, arts, crafts, and music workshops.
If arts are their thing, take the children to the Art Gallery of NSW. Entry is also free, and a tour of the museum will seem much more exciting when led by one of the gallery’s fun characters. The holiday period also brings storytelling and special children’s performances.
Forget greasy fast food lunches; a picnic is a much more economical, and healthier option. Centennial Park is a bit of an inner-city oasis with its duck ponds and grassy hills. Take your blades or bikes along and you can enjoy the dedicated cycle and rollerblading tracks, or have a game on the tennis courts or sporting fields.
Way out west you can enjoy the wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park. There are 40 hectares of parkland here, with picnic areas and barbecues for families who want a hot lunch. Playgrounds and cycleways should keep the kids entertained while mom and dad relax.
So why spend a fortune on the school holidays? Sydney has plenty of fun activities that won’t cost you a cent.
