Wondering what to do with the kids this July school holidays? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best and a few free options to entertain the young masses…
The Secret Life of Pets 2
The laughs flow from beginning to end as we fall back into step with the animal residents of a New York apartment block. Max and Duke are back, and so are the rest of the gang as The Secret Life of Pets 2 charms in cinemas nationwide.
Toy Story 4
Read our review here and make a date with Woody, Buzz and co for the fabulously funny fourth instalment of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4, in cinemas now.
Colourful Creatures at Sea Life & Wild Life
Weave your own tale as you encounter the bright and beautiful creatures at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo including the monarch butterflies, magnificent tree frogs, Kangaroo joeys and resident Cassowary. Next door at SEA LIFE Sydney, try and spot our camouflaging weedy sea dragons, draw your own ‘Dory’ blue tang, touch a sea star in the Rockpool and learn how many spikes a lion fish has!
Then bring your story book to life and recount the sights, smells, textures and emotions, making for the ultimate take home souvenir to always remember their ultimate day out!
What: ‘Colourful Creatures’ at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
When: Saturday 29th June to Wednesday 31st July
Hours: Open daily from 10am-6pm (last entry at 5pm).
Cost: Included in price of admission. Adults from $35.00 and children from $24.60 for single attraction entry. Upgrade to a two attraction pass and visit both attractions for just $50! Book online and save!
Website: www.sealifesydney.com.au www.wildlifesydney.com.au
The Royal Academy at Madame Tussauds
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are landing at Madame Tussauds Sydney! In their honour, the Madame Tussauds Sydney ‘Instant Royal Academy’ will be on hand to coach guests on etiquette, teaching all how to correctly address a Royal, sit gracefully, curtsy like a lady and perfect the Royal wave. From 2-4pm on the 7th and 14th of July, nationally acclaimed etiquette coach, Zarife Hardy, will also be hosting exclusive lessons in Royal etiquette at the new experience for all budding Princes and Princesses!
To sweeten the experience, the first 20 walk-up customers each day during the NSW school holidays (July 6th-21st) will receive a memorabilia biscuit, personalised with their Royal portrait or selfie. The bespoke biscuits are otherwise available to purchase in-attraction.
What: The Royals at Madame Tussauds Sydney
When: Brand new permanent experience from Monday 1st July
Hours: Open daily from 10am-6pm (last entry at 5pm).
Cost: Included in price of admission. Adults from $35.00 Children from $24.60. Book online and save.
Website: www.madametussauds.com.au
Sydney’s Highest Playground
This July, Sydney Tower Eye is transforming into Sydney’s Highest Playground, offering the ultimate fun, games and views from the Observation Deck of the tallest building in Sydney!
Sydney’s Highest Playground will be a superbly silly, fun-filled event, featuring the best games and activities of the 80s, 90s and now Get your boomerang on with glow-in-the-dark hula hoops, or challenge your friends to a game of giant connect-four, giant jenga, table tennis, kerplun or the ultimate EYE spy!
What: Sydney’s Highest Playground at Sydney Tower Eye
When: From Monday 1st July
Hours: Open 9am-9pm daily (last entry 8pm)
Cost: Included in price of admission. Milkshakes additional.
Website: https://www.sydneytowereye.com.au
Paddys Night Food Markets
Dates: 6 July 2019, 6:15-10:30pm
Location: Paddy’s Markets, Flemington
Price: Free
Details: Paddy's Markets in Flemington is hosting a huge night food market in their undercover carpark. Filling the cavernous space with over 25 vendors, live music and a rumbling display of pimped out vehicles. Expect delectable fried chicken, burgers that will make you drool and Instagram worthy desserts.
Petting Zoo at Paddy’s Markets
Date: Sunday, 7 July 2019, 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: Paddy’s Markets, Flemington
Price: Free
Details: Come down to Paddy’s Markets Flemington for a special pop up petting zoo! Introduce your little ones to goats, sheep, lamb, ducks, chicks, rabbits and more. The perfect way to make some new furry friends. While you are there, keep the bigger kids busy with plenty of food and shopping!
Junior Adventure Tour
Aspiring thespians and future singing stars can discover how the magic of theatre comes to life on the Junior Adventure Tour at the Sydney Opera House. The one hour behind-the-scenes adventure is filled with fun facts, crazy stories, dress ups and guessing games to delight and challenge curious kids. Cap off the tour with a Junior Lunch by the water at Opera Bar or make a day of it with the Junior Day Pack - a Junior Adventure Tour with souvenir photo, Junior Lunch and a ticket to Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts.
Runs during the school holiday period.
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $22 + booking fee
In Between Tiny Cities
In Between Tiny Cities sees two dancers from Phnom Penh and Darwin explore the language of physical movement, expressing their respective cultures with impressive choreography. The project is the result of a four-year dance program between Australia and Cambodia where two troupes travelled, trained and danced together, building a meaningful understanding of each other’s perspective, history and performance.
DATES: 5-7 July 2019 VENUE: Studio, Sydney Opera House AGES: 7+
TICKETS: From $36 + booking fee
All Stars 360
Following a sell-out season in the Studio earlier this year, 360 ALLSTARS will return to the Opera House on 7 July with two encore performances in the Concert Hall. A spectacular celebration of all forms of rotation, the all-star cast includes a two-time World Champion BMX Flatlander and a World Record-holding cyr wheel artist plus exceptional break dancers and basketball freestyler. Don’t miss the international group’s final Australian performance this year!
DATES: 7 July 2019 TIMES: 2.30pm and 6pm
VENUE: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House AGES: 7+
TICKETS: From $45 + booking fee
The Red Tree
From 6-10 July, the Playhouse transforms into the imaginary world conjured by Shaun Tan in his award-winning children’s book The Red Tree. A young girl is too afraid to leave her bed, but after conquering her fears she finds her courage and takes control of her destiny. This poignant adaptation teaches kids big and small that it’s okay to be different.
DATES: 6-10 July 2019 VENUE: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House AGES: 8+
TICKETS: From $29 + booking fee
Young audiences are taken on a musical journey this July school holiday to discover the magical secrets of The Toybox through Debussy’s enigmatic music and storytelling. Wait and see what happens when night falls… kids will never tire of tales where toys come to life!
When: 10.30am and 12pm 9th July 2019 and 10.30am 10th July 2019
Tickets: Adult $25, Concession $19. Available https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/the-toybox/ or from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.
Where: Riverside Theatres - corner of Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
Shakespeare for kids, this latest theatrical collaboration from Bell Shakespeare and Aussie children’s book write Andy Griffiths offers a new look at a pair of star cross’d lovers! When Andy, Danny and Lisa find themselves taking part in a school production of the greatest love story ever told, things take a turn for the funny!
When: 10am, 11:30am and 2pm (Relaxed Performance) 11th July 2019
Tickets: Adult $18, Child under 18 $15. Available https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/just-romeo-juliet/
or from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.
Where: Riverside Theatres - corner of Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts leaps off the page and onto the stage from 12 July in a fantastical new live show. Familiar faces from your favourite fairy tales make an appearance to live out their stories on stage, but this time there’s some unexpected and entertaining twists in store!
DATES: 12-21 July 2019
VENUE: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House AGES: 7+
TICKETS: From $35 + booking fee
Come join Peppa Pig and friends this school holidays in an interactive experience which gives littles the chance to spend a day in Peppa’s world! Bringing to life the show’s characters, locations and adventures, fans can explore Peppa’s house, jump on bouncy muddy puddles and even hang out with Peppa Pig herself! Watch her put on a live musical show with George, play instruments with Danny Dog and have a browse in Mr Fox’s shop!
When: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Saturday 29 June to Sunday 7 July
International Convention Centre Darling Harbour Saturday 13 July to Sunday 21 July
Tickets: $44.90 from www.ticketek.com.au
Beep
In Beep (16-20 July), Mort’s picture-perfect and peaceful planet is turned upside down with the sudden appearance of the lovable robot Beep, who’s left her alien world in search of a new home. In this tender tale of friendship, Beep combines puppetry, storytelling and music to show that a little bravery and curiosity can bring strangers together, even if they’re worlds apart.
DATES: 16-20 July 2019
VENUE: Studio, Sydney Opera House AGES: 2+
TICKETS: From $25 + booking fee
Rounding out the July school holiday line up, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre proudly presents a new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Twits that will Dahl-ight the young and the young at heart! This production of The Twits uses a combination of storytelling, puppetry and physical theatre to create a hysterical and highly energetic on-stage adventure that will have audiences in stitches!
When: 1pm and 6.30pm 16th July and 10am and 12.30pm 17th July 2019
Tickets: Adult $36, Concession $31. Available https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/roald-dahls-the-twits/
from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.
Where: Riverside Theatres - corner of Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
Take a trip down memory lane with Mickey and friends at this year’s Disney on Ice spectacular! We’ve been going for the past 5 years and it is one of our favourite days out ever!! Get the kids dressed up as their favourite Disney character and come join in the magic!
When: 17-21 July at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena (visit Disneyonice.com.au for details of more dates and venues nationwide)
Tickets for Wollongong are through Ticketmaster: www.Ticketmaster.com.au/DisneyOnIce
Tickets for Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle & Sydney are through Ticketek: www.Ticketek.com.au/DisneyOnIce