Eleven Activities to Feed Kids' Passions (and Beat the Boredom) These School Holidays

Just like that, we're halfway through the year, and the winter school holidays are here. Wondering how you'll keep the minis busy while you're still working, cooking, shopping and the rest? We've come to your rescue — with eleven irresistible activities happening in and around Sydney in July.

Head to Macquarie Centre to lead the kids through a Coachella-inspired wonderland featuring magic shows and bubble-canopied dance floors. Then, make tracks to Taronga Zoo to meet several cute new arrivals. Plus, there are workshops galore for kids who like to learn — covering art, craft, public speaking, sport and more. Your house is now officially a whine-free zone.

FOR THE KID WHO LIKES A LITTLE MAGIC: MACQTOPIA

These holidays, Macquarie Centre is taking inspiration from Coachella and transforming into a dreamscape for children. Treat them to a live gig by The Vegetable Plot, then head to a show with fantastical magicians Magic of Petar or Adam Mada. That'll give them inspiration to create a little magic of their own — be it a terrarium fairy garden or a kaleidoscope. Got a budding creative on your hands? Book a session at Paint 'n' Slurp or take them for a dance under a canopy of bubbles. Macqtopia is taking over Macquarie Centre at Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, daily from Saturday, July 5–Saturday, July 19.

Paul McMillan

FOR THE KID WHO GETS HANDS-ON: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART FAIR LITTLE MOBS PROGRAM

On the first weekend of the school holidays — Saturday, July 5–Sunday, July 6 — the National Indigenous Art Fair will take over the Overseas Passenger Terminal with artworks, jewellery, homewares, live performances, bush food, panel discussions and a communal weaving circle. While you check them out, the kids can get busy with the Little Mobs Program. Activities includes workshops in gum nut jewellery making, ochre painting and shell work. For kids who like to move, there are dance workshops with Buuja Buuja Butterfly, while green thumbs and budding chefs should join the native plants and bush food sessions with Indigigrow. Check out the whole schedule on the Art Fair website.

FOR THE KID WHO'S PRETTY CRAFTY: WINTER WORKSHOPS AT DARLING SQUARE

Are your little ones the types that need to keep their hands busy? Send them to Darling Square these school holidays. It's hosting a bunch of crafty, winter-inspired workshops for creative kids. From 11am–2pm on Friday, July 11, and Friday, July 18, snow globe making is on the agenda. For snowflake painting, head along from 11am–2pm on Thursday, July 10; Thursday, July 17; Saturday, July 19; or Sunday, July 20. To get your kids into the seasonal spirit, treat them to a free face painting session, where they'll get to choose their favourite wintry design — be it snowmen or snowflakes. You'll find the face painting station in front of The Exchange on Friday, July 11; Friday, July 18; Saturday, July 19; and Sunday, July 20, from 11am–2pm

FOR THE KID WHO'S ALL ABOUT FUN: MINI-GOLF, BOWLING AND CHALLENGE ROOMS AT FUNLAB

If your house is full of fun-lovers, then here's your school holiday solution. Funlab — which runs Holey Moley, Strike Bowling, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and Hijinx Hotel — is offering a bunch of family-friendly discounts and deals this July. Pay just $14 per kid for a game of mini-golf, a round of bowling, or a session in a challenge room. Double your dollars at Archie Brothers — spend $35 on game cards for $70 credit, or spend $100 and get $200 in value. Plus, there's a $20 food and drink bundle at all venues, which buys you a potato tornado, a panda keep cup and unlimited soft drinks.

FOR THE KID WHO GOES WILD: NEW ARRIVALS, SHOWS AND SLEEPOVERS AT TARONGA ZOO

If you haven't met Taronga Zoo's youngest residents yet, these school holidays could be the perfect time. They include Bair, an endangered sea lion pup; Eve, a long-nosed fur seal pup; and three koala joeys named Eugene, Busta and Yanada. Swing by anytime to watch them learning to swim, climb, and enjoy the sea, sun and sky. Meanwhile, for kids obsessed with things that slide and slither, there's the Crawly Critters Alive Show, which is on twice daily at 11.45am and 2.30pm. Or, to learn more about Australia's native creatures, follow the No Place Like Home Trail. Is one day not enough? You and the kids can always spend the night in a safari-style tent at Roar and Snore, or in even more comfort at the Wildlife Retreat.

Maja Baska (NIDA)

FOR THE KID WHO LOVES THE SPOTLIGHT: NIDA HOLIDAY CLASSES

Kids as young as five and as old as eighteen can get involved in NIDA's massive school holiday program this winter. Classes for both primary and high schoolers take place at various spots across Sydney, from Kensington to Chatswood, and cover a range of skills. Send your budding singer to a workshop for mini pop stars, or your future film star to a screen acting session for heroes, villains and spies. Then, for kids with a deeper commitment, there are five-day drama school courses or five-day musical theatre courses for those who aspire to act, sing and dance. Whichever they choose, your stage-loving cubs will explore the limits of their creativity and imagination in a fun and supportive environment.

FOR THE KID WITH A COMPETITIVE STREAK: SPORTS SESSIONS AT SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK

Got kids who are keen to stay active these school holidays? Make a beeline to Sydney Olympic Park, which will host an array of sporty activities from Monday, July 7–Saturday, July 18. Whether your mini wants to run, kick, bounce, swim, or even shoot a bow and arrow, there's an activity with their name on it. Throw them into the deep end at an intensive swimming program, train their hand-eye coordination at a sharp shooters session, or give them a chance to try it all at a day-long multi-sports camp. Classes are led by professional instructors and cater to all levels of experience — whether your little one is looking for something new or hoping to develop existing skills.

Penrith Regional Gallery

FOR THE KID WHO'S A DAYDREAMER: ART WORKSHOPS

If this world is but a canvas, it is better that the canvas is an actual canvas rather than, say, your walls. If the kids are channelling their creativity these holidays, sign them up for an art workshop. At Bankstown Arts Centre, they can take their pick of activities — from building a ceramic bear to getting an introduction to Chinese calligraphy or making a traditional Indonesian mask. Penrith Regional Gallery has an equally impressive program. Keep them busy making shadow puppets, sculpting animals from clay, putting together their own artist book or, for three- to five-year-olds, learning the basics of art. Closer to the city, head to the Art Gallery of NSW for creative cityscape workshops, pet portrait sessions and native bee classes.

FOR THE KID WHO CAN TALK THEIR WAY OUT OF ANYTHING: COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOPS

Give your little one the gift of life skills these school holidays by enrolling them in an interactive communications workshop with Speaks Craft Australia. The two-day, four-in-one sessions cover public speaking, debating, creative writing and drama, and are held all over Sydney, as well as online. Kids of all grades — from kindergarten to year 9 — can attend. In years one and two, the focus is on building confidence through games and storytelling, while the year three to five sessions aim to develop skills in persuasive speaking and writing. For years six to nine, the workshops cover debating, impromptu speaking and leadership.

FOR THE KID WHO'S ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS: PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS AND TOURS AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

A host of experiences awaits at the Sydney Opera House this winter. Roald Dahl's much-loved The Twits is a big part of the school holiday lineup for yet another year, with a fun and chaotic production by Shake & Stir Theatre Co. Also on the bill is The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee), presented by the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It tells the unknown story of why the princess was out on a stormy night in the first place, soundtracked by live classical music. Another headliner is the timely BullyBully, which pits two world leaders against one another in no man's land. Through laughter, dance and movement, the duo fights it out for their spot as top dog. Meanwhile, at City of Wonder, children aged four and above can use creativity, problem-solving and collaborative skills to help build an urbanscape for the future.

FOR THE KID WHO'S ALREADY A FILM BUFF: THE CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Does your ankle-biter wander around the house quoting Finding Nemo? Or maybe sharing their opinion of Paddington in Peru like a mini David or Margaret? Fuel their future as a film buff these school holidays at the Children's International Film Festival. Having started in early June, it'll keep rolling until Sunday, July 20. The massive program includes the Australian premieres of A Tooth Fairy Tale (US), Bartali's Bicycle (Italy) and Norbert (Spain) — among many others. Plus, there are special screenings of Smurfs (with Funday Natural Sweets included with every ticket), and Friday, July 11, has been declared pyjama day.