Six Activities to Feed Kids' Passions (and Beat the Boredom) These School Holidays
There's plenty to do for any type of kid these school holidays, from a massive LEGO® event to sports workshops and more.
In partnership with 
The winter school holidays are here, and there's a heap of activities all around town for kids to get involved in. In partnership with LEGO®, we've rounded up the pick of the bunch, with activities that'll appeal to any type of child — and help them beat the boredom, too.
FOR THE KID WHOSE IMAGINATION KNOWS NO BOUNDS: LEGO® CON AUSTRALIA
The best kids' activities are the ones caregivers can enjoy, too. And if there's one activity that's universally adored by little and big kids alike, it's playing with LEGO® bricks. From July 9–10, a two-day celebration of all things brick lands at Sydney Showground in the form of LEGO® CON, where there will be plenty for families to see, do and build.
LEGO® lovers can create and play with sets spanning a huge range of LEGO® worlds and even help build a top-secret LEGO® project. Kids are also invited to join a session of Build the Change, where little LEGO® fans can share their hopes and dreams for the future.
Visitors will also have the chance to admire an awe-inspiring life-sized LEGO® Technic™ McLaren Formula 1™ Race Car, which is being shown for the very first time in Sydney.
Entry to the event is free, but you'll need to register to attend — find out more and secure your spot at the website. Tickets are currently sold out, but there'll be more released on Friday, July 1.
Maja Baska (NIDA)
FOR THE KID WHO LOVES THE SPOTLIGHT: NIDA HOLIDAY CLASSES
Kids as young as two years old can get involved in NIDA's massive school holiday program this winter. Courses take place at campuses Sydney-wide, from Kensington to Kellyville, and cover a wide range of skills — from five-day screen acting workshops to hands-on costume-making and set-design classes. Whichever they choose, kids will be encouraged to explore the limits of their creativity and imagination in a fun, collaborative environment.
FOR THE KID WITH A COMPETITIVE STREAK: SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Got kids who are looking to stay active these school holidays? Make a beeline to Sydney Olympic Park, which is hosting an array of sporty activities from July 2–17. Whether they want to run, kick, bounce, swim or even shoot a bow and arrow, there's an activity with their name on it. Classes are led by professional instructors and cater to all experience levels, whether your little one is looking to try a new activity or develop existing skills. Find out more here.
Penrith Regional Gallery
FOR THE KID WHO LIKES TO DAYDREAM: ART WORKSHOPS
If this world is but a canvas, better that the canvas is an actual canvas rather than, say, your walls. If your little one is looking to channel their creativity these school holidays, signing them up to an art workshop will help them do just that.
At Bankstown Arts Centre, there's a range of interactive activities that'll help participants create their own mini masterpieces — or contribute to a much larger one. Children can bring their most vivid dreams to life at Frame Your Dream, a free two-hour workshop led by artists from collective Theatre Kantanka. Little creatives will also have the chance to become part of Kantanka's Bankstown Biennale performance piece Dream Shutter. Elsewhere, kids can learn binding, weaving and twining techniques as they create personal tree talismans from natural materials at Tree Creatures, or learn the skill of monoprinting to create brightly hued flags that can be hung on a wishing tree.
Bubs, teens and in-betweens can get involved in creative workshops taking place at Penrith Regional Gallery these holidays. Babies as young as six months old can sing, play and create a work of art on canvas at Bubs on Canvas, while kids between the ages of five and eight can design the city of their dreams with stamps and printing techniques that use everyday objects at Dream City. Other workshops cover techniques like painting, stencilling, linocutting and more.
FOR THE KID WHO CAN TALK THEIR WAY OUT OF ANYTHING: COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP
Give your mini the gift of valuable life skills these school holidays by enrolling them in an interactive communications workshop at Talent Club Australia. The four-in-one workshops, which are held both in venues around Sydney and also online, will boost kids' confidence and their communication and leadership skills through a unique mix of public speaking, creative writing, debating and drama activities under the guidance of talented, professional coaches. There are both junior and senior workshops, so kids both little and big (aged 5–17) can get involved, with no experience necessary.
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 headlines the school holiday lineup, with a captivating production by Shake & Stir Theatre Co.
Also on the billing is Creation Creation (pictured above), a comedic documentary that explores some of life's biggest questions based on interviews with people aged between eight and 102. The colourful, creative performance seeks to answer questions like 'Is there other life in the universe?' and 'How did the world begin?' in a hilarious explosion of art, sculpture and puppetry.
Meanwhile, Tempo is the new show by Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Australia's national youth circus. Little theatregoers will be enthralled by a flipping, juggling, balancing and diving ensemble of young performers. Kids feeling particularly inspired can join a a workshop with Flying Fruit Fly Circus artistic director Anni Davey, who will teach participants a range of impressive circus skills.
Beyond the stage, the Sydney Opera House will also be hosting hands-on art and craft workshops, as well as behind-the-scenes tours which unveil secrets under the sails.
For more information on LEGO® CON Australia and to register, head to the website.
