Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text sizeThe marathon that was the summer break has barely ended, but more time away from school looms large ahead of us. Fear not, we have just the plan to keep boredom at bay for all ages, and, crucially, these activities won’t break the bank, and parents may well enjoy themselves too.From the visual arts to video games, live music and musicals, you’ll find something to put a smile on the whole family’s face in the guide below.2025 ArtExpress winners (from left) Finn Bernstone Harris, Maxina Spence, Anthony Douaihy and Oscar Hartley. Check out their work at the Art Gallery of NSW before the exhibition closes. Credit: Flavio BrancaleoneArtexpress 2025Art Gallery of NSW, until April 27It’s the final month to catch the free annual exhibition Artexpress as it showcases the most exceptional student works created last year for the art-making component of the HSC exam in visual arts.The 50 selected pieces were chosen from more than 8000 submissions and are a captivating insight into what currently concerns teens, with works in painting, sculpture, photomedia and more exploring big issues such as identity, politics and society at large.While “I could do that” is usually an insult when uttered in an art gallery, for any creatively inclined youngsters who might say it while attending Artexpress, it’s proof of how inspiring it can be to see the unfiltered work of their peers. artgallery.nsw.gov.auAmanda Lea Lavergne playing Grace Farrell (left), Beatrix Alder, who is one of the young performers playing Annie, and Anthony Warlow playing Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks during a rehearsal for Annie.Credit: Kate GeraghtyAnnieCapitol Theatre, until June 8The toe-tapping tunes from the 1977 Broadway musical include bouncy anthem It’s the Hard Knock Life and the simultaneously optimistic and tear-jerking Tomorrow, with even American rapper Jay-Z counting himself among Annie’s legion of fans.The 1982 movie version and 2014 cinematic reimagining won over new generations, and now Sydney audiences can experience the cheerful pluck of the red-headed orphan in a production with new choreography and updated sets. Stage legend Anthony Warlow stars as billionaire businessman Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, original yellow Wiggle Greg Page has made his musical theatre debut as president Franklin D. Roosevelt and four young performers are rotating to play the title role. Recommended for ages six and up. anniemusical.com.auPaul Dempsey (left) and Bernard Fanning have joined forces and will be playing at SummerSalt.Credit: Cybele MalinowskiSummerSaltDon Lucas Reserve, Cronulla, April 6If blasting Double J and Triple J non-stop isn’t doing the trick, indoctrinate the kiddos and teens into loving Aussie rock at this all-ages outdoor music festival that is as welcoming to young newbies as to those who have been going since moshing was cool.The all killer, no filler line-up features the cream of Oz songwriting royalty, with sets from roots muso John Butler, Scar songstress Missy Higgins, Fanning Dempsey National Park (a supergroup courtesy of the frontmen of Powderfinger and Something for Kate), folk outfit the Waifs, sing-along favourites the Whitlams and talented songwriter Josh Pyke. Children under three can even attend free of charge. summersaltmusic.com.auJustine Clarke in the children’s show Mimi’s Symphony, which is playing at the Sydney Opera House from April 11-13.Credit: Katelyn-Jane DunnMimi’s Symphony with Justine ClarkeSydney Opera House, April 11-13Actor and ARIA-winning children’s entertainer Justine Clarke, a famous face to preschoolers from her long-running stint on Play School, performs in her latest venture. She has joined forces with composer and conductor George Ellis for a musical story following Mimi the magpie, who has fallen from her nest. The show introduces audience members to the different elements of an 18-piece orchestra before wrapping up with renditions of Clarke’s older songs including the absolute bop Watermelon. Suitable for ages three plus. sydneyoperahouse.comThe stage version of the beloved TV series Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! comes to life with a local cast at the ICC.Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!ICC Sydney, April 11-13The kind-hearted hit television series gets its first-ever stage show treatment with a local cast on board and impressive puppetry used to bring to life Gabby’s feline friends. The stage show’s fresh storyline follows Gabby and her “meow-mazing” cat pals as they hunt down the colours of the rainbow to help an acorn grow. Familiar tunes like Hey Gabby! and Sprinkle Party will also feature for little voices to join in with. The show is suitable for all ages, but is particularly tailored for those aged two to six. gabbysdollhouselive.comEnjoy the thrills at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Sydney Royal Easter ShowSydney Showground, April 11-22Tell the kids to gather together that pocket money for the school holiday mainstay that brings a little bit of the country to city kids. A new attraction for this year is farm experience Jamison Station, where children can interact with animals, watch blacksmithing demonstrations and take on a hay bale maze. There will, of course, still be the showbag pavilion, oodles of award-winning produce, livestock and craft to check out and amusement rides suitable for both little ones and older teens. And no trip to the Easter Show would be complete without a funfair feast of dagwood dogs, fairy floss, lemonade or the delectable Devonshire tea on offer at the Country Women’s Association tearoom. eastershow.com.auThe stage version of Dav Pilkey’s beloved books, Dog Man The Musical, plays at the Sydney Opera House these school holidays. Credit: Daniel BoudDog Man: The MusicalSydney Opera House, April 11-27Parents will know him from countless costumes at Book Week, but for the uninitiated, American comic book writer Dav Pilkey has got plenty of primary schoolers reading with the silly humour across his wildly popular series Captain Underpants, Cat Kid Comic Club and, yes, Dog Man. Catch a musical version of crime-fighting hero Dog Man, born after an explosion injured a police officer and his dog, with the only possible medical solution being to put the dog’s head on the human body. Suitable for ages eight plus. sydneyoperahouse.comA work called Queer Man Peering Into A Rock Pool, which will be on display as part of Alt: Ex, a more experimental strand of Alt: Play, a festival celebrating the Australian gaming industry.Credit: Fuzzy Ghost Alt: GamesPhive, Parramatta, April 12-13Tech-obsessed tweens and teens can geek out at this brand new games festival designed to spotlight the Australian gaming industry. Sessions are all free or low cost to attend and visitors of all ages are welcome to get along to Alt: Play, which features playable Australian digital games both newly released and still works in progress, or Alt: Ex, a more experimental strand curated by local artist and developer collective Serenade. Special guests for the event include Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield from the US and Inscryption creator Daniel Mullins from Canada. powerhouse.com.auA scene from Alice in Wonderland, which is playing at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden this April.Alice in WonderlandRoyal Botanic Garden Sydney, April 12-27Step into the sublime ridiculousness of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s outdoor production. Little ones can meet the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and Alice as gorgeous costumes and animated acting plunge the audience right into the charming absurdity. The show also has interactive elements. Children and caregivers will be invited to take part in the caucus race, and there will be songs, dances and games to participate in. shakespeareaustralia.com.auMove, Groove, Darling is a three-day festival at Darling Harbour packed full of activities to get your youngsters off the couch.Credit: Cassandra HannaganMove, Groove, DarlingTumbalong Park, April 18-20Darling Harbour hosts a three-day festival designed to stop kids from wearing a rut into the couch over the holidays. The action-packed program includes workshops in yoga, drumming, meditation and parkour, all free. A highlight of the timetable is the School (Holiday) Disco on April 19 which has recruited DJ DadBod (better known as indie pop genius Ben Lee), Diver City (made up of KLP and Matt Okine) and Kate Monroe to play some tunes. There’s even a parents’ dance competition happening on the day, so start polishing that moonwalk. darlingharbour.comHarbour View Cinema at Taronga Zoo has a packed program on offer to entrance all movie lovers. Harbour View CinemaTaronga Zoo, April 24-27Sydneysiders love an outdoor cinema and this one has a particularly stunning view out over the water. For the school holidays there’s a PG-rated selection of films showing. Moana, Shrek, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and 10 Things I Hate About You are scheduled. Patrons can bring a rug and BYO picnic or buy from the snacks available. Best of all, the cinema ticket includes entry to the zoo from 2pm, so moviegoers can make a day of it and check out the animals before the flick starts. Children three years old and under can attend free. taronga.org.au Matthew Kelly (left) and Richard Higgins, aka the Listies, are hosts of the Great Laugh in the Park, which celebrates 20 years of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Great Laugh in the ParkTumbalong Park, April 26To celebrate 20 years of laughs, guffaws and chortles, Sydney Comedy Festival is putting on its biggest ever free outdoor event. Great Laugh in the Park is a family-friendly comedy showcase hosted by ex-Giggle and Hoot performer turned social media funnyman Jimmy Rees. The program includes performances from sidesplitting duo the Listies (Matthew Kelly and Richard Higgins), Dorothy the Dinosaur and Edinburgh Fringe hit The Greatest Magic Show. Littlies can also check out acrobatics at the circus tent, get face painting and temporary tattoos or try out their own punchlines. The day is free entry, but attendees should register in advance to secure tickets. sydneycomedyfest.com.auThe Wiggles are back on the road for the Bouncing Balls World Tour, their first international tour since 2019.The WigglesSydney Coliseum, April 26-27The preschooler favourites have never been afraid to mix things up. For one thing, their latest album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!, has them dipping a toe into the red-hot genre of country music with assists from no less than Dolly Parton and Orville Peck. The Wiggles are also hitting the road for the Bouncing Balls World Tour, their first international tour since 2019, which has kicked off in Australia before it heads overseas. All eight Wiggles will be performing, not to mention the TikTok sensation the Tree of Wisdom, who has gone viral for his extremely energetic dance moves. thewiggles.com
