Things to do in Sydney’s Easter school holidays 2022

Planning some special outings with the kids these school holidays? Here’s a list of some of the engaging and exciting events, exhibitions and shows on in Sydney this Easter.

Taronga Zoo

Red Panda Cub at Taronga Zoo

Keep an eye out for some of Taronga Zoo’s newest arrivals these school holidays. Five lion cubs were born at the Zoo last August, and four-month-old red panda cub twins have just emerged to explore their enclosure. Head to the Zoo Friends Lawn for music, food and activities including face painting, games and bilby encounters. Or consider the school holiday program Zoo Adventures, designed for kids aged 5-10 years. Parent NSW and Discover NSW vouchers are accepted.

Details: https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/

Cushion Concerts for Kids

The world premiere of Jack and the Beanstalk by Australian composer Adrian Hallam is being performed by The Metropolitan Orchestra at Balmain Town Hall on April 30 and May 1. It’s the first of their cushion concerts for kids for 2022.

Details: https://www.metorchestra.com.au/

The Great Animal Orchestra at The Biennale

This fascinating audio visual installation powerfully illustrates the impact of environmental damage on the natural world. Created by musician turned sound ecologist Bernie Krause, and London-based collective United Visual Artists, this Biennale event is worth a visit by school aged children at all levels (there are moments of pitch black darkness which younger children might find unsettling). Step into the large white marquee on the Stargazer Lawn in Barangaroo and be transported to a coral reef, the Amazon jungle, the Californian forest and more. Hear the sounds of the creatures that inhabit these places, then revisit them years later and hear the silencing effect of environmental damage.

Details: The Great Animal Orchestra runs until June 13. Entry is free, but tickets must be booked. Visit: https://www.biennaleofsydney.art/participants/the-great-animal-orchestra/

Jurassic Park Lego Exhibition at the Australian Museum

Jurassic World exhibition at Australian Museum

Explore the creatures of Jurassic World, and make your own at the Lego Brickman exhibition at the Australian Museum. This runs until May 29 and features more than 50 dinosaurs and other features from the film franchise, made from 6 million Lego bricks. There are plenty of Lego stations to build a dinosaur, an all-terrain vehicle or a prehistoric footprint. Plus a Duplo station for little hands! After the exhibition, take the kids into the excellent dinosaur section of the Museum.

Details: Entry to the Australian Museum is free, however tickets must be purchased for the Jurassic World by Brickman exhibition. Visit: https://australian.museum/exhibition/jurassic-world-brickman/

Sydney Royal Easter Show

It’s a special year for the Sydney Royal Easter Show with the Royal Agricultural Society celebrating its bicentenary in 2022. Learn more about NSW’s agricultural history with heritage themed entertainment and displays. Plus all the usual Show attractions – the rides, the show bags (392 different types!), the food and the animals.

Details: The Sydney Royal Easter Show runs from April 8-19 at Sydney Olympic Park. For tickets and the daily schedule visit: https://www.eastershow.com.au/

Edward the Emu at the Opera House

Monkey Baa Theatre Company is staging the much loved children’s book Edward The Emu at The Sydney Opera House these school holidays. Performances will be held from April 9 to 23, and run for approximately 50 minutes. The Opera House recommends the play for children aged 4 and up. Creative Kids vouchers are accepted.

Details: To book visit https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/Kids-and-Families/2022/edward-the-emu.html

How to Move a Zoo at the Museum of Sydney

These school holidays are the last chance to catch this interactive exhibition, which tells the tale of the 1916 transfer of animals from the old Moore Park Zoo to their new home at Taronga. Including a 4-tonne elephant named Jessie – who rode on a ferry! The sights and sounds of the animal’s journeys have been re-created for this interactive exhibition.

Details: How to Move a Zoo closes on April 24. To book tickets (children under five are free) visit: https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/how-move-zoo

Tinkerbell at the Botanic Gardens

If Sydney has a run of clear skies these holidays, a visit to the Botanic Gardens for Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies makes for a fun outing for preschoolers and young primary aged children. There’s singing, there’s dancing, there’s bubbles and there’s a catch cry! Pack a picnic and make a day of it. There’s lots of fun to be had exploring the gardens too.

Details: Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies runs from April 9 to 24, with performances at 10am and 1pm daily. For tickets visit: https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/What-s-On/Tinkerbell-The-Dream-Fairies