Swan boats and fairy gardens: Free and low-cost school holiday activities for kids in the North Shore
Here’s your guide to fun (and mostly free) family-friendly events happening across the North Shore these school holidays.
School’s out from Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April. So what’s going on across the North Shore that won’t cost too much?
From swan boats to bicycling classes and more, let’s put our feet to the (swan) pedal and see what’s happening.
If you have an event you’d like to submit, or just happen to know about something really cool we might’ve missed, send us an email at [email protected] - we’ll add it in here.
We’ll also have a separate guide for Easter activities!
🦢 Lane Cove Boatshed
The Lane Cove Boatshed is nestled inside Lane Cove National Park and offers a range of vessels for hire to enjoy the river as a family. There are also plenty of BBQ and picnicking facilities nearby.
When: 10am until 5pm every day during the school holidays.
Where: Lane Cove National Park
Price: Rowboat hire is $40 for four people for an hour, swan pedal boats are $55 an hour and seat four.
🌻 May Gibbs’ Nutcote
Nutcote in Neutral Bay is the historic harbourside home of children’s author May Gibbs, of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie fame. Visitors can enjoy the house museum, shop, kids room and cafe surrounded by well-maintained English-style cottage gardens.
While parents enjoy the famous Nutcote volunteer-baked scones, kids can enjoy their own room with books, games, dress-ups and colouring-in. The garden is also worthy of kids’ imaginations with its flowers and statues of May’s characters hidden throughout.
When: Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 3pm, last entry at 2:15pm.
Where: 5 Wallaringa Avenue, Kurraba Point, Neutral Bay
Price: Entry fee is $16.50 for adults, $8 for children under 14, and $52 for a family (2 adults and 3 kids), but you can visit the cafe without paying the entry fee if you do not wish to access the house or gardens. Fee includes a guided tour of the house and access to the gardens.
👩🏫 Storytime with Jess Horn
Kids’ author Jess Horn will be doing a special reading of Bernie Thinks in Boxes, an illustrated tale about thinking differently and navigating change in a neurotypical world. The reading includes songs, games and thoughtful crafts.
Suitable for families with children of all ages.
When: 12 April, 11am-12pm
Where: Stanton Library, 234 Miller Street, North Sydney
Price: Free
👨👩👧 Berry Island Family Bushwalk
Families can join this guided walk around the Gadyan Track on Berry Island in Wollstonecraft.
“We will use our senses of touch, sight and hearing to immerse ourselves and learn about our surroundings,” the event description reads.
Recommended for ages five and older.
When: 15 April, 10:30am until midday.
Where: Berry Island reserve
Price: Free with registration
🌈 Play garden at Lane Cove Canopy
Lane Cove’s Canopy turns into a play area for young kids with all kinds of props for the morning. Parents and caregivers can relax at the cafes around the green while keeping an eye on the fun. Note: dependent on the weather.
When: Tuesday 15 April, 9:30am - 11:30am
Where: The Canopy
Price: Free
🚲 Back on Your Bike
Run by bicycle education experts Pedal, Set, Go, North Sydney Council describe this event as a “fun, hands-on session where kids (and parents) can brush up on bike control skills, learn the rules for sharing paths, and ride together.”
Perfect for young riders (8-15 years old) who need a confidence boost, with parents encouraged to join in (note: only one parent may accompany each child due to number restrictions).
When: Wednesday 16 April 9:30am - 12:30pm
Where: The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
Price: Free
Thumbnail images: author’s own (left), maygibbs.com.au (right)