11 things to do on a budget across the North Shore over Easter - whether you have kids or not
Welcome to the Easter long weekend, where everything “hops” and is “egg-citing”.
If you haven’t made plans to escape Sydney, you might be wondering what’s open and happening in the North Shore. Here are some last minute ideas that make sure the kids are entertained – as well as the grown ups and all your friends.
Easter Spectacular at the Greens
The Greens in North Sydney - which borders the magical St Leonards Park and glimpses the harbour - has an ongoing egg-guessing game and colouring competition as well as an all-day Easter egg hunt on Sunday the 20th.
Cost: Free
When: Good Friday: closed
Easter Saturday: 11:30am - 12am
Easter Sunday: 11:30am - 10pm
Easter Monday: Closed
17 April: Messy Makers Easter Crafts at the Alcott Lane Cove
Make your very own Easter sand art, basket, or ornament at this workshop at entertainment hub The Alcott, for kids of all ages.
Limited spots available.
The Alcott is also hosting a special Easter sunday feast.
Cost: $10
When: 11am - 12pm
17 April: Easter Craft at St Leonards Library
Get ready for Easter with this cute craft workshop where kids ages 6-13 can learn how to make Easter themed decorations and bring the results back home.
Cost: Free, but tickets are limited and must be claimed 30 minutes before the session from the front desk.
When: 2pm - 3pm
17 April: Eggcellent Easter Storytime at Stanton Library
Stanton Library’s children’s librarians have songs and stories aplenty ready for everyone to enjoy in this special celebration. Bring your picnic blankets and snacks. Dress-ups encouraged, suitable for kids of all ages.
Cost: Free
When: 11am-12pm
17 and 19 April: Easter face painting and balloon twisting at Beecroft Place
Beecroft Place comes alive on Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th April with an Easter Bunny, face painting and balloon twister for families to get into the Easter spirit.
Cost: Free
When: 10am-2pm
18 - 20 April: Easter at Foys
Foys this Easter hosts a dining experience “filled with delicious flavours and special treats for the whole family” with their Easter Special Menu. The menu features seasonal seafood favourites and kids aged 12 and under eat for free for lunch. And there’s an egg counting challenge! There will also be live music on Sunday 20th.
When: Good Friday 12am -11pm, Easter Saturday 12-11pm, Easter Sunday 12-9pm.
19 April: Rotary Crows Nest Market
Run by Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise, these markets have up to 50 stalls including arts, crafts, giftware, toys, jewellery, homewares, food and much more.
When: 9am - 4pm
19 April: Northside Produce Market
At the long-running Northside Produce Market you’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh country milk and butter, sourdough, spelt and gluten-free breads, free range eggs and meats, fresh and smoked seafood and much more.
Expect to meet the person who picked the apple, smoked the trout, melted the caramel, rolled the pasta, pulled the potato or milked the goat!
When: 8am to 12pm, Ted Mack Civic Park
19 April: St Ives Easter Carnival
St Ives Showground hosts an Easter Carnival all day on Saturday, and will include amusement rides, a jumping castle, pony rides, circus shows, reptile shows, face painting, food stalls, a petting zoo, live DJ music, fireworks, and of course, Easter egg hunt games.
Cost: $17.19 for children aged 4-15, $22.49 for adults, $45.78 for families.
When: 10am - 8pm at St Ives Showground
19 April: Northern Suburbs VS Eastern Suburbs at North Sydney Oval
Catch Norths taking on the Eastern suburbs at North Sydney Oval on Easter Saturday. Kick off times are 11:35am for 1st Colts, 1:25pm for Second Grade, and 3:05pm for FIrst Grade.
Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for pensioners, children under 16 free.
… Or visit one of these cafes, bars and restaurants (mostly) open all long weekend!
🥖 Loulou Boulangerie & Traiteur 7am-4pm
🥧 The Grumpy Baker Neutral Bay 7am-4pm
🍽️ Shuk Chatswood 630am - 330pm
🐟 Miji Bar and Grill North Sydney 1130am - 930pm
🍕 Divide 8 St Leonards: Good Friday 12pm-10pm, Easter Sunday: 4pm-9pm
🍸 Poetica: Good Friday: 4pm–10pm, Easter Saturday: 12pm–10pm
Thumbnail images: Kenny Eliason (left) Maryam Sicard (right)