K is for Keeping the Kids Entertained

Unless you have been hiding under a rock (or maybe you have and are about the thank me), you will know that the Harry Potter Exhibition is coming to Sydney. This exhibition includes props and costumes from all of the Harry Potter movies along with lots of fun interactive exhibits – you can even try your hand at Quidditch  (but don’t worry, i’m sure they won’t let the kids try out a nimbus 2000)!

The exhibition will be at Sydney’s famous Powerhouse Museum and kids off-peak tickets are from $19, which will not only get you into the exhibition but the rest of the museum as well, this is a reasonably priced day out that the kids (and some big kids) are sure not to forget any time soon!

The exhibition will run from 19 November 2011 until 18 March 2012 - perfectly timed to alleviate school holiday boredom. Full details on the exhibition and tickets are available on the Powerhouse Museum’s website.

Before I go I want to mention a free event that your kids are sure to love; the annual lighting of the Martin Place Christmas tree lighting and the children’s concert are both on 24 November (in Martin Place) from 6:00pm – 8:30pm and best of all is completely free! Also be sure to make your way there via the David Jones store near St James Station in the city, the Christmas scenes and decorations are now up in the windows and are simply delightful!

City of Sydney’s Sydney Christmas website has all the details on the tree lighting event and plenty more Christmas happenings, oh and the kids can email Santa from the site also – so 21^st century! 

I'm loving Sydney for Christmas!

F is for Fiesta

Hoping the weather clears up here in Sydney, the sun has been away from my beautiful city for too long!

Either way be sure to make your way into the city this long weekend and to Fiesta in Darling Harbour. Fiesta this year will be the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority's 20th annual Latin festival, and will consist of three days absolutely packed with dance groups, music well into the evenings, food, 14 dance classes which will be held throughout the festival, demonstrations, competitions, and to top it all off - a carnival street parade on Monday! 

Parking is available in the city and Darling Harbour, but like all events in the city I would recommend you take public transport for a stress-free day out.

To check out the action-packed program, learn more about the performers or download an event map visit the Darling Harbour website.

Take your Little Monkeys to the Zoo!

Every sydney-sider has been at least once, but come school holidays Sydney's Taronga Zoo is a venue that can't be missed. Tickets can be purchased online to save time and a kids ticket costs only $22 - great value for a full day out! 

Come along between the 2nd and 18th of July 2011 and the kids can also tackle the Herald Mystery Trail where they will collect all the clues to solve the zoo investigation.

And don't forget big kids have fun at the zoo too! Enjoy a walk through the jungle followed by lunch at one of the zoo's many eateries or share a picnic to enjoy the stunning views of Sydney Harbour.

All the advice you need to plan your day out is on the zoo's website.

Horse Riding Close to Home

With school holidays fast approaching I thought I would look into an activity that is fun for the whole family. So I have checked out three options for horse riding close to Sydney over the past couple of weeks: Malabar Riding School, Glenworth Valley Hording and Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre.

Malabar and Centennial Parklands both offer horse riding close to Sydney CBD and are well equipped to cater for adults and children as young as three years. Malabar includes helmet hire in the $65 fee for a one hour trail ride which will take you along the scenic east coast of Sydney and provide a stunning backdrop for a family day out. Centennial Parklands has five different riding schools in the one complex so you will be sure to find a ride and budget that suits you. The pace is somewhat slow at both locations but is a great activity to ease school holiday boredom.

Glenworth Valley is located about an hour and a half from the Sydney CBD and provides a different experience altogether. There are still pony rides for toddlers, although it is the adults and older children who will really enjoy the horse riding here. $75 will get you a two hour ride but helmet hire is an essential extra at $5 per helmet. The trail rides are through vast bushland and provide a unique experience for city-dwellers. The riding is at a faster pace at Glenworth Valley and for those who ride regularly there is an option for independent ‘free-riding’. Watch the weather carefully though as payment is required in advance with a 48 hour cancellation policy.