On the home sketch for term 3: artsy programs and fun school holiday activities for kids

Last Updated: 16 Sep 2020
Lakeisha Mills

School holidays are just around the corner and there is no better way to keep the young ones occupied than by bringing out their creative side. Perth has some of the most diverse and fun activities for kids across its suburbs - from mosaics in Fremantle to woven grass trees in Perth City, there is something for everyone.

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Clay-making, Bookbinding, Animation & Mosaics at Fremantle Arts Centre

FAC offer a diverse program of workshops, such as classes on clay-making, bookbinding, animation and mosaics. With three different age brackets of activities, every child in the family has an opportunity to be creative and make new friends in their age group. With some programs already sold out, you may want to get in quick to book out some of the fun activities for kids the Fremantle Arts Centre has on offer for these school holidays.

All the courses can be found here, and bookings can be made within each program.

Be Part of a Cumulative Art Installation at Art Gallery of WA

The Balga Waangkiny (Balga Talking) Yarning Together Artist Activation program is an artist-lead craft activity where kids can weave natural and native materials like wool and Balga grass trees into an accumulative, jointly-made art installation inspired by grass trees. On from Sat 26 Sept – Sun 11 Oct, this is an all ages activity designed to inspire and relax participants, allowing them time for mindfulness while working on their craft.

Located in central Perth city, the activity is open 10am until 2pm daily (except Tuesdays) with only a gold donation needed to participate. Experienced Nyoongar woman and creator, Sharyn Egan, will be in from Sept 30 - Oct 3 to assist and share stories.

While you're there, catch the Pulse Perspectives exhibition showcasing selected artwork from WA's year 12's in its final days, or check out AGWA's other fun activities for kids over the holidays including free family guided tours and Kindling Creative’s print design and production series.

Make DNA Fridge Magnets and Animal Eye Masks at Home with PICA

PICA has launched their Make at Home program offering fun activities for kids for the upcoming school holidays, with kids having the option to make their own DNA fridge magnets, animal eye masks and matchstick light spectrums. Astro Morphs are the team behind the idea, using biology to inspire their artworks and educate kids. With the necessary materials mostly stuff from around the house, this is an easy option to keep the kids busy and entertained. The programs including a demonstrative video and what you need to build them are featured here.

BARKING GECKO's Drama Workshops

A school holidays favourite, these drama workshops are themed around certain triggers for storytelling, with this series theme being ‘The Greatest Mistake’. The idea is to teach kids that sometimes mistakes can change your life for the better through games and drama exercises, all while building their drama skills. In their final class, the kids will showcase what they learnt to their families and new friends. The workshop for Junior Geckos (aged 8-12) has sold out, but there are still some tickets left for Little Geckos (aged 5-7). Get them here.

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Drama and Musical Theatre Workshops at Perth Academy of Performing Arts

Bring out your child’s dramatic side with the Perth Academy of Performing Arts short courses over the school holiday period in Subiaco. They are offering a three-day musical theatre workshop and various acting workshops for kids aged 5-16. The Academy are also working with All Saints College to provide a full-day musical theatre workshop for kids aged 9-16 on Thursday Oct 8 in Bull Creek. Course costs and schedules can be found here.

Craft a Clay Pot at this Firing Workshop

Children aged 10-15 can have an art experience combined with an awareness for Mental Health in Sheryl Chant’s Obvara Firing Workshop. Kids will build ceramic ‘Nests of Worries’ pots to place their worries into, using the traditional clay-making skills of pinching and coiling. The presentation of each child’s work will be shown in the Obvara firing ceremony on Saturday 10 Oct 10, 2pm - 4pm, where family and friends are welcome to watch and enjoy afternoon tea. Book tickets here.

Learn Acrobatics, Trapeze and Aerials at Circus WA

A very unique experience for kids is the thrilling art of circus. At their spring circus program, kids from as early as five years old can participate in tightwire, trapeze and acrobatics with no experience necessary. Older kids aged above ten can participate in more body-straining activities such as aerials and Chinese pole tricks. Bookings can be made here.

Go on a Treasure Hunt at Western Australian Museum

Throughout the school holidays, the WA Shipwrecks Museum is putting on a treasure hunt for kids to learn the use of compass, just like a pirate, while cracking codes along the way to find their reward. The adventure is open from 9:30am - 5pm and is free, but bookings are required for groups over 10 (call 1300 134 081). For more information, see here.

For history-loving kids, WA Maritime Museum is the place to be to explore how the Roman Empire dominated over most of Europe over a thousand years. Aimed for primary school children and older, all of the family will learn something from this exhibition, whether it be about military genius or gladiator entertainment. Displaying carefully crated replicas of the machinery built over 2000 years ago, kids will learn how many of the engineering feats from the Roman age are still relevant and in use today. The 'Ancient Rome: Epic Innovators and Engineers' exhibition is open until Sun Oct 11, from 9:30am-5:00pm daily. For more details, see here.

More fun activities for kids in Perth

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Kids School Holidays

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