The Australian Museum has announced its spring school holiday program — here’s what’s on

• The Australian Museum has announced its program for the spring school holiday.
• Aimed at sparking curiosity, the program offers enriching experiences for young explorers.
• From hands-on science and stop-motion animation workshops to an immersive LEGO exhibition, there’s something for every young mind.

These school holidays, the Australian Museum is bursting with family-friendly fun, offering an exciting spring program packed with enriching activities for kids. Featuring full-day programs, hands-on workshops and must-see exhibitions, the program is aimed to spark curiosity and create a memorable day out for kids.

In addition to scheduled workshops and programs, the Australian Museum will be open daily throughout the school holidays, with free general admission for all. Looking for ideas to keep the kids busy? These school holiday highlights are parent-approved and ready to book.

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Week One

1. Scientist for a Day: Malacologist

The Scientist for a Day program is a full-day, hands-on workshop for children aged nine to twelve, each session exploring a unique scientific field through interactive learning and social engagement. This spring holiday, the workshop is all about Malacologists and the fascinating world of molluscs. Participants will go behind the scenes to explore extraordinary specimens with Australian Museum malacologists Dr Isabel Hyman and Alison Miller.

Combining real science with creative fun, Dr Isabel Hyman will dissect snails and conduct hands-on experiments to show how warming waters are affecting marine molluscs. Kids can then create their own colourful nudibranch (the colourful, soft-bodied marine molluscs) masterpiece to take home, then explore the Museum’s galleries to discover how molluscs and their shells have shaped history and culture. Perfect for any budding marine biologists, this day promises fun, creativity and lots of learning.

Where: LG, Patricia McDonald, Education Rooms.
When: Monday, September 29, Tuesday, September 30, starting at 9:30am.
Price: Member: $120, non-member: $150.

2. Kids Stop Motion Workshop

Aimed at creative kids between the ages of five to sixteen years old, this captivating workshop explores the world of stop motion animation, blending imagination and technology. Creative facilitators, Toonworld Education, will help bring clay characters to life, as participants are designated exciting roles such as directors, animators and voice-over artists, all before crafting their very own Australiana-themed short stories.

Using iPads and tablets to craft the animation, each child will receive a digital copy of the finished animation, plus their clay character to take home. The workshop lasts 90 minutes for kids aged five to eight, and two hours for those aged nine to twelve, making it the perfect creative break to brighten the day.

Where: LG, Patricia McDonald, Education Rooms.
When: Thursday, September 2 at 10am, 12pm and 2:30pm, and Friday, October 3 at 10am and 12pm.
Price: Member: $36-$52, non-member: $45-$65.

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Week Two

3. STEM Together: Rolling Along

Stem Together remains a school holiday family favourite, and this spring, they’re debuting a new theme, with activities centred around motion. This family workshop encourages kids and their adult teammates to complete a series of unique challenges relying on their curiosity, teamwork and creative problem-solving.

Focusing on the science of motion and forces, this workshop acts as an immersive introduction to the rules of physics, by designing, creating and testing ways to make objects move. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, so brush up on your science and math skills and get ready to join the fun.

Where: LG, Patricia McDonald, Education Rooms.
When: Tuesday, October 7 at 10:30am and 2pm, and Friday October 10, at 10:30am.
Price: Member: $65, non-member: $52.

4. Scientist for a Day: Librarian and Archivist

This behind-the-scenes exploration of the Australian Museum’s Research Library is back for the spring school holidays after popular demand. Kids will get to step into a world of rare books and tour the Research Library with the Australian Museum’s Library Technician, Anina Hainsworth, and Collection Manager of Archives, Robert Dooley. 

Participants will explore scientific illustrations created over 400 years ago, before trying their hand at drawing their own. Kids will also craft and bind a personalised journal to take home, making this a perfect day out for young book lovers, science enthusiasts and aspiring artists alike.

Where: LG, Patricia McDonald, Education Rooms.
When: Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9, 9:30am- 3:30pm.
Price: Member: $120, non-member: $150.

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Throughout the spring school holiday

5. RELICS: A New World Rises

We recently visited the Australian Museum to get a sneak peek at the new exhibition, RELICS: A New World Rises, and we can confirm it’s a definite must-visit. Combining the fun of LEGO with “more mature and contemporary themes”, the exhibit explores the consequences of our consumerist actions by housing the figurines in dilapidated cars, old furniture and even a broken down jetski.

Perfect for all ages, from kids to adults and grandparents, this immersive experience is described as “equal parts nostalgic and thought-provoking”, as the mini figurines create educational art that appeals to all ages. You’ll even get the opportunity to explore your creative side in the interactive build area, where you can create and display your own model using LEGO^® bricks.

Where: The Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: Runs Saturday, August 14, until January 27, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets cost $29, Children tickets cost $19, Children aged 3 and younger go free.

(Cover Image credit: Anna Kǔcera © Australian Museum)