WIN 1 of 3 Australian National Maritime Museum See It All Family Passes!
Become an ocean superhero these autumn school holidays at the Australian National Maritime Museum, and dive into our fresh program of creative workshops, performances, tours, and trails inspired by the superheroes both within and who take care of our oceans.
Explore the galleries with our Sea Country Activity Trail, make art and scientific experiments at the Kids on Deck Maker Space, discover the superpowers of cephalopods and groupers in Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus Performances, relax with a film screening, or take a break in the Mermaid Melody Colouring Corner and Book Nook, enjoy creative play at the Octopus Garden Interactive Space, get hands-on with our touch collection at the Cabinet of Curiosities, and immerse yourself in all the additional adventures waiting to be had at the Maritime Museum.
There’s boatloads of fun to be had for the whole family, so don’t miss your chance to experience our autumn school holiday program this April. See the full school holiday program below.
Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus - Encounter clever characters and fun facts as performing artists and science communicators unlock the wonders of keystone species; from gentle giant groupers to clever cephalopods! Enjoy spectacular science demonstrations investigating the most curious of ocean dwelling creatures and marvel at daring displays of circus skill in this lively and interactive show.
Included with SEE IT ALL TICKET, Members and annual pass holders FREE
Dates: Sun 14, Tue 16, Wed 17, Fri 19, Sun 21, Tues 23, Wed 24, and Sun 28 April
Times: Sessions 12:30pm and 2:00pm (duration 25 mins)
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus - Image: ANMM
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS: Puppet-making and puppeteering with ERTH - Discover your puppet making superpowers and learn the art of puppeteering with a guest artist from Erth, the much-loved makers of theatre for young audiences in this fun filled 1 day workshop. Explore exhibitions including Blueback and Ocean Photographer of the Year for inspiration. Learn techniques in crafting your own illuminated creatures from recycled materials and operating your creations with life-like movements as you bring underwater stories to life.
Exclusive activity booking required
Dates: Wed 17 and Wed 24 April
Times: 10:00am – 4:00pm (1 day course)
Ages: Suitable for ages 8 – 14
Booking: $75 general/ $65 members
Puppet-making and puppeteering with ERTH - Image: ANMM
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS: Storybook Making - Imagine, write, and illustrate your very own picture book inspired by the underwater stories in our newest exhibitions Valerie Taylor and Blueback. Learn techniques in powerful storytelling, narrative structure, and digital and hand illustration as you create your very own cherished classic. Have a physical copy of your finished storybook published and sent home to keep.
Exclusive activity booking required
Dates: Tue 16 and Tue 23 April
Times: 10:00am – 4:00pm (1 day course)
Ages: Suitable for ages 8 – 14 and all literacy levels
Booking: $75 general/ $65 members
Mermaid Melody’s Book Nook - Take a break and enjoy calm creative activities in our lounge area inspired by ocean superhero Valerie Taylor’s artistic creation Mermaid Melody. Join in largescale collaborative colouring of Valerie’s mermaid and sea creature artworks, chill out on the pillows, pick up a book or create your own playful stories with sea creature puppets from Mermaid Melody’s “touch tank”.
FREE for all visitors
Dates: Daily during school holidays 14–28 April
Times: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Ages: Suitable for families with children aged 0 – 10
Booking: No booking required
Kids on Deck: Maker Space for Families - Be inspired by underwater wildlife and ocean protection superheroes as you enjoy art making and experiments with your family. Create your own spectacular scientific illustrations, fashion a polymer clay and shell miniature sculpture or wearable creation, craft whale shark, seadragon or octopus shadow puppets, or transform recycled materials into bubble wands. Explore the significance of keystone species as you dress up as your favourite aquatic creature. Read our review of Kids on Deck here!
Included with SEE IT ALL or any exclusive activity ticket
Dates: Daily during school holidays 14–28 April
Times: 10:30am – 4:00pm (drop-in sessions)
Ages: Suitable for ages 4 – 14 yrs and accompanying adults/ parents/carers
Booking: No booking required
Kids on Deck: Maker Space for Families - Image: ANMM
Sea Country Activity Trail - Follow the trail to explore amazing works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists as you collect stamps of saltwater sea creatures around the Museum. Complete the trail to receive your prize.
FREE for all visitors
Dates: Daily during school holidays 14–28 April
Times: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 5-12
Sea Country Activity Trail - Image: ANMM
Cabinet of Curiosities: Creature Feature – Explore wonderful and curious creature specimens and photographic objects in this hands-on discovery device in our galleries
FREE for all visitors
Dates: Daily during school holidays 14–28 April
Times: 11:00am – 12:00pm and 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Ocean Health Lab: Exhibition and drop-in program - The Seabin Ocean Health Lab is the first of its kind in the world, Seabin scientists analyse marine debris – from microplastics to tiny nurdles, sucked from the sea by the 30 Seabins stationed around Sydney Harbour. Dive deep into the stories behind the data and learn about what we can do to turn the tide on marine pollution.
FREE for all visitors
Dates: Weekdays between 15–26 April
Times: Tours daily 11:30am and 1:30pm
Ages: Suitable for visitors 5 and above
Booking: No bookings required, check tour times and activities on the day of your visit.
Underwater Drones: Open Age Workshop - Explore below the surface of the harbour like an ocean superhero with our newest underwater drones. Have fun testing your gaming skills by challenging family and friends to see who’s the best U-Drone Pilot. Underwater drones sessions include a private workshop with our ocean-science educators and access to amazing underwater footage highlights to keep and share.
Exclusive activity booking required
Dates: Tue 16, Thur 18, Sun 21, Tues 23, Thur 27, and Sun 28 April
Times: 12:00pm, 12:45pm, 1:30pm, 2:15pm, 3:00pm (duration 30 mins)
Ages: Suitable for ages 9 and above
Booking: Essential $30 general/ $20 members (includes SEE IT ALL admission for one player)
Autumn School Holidays at Australian National Maritime Museum - ANMM
Mini Mariners Program – Every Tuesday + selected Saturdays each month. Explore the galleries, sing and dance in interactive tours with costumed guides. Enjoy creative free play, craft, games and story time in our themed activity area. The theme for April’s mini mariners program is Under The Sea, where kids can wobble like a jellyfish, glide like a tortoise and snap like a shark as we make our way through the museum to discover the magnificent world of creatures that live under the sea. Enjoy a touch tour of sea-specimens and objects, listen to stories, and create your own watercolour painting or sea creature headdress.
Dates: Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and Saturdays 20, 27 April
Times: 10:30am – 11:15am and 11:30am – 12:15pm
Ages: Suitable for carers with children aged 2 – 5
Booking: $12 child/adult. Members FREE. Booked playgroups welcome. Bookings essentialSensory Friendly Sundays Access Program - Enjoy a comfortable environment for kids and adults with a variety of sensory differences. On Sensory-Friendly Sundays our new exhibitions and activity areas will be open extra early for a quieter experience and modified to suit people on the Autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities.
Booking encouraged.
Dates: Sun 21 April, Sun 19 May, Sun 23 June
Times: 8:30am – 11:30am
Ages: for all ages and abilitiesBooking: $12 child/adult. Children under 4 and members/annual pass holders free. Our trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to facilitate creative activities.