Family friendly events on in the North Shore this August

Looking to get the kids off the screens? Looking to get yourself off the screens? Head out to some of these family friendly events on the North Shore this August.

Heard about something that should be on the list? Let us know and we’ll update! Just email [email protected]

Just for the kids

Nature Play

Ku-ring-gai Council is hosting “Nature play” events for young children and toddlers to learn more about the natural environment and science, while also encouraging them to spend less time on screens and more time playing outdoors.

The sessions run from 10am to 11:30am and involve learning about local wildlife, Indigenous history and cultural practices, and science in a hands-on setting. 

When: August 8-15.

Where: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Lego Club @ Lane Cove

Looking to give your kids the space to play and socialise with others? Lane Cove Library holds a Lego Club event on the second Wednesday of each month for kids older than four. Lego is provided, parental supervision is essential.

When: August 13.

Where: Lane Cove Library

Treetops Adventure, St Ives Showground

If you’ve got little thrill-seekers on your hands, take them to St Ives Showground, where they can take on eight different high rope courses, manoeuvring across tight ropes, ziplines and wobbly bridges.

When: Bookings here.

Where: 450 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives.

For the whole family

Model Railway exhibition

This weekend the annual Model Railway Exhibition for railway enthusiasts is at Thornleigh Community Hall. Check out a video of the 2023 exhibition below.

When: August 9 – 10

Where: Thornleigh Community Hall

St Ives Showground Market

Held every Saturday through August, the St Ives Showground Market is a country style farmers market selling produce, plants, flowers, crafts and more.

When: Saturdays 8am – 1pm.

Where: 450 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives

Hornsby Folk

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Folk Club has been supporting folk music in the Upper North Shore since 1978. This month it hosts Felicity Dowd, a folk and country musician from the NSW South Coast.

The event is child friendly, with free entry for children under 16. Tickets for adults are $20.

When: August 15, 7pm.

Where: Beatrice Taylor Hall, Hornsby.

Hayden Orpheum: Studio Ghibli Retrospective

Some kids are obsessed with Ponyo and Totoro. Many parents are, too. 

This August to October, Cremorne’s Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace will be hosting a retrospective event for the films of Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli. From renowned works Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, to earlier titles like Castle in the Sky and Grave of the Fireflies. 

See the full line up here.

When: August 7th onwards.

Where: 380 Military Rd, Cremorne.

Nocturnal wildlife walk

As a youngster, there was nothing I found more interesting than the bizarre and beautiful Australian wildlife that came out at night. If you or your kids are anything like me, check out this nocturnal wildlife walk hosted by Willoughby Council, and find out what comes out when the sun goes down.

When: 15 August, 7pm – 8:30pm.

Where: Small Street, Willoughby.

International Food and Wine Fair — St Ives High School

Bring the whole family along to this international food and wine fair hosted at St Ives High School. 

Cuisines served at the fair will include Chinese, Indian, South African, American BBQ, Persian, Spanish, Jewish, Korean, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, Japanese, French and Malaysian. Entry via a gold coin donation. 

When: August 16, 4:30pm – 10pm.

Where: 91 Yarrabung Road, St Ives.

Things to look forward to in September

Learning about brush turkeys for kids

I just had to include this one. Early next month Dr. Ann Goeth will be hosting a speaking event for kids aged three to eight talking about her area of expertise: bush turkeys. She will also be reading from her latest children's book about bush turkeys, Bush-Turkey Needs a Friend. At Stanton Library on September 11.

Moocooboola Festival

Kicking off on September 9, the Moocooboola Festival in Hunters Hill will include rides and amusements, dog shows, food stalls and markets from local businesses, and local music acts. The festival is at Boronia Park Reserve.