There is, of course, the Royal Easter Show. On top of the rides, animals, exhibits and showbags that delight the crowds, this year's show boasts a new interactive Dinosaur Adventures exhibition with life-size animated reptiles from the Jurassic age.

The Sydney Family Show at Moore Park is on a smaller scale but also features rides, showbags and an animal nursery, plus racing pigs and the "experiential theatre performance" of a dinosaur zoo.

Sydney Olympic Park is home to the Kids in the Park program that offers more than 50 activities, many of them low-cost or free. Children can try their hand at archery, the flying trapeze or pick up some circus skills, sign up for a sports camp or tackle a bike trail.

There are also workshops for aspiring artists, writers and digital filmmakers and opportunities to make pizza, pasta, cake and kites.

Youngsters who like their entertainment hands-on will love Game Masters at the Powerhouse Museum. The interactive exhibition, highlighting the work of the world's most influential videogame designers, features more than 100 playable games.

Kids who like making things are also catered for these holidays.

They can design bookplates, make art or join an illustrating workshop at the State Library, which is also running behind-the-scenes tours, an evening treasure hunt and more.

The Art Gallery of NSW's exhibition of Afghani treasures has several holiday activities, including art making, a treasures and jewels workshop, musical performances and theatrical storytelling.

At the Opera House, the classic tale of Pinocchio has been revamped for modern audiences (aged 7 and above) as a "witty, rocking, music theatre spectacular", while Oliver Jeffers' picture book, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, has been adapted for the stage.

The stars of the show at the Australian Reptile Park on the central coast include funnel webs, venomous snakes, crocodiles and Tasmanian devils. For kids who prefer their animals fluffy and non-threatening, the farmyard nursery is open all day during the holidays.

Other exotic creatures are on display in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Australian Museum, where the Tyrannosaurs exhibition has inspired a holiday program including dino-rama craft, a T. rex musical adventure and a dinosaur cookie-making class.

The Amazing Whales exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum is accompanied by whale-themed activities, science shows, talks and tours while on the other side of Darling Harbour at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, children can take behind-the-scenes tours, feed sharks or be a marine biologist for the day.