Culture club

Galleries, theatres and museums offer fantastic arts programs for curious, creative little minds. Alex Greig selects the best this Easter and beyond.

APRIL NGA Play at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Canberra’s NGA (nga.gov.au) has opened a new space for kids. Inspired by the gallery’s current exhibition, Versailles: Treasures from the Palace (until April 17), NGA Play’s first incarnation is as a French palace for tiny Marie Antoinettes and diminutive Louis XIVs. There’s a Hall of Mirrors and an interactive topiary garden, as well as crown-making and drawing workshops and carpet-weaving. Letting them eat cake afterwards is optional.

Storytime Ballet by The Australian Ballet; Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide Catering for little imaginations – and short attention spans – The Australian Ballet (australianballet.com.au) is performing an abridged version of enchanting classic The Nutcracker (above). Storytime Ballet brings the art form alive for a new generation in this story of a Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure. Designed for children under 10, the show runs for less than an hour but doesn’t skimp on any of the details; the sets, tutus and dancing are all mesmerising. The audience is encouraged to come dressed in ballet-inspired outfits and a narrator guides kids through the events on stage. MAY DreamBIG Children’s Festival, Adelaide Formerly Come Out Children’s Festival, DreamBIG (dreambigfestival.com.au) has been growing in scope since its inception in 1974. This year it kicks off with a procession of about 2000 Adelaide schoolkids singing their way across the Adelaide Oval footbridge then expands in every direction, with shows, workshops and exhibitions running from May 18 to 27. The headlining show is Mr Stink, based on the book by Little Britain’s David Walliams. On May 20 and 21, the Big Family Weekend – including performances, activities and food – takes place along North Terrace. JUNE Art Club, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Art Club (artgallery.nsw.gov.au) is a monthly art class for children aged nine to 13 that broadens their art knowledge and develops their creative side. Each class focuses on a medium and technique and includes an exploration of the gallery to gather inspiration. On June 3 and 4, the theme is structures and forms. Art Clubbers will take their cue from the John Kaldor Family Collection to create a collage and printing project using coloured and silver paper and scratch-foam board.

For the full year’s events, see “The kids’ cultural calendar” at travelinsider.qantas.com.au.