Unique Family Fun In January

January is the perfect time to be in Sydney. The weather is great (most of the time), and the locals are on their summer holidays, which means the vibrant city is packed with activities, workshops, and family-friendly entertainment. While the kids might not be sick of the beach and Luna Park, don’t miss the chance to expose them to some less common, stimulating entertainment.

The Australian Wildlife Show (January 15th). Australia is known for having some of the most unique wildlife in the world, but they can be a bit hard to spot! Give your kids (and yourself, why not!) the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the unusual animals that call Australia home - get some memorable photos while you’re at it. If you prefer your animals a little less realistic, head down to Vaucluse House for The Jungle Book: The Next Chapter (January 10th - 27th). The interactive show is set several years later, with all the favourite characters from Jungle Book reuniting to embark on some fresh adventures.

If your kids are all about things that go bump in the night, The Howling might be just the ticket. You can choose between the 4-day Short Film Course (January 14th-17th, or 21st -24th), or a single day Scream Class (January 18th or 25th). The course covers scriptwriting, acting, editing, and filming, while the scream class provides tips and tricks from professional thriller actors - including how to handle big emotional scenes, and audition techniques.

Of course, you might prefer something a little more lighthearted. In which case, you might prefer to check out So Frenchy So Chic (January 19th). This year’s lineup is packed with fabulous female artists, and there will, of course, be wine and cheese available. There’ll be plenty of entertainment for the kids, including face painting, drumming classes, lawn games, and bubble artists - and children under 12 enter free.

- Liv Steigrad for Ruby’s Residences.