200 Years of Awe: Rediscover the State Library of NSW

Looking for a free family day out in Sydney that sparks curiosity, imagination and discovery? This year, the State Library of NSW turns 200, marking two centuries of collecting stories, preserving history and inspiring generations of visitors. 

The Library is home to an ongoing calendar of family activities and inviting spaces for toddlers to older primary school kids, including free exhibitions, monthly Family Sunday events, Storytime sessions and School Holiday programs.

Entry to the Library is free, with a range of both free and paid events every day. Turn the page and rediscover what’s waiting inside this historic Sydney destination.

The State Library of NSW Turns 200

Marking the State Library of NSW’s 200th Anniversary, you’re invited to explore puzzles, games and hands-on activities inspired by the Library’s collections. While you’re there, discover the Library’s 200th Anniversary Exhibitions and immersive experiences that showcase 200 years of curiosity and awe.

Family Sundays

 

A great place to start is Family Sunday: Puzzles and Games, taking place this weekend. The free monthly event invites young minds to explore, create and play together through hands-on activities inspired by the Library’s collections. It’s one of many family-friendly experiences helping transform a visit to the Library into a memorable day of discovery.

Family Sunday is held on every third Sunday of the month.

Family Sunday: Puzzles and Games

Sunday 21 June 2026| 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

• 10 am -1 pm: Puzzles and games around the Library. FREE, bookings required. Book here.
• 11 am -12 pm: Illustrator workshop with Serena Geddes. This is suitable for 8 to 12-year-olds and must be booked separately. Tickets are $10 per person. Book here.

Family Sunday: 200 years of the State Library

Sunday 19 July 2026 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Explore 200 years of the State Library this July. Pick up a 200 trail card for kids to guide you on an expedition around the Library, with craft and drawing activities along the way. Journey back over the Library's historical timeline and be inspired by the diverse collections they have acquired to spark your imagination and design a library of the future!  

200 Years of Curiosity

As part of its 200th Anniversary program, the State Library has unveiled a series of immersive exhibitions and interactive experiences that invite visitors of all ages to explore 200 years of curiosity.

At the heart of this are the 200th Anniversary Exhibitions, a fascinating journey through the Library’s extraordinary collections. Families can discover more than 200 remarkable objects, ranging from internationally significant treasures to surprising everyday items. Imagine seeing the journals from the Endeavour voyage, a 1297 copy of Magna Carta, medieval manuscripts, a lock of Mary Shelley’s hair, vintage wine labels and even bread wrappers - all under one roof.

Children who love stories, facts and quirky discoveries will find plenty to capture their imagination through the exhibition’s interactive features.

Deep Dive into the Digital Timeline and Curiosity Wall

The Library will mark the State Library’s 200th Anniversary with a powerful series of exhibitions, including the rich Digital Timeline, a self-guided experience featuring more than 250 stories from across the Library’s history. Dive into tales of ambitious architecture, passionate collectors, surprising historical characters and even the occasional brazen crime. It’s a fun way for older primary school-aged children to explore history at their own pace and follow the stories that interest them most.

Families can also visit the Curiosity Wall, designed to encourage exploration and uncover unexpected connections between collection items and stories. Together with digital experiences, installations and collection displays, it creates an engaging environment where children are encouraged to ask questions and see history from new perspectives.

Level 1, Mitchell Building, FREE

Step Inside a Beloved Storybook World

 

Families can also explore The Curious World of Pamela Allen, a free interactive exhibition honouring one of Australia's most loved children's authors and illustrators. Through hands-on play, storytelling and imagination, children can step into the pages of favourite books, including Mr McGee, Bertie and the Bear and Who Sank the Boat?

With dress-ups, interactive displays, larger-than-life storybook scenes and cosy reading spaces, the exhibition encourages young visitors to play, explore and discover. Parents and carers can also view original artworks and sketches from Pamela Allen's archive, making it a delightful experience for all ages.

On now until Sunday 18 July 2027, FREE

Free School Holiday Fun: 200 Years of Wonder

Looking for a free school holiday activity? Head to the State Library of NSW's Drop-in Centre: 200 Years of Wonder. Children can enjoy a range of hands-on activities and dive into the Library's 200-year history, exploring themes of curiosity, collecting and imagination. Pick up a 200 Kids Trail Card and set off on a self-guided adventure to discover 200-themed surprises throughout the Library building. Suitable for all ages and completely free, it's a fun way for families to experience 200 years of curiosity and wonder together.

JB Fairfax Learning Centre. Monday 6 to Friday 10 July 2026, FREE

A Night at the Library

What happens when a child who doesn't like books gets locked inside a library overnight? In A Night at the Library, a magical new performance created with Bell Shakespeare, young audiences are taken on an imaginative adventure through the State Library of NSW, where historical figures and beloved literary characters come to life.

Suitable for Stage 2 and 3 students, the show invites children to discover the stories, treasures and wonder hidden within the library. This show is a fun and engaging way to spark curiosity about books, history and storytelling.

Wednesday 16 September to Friday 18 September 2026 (10 am or 1 pm). $25 pp. Tickets on sale July 17. 

The Family Room & Children's Library

Beyond the anniversary exhibitions, the Library offers an engaging range of free family programs throughout the year. 

A welcoming space designed especially for children under five and their carers, the Family Room is a cosy spot to pause, play and explore together. Open every day, you can drop in to enjoy a selection of books, simple games and hands-on activities for under-5s, all in a relaxed environment created for early learning and discovery.

Ground floor in the Mitchell Library building, FREE

 

The Children's Library is a vibrant and warm space for little book lovers up to 16 years old. Cuddle up in the reading nooks and explore some of Australia’s best children’s books, as well as favourites from across the globe.

The beautiful Children's Library is open every day and free to enter - no library card required (books must stay in the library!).

Free monthly Storytime sessions introduce younger children to the joy of books with storytelling, songs and rhymes. Designed for children aged 3 to 5, Storytime is on the last Wednesday of each month. Bookings are essential.  

Bashir Reading Room, Lower Ground 1, Macquarie Street building, FREE

 

Parents, we think you’ll love this as much as the kids. The Library’s grand heritage spaces, beautiful reading rooms, exhibitions and cultural events make it a fascinating adventure into Sydney’s past. Best of all, entry to the Library and its major exhibitions is free, making it an accessible day out for families looking for something different to do in the city.

Whether it’s your first visit or your first in years, the State Library of NSW’s 200th Anniversary is the perfect opportunity to rediscover one of Sydney’s most remarkable cultural institutions. 

Because after 200 years, there’s still more than a few pages left to turn! 

Where:   State Library of NSW. 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney
When:    From Thursday, 18 June, 2026
Cost:      FREE entry and activities 

Visit the State Library of NSW for the full schedule of events and to plan your visit.

More Fun For The Whole Family

Where to Go Cherry Picking in NSW
School Holiday Activities in Sydney: The Best for Winter
Best Kid-friendly Cafes in Sydney

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, and classes.