South West Sydney is one of the most culturally diverse and programmatically rich areas in the city for free family activities. Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown councils all run substantial children's events programs — and the area has two standout arts venues (Casula Powerhouse and Campbelltown Arts Centre) that run free and low-cost workshops that punch well above their weight nationally.
Canterbury-Bankstown Council
Canterbury-Bankstown is the largest LGA in Greater Sydney by population, and its children's library program reflects that scale. The council scrapes events specifically in the children, family, school holidays, and youth categories — and the result is a large, consistent events calendar across its library network.
Canterbury-Bankstown Libraries
Seven library branches serve the LGA: Bankstown, Campsie, Yagoona, Greenacre, Padstow, Chester Hill, and Lakemba. Each runs its own children's program.
- Storytime (ages 3–5): Weekly across most branches, drop-in.
- Baby Bounce / Rhymetime (ages 0–2): Multiple sessions per week at larger branches.
- Bilingual programs: Bankstown and Campsie libraries run programs in multiple languages — Arabic, Vietnamese, and other community languages depending on the branch. One of the few councils in Sydney that genuinely reflects its community in its children's programming.
- School holiday workshops: Canterbury-Bankstown runs a full school holiday program each term. Sessions are spread across branches so most suburbs in the LGA have something local.
Browse all South West Sydney kids' activities →
Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Libraries
Five branches across the Liverpool LGA run weekly children's programs. The Liverpool City Library on Memorial Avenue is the flagship — Storytime, Baby Bounce, and regular after-school sessions for primary-age kids. School holiday programs here are well-attended; book early.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
The Casula Powerhouse is one of Western Sydney's most underrated cultural venues. Entry to the gallery is free. School holiday workshops run by the Powerhouse for children typically include visual art, digital art, and performance — at a level of quality unusual for a free program. Sessions for 5–12 year olds.
Check Little Rascal's South West Sydney listings for current Casula Powerhouse programs — they appear on the calendar when published.
Campbelltown City Council
Campbelltown runs a rich children's events program with a strong emphasis on the arts and school holiday programming.
Campbelltown Libraries
The Campbelltown City Library (Civic Centre) runs Storytime, Baby Bounce, and regular children's workshops. Ambarvale, Eagle Vale, and Ingleburn branches extend coverage across the LGA.
Kids and Family Category Programs
Campbelltown Council specifically tags events as "Kids and Family," "School Holiday Programs," "Youth and Teens," and "Children's Workshops" — and Little Rascal pulls all four. This means you get the full picture, not just the library sessions.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
The Campbelltown Arts Centre (cnr Camden Road and Appin Road) runs free and low-cost children's workshops during school holidays and sporadically throughout the year. Programs focus on visual art, performance, and creative making.
Tips for South West Sydney Families
- Bilingual programs are real. If you're in a non-English-speaking household, check the Bankstown and Campsie library branches specifically. Programs in Arabic, Vietnamese, and other languages run regularly — not just as one-off events.
- Casula Powerhouse is worth the trip. Even outside workshop programs, the gallery is free and stimulating for curious children. The venue is on the Georges River and the grounds are worth exploring.
- Campbelltown programs are less well-known. Because Campbelltown is further from the city, its programs are often less competitive to book into than equivalent programs in Parramatta or Blacktown. Good programs, lower pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free kids' activities in Bankstown?
Bankstown Library runs weekly Storytime and Baby Bounce, plus bilingual programs in Arabic and other community languages. Canterbury-Bankstown Council's holiday program each term adds workshops across the LGA.
Are there free arts programs for kids in South West Sydney?
Yes. Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (Liverpool) runs free and low-cost arts workshops during school holidays. Campbelltown Arts Centre runs similar programs. Both are genuine creative venues, not craft-table setups.
What's on for kids in Campbelltown this school holidays?
Campbelltown City Council runs dedicated school holiday programs each term across its library network and community centres. Check Little Rascal's South West Sydney listings filtered to the holiday date range.
Are there free toddler programs in South West Sydney?
Yes. Baby Bounce and Rhymetime run at library branches across Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown. Most sessions are free and drop-in.
See All South West Sydney Events
Little Rascal lists free and paid kids' activities across Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Campbelltown and South West Sydney — updated daily.