A Malaysia-born Tai Chi champion who once represented her country on the international stage will teach children how to prowl like a tiger and stretch like a crane at the Chinese Garden of Friendship this winter holidays. The free 20-minute Kung Fu Animal Adventures sessions run weekdays from 6 to 17 July 2026 at 11am, 12pm and 1pm, giving kids aged 5 to 12 a playful introduction to Chinese martial arts inside one of Sydney’s most serene settings.
The workshops are part of Darling Harbour’s broader winter school holiday programme and combine energetic Kung Fu movements with slower, animal-inspired Tai Chi flows and simple breathing techniques. Children practise tiger prowls, crane stretches and other poses designed to build coordination, concentration and confidence. The instructor, Sarah, is a Malaysia-born Tai Chi and Wushu specialist who represented her country in national and international competitions, lending the short sessions a quiet authenticity that sets them apart from generic holiday activities.
Families looking for a low-commitment cultural experience can drop in without a booking, though places are strictly first-come, first-served and numbers are limited each session. While kids enter free during the holidays with a paying adult, accompanying grown-ups still need to purchase a garden entry ticket ($12). The 20-minute format is noticeably shorter than many paid workshops offered elsewhere in Sydney during July, but that brevity works in its favour: parents can fit a session around a garden stroll and still have time for other nearby attractions.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship sits at the corner of Pier Street and Harbour Street, a short walk from the Paddy’s Markets and Pyrmont Bay light rail stops. Public transport is the easiest option, with multiple bus routes and ferries also serving the Darling Harbour precinct. Once the workshop finishes, children can explore the garden’s pavilions, waterfalls and koi ponds, then head to the Darling Harbour Ice Rink or the Tumbalong Park World Cup Live Site, both running through the holiday break.
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Chinese Garden of Friendship
A traditional Chinese garden in Darling Harbour designed in the style of 5th-century Southern Chinese scholar gardens. Gifted by Guangdong Province in 1988, it features pavilions, waterfalls, koi ponds and winding paths. Open daily 10am–5pm (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday) with standard entry $12 adult / $8 child.
For children who have never tried martial arts, the chance to prowl like a tiger under the guidance of a genuine international athlete might just be the most memorable 20 minutes of their school break.