4 FUN ACTIVITIES TO PLAY IN THE DARK!

It is that time of the year in Sydney when the days are getting shorter, the wind has a chill in the air and it is time for VIVID SYDNEY!  What a fabulous festival of light and colour which brings our city to life! There are installations to see in the Sydney CBD, Chatswood and this year for the first time at Taronga Zoo.  

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo, whilst the only ticketed venue, really appealed to me as a "family friendly" option.  It didn't disappoint! Parking was easy, there was a wonderful story projected on the zoo entrance and an amazing light trail that led you on a journey through the zoo.  We weren't expecting to see any animals and you will be disappointed if you do expect to see them as they must have been all tucked up into their inner sanctuaries for the evening. 

The trail was completely accessible, including a laser light display as you enter via the first ramp  before you even see the first "lit up animal".  Those who are susceptible to sensory overload may find the laser lights a bit overwhelming as Miss 9 described the laser lights like "thousands of ants running in multiple directions in psychedelic colours"!  Most of the "lit up animals" were static, although some moved in a slow calm manner.  The ramped sections seem to be the most "ramped up" in terms of sensory input with another ramp full of vertical lights running up/down and music to go with it.

Here is an image of some of our favourite displays at Taronga Zoo. 

To make the most of  the "dark nights" we have four fabulous fun activities for your kids to play in the dark!

1. Knock Them Down in the Dark!
Add glowsticks to six plastic cups and knock them down with a soft rubber ball. Fun for all ages! 

2. Make pictures with glowsticks! 
​Mr almost-6 years and Miss 9 years loved this activity.  Simply create pictures with your glowsticks and see if anyone can guess what you have made! We made our pictures on a tiled floor, creating simple shapes as well as  more detailed pictures.
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3.  Glowstick Bath Time! 
Throw the glowsticks into the bath and they can be used to light the bath.  There is something a little special about having a bath in the dark! 
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4. Glowstick Torches (Flashlights) on the Trampoline! 
We have some supermarket purchased torches which light up like glowsticks (or light sabers if you prefer).  You can find similar here.  Mr almost-6 years and Miss 9 LOVED jumping on the trampoline as the sun set.  The torches turned into light-sabers for a bouncing battle.   
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Do your kids like playing in the dark?  Have you been to any of the VIVID Sydney displays?

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