Stories
Inspiration on unique activities and gifts, mindfulness and more
5 Meaningful Things to Do for Mother's Day with Mum
By Tiffany Fung
Searching for meaningful Mother’s Day gifts? Read our guide to the best things to do for Mother’s Day in 2025, from gardening classes to tastingSearching for meaningful Mother’s Day gifts? Read our guide to the best things to do for Mother’s Day in 2025, from gardening classes to tasting experiences. ...
Meet Print Paint Pot
By Courtenay Turner
Meet Zena and Elgan, the husband and wife duo behind Print Paint Pot and discover what sparked their passion for pottery.
7 Easy Mother's Day Gifts Every Mum Will Love
By Jana Lepojevic
Looking for easy Mother’s Day gifts this year? Skip the stuff and gift Mum an experience she'll love. Think art, food, creativity and more!
Discover 5 Hidden Things to Do in Sydney Next Month
By Tiffany Fung
Explore hidden things to do in Sydney, from tufting colourful yarn, painting with watercolours or discovering the soothing art of stained glass.
Meet Omnom Cheese
By Tiffany Fung
Marly Bardia from Omnom Cheese takes the mystery out of cheesemaking and shows you just how easy it is to make yourself—plus how fun it is tooMarly Bardia from Omnom Cheese takes the mystery out of cheesemaking and shows you just how easy it is to make yourself—plus how fun it is too! ...
Awesome Ideas for Christmas Lunch in Sydney Everyone Will Love
By Annie Symmonds
Discover delicious Christmas party ideas in Sydney in 2025! From BBQ cooking classes to sweet dessert workshops, make your holiday celebrations extraDiscover delicious Christmas party ideas in Sydney in 2025! From BBQ cooking classes to sweet dessert workshops, make your holiday celebrations extra special. ...
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hen's Party Ideas 2025
By Annie Symmonds
Shake, mix and paint with your favourite people at the best 2025 hens party ideas in Australia!
11 Best Team Cooking Classes in Sydney Your Office Will Love
By Sam Bowden
Create the perfect recipe for team success with cooking classes in Sydney!
6 Stress-Free Work Christmas Party Ideas in Sydney 2025
By Courtenay Turner
Make the festive season magical with our creative Christmas party ideas in Sydney. From crafts to cooking, there's no better way to celebrate theMake the festive season magical with our creative Christmas party ideas in Sydney. From crafts to cooking, there's no better way to celebrate the holidays. ...
Paint and Sip Classes in Sydney for Every Occasion
By Kellie Maloney
Discover paint and sip classes in Sydney for any occasion. From wine and art hen do's to painting parties with RnB tunes or mindful art escapes.
Top 10 Memorable Birthday Ideas for Adults
By Courtenay Turner
Celebrate in style with adult birthday party ideas! From cocktail shaking to clay and sip, discover creative activities perfect for any milestoneCelebrate in style with adult birthday party ideas! From cocktail shaking to clay and sip, discover creative activities perfect for any milestone celebration. ...
8 Unique Ways to Spend a Hens Weekend in Sydney
By Laine Fullerton
Celebrate the bride-to-be in Sydney with a hens party staycation! Explore these eight hens party activities that are perfect for a weekend away inCelebrate the bride-to-be in Sydney with a hens party staycation! Explore these eight hens party activities that are perfect for a weekend away in Sydney. ...
Unique Gifts for Couples in Sydney
By Susana Aguilera
Celebrate your love in 2025 with these unique experience gifts for couples. Reignite the spark over cocktails, pottery or even tea!
Hens Party Ideas in Sydney for Every Type of Bride
By Susana Aguilera
From cocktail making classes to flower crown workshops, here are 13 hens party workshops in Sydney that will make your bachelorette party one toFrom cocktail making classes to flower crown workshops, here are 13 hens party workshops in Sydney that will make your bachelorette party one to remember. ...
Forget Mother's Day Flowers and Book a Flower Arranging Class Together Instead
By Annie Symmonds
Ditch the bouquet this year and make mum's day special with a flower arranging class! It's the best Mother's Day gift idea and a chance to spendDitch the bouquet this year and make mum's day special with a flower arranging class! It's the best Mother's Day gift idea and a chance to spend time together. ...
Amazing Birthday Ideas in Sydney for Your Boyfriend
By Laine Fullerton
Celebrate your boyfriend on his birthday with these amazing birthday ideas for your boyfriend. Explore woodworking, whisky tasting and more.
Best Party Ideas for Kids in Sydney
By Natalie Kemp
We’ve collected the best kids party ideas for 5 years old and under, no matter how big or small your budget and guest list...
Unique Anniversary Gifts in Sydney They'll Love
By Sam Bowden
Treat your partner to an experience they'll love with these anniversary gift ideas in Sydney. For romance and connection you can't go past an experienceTreat your partner to an experience they'll love with these anniversary gift ideas in Sydney. For romance and connection you can't go past an experience gift. ...
Meet Crockd
By Tiffany Fung
Crockd has thrown pottery into the limelight with funky DIY clay kits and casual classes, all designed to help you get out of your head and intoCrockd has thrown pottery into the limelight with funky DIY clay kits and casual classes, all designed to help you get out of your head and into your hands. ...
Meet Made by Me Workshop
By Tiffany Fung
Rebecca Doyle invites you to craft, create and connect with like-minded people at Made by Me Workshop in Sydney’s Inner West.
Best Mother's Day Activities for Makers and Bakers in 2025
By ClassBento Team
Looking for unique Mother's Day gift ideas? Keep reading as we round up some of the best presents for Mum in Australia, perfect for makers and bLooking for unique Mother's Day gift ideas? Keep reading as we round up some of the best presents for Mum in Australia, perfect for makers and bakers. ...
5 Gifts for Mum More Exciting Than Mother's Day Flowers
By ClassBento Team
Ditch the traditional flowers and opt for memorable Mother's Day gifts. Discover green-fingered gift ideas for her and make Mum's day special!
Cool Teen Gifts for Trendy Kids in Sydney
By Kellie Maloney
Looking for cool gifts for teens in Sydney? We have a range of gift experiences that are perfect for parents chasing unique present ideas!
7 Virtual EOFY Party Ideas for Team Building in Sydney
By Kellie Maloney
Get creative and celebrate your teams' success this EOFY with unique team building activities in Sydney, guaranteed to bring your team closer thanGet creative and celebrate your teams' success this EOFY with unique team building activities in Sydney, guaranteed to bring your team closer than ever before! ...
Best Family Activities in Sydney
By Sam Bowden
Keen to spend a little quality time together? We've compiled a list of fun things to do with kids in Sydney! You're guaranteed to love these craftyKeen to spend a little quality time together? We've compiled a list of fun things to do with kids in Sydney! You're guaranteed to love these crafty family activities. ...
Want to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? Try Veganism
By Cassandra Hawkings
Thinking about adopting a vegan diet? These vegan cooking classes in Sydney will teach you how to make easy vegan recipes at home!
Homemade Chocolate Bonbons You Won't Be Able to Resist This Easter
By Tiffany Fung
Ready to indulge your sweet tooth? Make mouthwatering chocolate bonbons with this easy-to-follow recipe from Choc & Moi—the perfect treat forReady to indulge your sweet tooth? Make mouthwatering chocolate bonbons with this easy-to-follow recipe from Choc & Moi—the perfect treat for Easter! ...
Why Cocktail Classes Make the Best Date Activities in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
Not sure what to do when date night comes around? Why not try cocktail making with your date! Shake up your love life with these boozy date ideasNot sure what to do when date night comes around? Why not try cocktail making with your date! Shake up your love life with these boozy date ideas in Sydney. ...
13 Beautiful Wellness Hens Party Ideas in Sydney
By Annie Symmonds
Discover 12 of the most beautiful wellness hens party ideas in Sydney for a relaxing hens party that centers connection over debauchery.
Discover Cocktail Making in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
Take your appreciation for boozy drinks to a whole new level with cocktail making classes in Sydney!
Meet the Fox Hole
By Tiffany Fung
Discover the stories behind your favourite drinks at The Fox Hole in Sydney and indulge your senses with an exclusive drink tasting experience you’llDiscover the stories behind your favourite drinks at The Fox Hole in Sydney and indulge your senses with an exclusive drink tasting experience you’ll never forget. ...
Delicious Holiday Party Ideas for Christmas-Loving Chefs
By Annie Symmonds
Foodies will love these tasty Christmas party ideas in Sydney. From cocktail classes to baking workshops, these indulgent experiences are sure toFoodies will love these tasty Christmas party ideas in Sydney. From cocktail classes to baking workshops, these indulgent experiences are sure to please. ...
9 Reasons Why Workshops Make the Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas
By Courtenay Turner
Discover our unique Mother's Day gift ideas in Perth and spoil Mum with a unique experience on her special day.
Sydney's Best Bucks Night Ideas for the Discerning Buck
By Sam Bowden
A stag do can be a difficult thing to plan. With these unique bucks night ideas, you'll get the evening just right to ensure you send the soon-to-beA stag do can be a difficult thing to plan. With these unique bucks night ideas, you'll get the evening just right to ensure you send the soon-to-be groom off to married life in style. ...
Creative Activities Around the Vivid Festival
By Julia Carr-Catzel
When the sun sets in Sydney during the winter, the city transforms into a hub of creativity. From 25th May to 16th June 2018, the Vivid FestivalWhen the sun sets in Sydney during the winter, the city transforms into a hub of creativity. From 25th May to 16th June 2018, the Vivid Festival will attract audiences from all over Australia in an annual celebration of light, music and ideas. Last year, the city saw a whopping 2.3 million bright-eyed attendees roaming the colourful nighttime playground. For its 10th anniversary, attendees will be transported into an underwater world of shimmering corals, bioluminescent jellyfish at Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Wander the Royal Botanic Gardens forest, rippling and pulsing with more than 40,000 individually-controlled RGB pixels. Converse with a giant luminescent puppet, performing fire and rain rituals in celebration of Barangaroo’s Indigenous history. Contemplate the meaning of life in a 360-degree light projection of the observable universe in the North Shore. But the creative pulse of Australia’s largest city does not always reveal itself in the form of giant puppets or luminescent jellyfish under the magnetism of the night sky. In the larger Sydney arena, pockets of creative expression and learning can be found in rain or shine. Circular Quay/The Rocks Night Photography The parks, bays, cafes and museums observable to the travelers’ inquisitive eye, demand to be documented. Memories of a trip past, though poignant, fall back on their ephemeral qualities. Unless you possess master storytelling skills, wielding memory to recount a trip abroad to relatives, most often results in frustration on the traveler’s behalf, who cannot possibly do justice to the magical places seen. Fortunately enough, this can be resolved with the aid of a photograph – an immediate and tangible clarification of a sight seen with layers of emotion felt at the time. It is no surprise then, that most travelers wish to improve their photography skills – and what better place to harness the power of photography in an environment oozing creativity? If the thought of wandering through thousands of virtual toy balls or one thousand cranes excites you, then paying a visit to Vivid on The Rocks may just provide the ultimate creative space to exercise your camera skills. Director of Alfonso’s Photo Tours, Alfonso Calero, started his business back in 2008 with the aim of teaching locals and tourists travel photography. His Night Photography Short Course focuses on composition and shooting skills, with an emphasis on unconventional thinking as a key tool in the creative process. Equip yourself with a camera of choice and follow the professional photographer down Sydney’s historic laneways in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In an entirely customizable class, request tips from Alfonso on travel photography genres, styles and composition. Learn how to control ISO, shutter speed and aperture expertly to produce low-light shots. Become well acquainted with Sydney’s architecture and landscapes in its most creative and abstract time of year. Capture the multi-coloured canvas of the Opera House for the Lighting of the Sails exhibit. Compliment your tales with timeless photographs of a city at its prime. Collect images that will evoke wander and inspire upon reflection for years to come. Central Business District Whilst getting lost in electric forests or interacting with a six-metre high puppet promises all the creative stimulation in the world. There is no shortage of Sydney’s creative community during its day-lit hours. Start the creative journey early and head towards Sydney’s Central Business District for a range of workshops, including terrarium, pottery, flower arranging or cooking. Succulent Terrarium-Making Located in the inner-city suburb of Redfern, just three kilometres South of the CBD, the creative team from Merchant and Green host a range of classes from flower arranging to terrarium making. In a Terrarium Making class, work in an immersive and interactive environment under the expertise of senior florists and stylists. Construct a personalised wild landscape of fresh soil, river stones and petite succulents, embellish your vintage style glass jar with figurines, boulders and pebbles. Take home a low-maintenance, long-living plant to spruce up your home. Macaron Making In the neighboring suburb, Surry Hills, lies Sydney’s leading macaron makers: MakMak Macarons. Surpassing competitors such as Laduree and Zumbo, the company is known for their unique blending of texture and flavour. In a Macaron Making class, under the expertise of professional chefs, wield chocolate, slice fresh fruit and combine native Australian ingredients replicate the premium, handmade macarons delighting customers since 2010. Experiment with Maldon Sea Salt, Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon myrtle and strawberry gum. Walk away with a complimentary gift bag with ingredients to whip up your own batch at home. Ikebana Flower Arrangement Nestled in the eccentric suburb of Glebe, rest the tranquil confines of Sydney’s most renowned floristry boutique. Familiarise yourself with seasonal flowers in an Ikebana Flower Arranging workshop. Create stunning arrangements with Setsuko Yanagisawa, boasting no less than thirteen years of experience in floristry, specializing in the Ikebana technique. Fasten and secure stems whilst learning about the history of Ikebana. Combine textures, patterns and elements to create sophisticated and elegant arrangements to take home. Visit the Yuga café next door to regain your energy for a night out. North-Shore There is certainly no shortage of artistic talent, light projections and lasers in Sydney’s quieter suburbs during the Vivid Festival. Across the Harbour Bridge, the understated landscapes of the North Shore will embody futuristic artworks. By night, admire the mysteries of existence in a 360 degree light display projecting the stars and planets of the observable universe. Shodo Japanese Calligraphy In the heart of Chatswood, rejuvenate and improve your focus in a Shodo Japanese Calligraphy workshop. Learn how to make different types of sumi ink under the guidance of Ren, an artist recognised internationally. Learn Japanese characters and wield your calligraphy brush or 'fude' against a special type of Japanese paper called ‘hanshi’. Express emotion through brush stroke pressure, rhythm and tone. Following the creative class, meander the streets of Chatswood in a pop-up street market filled with recycled materials, lasers and scaffolding. Contemplate the meaning of the universe under the star-studded light display at the Concourse. … The Vivid Festival encourages visitors to engage in a hub of artistic expression and conversation of big ideas. By nightfall, the romantic harbour is specked with cruise ships and vessels contoured by a spectrum of saturated colour, and the magic of the city simply continues in different forms, with the rising of the sun. ...
Learn to Make Japanese Sweets in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
A typical Japanese bakery will have wagashi. In fact, they won’t just have wagashi. Most likely, they will have many, many types of the bite-sizedA typical Japanese bakery will have wagashi. In fact, they won’t just have wagashi. Most likely, they will have many, many types of the bite-sized sweet Japanese treats. As you peruse your options, it will be difficult to pinpoint just one tantalizing option: there are small, soft green balls, dense, chocolate-like squares, intricately molded hard candies, and more, all delicious and delicate and exciting. Learn how to make them from scratch at Japanese cooking classes in Sydney. After deliberating for a long time between the wide selection, you may just have to sample more than one. Don’t worry if you don’t find your favourite treat on your first pass. Japanese sweets are available at virtually every Japanese establishment in Australia, including restaurants, department stores, food carts, and convenience stores (1). Make sure that you have an open mind and a cup of green tea with you as you begin your wagashi journey. To understand wagashi, you must first learn the ancient art of tea ceremony. You’ve probably heard of Japanese Tea Ceremony, a practice that automatically conjures up images of delicate tea sets, the precise and talented movements of a tea master, and the serene greenery of a tea garden. Historians have written a great deal about this highly structured and difficult-to-learn cultural practice, from its introduction to Japan in the 700’s to today’s tea ceremony revival in younger generations. Everyone can agree that tea ceremony holds a special place in Japan’s national identity, invoking pride in citizens and absolute awe in tourists. What you may not have heard, but will be excited to learn, is that tea ceremony has a sweet secret: Wagashi, or Japanese sweets. This facet of tea culture deals specifically with the sweet accompaniments to green tea, made up mostly of sweet bean pastes and rice flour. They come in an endless variety of colors, shapes, tastes and textures, and have become a cultural staple in their own right. Dessert-lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike are anxious to sign up for Japanese confectionery classes, in which students learn the preparation method and serving technique of the tasty morsels. Try making your own sweet treats with ClassBento's friendly and expert teachers, or dive deeper into a workshop that focuses on Japanese arts and culture. Once you’ve signed up for your beginner’s course, you may want to brush up on your Japanese tea history before your first class. Here are a few key things to remember about this special practice: • In the 14th century, tea ceremony was created by Zen Buddhists as a religious practice emphasizing the four integral notions of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility (2). Because of this, tea ceremony is a fundamentally spiritual practice and has retained sacred status for seven centuries. • The most important name associated with tea ceremony is Sen Rikyu (3), a tea master who set the standard for tea ceremony by codifying the entire process, from the technical process, to the utensils, to the setting. He is credited with developing the notions of wabi (a commitment to simple, everyday living) and sabi (an aesthetic tendency towards the old and worn.) The overall intention is to find beauty in ordinary objects. • Tea masters dedicate their entire lives to perfecting their craft, and a full tea ceremony can last up for four hours, with multiple renditions of green tea, a meal, sake tasting, and wagashi (4). Now that you have a foundational knowledge of the main show, let’s pivot to one of the key players of the ceremony: wagashi. Wagashi can be broken down into three separate categories - togashi, tenjin and nanban-gashi - each with its own taste and cultural history(5). • Togashi is the rarest form of Japanese confectionery and is made from the kneading of wheat flour or bean paste into various shapes. It is then deep-fried and has a long tradition of being served at aristocratic banquets. • Tenjin is the type most closely associated with tea ceremony as it was introduced with by the zen buddhists who popularized the custom. It is characterized by jellied and bun-like sweets, although traditional versions were more savory than sweet. • Nanban-gashi was radically different from other forms of wagashi when it was introduced by Portuguese immigrants in 1543. Unlike its savory relatives, this unique form utilized sweet ingredients and eggs, which were previously uncommon on the islands. If such distinctions are not enough, wagashi gets more complicated - and more exciting! For, the creation of Japanese sweets are not simply shaping sweetened bean paste into random shapes. Instead, each wagashi creates a balance of the senses which enhances its role as part of the Zen Buddhist’s tea ceremony(6): • Sight - each wagashi is perfectly crafted to be aesthetically pleasing and thought provoking • Taste - wagashi is a showcase of its natural ingredients, allowing the person tasting the treat to admire traditional Japanese crops such as beans and grains • Texture – the sweets come in a vast variety of textures, from soft to crispy to light to dense • Scent - a key aspect is subtlety - in fragrance, especially. Each morsel compliments the other scents of the ceremony, like the all-important green tea • Sound - wagashi invoke an auditory response as a result of its unique and significant labels. Many refer to natural elements or traditional poetic works When sifting through all of the information, you may feel a little bit overwhelmed. This is normal; tea ceremony and Japanese sweets boast of long and meaningful histories that are difficult for foreigners to understand. But wagashi can be a beautiful and accessible hobby, in which students learn about and gain an appreciation for an incredibly complex culture while also exploring the creative process of wagashi-making. As a student of wagashi, you can benefit just by learning the basics, or you can fully lean into the practice, tapping into an extensive and well-established tradition of sweet-making. Learn about the amazing health benefits of matcha here. References: (1) japan-guide.com (2) mightyleaf.com (3) britannica.com (4) shibuiswords.com (5) kikkoman.com (6) toraya-group.co.jp ...
5 Craft Trends to Tap Into Your Inner Maximalist in 2025
By Laine Fullerton
This year’s craft trends are big, bright and bold—here are the top 5 you need to try!
Couple Gift Ideas to Make Their Anniversary Extra Special
By Tiffany Fung
Make it an anniversary one to remember with our heartwarming experience gifts for couples in Australia, from twisting and soldering silver to unwindingMake it an anniversary one to remember with our heartwarming experience gifts for couples in Australia, from twisting and soldering silver to unwinding with clay. ...
Top 9 Hen's Party Ideas for Non-drinkers
By Courtenay Turner
From pottery workshops to cooking classes, discover the best classy hen’s party ideas for non-drinkers in 2025.
Fire Up Your Office with Team Building Cooking Classes in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
Strengthen team bonds and promote corporate wellness with these team building cooking classes in Sydney!
9 Reasons to Try Cooking Class in Sydney
By John Tabari
Need a little convincing to try cooking classes in Sydney? From exploring different cultures to building confidence, here are 9 reasons to try cookingNeed a little convincing to try cooking classes in Sydney? From exploring different cultures to building confidence, here are 9 reasons to try cooking courses. ...
Fun Sydney Experiences That Make Epic Christmas Gift Ideas
By Courtenay Turner
Want to spoil your special someone? From pottery classes in Drummoyne to Paint and Sip in Paddington, browse 100+ of the best Sydney gift experiWant to spoil your special someone? From pottery classes in Drummoyne to Paint and Sip in Paddington, browse 100+ of the best Sydney gift experiences. ...
5 Creative Things to Do in Sydney Next Month
By Jana Lepojevic
Discover 5 fun things to do in Sydney next month and banish boredom and empty calendars. These unique activities showcase the best of Sydney.
5 Things You Didn't Know You Could do in Rosebery
By Kellie Maloney
From rolling out ricotta ravioli to painting porcelain ceramics, what it lacks in size, the leafy Sydney suburb of Rosebery makes up for in experiences.From rolling out ricotta ravioli to painting porcelain ceramics, what it lacks in size, the leafy Sydney suburb of Rosebery makes up for in experiences. Get a taste of this charming area with five hidden local activities. ...
Meet Kimberley Chocolates
By Jana Lepojevic
Joseph Atallah invites you to indulge your senses as you dive into perfume blending and decadent chocolate making in his light-filled studio spaceJoseph Atallah invites you to indulge your senses as you dive into perfume blending and decadent chocolate making in his light-filled studio space in Lilyfield. ...
Meet Kiss Ready Lips
By Tiffany Fung
Fall in love with the art and ease of natural skincare making alongside Kiss Ready Lips founder, Louella Docot.
Discover Local Hidden Gems at Sydney Photography Workshops
By Tiffany Fung
Be your own tourist at photography classes in Sydney and discover new, hidden gems to capture through your lens.
Unforgettable Mother's Day Gift Ideas She'll Adore
By ClassBento Team
Searching for Mother’s Day gift ideas in Australia? Surprise her with unique experiences in Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond! Make this a year MumSearching for Mother’s Day gift ideas in Australia? Surprise her with unique experiences in Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond! Make this a year Mum won't forget. ...
Book a fun experience
Get an experience gift card
Gift a specific experience, or let your recipient choose from
our 12,000+
creative classes and kits.
star
You can gift with confidence: ClassBento is rated 4.9 stars, from 110k+ reviews.
card_giftcard Discover gift cards
