Alternatively, pick up some fresh seafood from the market before you set off and picnic in the park. I love this walk for the different views it provides, the western side of the Harbour rarely gets little praise, and it is lovely. You pass a couple of playgrounds along the way to help keep the kids on track.
Martial arts — karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, and boxing — are widely available and increasingly popular for building confidence and discipline. We’ve put together expert guidance on the key decisions you need to make before arriving in Sydney. You can have a no stress camping holiday at Cockatoo Island in the middle of the harbour. This entertainment hub is perfect for families who can’t sit still. Jump into action-packed laser tag battles, challenge each other to bowling matches, or bump around in dodgem cars – there’s never a dull fun activities for adults sydney moment. If you are not so confident, there are some well-run snorkelling tours where guides will help you and all your gear (and even wetsuits) are provided.
There are 1,332 stairs which sound daunting, but the views and the guide make it easier than it looks. The view from the top is breathtaking and along the way are a variety of items to see and information to absorb. Read my full review of the museum and see the amazing photos here. A visit to the Sydney Harbour Pylon Museum (and lookout) involves a little over 200 stairs making it best for kids who are steady on their feet (or parents happy to carry smaller ones).
We have considered things like the number of beds per room, special family facilities and the best locations for families. There are lots of family activities to be found in western Sydney from Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta to the Parramatta River. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Parramatta for ideas. The Australian Museum has an interesting program for kids from 9 months to 3 years, Tiny Tots playgroup, where they will be exposed to First Nation’s history and culture through music, craft and games.
Ultimate Sydney in Northmead is one of Australia's largest indoor entertainment centres, combining a massive play structure with 60+ trampolines, a ninja warrior course, and a dedicated toddler zone. Entry is around $18 to $22 per child, which is exceptional value for the amount of activity on offer. Nearby, Go Bananas in Penrith packs in multi-level climbing frames, tube slides, and a separate soft play area for under-5s, all at prices that keep Western Sydney families coming back weekend after weekend. Bondi is the beach everyone recognizes from TV, and yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also genuinely fun for families and absolutely worth experiencing. This iconic 1km stretch offers everything from swimming and surfing lessons to the famous Icebergs complex, plus some fantastic kid-friendly spots we’ll show you.
You and your kids can interact with lifelike wax replicas of your favourite celebrities, sports legends, and historical icons. It’s also the 5th oldest natural history museum in the world so that alone makes it a pretty cool place to visit. This is a great option if you’re looking for rainy-day activities in Sydney. The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is one of the most popular Sydney attractions for kids. There is also a big space playground for older kids, plus a wet play area. Taronga Zoo is one of the most well-known zoological parks in Australia.
There are also combination tickets for sale that can save you money if you plan to visit the attractions included. Almost every guidebook suggests a ferry ride on the harbour, and the Manly ferry is the longest and most popular on offer. The public ferry leaves every half on from Circular Quay and will set you back a little over $8. Sure, you can just drive over the bridge on your way to Wollongong for a day at the beach, but it’s well worth parking your car and doing the Sea Cliff Bridge walk.
While events are run year-round, there are significantly more events during the NSW school holidays. If these match your dates be sure to book any programs in advance. The Australian National Maritime Museum has a fun kids’ play area for under 5-year-olds and many regular activities. The biggest attraction there, however, are the various vessels that can be visited, including the Endeavour, a replica of Captain Cook’s ship that first sailed to Australia. There is also a submarine, a destroyer, a navy patrol boat and several smaller boats. Explore the zoo from above – Wild Ropes is a 90-minute tour where you get the chance to watch the native wildlife from above.
Along the way, there are several family-friendly beaches, like Tamarama with its popular kid’s playground and Clovelly with its sheltered bay. My grandkids love this park with its water fountains and play area, swings and slides, and climbing equipment suitable for kids of all ages. In Sydney’s east it’s hard to beat Shark Beach at Nielson Park, part of Sydney Harbour National Park. On scorching hot days, its enormous fig trees providing the perfectly shaded picnic spot.
Once you arrive, there is plenty to do in Manly and this should be a fun day for everyone. We have put together our Sydney with kids bucket list with the help of the members of our community who have shared what worked best for them on their visits, combined with our detailed local knowledge. Sydney is an easy city to get around, with heaps of different transport options for families. There are day trips by coach from Sydney as well or consider staying for a night or two so you can explore a little deeper. Here you can ride the world’s steepest passenger rail, the steepest cableway in the Southern Hemisphere and ride the cable car between the mountains.
Trampoline parks like BOUNCE and Flip Out run party packages with dedicated hosts. For something different, try art studios, cooking schools, or outdoor venues like Centennial Park which has BBQ and picnic facilities. Our Party Planner tool lets you compare venues, check availability, and request quotes from multiple places at once. Many Sydney play cafes specifically target the baby and toddler market, offering a relaxed environment where parents can enjoy a decent coffee while their little ones explore safe, stimulating play areas. These venues are particularly popular with parents on maternity and paternity leave who are looking for social connection alongside child-friendly spaces. Our soft play centres guide and toddler activities blog have detailed recommendations.
The walk is not too challenging but best suited to older kids, as it is quite long. You can do this tour alone by following this walking guide; however, it is well worth going on a guide-led walk if the times and prices suit you. The tour I recommend is led by volunteer guides, and the cost of the tour is donated to kids in need.
If they’ve gotten their hands on one of the extravagant milkshakes from the diner, get them to burn off all that sugar-strength running around the laser tag field or games arcade. This glittery wonderland is open seven days but the kids get kicked out after 8pm. Before you even get into the nitty gritty of the exhibitions, the welcome hub offers a 'kids trail' map, activity sheets and a fold-your-own chatterbox with cues to spark discussion about the artworks. If your little ones like getting messy, send them off to one of the hands-on art-making workshops and clubs that you can browse on the gallery website. BOUNCE is the premium player in the Sydney market, with locations in Alexandria and other suburbs.
This zoo provides an amazing opportunity to see wildlife of land and sea with the only combined zoo and aquarium in New South Wales. One of the greatest Sydney family activities is a day at heritage-listed amusement park Luna Park Sydney. If you’re really daring, and visiting with older kids who are a little daring, try the Skywalk experience around the outside of the Sydney Tower Eye.
Best Indoor Activities in Sydney on Rainy Days
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