Fun Things To Do In Sydney With Kids In 2026

From indoor entertainment to day trips beyond the city, these options offer something different depending on your mood and the weather. This one is only suitable for families used to long walks or parents happy to carry their kids, lol; it’s not for the fainthearted at the 8km in total. Your efforts, however, are well rewarded with not one but two lighthouses and a couple of playgrounds along the way. The museum has a fantastic kids’ area, Kidspace and accompanying activity programs. Kidspace offers a story time period between 2 pm and 3 pm each weekday.
World-class playgrounds like Darling Quarter Playground, Blaxland Riverside Park in interactive entertainment sydney Olympic Park, and Livvi's Place in Ryde are completely free. Most beaches are free including family-friendly options like Balmoral, Clovelly, and Manly's sheltered Shelly Beach. Council libraries run free storytime sessions, many museums offer free entry for kids under certain ages, and parks like Centennial Park and the Royal Botanic Garden are always free to enjoy. The most popular option remains the traditional play centre party. Prices range from $25 to $40 per child, with most venues requiring a minimum of 8 to 10 kids.

One of the most iconic things to do in Sydney is climbing up one of the world’s most iconic bridges – the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. In addition to being a mode of transportation, it is also a fun experience that won’t break the bank. Along with steep overhangs, a neverending lead wall, the chimney, a vertical treadmill and a giant log ladder, there’s a tamer wall for the kids (and the climb-wary). If bouldering’s more your thing, there’s over 90 problems to solve in the exclusive bouldering area. Macquarie Ice Rink has recently completed a multi-million-dollar transformation making ice-skating even more fun.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is home to over 7,500 species of exotic plants and animals, with views of the harbour. There are swings, a wide slide that several kids can go down at once, climbing zones, a splash park and plenty of other play equipment. Conveniently situated within the Entertainment Quarter, Strike EQ features bowling, food and drink. For those little dancing kings and queens out there, Strike EQ even have karaoke rooms that you can privately hire.

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.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, which is why we’ve organized our recommendations by family type. Finding activities for toddlers in Sydney isn’t easy but we’ve uncovered some genuinely excellent options through our research. That’s its own challenge, so we’ve focused on activities that won’t have them rolling their eyes all day. And of course, we’ve made sure the grown-ups actually enjoy themselves too. A day at the beach is always a great way to enjoy the sunshine and spend time with family.
It is a bustling waterfront area surrounded by family-friendly activities and dining. It is an amazing place with a ferry leaving every few minutes to different parts of the Harbour, including Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach and Watsons Bay. The halls of the gallery are kid and pram-friendly, and you can take a break at the adjoining café and restaurant without venturing into the rain. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Gymnastics is another hugely popular choice, with clubs like Sydney Gymnastics and Acrobatics Centre, Northern Beaches Gymnastics, and Hills Gymnastics offering recreational and competitive programs. Dance classes span everything from classical ballet to hip hop to contemporary, with studios across every region of Sydney.

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.
In fact, there’s even a reality TV show based around this popular Sydney beach – Bondi Rescue, following some of the rescues and unusual situations the lifeguards of Bondi encounter. You can do a self-guided audio tour that can be purchased for a few dollars at the visitor centre. Queens Park is 26 hectares, with sports fields, playgrounds, free BBQ facilities and great views of Sydney. Although not as old as its Melbourne counterpart in St Kilda which opened in 1912, the two parks are quite similar, right down to the iconic smiling face entrance. Many of the cruises include lunch or you can do a twilight dinner cruise. Are also cruises that stop at some of the unique harbour city attractions, such as historic Goat Island in Sydney Harbour National Park.

There are around-the-clock music videos screening during sessions and a brand-new compressor and dehumidifier to create optimum skating conditions at all times. Playground data includes information from © City of Sydney (CC-BY) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Vacation care quality ratings from ACECQA National Register (Australian Government).
For creative kids, art classes, music lessons, drama workshops, and coding programs have all expanded significantly in recent years. Venues like the Art Gallery of NSW and local community centres run affordable kids art classes, while  coding schools like Code Camp and Coder Academy offer after school and weekend programs. Team sports remain a cornerstone of after school life in Sydney, with soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, and AFL all operating through local clubs with seasonal registrations.

And you can ride each of them as many times as you like during your visit. If you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney and want to get beyond the city for a day or two, there are some downright epic day trips from Sydney or weekend getaways in the Greater Sydney region. There is also an ocean pool for swimming, which is great for kids who are a little cautious about swimming in the waves.
It’s one of the most iconic things to do with kids in Sydney as it gives them an amazing view of the city and a whole new way of experiencing it. The observatory deck has interactive displays, a telescope and informative guides that explain what you’re seeing. The Observatory also has an immersive family tour to take kids on a journey into space with all sorts of astronomical knowledge. The museum offers an insight into Australia’s maritime history and its impact on the nation’s culture and economy.
Check out Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park or try the cliff-top walking trails from Bondi to Cogree and Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay. Sydney is blessed with an amazing migration of humpback whales each year, as they make their way from Antarctica to the warmer Pacific Ocean waters. Here you will find gardens, wetlands, sports fields and cycling tracks to enjoy the great outdoors. Centennial Park is one of the biggest parks in Sydney with more than 189 hectares of open spaces, located just 4km from the Sydney CBD. Discover the newest trends in the art world while perusing cutting-edge pieces of art and participating in creative workshops. There are different events running all year round, so check the website to see what’s coming up during your stay.