Parents, breathe a sigh of relief: we’ve rounded up 20 of the best year-round activities for kids of all ages.
If you haven’t got time to read the full piece, here are our top 10.
- Find a new playground
- Make a splash at one of our pools
- Wonder at the beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens
- Learn new skills at Centennial Park
- Dive under water at the Sydney Aquarium
- Get creative with kids activities at Museum of Contemporary Art
- Play, create and discover with the whole family at the Australian National Maritime Museum
- Ride into Sydney Park skate park and bike track
- Get dirty at Sydney Park
- Spend the day at one of our favourite parks
1. Find a new playground
There are loads of playgrounds in the Sydney area. You'll find a mix of equipment for older kids and fenced spaces for toddlers and younger children.
- Wulaba Park, Waterloo – featuring a giant slide!
- Blaxland Riverside Park – features a flying fox, climbing wall and viking swing
- Berry Island Reserve – an island park linked to the mainland by a grassy causeway
- Pirrama Park – featuring a large shaded sand pit and accessible spinner
2. Make a splash at one of our pools
The city and surrounds is home to multiple pools suitable for children of all ages.
The newly-developed and stunning Gunyama Park Pool in Zetland features 4 pools and an aqua play area with a mega-drencher for the kids.
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Cook and Phillip Park Pool is great for the little ones with free play lanes and a wave machine.
Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown has an enticing splash pool with a fun water feature that kids will love.
3. Wonder at the beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens
From cryptic adventures to crafty workshops and theatre productions - there's plenty of fun to be had at these beautiful harbour-side gardens.
4. Learn new skills at Centennial Park
Over in the east of Sydney you’ll find the beautiful Centennial Park, who boast a year-round program of family fun activities.
The little ones can get familiar with the outdoors at bush school or the whole family can enjoy an authentic camping experience, without having to leave Sydney.
5. Dive under water at the Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a must-see for kids. Walk through the underwater tunnel, discover new species of fish, or pet some slimy critters in the touch pool.
Cost: From $29.50 for a child. Under 4s are free
Age: Suitable for all ages
6. Get creative at the Museum of Contemporary Art
The MCA is a great space for young creatives to see world-class art in the city. Entry is free of charge, however the museum runs a variety of workshops and classes for kids for a nominal fee. See what's happening at MCA now.
Cost: Entry is free. Cost for workshops and special exhibitions varies
Age: 0 and up (Art Baby is a perfect first-visit for little littlies)
7. Play, create and discover with the whole family at the Australian National Maritime Museum
In the heart of Darling Harbour you'll find the Sea Museum with its stunning collection of maritime history. It's a great place to take the family for some educational fun and they offer a selection of kids activities.
You'll find tall ships, war ships and submarines for the bigger kids to play on and an under 5s play gallery.
Don't miss the mini-mariners program for under 5s or the kids on deck art-making experience for 4 to 14 year olds.
8. Ride into Sydney Park skate park and bike track
If your kids love to skate or want to learn, the amazing new skate park in Sydney Park is a brilliant choice. Boasting the largest public flow bowl in Sydney, sculptural bowls and obstacles for skaters of all ages.
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9. Get dirty at Sydney Park
Sydney Park offers 40-hectares of greenery a stone's throw from the city centre. The main drawcard for kids is the adventure playground that will occupy them for hours. There's also a large sand pit. Pack the picnic basket and make a day of it, and bring the family pooch: the majority of the park is off-leash.
Plus, if you have a little one learning how to ride a bike, Sydney Park's cycling centre has a terrific course for kids aged 3 to 8. Kids can learn basic traffic and pedestrian rules on two wheels and join free balance bike clinics.
Cost: free
Age: All ages
10. Spend the day at one of our favourite parks
Whether your kids prefer a hit on the tennis court or practicing their three-pointers, there’s something for everyone at Prince Alfred Park. The park also features a heated outdoor swimming pool, two playgrounds, and various barbecue and picnic spots. You can book the tennis courts and pay a small fee for pool entry. Besides that, it’s a free, fun day out for the family.
Cost: Tennis court hire from $26.50. Pool entry $19.50/family
Age: All ages
11. Great parks for kids near the city centre
- Centennial Parklands – plenty of green space to run, cycle, scooter and more
- Paddington Reservoir Gardens – a pocket of greenery inside - you guessed it - a former reservoir
- Hyde Park – because kids love the Archibald Fountain
12. Make and see at Art Gallery of New South Wales
For a must-do cultural experience, stop by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Entry is free for a stroll through the space, but the gallery also run a range of ticketed workshops such as Tours for Tots (ages 3-5), or a free drop-in makers workshop for kids. See current events at AGNSW.
Cost: Entry is free. Cost for workshops and special exhibitions varies
Age: 3 and up
13. Kids' sports
We run a range of sporting and recreation centres, with dedicated kids programs including kids' tennis, learn-to-swim and birthday parties. Find out more about the City's swimming pools and community centres.
Cost: Varies
Age: All ages
14. Reach for the stars at Sydney Observatory
It's a big old world out there! Sydney Observatory is great for kids fascinated by our universe and all things in it. Explore the historic site at Miller’s Point, peek through Australia’s oldest working telescope and discover more about the planets, the galaxy, and beyond.
Cost: Free to visit. Fees for tours
Age: All ages, but primary schoolers learning about the solar system are bound to enjoy it
15. Educational walks for kids
Take your kids to see public art and historical sites in Sydney, and uncover our city's stories. Our free Sydney Culture Walks app covers more than 400 points of interest across Sydney. You can filter by type, location and theme.
Cost: Free
Age: 5 and up
16. Meet the locals
Check out animals in all shapes and sizes at Taronga Zoo. A visit is almost compulsory for locals and families visiting Sydney. Tick off another must-do activity by catching a ferry to the zoo for brilliant harbourside photos. While you’re there, there’s a range of fun tours and activities such as the Wild Ropes course, or various ticketed animal encounter experiences.
Cost: From $26.00 for a child
Age: All ages
17. Discover the city’s dark past
Experience what it’s like on the wrong side of the law at the Justice and Police Museum. Original holding cells from the 1890s are kept intact along with a library of criminal photography, records and the many stories of Sydney’s crooks and police. Open weekends only.
Cost: $38 for a family of two adults and two children. Children under 5 free
Age: All ages, but best suited to over 5s
18. Take a ferry
It doesn’t matter where you’re going, Sydney Ferries are a must-do Sydney experience, giving you a front-seat photo opp with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
Cost: Varies
Age: All ages
19. Experience island life
For a short ferry ride, Cockatoo Island is worth a visit. Take step back in time with a guided tour through the UNESCO world-heritage-listed site, then grab some lunch and experience the beauty of Sydney’s biggest island.
Cost: Free
Age: All ages
20. Shows and theatre for children
Sydney Opera House has a packed program of theatre shows and workshops for juniors throughout the year. One notable event is Junior Adventure, where kids are guided through the spaces of the Opera House and tasked with activities (every day throughout school holidays). See what's on at Sydney Opera House now.
Cost: Varies
Age: Varies