Fun Things To Do In Sydney With Kids In 2026
The Royal Botanic Gardens offers a daily Aboriginal Heritage Tour that shows visitors how the local Aboriginal peoples use the land and plants, taste bush foods (in season) and learn more about indigenous culture. You all have a chance to get involved on this cruise, and it is lots of fun no matter how old you are. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and it has plenty of family activities, including both indoor and outdoor activities to suit kids and families.
After a safety briefing and training from experienced instructors, children can experience being lifted into the air by a powerful wind generator. For the seriously keen, there are ten-week courses for ages 6-16 years and birthday party packages available for flyers. The park offers a range of activities for kids, including vr sydney bike riding tracks, learning and discovery days, such as the mini park rangers, tours and art galleries. For toddlers under 3, look for venues with dedicated soft play zones separated from older children. Many play cafes across the Inner West and North Shore also cater specifically to the under-3 crowd with age-appropriate toys and safe spaces. If there's one thing Sydney parents stress about more than school catchments, it's birthday parties.
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.
Right next door is Wild Life Sydney Zoo, both this and Sea Life is air-conditioned and undercover so great indoor activities. Take a self guide tour or book one of the special animal encounters like breakfast with the Koalas. Most kids light up when they see native Australian animals, and Sydney gives you world-class options from the stunning Taronga Zoo to intimate encounters at smaller attractions. Plus, if you visit June to October, whale watching cruises offer an unforgettable experience. One of my favourite harbour beaches is Balmoral Beach looking out over Middle Harbour.
The museum hosts regular sleepover nights for kids and at least one parent. It’s a chance to explore the museum once it is closed and sleep in the dinosaur room. The Chinese Garden of Friendship has a few family-friendly activities like fish feeding, dumpling brunches and my favourite, the chance to dress up in a traditional Chinese outfit. The collection is minimal, but the staff are helpful, and there are some kids activity sheets to help guide you through the walk. Generally, a few days in Sydney is enough to explore the attractions, but you could easily spend longer if you wanted to do a few day trips. Traffic can be chaotic but this makes it easier to get beyond the city if you are doing a New South Wales road trip or day trips.
Sail with a crew of passionate navigators, explore the natural beauty of the harbour and learn about its history. The Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit if your kids love astronomy and science. Also known as the Powerhouse Ultimo, this is a contemporary museum right in the city centre of Sydney with a focus on science, arts, innovation and design. It’s an amazing experience to take in the view from atop the bridge as you look out towards the Sydney Opera House and beyond. It’s here that you will find some of the most popular kids activities in Sydney, such as the SEALIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the Australian National Maritime Museum. If you are looking for things to do in Sydney, exploring Darling Harbour is hard to beat.
This is a big day out of the city, but it will give you a chance to explore suburban Sydney. Take the train to Cronulla and then the little Tom Thumb Ferry across Port Hacking to the tiny settlement at Bundeena on the edge of the Royal National Park. The catch with visiting these ships is that kids must be over 90cm tall. The average three-year-old probably fits this, but of course, all kids are different. Kids 8 years and over are welcome to climb, and the climb is well-paced, so most people won’t find it too challenging.
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.
New elevators mean parents with prams and wheelchairs can easily reach the main footpath, and there are amazing options for all fitness levels. The garden’s volunteers offer free 1.5 hour guided tours every day at 10.30am. While I love to walk around the gardens when exploring with toddlers or younger kids, the Choo Choo Express, a hop on hop off train, will help you cover the entire garden. Be sure to get off at stop 4 to see the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Point view.
We all know that going to the movies is a classic rainy day activity but going with kids can be challenging. Sitting still for two hours, endless toilet runs, not to mention it can be a little overwhelming when you're, well, little. Thankfully a lot of cinemas have mums and bubs sessions and Event Cinemas have Event Junior, a playground dedicated to keeping the wee ones happy and entertained when sitting still just ain't cutting it.
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and grab an Blue Mountains Hop on Hop off pass – kids ride free – and you can travel to the mountains using Sydney Trains to save on costly guided tours. Camp Cove Beach makes a perfect rest spot near the end of the walk, and the ferry ride back to the city is a fantastic way to end the day. Along the way, check out French cafe Bellevue Cottage for a delicious splurge brunch or lunch.
It is a great place if you want to visit Sydney during the school holidays. It has various types of family programs and workshops that make art fun for kids. Prices across Sydney's trampoline parks typically range from $20 to $30 for a standard one-hour session. Most venues require grip socks, which you can buy on-site for around $3 to $5 (or bring your own if you already have a pair). For toddlers, many parks offer dedicated “Tiny Tots” or “Mini Bounce” sessions on weekday mornings when the trampolines are reserved exclusively for under-5s. Check out our trampoline parks guide for detailed venue profiles and current pricing.
After a safety briefing and training from experienced instructors, children can experience being lifted into the air by a powerful wind generator. For the seriously keen, there are ten-week courses for ages 6-16 years and birthday party packages available for flyers. The park offers a range of activities for kids, including vr sydney bike riding tracks, learning and discovery days, such as the mini park rangers, tours and art galleries. For toddlers under 3, look for venues with dedicated soft play zones separated from older children. Many play cafes across the Inner West and North Shore also cater specifically to the under-3 crowd with age-appropriate toys and safe spaces. If there's one thing Sydney parents stress about more than school catchments, it's birthday parties.
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.
Right next door is Wild Life Sydney Zoo, both this and Sea Life is air-conditioned and undercover so great indoor activities. Take a self guide tour or book one of the special animal encounters like breakfast with the Koalas. Most kids light up when they see native Australian animals, and Sydney gives you world-class options from the stunning Taronga Zoo to intimate encounters at smaller attractions. Plus, if you visit June to October, whale watching cruises offer an unforgettable experience. One of my favourite harbour beaches is Balmoral Beach looking out over Middle Harbour.
The museum hosts regular sleepover nights for kids and at least one parent. It’s a chance to explore the museum once it is closed and sleep in the dinosaur room. The Chinese Garden of Friendship has a few family-friendly activities like fish feeding, dumpling brunches and my favourite, the chance to dress up in a traditional Chinese outfit. The collection is minimal, but the staff are helpful, and there are some kids activity sheets to help guide you through the walk. Generally, a few days in Sydney is enough to explore the attractions, but you could easily spend longer if you wanted to do a few day trips. Traffic can be chaotic but this makes it easier to get beyond the city if you are doing a New South Wales road trip or day trips.
Sail with a crew of passionate navigators, explore the natural beauty of the harbour and learn about its history. The Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit if your kids love astronomy and science. Also known as the Powerhouse Ultimo, this is a contemporary museum right in the city centre of Sydney with a focus on science, arts, innovation and design. It’s an amazing experience to take in the view from atop the bridge as you look out towards the Sydney Opera House and beyond. It’s here that you will find some of the most popular kids activities in Sydney, such as the SEALIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the Australian National Maritime Museum. If you are looking for things to do in Sydney, exploring Darling Harbour is hard to beat.
This is a big day out of the city, but it will give you a chance to explore suburban Sydney. Take the train to Cronulla and then the little Tom Thumb Ferry across Port Hacking to the tiny settlement at Bundeena on the edge of the Royal National Park. The catch with visiting these ships is that kids must be over 90cm tall. The average three-year-old probably fits this, but of course, all kids are different. Kids 8 years and over are welcome to climb, and the climb is well-paced, so most people won’t find it too challenging.
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.
New elevators mean parents with prams and wheelchairs can easily reach the main footpath, and there are amazing options for all fitness levels. The garden’s volunteers offer free 1.5 hour guided tours every day at 10.30am. While I love to walk around the gardens when exploring with toddlers or younger kids, the Choo Choo Express, a hop on hop off train, will help you cover the entire garden. Be sure to get off at stop 4 to see the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Point view.
We all know that going to the movies is a classic rainy day activity but going with kids can be challenging. Sitting still for two hours, endless toilet runs, not to mention it can be a little overwhelming when you're, well, little. Thankfully a lot of cinemas have mums and bubs sessions and Event Cinemas have Event Junior, a playground dedicated to keeping the wee ones happy and entertained when sitting still just ain't cutting it.
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and grab an Blue Mountains Hop on Hop off pass – kids ride free – and you can travel to the mountains using Sydney Trains to save on costly guided tours. Camp Cove Beach makes a perfect rest spot near the end of the walk, and the ferry ride back to the city is a fantastic way to end the day. Along the way, check out French cafe Bellevue Cottage for a delicious splurge brunch or lunch.
It is a great place if you want to visit Sydney during the school holidays. It has various types of family programs and workshops that make art fun for kids. Prices across Sydney's trampoline parks typically range from $20 to $30 for a standard one-hour session. Most venues require grip socks, which you can buy on-site for around $3 to $5 (or bring your own if you already have a pair). For toddlers, many parks offer dedicated “Tiny Tots” or “Mini Bounce” sessions on weekday mornings when the trampolines are reserved exclusively for under-5s. Check out our trampoline parks guide for detailed venue profiles and current pricing.
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