Sydney has no shortage of ways to keep kids happy during the holidays. From seeing animals at the zoo or going to an amusement park, you'll find something to do. Here are 15 of Sydney's best school holiday activities.
| Attraction | Location | Type | Age Range | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taronga Zoo | Mosman | Outdoor | All ages | $$–$$$ | Keeper talks, harbour views |
| SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium | Darling Harbour | Indoor | All ages | $$ | Ocean tunnel, penguins |
| WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo | Darling Harbour | Indoor | All ages | $$ | Australian wildlife, crocodile encounters |
| Madame Tussauds Sydney | Darling Harbour | Indoor | 5+ | $$ | Wax figures, themed zones |
| Australian Museum | Sydney CBD | Indoor | All ages | Free | Hands-on exhibits, dinosaurs, science fun |
| Art Gallery of NSW – Kids & Families | The Domain | Indoor | All ages | Free | Creative programs, art workshops |
| Australian National Maritime Museum | Darling Harbour | Indoor / Outdoor | 4+ | $–$$ | Historic ships, science shows, LEGO |
| Sydney Observatory (Powerhouse) | Millers Point | Indoor / Guided | 6+ | $ | Stargazing, telescopes, family tours |
| Powerhouse Museum | Ultimo | Indoor | 6–14+ | $–$$ | STEM, design, coding labs |
| Royal Botanic Garden (The Calyx) | Sydney CBD | Outdoor + Indoor | All ages | Free | Gardens, nature workshops |
| Tumbalong Park Playground | Darling Harbour | Outdoor | All ages | Free | Water play, shaded picnic areas |
| Luna Park Sydney | Milsons Point | Outdoor rides | 4+ | $$–$$$ | Harbour-front theme park |
| Centennial Parklands & Bike Hire | Centennial Park | Outdoor / Active | All ages | Free / $$ | Bike hire, pony rides, duck ponds |
| Australian Reptile Park | Somersby (Central Coast) | Outdoor / Wildlife | All ages | $$ | Reptile shows, koalas, spider milking |
| Monkey Baa Theatre Company | Atherden St, Darling Harbour | Indoor / Performing Arts | 3–14 | $–$$ | Children’s theatre, storytelling |
Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo combines harbour views and animal encounters. Families can enjoy lions, meerkats, and koalas. Kids love the lively seal and bird shows, too. Ride the Sky Safari cable car to enjoy one of the city's best panoramas and then explore the reptile house of the Kids' Trail.
Parents can enjoy an almost stress-free day (though we can never guarantee it). There are pram-friendly routes, picnic areas, and a café that overlooks the water. Taronga has a focus on conservation, which makes this zoo entertaining and educational. Children can see how wildlife is protected in Australia. This is one of the most iconic school holiday activities in Sydney.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is just below Darling Harbour's boardwalks. This aquarium features glowing jellyfish, gliding sharks, and waddling little penguins. Explore the oceans through the walk-through tunnels as enormous rays and coral-reef fish swim around you. There is fun and awe in equal measure while the kids also learn.
Parents can enjoy this as a convenient indoor escape from the summer heat or rainy days. Combo passes mean you can pair this with nearby attractions. SEA LIFE takes a couple of hours, and if the weather permits, you can always stroll along the harbour for lunch. Right in the city centre, it's a great rainy-day school holiday activity in Sydney.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Right next door to SEA LIFE, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is the outback indoors. You can see kangaroos, wallabies, and cuddly koalas. There are also saltwater crocodiles and nocturnal creatures in the darkened Nightfall zone. A family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere makes this an easy one to visit, and it doesn't include too much walking.
This covered zoo is great for rainy days and escaping summer humidity. Many families enjoy the opportunity to have a photo with a koala, making it a great souvenir of a lovely day out. Combine this with the aquarium and you can have a great day out at Darling Harbour.
Madame Tussauds Sydney
Madame Tussauds Sydney is full of wax figures of everyone from Taylor Swift to Thor. Children can pose in costumes or join themed zones like Marvel Super Heroes and the Justice League. This attraction is more interactive than you'd first think, with lots of places to play, imagine, and laugh. Since it's an indoor air-conditioned attraction right in the centre, it's great for rainy and hot days. Combine this with SEA LIFE and WILD LIFE for a great day out.
Australian Museum
This is Australia's oldest museum, but it's surprisingly modern inside with its interactive displays, fossil dig pits, and dinosaur skeletons (yes, we know those last two sound old!). The Australian Museum has been a local favourite for families looking for something to do. Did we mention that it's free?
Much like with the museums in Melbourne, there are also school-holiday programs that add science experiments, craft corners, and guided tours. This museum has been redesigned to make it more welcoming for families with kids, thanks to lift access, stroller-friendly paths, and loads of hands-on stations. Parents will appreciate the fact that it's fun and enriching. Afterwards, you can head to Hyde Park for a picnic or ice cream as part of a full day out.
Art Gallery of NSW
The Art Gallery of NSW isn't just canvases in quiet halls. Kids can sketch, collage, and explore colour with the free art-making activities run by educators. During the school holidays, the workshops fill up quickly and cover everything from sculpture to storytelling through paint. Parents will enjoy the peace and quiet of the café overlooking the Domain. Toddlers can enjoy the open spaces and bright installations. Since the exhibitions regularly change, just like the ones in Adelaide's art galleries, it doesn't matter if you've visited recently.
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian Maritime Museum is where kids can climb aboard real ships and submarines while learning how sailors used to cross the seas. A mix of storytelling and hands-on fun, even kids with shorter attention spans can enjoy rope climbing, LEGO boat building, and mini science experiments.
Parents can also explore maritime history or enjoy harbour breezes from the café deck. School holidays often have themed days with ocean conservation and pirate treasure hunts. Part adventure park, part museum, this is one of the school holiday activities that families in Sydney will love.
Sydney Observatory (Powerhouse)
This is a small but fascinating site that allows you to gaze into the universe. Peer through telescopes, learn about constellations, and hear stories about ancient navigators. This is particularly good at night as you can see the city lights sparkling below.
Numbers are limited, so the experience feels quite personal and different from some of Sydney's busier and larger attractions. If you're looking for a quiet yet unforgettable experience, the Sydney Observatory is one of the more original things you can do during the holidays.
Powerhouse (Ultimo)
The Powerhouse Museum is all about creativity and science, just like Scitech in Perth. Its halls are filled with robots, steam engines, and space capsules. Though some kids may run straight past all this, so they can interact with the tinkering zones and digital design labs. School-holiday programs include coding, fashion, and LEGO robotics. This is a museum that parents in Sydney will likely remember, but it's been reimagined for the new generation. Schedule at least a couple of hours to visit it.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (The Calyx)
The Royal Botanic Garden is a nice break away from the urban noise. Wander along shaded paths to The Calyx, an indoor greenhouse. Some workshops invite children to plant seedlings, craft garden creatures, and learn about pollination. Parents can enjoy picnics on the open lawns, and since entry is free, you can always head there to find a quiet corner to rest. If you find yourself in Brisbane, the City Botanic Gardens are also recommended.
Tumbalong Park Playground
This is a giant playground right in the middle of Darling Harbour. Water fountains, climbing nets, and even spaces for toddlers to safely explore are available. There are nearby cafés where you can keep an eye on the kids. This attraction is free, open daily, and close to everything.
Luna Park Sydney
Luna Park is Sydney's historic amusement park by the Harbour Bridge. Old-school charm meets modern thrill rides. Kids can enjoy the carousel, dodgems, and Ferris wheel. Teens will head straight for the rollercoasters. Unbeatable waterfront views and easy ferry access from Circular Quay. While entry is free, you do have to pay for the rides.
Centennial Parklands & Bike Hire
Centennial Parklands is an open, family-friendly place where you can go for a cycle, feed ducks, or take the kids on a pony ride. You can rent bikes or pedal cars from the Pavilion area. This is a classic Sydney day outdoors during the school holidays.
Australian Reptile Park
The Australian Reptile Park is worth the quick trip up the coast if you're ok with things that crawl, slither, or hiss. There are also kangaroos, wombats, koalas, snakes, spiders, and you can even watch venom being milked for research. Very hands-on and natural, this is an educational experience that is anything but dry.
Monkey Baa Theatre Company (Atherden Street, Darling Harbour)
Specialising in children's productions, this theatre company brings storytelling to life with inventive staging, music, and humour. Kids and adults will be smiling throughout, and young audiences are encouraged to laugh, sing, and join in.
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