Sydney for kids
Parents, breathe a sigh of relief: we’ve rounded up some of the best year-round activities for kids of all ages. The classics are all here, but some are a little more off-beat…
Sydney Park’s super-fun playground
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 3-8. Kids can learn basic traffic and pedestrian rules on two wheels and join free balance bike clinics for kids 3-8.
Cost: free
Age: All ages
Great parks and playgrounds near the city centre
1. Wulaba Park, Waterloo – featuring a giant slide!
2. Blaxland Riverside Park – features a flying fox, climbing wall and viking swing
3. Berry Island Reserve – an island park linked to the mainland by a grassy causeway
4. Centennial Parklands – plenty of green space to run, cycle, scooter and more
5. Pirrama Park – featuring a large shaded sand pit and accessible spinner
6. Paddington Reservoir Gardens – a pocket of greenery inside – you guessed it – a former reservoir
7. Hyde Park – because kids love the Archibald Fountain
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
Our recreation centres are great for learn-to-swim, kids’ birthday parties and indoor sports
Get sporty
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
Museum of Contemporary Art run great kids’ workshops
Get abstract at 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)
Observatory Hill, home of Sydney Observatory
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
Dual Nature, part of our City Art collection
Walk and learn
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
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Go under the sea
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
Photo: Taronga Zoo
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
Inside the walls of the Justice and Police Museum
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: $30 for a family of two adults and two children. Children under 5 free
Age: All ages, but best suited to over 5s
Take a Sydney Ferry for an unbeatable view
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
Cockatoo Island was once home to Sydney’s shipbuilding industry
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
Sydney Opera House steps
Catch a show
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
Get creative
Why buy a new vase when you can have one custom-made with love? Pine Street Creative Arts Centre offers a wide range of creative workshops for all ages, including ceramics classes, print-making, drawing, painting and more.
Cost: Varies
Age group: 5 and up
Prince Alfred Park Pool is heated all year round
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 $24.60. Pool entry $18/family
Age: All ages
Luna Park’s iconic entrance
Go on an adventure to Luna Park
This is one for the kids and young at heart. Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to take in breathtaking views of the harbour on the way to Luna Park. Once you get there, there are plenty of rides and activities for kids of all ages. Littlies will love the gentle Magic Castle and riding hand-painted ponies on the Carousel, while thrill-seekers will go for the Wild Mouse rollercoaster and the stomach-churning Spider.
Cost: Entry to the park is free, ride tickets for kids are sold on height basis
Age: All ages
Set your imagination free at the Powerhouse Museum
The Wiggles exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum is practically a rite of passage for Sydney toddlers! For older kids, the museum runs school holiday workshops and drop-in activities in creative and practical skills like programming and design.
Cost: Adults $15, free entry for kids under 16
Age: Toddlers and up
Wild Planet at the Australian Museum
Get closer to science, history and nature at the Australian Museum
From the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth to Ancient Egyptian artefacts, the Australian Museum is home to impressive exhibitions showcasing our wonderful (and scary) history alongside cultural, nature and science. Tip: you can host kids’ birthday parties in the museum, and keep an eye out for the next Dinosnore – a sleepover with the resident dinosaurs.
Cost: Adults $15,free entry for kids under 16
Age: All ages
Explore your local farmer’s market
Venture down to your local market to grab some fresh produce (and sweet treats!). Marrickville Market is a family favourite, with face-painting, a jumping castle, and pony rides but Sydney is home to a range of markets so there’s sure to be one near you. For parents, there’s fresh organic coffee, snacks and delicious treats.
Cost: Entry is free, costs apply for some activities
Age: All ages
Make a splash at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
World records have been set set there, but Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre boasts more than just lap pools. How about a water playground with splash rides, water slides, a rapid pool and aqua tune piano?! If you have older kids, check out the urban jungle adventure park or circus school.
Cost: Pool entry from $6
Age: All ages
Jump, flip, and twist!
Go beyond the backyard trampoline at jumping centres around the city. Skyzone in Alexandria features more than 100 connected trampolines for energetic kids. For aspiring experts, there’s Sky School during the school term, or for the extra littlies, a Little Leapers program.
Cost: $20 for general entry
Age: All ages
For active kids: top cycling and scooter spots
1. Centennial Park
2. Sydney Park
3. Sydney Olympic Park
4. The Bay Run at Iron Cove Bay
5. Along the water at Blackwattle Bay
Want more?
- Introduce your kids to horse riding with a hand-led pony ride at Centennial Park
- From story-time to makers sessions, there are always kid-friendly sessions at City of Sydney Libraries
- Admire the skylights and domes of the QVB (and take the escalators to the upper level to see the Royal Clock)
- Go green at Pocket City Farms with kid-friendly gardening workshops
- Explore the flora and fauna of Royal Botanic Gardens and take part in hands-on workshops
- Darling Harbour is basically a kid’s wonderland!