School’s out, and with the arrival of spring, Sydney is just begging to be explored. To help fill the hours that would usually be filled with maths class – and to help any frazzled parents out there – we’ve picked out some of the best school holiday activities in Sydney, ones which will entertain visitors of all ages. Remember: these school holiday activities aren’t just for kids – there are plenty of ideas for families to do together, and for childless adults to let loose and unleash their inner child!
The best things to do in Sydney during the school holidays
From immersive experiences to escapes into nature, and from high-energy activities to fun foodie days out, these school holiday activities will banish any boredom. Pick your favourite, and get stuck in!
1. Pop into the utterly joyful Bubble Planet
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a world made entirely of bubbles, colour, and imagination, then Bubble Planet is the place for you. This multi-sensory experience is a journey through 10 whimsical, interactive rooms designed to ignite your senses and inner child. From glowing LED oceans to balloon-filled dreamscapes, it’s the kind of experience that turns everyday reality into a surreal playground. Tickets are available here.
2. Meet Peppa Pig – and her new baby sister – at Sydney Zoo
The Pig family made global headlines with the arrival of baby Evie earlier this year, and these school holidays will mark her Australian debut. The PEPPA PIG Family Mini Show will be taking place daily at Sydney Zoo’s Amphitheatre between September 27 and October 12, with interactive performances twice a day at 10am and 12pm, and meet and greets taking place every day at 11am and 1pm. The experience is free with a zoo ticket, which costs $19.99 for kids (free for under 3s).
3. Join an unforgettable adventure at The Last Stronghold
Exhilarating and educational in equal measure, The Last Stronghold offers a thrilling immersion into a medieval French castle where you’ll sharpen your battle skills, meet real-life figures, and explore a long-gone world. It’s suitable for adventurers aged 10+, and you can check for more info and tickets here.
4. Go on a vintage train ride
Step back in time and explore the countryside on a heritage steam train ride these school holidays. From steam locomotives to miniature train rides just for kids, these excellent journeys will take you to the coast, the mountains and beyond. Find some of our favourites here.
5. Visit the largest working wildlife sanctuary in Australia
The Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary is one of those hidden gems that not many people know about. Just an hour’s drive from Sydney on the Central Coast, this family-friendly spot is home to free-roaming and friendly animals like kangaroos, emus, Tassie devils and possums. Not only is it a fun and educational day out, but each animal here is either an orphaned pet or a survivor of illegal trafficking and breeding so your visit here also helps with important conservation work. Read all about it and plan a visit here.
6. Try out the adrenaline-pumping Squid Game: The Experience
Squid Game has launched off the screen and into reality. You haven’t truly lived through the tension, terror, and tactical manoeuvres of the hit Netflix show until you’ve stepped inside the game yourself. This mind-blowing experience is sure to create long-lasting memories these holidays, although it might be a little lost on the youngest audiences. Check it out here.
7. Travel through time at Horizon of Khufu
Part of a new, spectacular wave of “edutainment” experiences that have popped up in recent years, Horizon of Khufu is one of the most impressive we’ve seen. Drawing on the painstaking research of Harvard University Egyptologists, the stunning VR experience immerses you in a world of gods, pharaohs, and pyramids, taking you on a spellbinding journey. For kids with an interest in history – or those who just love impressive tech – it’s a real treat. You can find your tickets here.
8. Discover an underwater world at Sydney Sea Life Aquarium
Explore the wonders of the underwater world without getting wet at Sea Life Aquarium. A wonderful way to stay cool on a hot day and keep the kids busy, the aquarium showcases beautiful marine life and plenty of fun highlights, including a shark walk, penguin expedition boat rides, an immersive game box experience and much more. Check out what’s on these school holidays here.
9. Take a ride on Darling Harbour’s vintage carousel
Reopened in July 2024 after an eight-year remodelling of the area, this charming carousel has a wealth of history behind it. It’s the second-oldest carousel in Australia, having arrived in Sydney back in 1897 and delighted hundreds of kids since. It’s a kind of joy that spans generations, and it’s well worth a visit as part of a trip to Darling Harbour these school holidays.
10. Wander through history at Titanic. The Human Story
One of Sydney’s most compelling, moving experiences is also one of our top school holiday activities. Drawing on testimonials and objects from the passengers, and featuring recreations of the ship’s interior, Titanic. The Human Story weaves the threads of seafaring, immigration, tragedy, and survival together into a top-tier exhibition. Find out more here.
11. Soak up the springtime sun on a coastal walk
There are plenty of walks that are perfectly suitable for kids, like the Barangaroo Foreshore Walk and Glebe Foreshore Walk. On the way, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim, have a picnic, see native animals and simply enjoy the beautiful views. It’s an excellent way to stay active and enjoy a memorable time with the kids, especially as Sydney shakes off a bout of bad weather ahead of spring’s proper arrival.
12. Solve puzzles as a team on these epic virtual adventures
Why pick one adventure when you can have five instead? Virtual Room is open on George Street, and inside you’ll find an array of challenging experiences which blend virtual reality with puzzle solving and teamwork to create memorable adventures. You’ll have the choice of visiting Ancient Egypt, fighting zombies, or tackling retro arcade games; whatever you choose, the fun is virtually guaranteed. Get tickets and more info here.
13. Splash around Sydney’s best ocean pools
Sydney’s array of ocean pools are amongst the city’s most treasured commodities, and now is about the time to start properly enjoying them again! In fact, Sydney is home to not one but five of the world’s best natural swimming pools. Pick your favourite from our guide and plan an exhilarating dip.
14. See stars of the present and future at The Play! Kids Festival
With plenty of energy that needs burning off, South Sydney’s biggest kid-focused performing art festival might be just the tonic for any bored little thespians. You’ll find it at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre from October 1-5, during which time there will be performances from The Box Show, Imagine Live, a new premiere of Erth’s Shark Dive, and the one and only Emma Memma.
15. Visit a Sydney library
Spark your child’s imagination and foster a love of reading early at one of Sydney’s wonderful libraries. These libraries also host a range of free activities, events and workshops to keep the little ones entertained. And of course, there is a vast selection of books to choose from, so you can while away the hours on weekday while browsing for your next great read.
16. Celebrate the renovation and return of the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool
Sixteen months of upgrades later, this superb harbourside swimming spot is back in action. Amongst the renovations were the replacement of 50,000 tiles and waterproof coating, the installation of new decking, shades, and a lift, and a switch from fossil fuel power to electric heat pumps. It preserves a tradition that’s seen a pool stand on this point since 1858, and the spring weather is the perfect time to take it for a test drive!
17. Learn to ride at Eastside Horse Riding Academy
A bucket list opportunity for some kids, these holiday pony camps in Centennial Park will teach them the basics of riding, help them get familiar with horses, and leave them with plenty of happy memories. They run two programs for kids: Junior Jockey and Full-Day Holiday Camp, which are both open to enrolment now.
18. Take a short trip to Cockatoo Island
Just a short ferry ride from Sydney, Cockatoo Island offers a blend of history and outdoor fun, and it’s the perfect day trip for families. Enjoy lovely harbour views, pack a picnic or stay overnight on a camping adventure. There’s plenty to do. Head to the website for more.
19. See what’s on at the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum offers an exciting range of events and school holiday activities perfect for kids and adults. This school holiday season, it’s also hosting a variety of interactive workshops perfect for kids aged 5 to 16 years and ticketed events, including the RELICS: A New World Rises exhibition, which blends vintage objects with LEGO creations. Even better, the AM is open every day throughout the school holidays, with free general entry (RELICS has an entry fee, however).
20. Step into a breathtaking rainforest without leaving the CBD
Bringing the rainforest to Sydney, Alchemy of a Rainforest is the immersive experience at the Royal Botanic Garden of Sydney inside The Calyx. A blend of art, plants, and lights, it features sculptures by environmental artist Jane Gillings made from recycled materials and calls attention to the vital role rainforests play in our global ecosystem. If that’s not enough, you can also spot one of the largest living walls in the Southern Hemisphere here.
21. Bounce around an inflatable obstacle course
Promising 280 metres of inflatable fun, Monster Jump has not one but two giggle-inducing obstacle courses to tackle during the school holidays: one at The Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, and one for the west in Parramatta Park. It’s suitable for all ages, which will no doubt thrill the adults who like to cut loose, and competitors will need to slide, climb, and bounce through a series of obstacles. Tickets start from $35 for those aged 5+, or $45 for those under 5 (which also gets entry for a parent, guardian, or responsible adult), and it’s free for spectators. Both courses are open from September 27 until October 12.
22. Plot a long weekend escape
Not all school holiday activities need to be confined to Sydney; you may prefer to use the school holidays as an excuse to head out of Sydney and see more of beautiful New South Wales. We’ve picked out some of our favourite small towns and stunning getaways around the state, so check out the list to get your full inspiration for a family mini-break.
23. Witness Michelangelo’s genius up close at this timeless exhibition
This internationally acclaimed showcase of high-definition reproductions of the Sistine Chapel is now open (with 15% off the family bundle until October 12) and set to transform the way you experience one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements.