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Sydney is great fun not just for adults but for little people too. From world-famous attractions to museums, family-friendly adventures and outdoor activities, there’s tons of fun to be had in the harbour city. There are amusement parks to explore, furry animals to play with, famous landmarks and a variety of green spaces to explore if the weather permits. Check out some of the very best things to do with kids in Sydney over the Winter School Holidays below.
1. See Australia’s wonderful wildlife up close
A new exhibition dubbed Creatures of Australia is the perfect family-friendly activity. The immersive digital experience offers giant close-ups of local wildlife and several interactive experiences using state-of-the-art technology. Get your tickets here.
2. Dress up for a Witches & Sorcerers High Tea
Shangri-La Sydney has brought back its popular witches and sorcerers-themed high tea just in time for the winter school holidays. Set to take place until July 21 on select days, the high tea experience is fit for kids and adults with a themed menu, a fully decked-out space and many Instagrammable elements. The high tea will take place on July 13 and 14 and July 20 and 21 at the Grand Ballroom of the hotel. Find all the details here.
3. Get competitive at Fortress
Fortress Sydney in Chippendale is filled with heaps of exciting activities for kids and adults. Expect an esports games arena, PC gaming zone, arcades and so more along with themed bars for the grown-ups in this excellent indoor activity in Sydney. Get more information here.
4. Go on a nostalgic steam train ride
Take a step back in time and enjoy a steam train ride courtesy of the NSW Rail Museum. This fun activity is held every weekend on the historic loop line and guests can also enjoy wholesome snacks and drinks from the kiosk on site. Book your tickets here.
5. Go whale-watching around Sydney
Whale-watching season is here and Sydney offers plenty of excellent vantage points to see the majestic creatures up close in the cooler months. From Bondi to Palm Beach and more, check out the full list here.
6. Make your way out of a challenge room hotel
Did you know the world’s first-ever challenge room hotel is right here in Sydney? It’s dubbed Hijinx Hotel and it’s an immersive space filled with 15 wacky escape rooms, a faux hotel reception and a golf course. Find Instagrammable themed rooms like the Cereal Ball Room and the Titanic Room at the venue and so much more. Read all about Hijinx Hotel.
7. Visit one of Sydney’s quirkiest museums
Sydney is home to many traditional art galleries and museums but it also has a number of cultural spaces for those with more niche interests. From a museum dedicated to human disease to one that is all about secret ancient societies, have a fun day out with the kids at one of these wonderful and weird museums.
8. Have Breakfast with the Koalas
This special dining experience at Wild Life Sydney Zoo is perfect for kids. Breakfast surrounded by cute koalas and other Aussie animals is bound to impress the kids. There are also photo opportunities and a guided highlights tour of the zoo which will bring you up close to cassowaries, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies and more. Get your tickets.
9. Discover Luna Park’s Dream Circus
Luna Park’s Dream Circus will whisk you away to another land with magical projections and immersive displays. The interactive experience is a world-first attraction that blends digital technology and creativity to present an unforgettable experience for kids and adults. Sessions are available every day, get your tickets here.
10. Splash around at Raging Waters
NSW’s largest water park is right here in Sydney and it’s a super fun day out with thrilling rides, water attractions and plenty of food and drink options on site. There’s even a dedicated dinosaur lagoon you can float around in. Read all about it here.
11. Make your way to Sea Life Aquarium
Sea Life presents the ideal underwater escape in the heart of the city. Its many diverse offerings include an immersive game box experience, penguin encounters, private dining and more. You can also dive with grey nurse sharks if you dare. Get your tickets here.
12. Unleash your inner artist at Neon Brush
A special painting workshop has come to town and it’s all about neon lights and vibey fluorescent decor. The grown-ups can take their drinks along and the kids can get messy in this fun-for-all activity. Book your tickets.
13. Head to Hunter Valley for a snowy adventure
Hunter Valley has brought back its fun-filled Snow Time in the Garden event and it’s worth the 2-hour drive out of town. On the menu are plenty of snowy adventures including an ice skating rink and a snow-play zone plus fun rides including superslides, a Ferris wheel and more. The event is on until July 28 so there’s plenty of time to plan a weekend getaway. Grab your tickets here.
14. Spend the day at Taronga Zoo
Love animals? There are over 4000 for the kids to marvel at in Sydney’s beloved Taronga Zoo. The zoo is filled with koalas, red kangaroos, Sumatran tigers, Asian elephants, giraffes and many more. There are nine different trails at the zoo such as the Australian Walkabout and the African Safari and you’ll be surrounded by harbour views throughout as you explore. Get your tickets.
15. Discover a marine park in a glass-bottom kayak
If you and your family love the outdoors, there’s a fun family adventure awaiting you at Batemans Bay and it’s worth planning a trip from Sydney. Kick back and explore the Batemans Bay Marine Park in a transparent, glass-bottom kayak. You can spot sea creatures like stingrays and octopus and more on these exclusive 2-hour tours. Get the details here.
16. Experience an enchanting Candlelight concert
Kids are never too young to start appreciating good music. With that in mind, the Candlelight series is a unique way to show your little ones (8 years or older) how powerful a great melody can be. Find your seats inside a breathtaking venue in the city, from famous landmarks to historic churches, and listen to new takes on songs by the likes of Taylor Swift, renditions inspired by famous family movies, and more.
17. Ride the world’s steepest railway
There are so many cool things to see and do in the Blue Mountains but did you know you could also ride the world’s steepest railway at the world heritage listed site? Make your way to Scenic World and enjoy sweeping views of the bush and the mountains on the Scenic Railway which offers a 52-degree incline making it the steepest in the world. Read all about it here.
18. Head to Sydney’s largest indoor bike park
Sydney is home to so many cool attractions, that it’s easy for some to fly under the radar. One to check out is the Big Air Bike Park in Brookvale which is perfect for kids. Featuring pump tracks, berm corners and airbags, this is the largest indoor bike park in NSW so there’s more than enough space to accommodate the school holiday rush. Book your spot here.
19. Discover a secret garden
Sydney is filled with hidden gems from secluded beaches to underwater nature trails and so much more. For a fun day out with the kids, pack a picnic and head to Wendy’s Secret Garden where you are more than likely to stumble upon artefacts, sculptures and even a hidden fairy house or two. Read all about it here.
20. Discover some of the oldest caves in the world
There are plenty of magnificent ancient caves to explore around NSW and it’s the perfect school holiday activity for the whole family. From the world’s oldest caves to the newly restored Wombeyan Caves and the picture-perfect Yarrangobilly caves, choose your own adventure here.
21. Jump around at an indoor trampoline park
Another indoor attraction that’s bound to be a hit with the kids is Bounce, an adventure playground in Homebush filled with fun and bouncy activities for one and all. Think trampolines, dodgeball, wall climbing, cliff jumping, wall running and so much more. Read all about it here.
22. See a kid-friendly musical in the city
The live theatre scene in Sydney is brimming with classic and modern productions and if you’re looking to get your kids interested in the arts, there are more than a few titles for you to choose from that are suitable for the whole family. Find more musicals and operas in Sydney here.
23. Explore a natural wonder in NSW
There’s no better way to make the most of the cooler temps than being out and about in nature. NSW is home to plenty of magnificent natural wonders; fortunately, many are right on our doorstep. From the second-largest canyon in the world to bioluminescent beaches, there’s much to explore in our backyard. Find the full list here.
24. Go camping at Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island offers an excellent time not too far from Sydney. You can spend the day walking around the UNESCO World Heritage Site and learning more about its history or sign up for a ghost tour if you fancy. Their waterfront campground is the ideal camping experience for the family with lovely harbour views all around. Head here for details.
25. Discover Australia’s biggest botanic garden
Did you know Australia’s biggest botanic garden is right here in NSW? It’s a short hour-long drive from Sydney and free to visit, making it the ideal day trip for the whole family. At this sprawling 416 hectares of garden space, visitors will find picturesque lawns, lakes and gardens, vibrant flowers and walkable trails. Start planning your visit and read all about it here.
26. Visit an Urban Night Sky Place in Sydney
NSW is home to Australia’s first-ever Dark Sky Park but now it can also lay claim to having the first and only Urban Night Sky Place and it’s right here in Sydney. Palm Beach Headland has recently received the honours and this is the perfect adventure if you’ve got an astronomy lover in the house. Read all about it here.
27. Drive out to see one of the tallest waterfalls in Australia
If you don’t mind a long drive out of town, one of NSW’s best waterfalls offers the perfect family adventure. The spectacular Ellenborough Falls is among the tallest in the southern hemisphere and it’s a sight to behold after a day of rain. Conveniently, it comes with four different lookouts and plenty of walking tracks if you want to make a day of it.
28. Have a leafy adventure at Treetops
Treetops in the Central Coast offers an action-packed day of adventure with obstacle courses high up in the tree canopies and a 500m long zipcoaster making its way through the treetops. It’s located a short 1 hour drive from Sydney making it an ideal daytime adventure during the school holidays. Learn more here.
29. Enjoy all the carnival fun at The Grounds
The Grounds is offering an exclusive school program with workshops, inflatable playgrounds, unicorn shows and more for the kids and plenty of Instagrammable food and drinks for the adults. Get your tickets here.
30. Get competitive at Fortress
Fortress Sydney in Chippendale is filled with heaps of exciting activities for kids and adults. Expect an esports games arena, PC gaming zone, arcades and so more along with themed bars for the grown-ups in this excellent indoor activity in Sydney. Get more information here.
31. Tackle the Bridgeclimb Scavenger hunt
BridgeClimb is hosting a fun scavenger hunt with exciting prizes to be won these winter school holidays. Search for someone in a BridgeClimb suit holding one of five hidden envelopes spread across various locations in The Rocks. Prizes include a Twilight Climb, a family climb and much more. Find more details on the BridgeClimb website.
32. Head out for a road trip
Winter is the perfect time to plan a day trip or a longer weekend trip from the city. There are plenty of small towns around Sydney but some of our favourites include Berry, Bowral in the Southern Highlands and Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Take your pick of lovely towns to visit near Sydney here.