It is home to over 4,000 animals from around the world, including Australian native wildlife like Kangaroos and Koalas. Experience reptile shows, animal talks and unique wildlife encounters. Every few months the theme will change and the alleyways will be transformed with a new magical theme. This is definitely an Instagrammer’s dream, but it’s fun for everyone. Kids from ages 8 and up can do the Harbour Bridge climb experience. We haven’t had the chance to do this, but we have climbed the Brisbane Story Bridge so we can only imagine the views are even more spectacular.
Martial arts — karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, and boxing — are widely available and increasingly popular for building confidence and discipline. We’ve put together expert guidance on the key decisions you need to make before arriving in Sydney. You can have a no stress camping holiday at Cockatoo Island in the middle of the harbour. This entertainment hub is perfect for families who can’t sit still. Jump into action-packed laser tag battles, challenge each other to bowling matches, or bump around in dodgem cars – there’s never a dull best indoor activities sydney moment. If you are not so confident, there are some well-run snorkelling tours where guides will help you and all your gear (and even wetsuits) are provided.
There are 1,332 stairs which sound daunting, but the views and the guide make it easier than it looks. The view from the top is breathtaking and along the way are a variety of items to see and information to absorb. Read my full review of the museum and see the amazing photos here. A visit to the Sydney Harbour Pylon Museum (and lookout) involves a little over 200 stairs making it best for kids who are steady on their feet (or parents happy to carry smaller ones).
You can photograph yourself upside down on the ceiling with Spider-Man, activate the Bat signal and help Superman lift a helicopter above his head. There’s more than enough to occupy an hour or two here, and you can even memorialise the visit with a wax cast of your own hand. Tickets are cheaper if you book them online and you can bundle them with tickets to the Sydney Tower Eye, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, and the Big Bus for further discounts. Paula Morgan, a born-and-bred Sydney resident, has been sharing this city and its secret spots for over 15 years. We have done some pretty extensive research on the best hotels and apartments for families in Sydney to make selecting the right property easier for you.
It is perfect for children of all ages since it is both exciting and educational. You can take a guided tour or just wander around the gardens at your leisure. The kids will love exploring the many paths and discovering all kinds of flora and fauna. Unlike your typical museum, interaction with the exhibits is encouraged at Madame T’s. Superheroes are a big part of the fun, with displays of both Marvel and DC’s costumed crusaders.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, which is why we’ve organized our recommendations by family type. Finding activities for toddlers in Sydney isn’t easy but we’ve uncovered some genuinely excellent options through our research. That’s its own challenge, so we’ve focused on activities that won’t have them rolling their eyes all day. And of course, we’ve made sure the grown-ups actually enjoy themselves too. A day at the beach is always a great way to enjoy the sunshine and spend time with family.
There are also combination tickets for sale that can save you money if you plan to visit the attractions included. Almost every guidebook suggests a ferry ride on the harbour, and the Manly ferry is the longest and most popular on offer. The public ferry leaves every half on from Circular Quay and will set you back a little over $8. Sure, you can just drive over the bridge on your way to Wollongong for a day at the beach, but it’s well worth parking your car and doing the Sea Cliff Bridge walk.
You also get some great views of the Sydney skyline from Watsons Bay on a clear day. Or if camping and glamping aren’t your scene, there are also holiday apartments too. Whale watching is a perfect Sydney family activity to witness these magnificent creatures up close on a comfortable vessel. The Sydney whale watching season is typically between May and November each year, although the winter months of June and July are usually the best time for whale sightings. You may see a variety of artifacts from many centuries ago and also learn about the local and traditional custodians of the area.
This is one of the most popular attractions in the region and it’s well worth the admission entry. It’s a great place to spend a day at the beach since it has plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. The beachfront is also lined with cafes and restaurants, which makes it easy for you and your kids to find something to eat.
For more family history experiences, check out the offerings of the Sydney Living Museums. The Justice and Police Museum is housed in the old Water Police building at Circular Quay. There are a range of interactive challenges, including cops and robbers, where kids become detectives tracking a criminal or see if they can escape from the cells. Taronga has put together a bunch of missions on their free app to help kids get involved in their zoo visit. They choose one of six missions and learn more about wildlife on your visit. Along with being a pretty unique way to see the harbour, a tallship cruise is fun for the entire family.
For creative kids, art classes, music lessons, drama workshops, and coding programs have all expanded significantly in recent years. Venues like the Art Gallery of NSW and local community centres run affordable kids art classes, while coding schools like Code Camp and Coder Academy offer after school and weekend programs. Team sports remain a cornerstone of after school life in Sydney, with soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, and AFL all operating through local clubs with seasonal registrations.
The walk is not too challenging but best suited to older kids, as it is quite long. You can do this tour alone by following this walking guide; however, it is well worth going on a guide-led walk if the times and prices suit you. The tour I recommend is led by volunteer guides, and the cost of the tour is donated to kids in need.
It’s one of the most iconic things to do with kids in Sydney as it gives them an amazing view of the city and a whole new way of experiencing it. The observatory deck has interactive displays, a telescope and informative guides that explain what you’re seeing. The Observatory also has an immersive family tour to take kids on a journey into space with all sorts of astronomical knowledge. The museum offers an insight into Australia’s maritime history and its impact on the nation’s culture and economy.
Check out Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park or try the cliff-top walking trails from Bondi to Cogree and Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay. Sydney is blessed with an amazing migration of humpback whales each year, as they make their way from Antarctica to the warmer Pacific Ocean waters. Here you will find gardens, wetlands, sports fields and cycling tracks to enjoy the great outdoors. Centennial Park is one of the biggest parks in Sydney with more than 189 hectares of open spaces, located just 4km from the Sydney CBD. Discover the newest trends in the art world while perusing cutting-edge pieces of art and participating in creative workshops. There are different events running all year round, so check the website to see what’s coming up during your stay.
Things to Do in Sydney: Toddlers to Teens Guide
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5 min read
