Fun Things To Do In Sydney With Kids In 2026

Consider the inner west where you can combine murals with independent shops, or Cronulla where you can discover over 20 murals between the train station and the beach. Jamberoo is about 90 minutes south of Sydney and there are water play areas, water slides, fun rides and plenty more. There are good facilities with a fenced playground, gas BBQs and beautiful harbour views. You can follow a walk from the ferry wharf that will take you to a significant rock art site. The small general store near the waterfront often has free pamphlet guides you can follow.
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 interactive entertainment 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.

If you are a family with older kids, you can swim in the north or head wherever you see the red and yellow flags. Flags are placed at the part of the beach that lifesavers have deemed the safest for the day. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to swim at the southern end of the beach.
Entertainment Park is pretty ahead of the curve when it comes to simulations – we're talking an actual virtual reality arena, where you can battle fantasy creatures or challenge your friends to virtual dance battles. There’s also a dedicated e-karting space, which allows you to kart around a 3.5km square track without emitting a single fume. This circus-themed funhouse will dazzle the kids with a dizzying selection of games, rides and prizes. Younger kids (aged 8-10) can enjoy dodgem cars, carousels or the overhead ropes course, while older players shoot hoops, go bowling or ride the interactive 3D theatre fit out.

Although, the best time to visit the art gallery with kids is during the NSW school break since they have a holiday program to keep the kids occupied. They have a kids’ trail available that involves listening to stories, clues and completing fun activities as you explore the museum. Your kids will love taking in the harbour views, spotting iconic Sydney attractions like The Rocks and the Opera House on the way and stopping to explore new places. We have included the best Sydney attractions plus some super fun day trips to go beyond the city and explore more of New South Wales. Embrace the wet and take your bedraggled brood on an aquatic adventure.
The Inner West has carved out a niche for creative, design-conscious play spaces. Nubo Alexandria is the poster child of this movement, with its Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, natural materials, and focus on open-ended sensory play. It's not cheap at around $22 per child, but the experience is genuinely different from a traditional play centre.
If you're keen to burn the kids energy out, challenge them to a game of laser tag and rest assured that they'll sleep all night. The cheapest time to skate is Mon-Fri 4pm-5pm, when tickets are $20 for adults and $19 for kids (including skate hire). Whether it's a lingering drizzle or a downpour for the ages, you don't want to get caught out in the city when it rains, nevermind with little ones in tow. It pays to have a few wet-weather tricks up your sleeve for when the cartoons and colouring-in book at home just aren't cutting it anymore. The “Boy” Charlton pool is a saltwater pool located adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and overlooking Woolloomooloo. This pool is named after one of the country’s most successful swimmers who won five Olympic medals during the 1920s.

I like to walk from North to South, so the Opera House remains in view the entire way. A little over a km long, it should take you about 30 minutes, given how many times you will stop to take photos and watch the traffic. The current exhibition is Alchemy of a Rainforest and features more than 18,000 plants. You can also check out the largest living green wall in the southern hemisphere. While there is a chance you will come across some Aussie wildlife on your travels, it is tough to find a platypus in the wild, so do not miss this chance! Taronga is a world-class zoo with some of the best views in Sydney.
Along the way, there are several family-friendly beaches, like Tamarama with its popular kid’s playground and Clovelly with its sheltered bay. My grandkids love this park with its water fountains and play area, swings and slides, and climbing equipment suitable for kids of all ages. In Sydney’s east it’s hard to beat Shark Beach at Nielson Park, part of Sydney Harbour National Park. On scorching hot days, its enormous fig trees providing the perfectly shaded picnic spot.

There are around-the-clock music videos screening during sessions and a brand-new compressor and dehumidifier to create optimum skating conditions at all times. Playground data includes information from © City of Sydney (CC-BY) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Vacation care quality ratings from ACECQA National Register (Australian Government).
Trampoline parks like BOUNCE and Flip Out run party packages with dedicated hosts. For something different, try art studios, cooking schools, or outdoor venues like Centennial Park which has BBQ and picnic facilities. Our Party Planner tool lets you compare venues, check availability, and request quotes from multiple places at once. Many Sydney play cafes specifically target the baby and toddler  market, offering a relaxed environment where parents can enjoy a decent coffee while their little ones explore safe, stimulating play areas. These venues are particularly popular with parents on maternity and paternity leave who are looking for social connection alongside child-friendly spaces. Our soft play centres guide and toddler activities blog have detailed recommendations.

Visitors can opt to play five, ten or all 15 games, with the full course taking about two and half hours to complete. Each of the individual courses of five games contains a puzzle, a ball pit and a trick shot game, so if you’ve only got time to visit a few of the rooms you won’t be short-changed on the fun. Once you’ve tested your mettle against the challenge rooms, you’re bound to be in need of some refreshment. The Hijinx bar offers a range of fun signature drinks, both for thirsty kidlets and parents in need of an adult drink or two (don’t miss the Bubblegum Martini complete with bubblegum scented smoke bubbles). Prices range from $15 to $30 per session depending on the activity and location. Play cafes typically charge $12 to $18 per child for unlimited play, with many including a coffee for the accompanying adult.
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and grab an Blue Mountains Hop on Hop off pass – kids ride free – and you can travel to the mountains using Sydney Trains to save on costly guided tours. Camp Cove Beach makes a perfect rest spot near the end of the walk, and the ferry ride back to the city is a fantastic way to end the day. Along the way, check out French cafe Bellevue Cottage for a delicious splurge brunch or lunch.
For our complete guide to indoor play centres in Sydney, including suburb-by-suburb breakdowns and current pricing, check out our dedicated page. Most trampoline parks cater to kids aged 3 and up, with some offering dedicated toddler bounce sessions on weekday mornings. Prices range from $18 to $30 per session, and grip socks are usually required (available for purchase at around $3 to $5).