Want inspiration for school term holiday activities to stop your children from getting bored?
Well don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, we will showcase 14 awesome school holiday activities in Sydney to do with the kids.
Some of these activities won’t cost you a cent! Whilst others won’t break the bank either. Some will involve spending a bit of money, however. But all should provide your kids with a fun and enjoyable experience.
These activities are a selection of indoor and outdoor activities too. So they will give your child plenty of chances to get some fresh air and exercise, as well as provide them with somewhere to go when the weather is stifling hot or bucketing down with rain.
Lastly, these activities can be done anywhere between the course of a whole day, or just over an hour. This means they can easily fit around your employment or home schedule.
Awesome School Holiday Activities in Sydney for kids
All of the school holiday activities outlined below are really great things to do with your kids in Sydney.
However, as many venues are operating under reduced hours due to Covid restrictions, it is worth checking with each one directly to see if they are open on the day you wish to visit.
Code Camp
Address: 1/5 Link Rd, Zetland NSW 2017
For many parents, the school holidays equate to a constant battle to keep their children off their devices. But let’s face it, technology is here to stay, so why not embrace this fact by letting your children explore the world of coding and design at Code Camp.
Suitable for children of all ages and ability levels, Code Camp inspires children to get creative with technology.
This involves activities like creating an awesome Minions movie, by using clay and stop-motion techniques. It also includes mastering the basics of DJing on state-of-the-art equipment, learning to code and fly a drone, and creating and shooting cool YouTube videos. There is even an advanced coding module where you can make your own games or app.
It’s a lot of fun, in an area of real interest to many children. Best of all the classes run from 9 am until 3.30 pm. So you won’t have to take days off work just to look after the kids.
Darling Harbour Children’s Playground
Address: 1-25 Harbour St, Sydney NSW 2000
For those who want their kids to run around and expend some energy, the Darling Harbour Children’s Playground is an excellent place to go.
Boasting a range of playground equipment for all ages, it features everything from a sandpit and balance ropes to a flying fox and climbing frame.
On a hot day, there is also a waterpark zone which operates fountains and other features designed to help the kids cool off. While a green space to run around in and a theatre also provide other areas of interest.
In case you or the kids get hungry, there is also a shop that sells food and good coffee near the playground too.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Address: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the city’s major tourist attractions, with very good reason.
Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, this fantastic aquarium showcases a massive range of Australian marine and aquatic life.
This includes over 7000 species that incorporate more than 13,000 individual fish, as well as numerous water and sea creatures like sharks, penguins, stingrays, turtles, jellyfish and tropical reef fish.
Presented within 90 tanks, there is something to pique everyone’s interest here, including many different shows throughout the day. After you have finished, there is also a cool gift shop that sells a range of cute souvenir items the kids will love too.
Lane Cove Aquatic Leisure Centre
Address: 2 Little St, Lane Cove NSW 2066
Swimming is always a winner when it comes to the school holidays and the Lane Cove Aquatic Leisure Centre does not disappoint.
Boasting a number of outdoor and indoor pools, including a warm pool, this is a terrific place to bring the children whatever the weather.
Throughout the school holidays, they run fun programmes for kids and they also have a bubbly shallow pool and a really cool tunnel of fountains that little kids love.
In addition for the older kids, and adults, there are sauna and steam rooms, as well as a fitness club, cafe and even a creche service.
So it really offers something for everyone.
Sydney Tower Eye
Address: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
The Sydney Tower is an icon in Sydney, but have you ever gone to the top of it?
If not, why not treat the kids to a sensational panoramic view of the stunning harbour city?
Opened in 1981 and standing at a height of 309 metres, The Sydney Tower Eye is not only the tallest structure in the city, but it is also the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
Spanning 19 floors, the view from the observation deck at the top is simply jaw-dropping. Taking in awesome views of the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park and The Rocks, you can even see up to 100 km away on a clear day.
For an even more magical experience, if you can, try and time your visit to coincide with sunset.
Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Address: Nielsen Park, 6 Steele Point Rd, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Sydney is blessed with a number of sensational coastal walks, so why not take the kids out for a stroll along one of them to enjoy it as a family?
One of the best of them is the Hermitage Foreshore track, which offers up breathtaking views of Sydney’s harbour, surrounding islands and major landmarks.
Taking you past 5 awesome beaches, It is a pretty easy walk, which can be undertaken by people of all fitness levels.
Along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to stop for a picnic, swim, or just stand there and take in the stunning views.
Be sure to take water and hats with you if it is a really sunny day. Also, bring your camera or phone to take advantage of all the wonderful photo opportunities that will present themselves.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Museums are always a great idea to take children to during the school holidays, not least because most of them are free, or at least have free areas. They also can be visited irrespective of the weather too.
In Sydney, there are plenty of museums you can head to including the Art Gallery of NSW, The Rocks Discovery Museum, the Museum of Sydney and the Australian National Maritime Museum. All of which have plenty of fascinating exhibits that are sure to capture your kid’s attention.
If you only choose to take them to one museum though, why not make it the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia?
Situated with The Rocks, in a stunning art deco building, the museum presents a fantastic selection of contemporary art, including a number of exhibits for children, which have been considerately designed to spark their interest.
The Powerhouse Museum
Address: 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007
If your children like to get hands-on when they visit a museum, as opposed to just observing the exhibits, then why not take them to The Powerhouse Museum?
Sydney’s major branch of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, this museum focuses on arts, science, innovation and design.
It features over 250 exhibitions that include lots of interactive activities where kids of all ages can get hands-on with them.
If you let the kids run around in the playground there too, you could easily spend half a day or longer here.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Address: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Spread across 30 hectares The Royal Botanic Garden is a wonderful place to take the kids during the school holidays.
Located at Farm Cove, on the eastern outskirts of the CBD, this fabulous heritage-listed space is both a botanical garden and public recreation area.
Featuring over 20,000 plants, as well as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest living green walls, it is a lovely place to stroll around.
A great way to get your kids out of the house and do some exercise, there are some interesting tours you can do too, as well as a selection of nice places to eat, drink and shop.
Green Square Library
Address: 355 Botany Rd, Zetland NSW 2017
The Green Square Library is a very decent option when it comes to school holiday activities in Sydney.
Boasting a stunning design that includes a gorgeous subterranean garden, stunning amphitheatre and impressive 6-storey glass tower, this award-winning underground library offers plenty for kids to see and do.
As well to thousands of books, computers for public use and lots of seating, the library also has a dedicated children’s area where they run several story time sessions and school holiday workshops.
They also offer makerspace kits that children can take home, as well as an outside water play area too.
Sydney Park
Address: 416 Sydney Park Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
Sydney Park is a fabulous 41.6-hectare public recreational area that is located on the fringes of the Sydney CBD.
Offering a wide range of activities for children including a skate park and cycle track, it also has a massive playground too.
In addition, there is also a big sports oval to run around or kick a footy in, as well as a good-sized sandpit and plenty of picnic spots.
It is easily a place where children can spend several hours, and if you have a dog in the family there is also an off-leash area for them to enjoy as well.
Western Sydney Treetop Adventure Park
Address: Western Sydney Parklands, Plough & Harrow East, 749 Elizabeth Dr, Abbotsbury NSW 2176
Nestled within the forests of the Western Sydney Parklands, the Western Sydney Treetop Adventure Park offers kids plenty of adrenaline-fuelled fun.
Designed for children aged three years and older, the adventure park features zip lines, flying foxes, climbing frames and a range of other activities which takes place high above the ground in the treetops.
Connected via a harness, it’s a challenging, safe and exhilarating experience that your kids will absolutely love.
Luna Park
Address: 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061
Luna Park needs no introduction. But when was the last time you took the kids there?
Situated in the harbourside suburb of Milsons Point, on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, this iconic, heritage-listed, waterfront amusement park offers a wide range of rides to excite all the family.
These include the Hair Raiser, Wild Mouse, Dodgem City, Tango Train and Moon Ranger. All of which are guaranteed to have the kids whooping and hollering with delight.
If all that is a bit too adventurous for them, however, you could always just walk through the historic park and take in the magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour and its surrounds.
Parsley Bay Reserve
Address: Parsley Rd, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Over in Vaucluse, Parsley Bay Reserve is a charming and popular family park which offers plenty for all the family.
Boasting a shallow beach, this tranquil reserve has a decent enclosed area that offers safe swimming, as well as a playground and several picnic facilities.
You will also find a relatively short, but pleasant bushland walking circuit that will take you to a picturesque waterfall which cascades at the head of the gully.
There is also a wooden suspension bridge which crosses the bay and features caves and overhangs which will fascinate children enough to explore.
So there it is. Our selection of 14 awesome school holiday activities in Sydney to do with the kids.
Whichever one, or ones you choose to do, you will be able to enjoy them with the knowledge that your children are out of the house and having fun.