finder.com.au
18+ Exclusive Offers
finder.com.au > Sydney
Christmas-lights-Hunter-Valley-Chris-Elfes-300

44 summer school holiday activities in Sydney 2019

Your guide to entertaining the kids in Sydney over Christmas.

School holidays. They're what just about every kid dreams of all term long, and it's up to you AKA the parent, to find the best activities to meet their energy levels.

If you're wondering if there's enough to keep them quiet and busy, take heart, because there are plenty of things to do during the break that fit the bill.

Let's get started.

Top outdoor and indoor activities for kids in Sydney

Book these now and sort out their school break early.

Ghost tour

Ghost tour from RedBalloon

Hear true Sydney historical ghost stories and be prepared to be frightened.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$45

View details
Soccer training sessions

Soccer training sessions from Groupon

Introduce kids to soccer and let them learn the basic concepts of soccer, ball skills and how to be a team player.

  • Duration: Flexible
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$6 (Child)

View details
Waterworld Central Port Stephens pass

Waterworld Central Port Stephens pass from Groupon

Splash, slide and have fun at Waterworld for an unlimited 2-hour pass.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$17.50

View details
Action Zone Play pass

Action Zone Play pass from Groupon

Spend 20 minutes in Action Zone to entertain and educate children about the world.

  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$5 (Child)

View details
Kitesurfing lesson

Kitesurfing lesson from Groupon

Learn the basics of kitesurfing in this 3-hour group lesson that includes refreshment.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$79

View details
Blue mountains tour

Blue mountains tour from finder.com.au

Includes free city hotel pick-up, Sydney 2000 Olympic site tour, lunch and more.

  • Duration: 1 day
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$125

View details
Haunted Sydney ghost tour

Haunted Sydney ghost tour from finder.com.au

Venture back to historic Sydney. A time when prisoners were the law, public executions were commonplace and the Rocks Push ruled the street. Enter a haunted site not open to the public.

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Location: Sydney, NSW
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$36

View details
Featherdale Wildlife Park entry

Featherdale Wildlife Park entry from RedBalloon

Have an interactive wildlife experience at Featherdale Wildlife Park and get up close to all your most wanted Australian native animals.

  • Duration: Full day entry
  • Location: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$32

View details
Jet boat ride

Jet boat ride from RedBalloon

A 30 minute ride with amazing experience of 360 degree spins, power-slides and wave-jumps

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Location: Sydney Harbour
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$79

View details
Sydney Harbour cruise with Taronga Zoo entry

Sydney Harbour cruise with Taronga Zoo entry from RedBalloon

A whole-day tour with cruise, Sky Safari cable car ride and entry to Taronga Zoo for a perfect day out for all the family

  • Duration: 1 day
  • Location: Circular Quay, NSW
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$63

View details
High ropes climbing course

High ropes climbing course from RedBalloon

An adventure to an eco-friendly park for the whole family and move from tree to tree on suspension bridges and jump from 20m up in the forest.

  • Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Location: Abbotsbury, Western Sydney, NSW
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$48

View details
SCG Stadium tour

SCG Stadium tour from RedBalloon

Step into the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in a 90-minute guided tour.

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Location: Moore Park, Sydney
  • Price is for two people
From AUD

$30

View details
Annual pass at Merlin Entertainments attractions

Annual pass at Merlin Entertainments attractions from Groupon

Enjoy a variety of attractions around Australia and New Zealand with this Merlin annual pass.

  • Duration: Unlimited
  • Location: Sydney, NSW

View details
29% off go kart experience

29% off go kart experience from Groupon

Ride on a 9 horsepower go kart and experience to be a racers for 30 minutes.

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Location: Eastern Creek, NSW

View details
Luna Park rides pass

Luna Park rides pass from RedBalloon

A day of fun and adventure at Luna Park with the whole family.

  • Duration: 1 day
  • Location: Milsons Point, Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$22

View details
Luna Park Sydney ticket

Luna Park Sydney ticket from Experience Oz

Highlights:

  • Duration: Flexible
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$55

View details
VIP WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo tour

VIP WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo tour from RedBalloon

Get up close and personal with Australia's iconic animals in a VIP guided tour.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Location: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$150

View details
Madame Tussauds Sydney entry

Madame Tussauds Sydney entry from RedBalloon

Experience red carpet and be with the famous for a day at Madame Tussauds.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Location: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$44

View details
Escape room experience

Escape room experience from Groupon

Crack puzzles and find clues to escape the room within a set time limit.

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is for two people
From AUD

$69

View details
Christmas Wonderland entry

Christmas Wonderland entry from Groupon

Discover the festive experience of Christmas by visiting an innovative Christmas Wonderland with topical attractions and rides.

  • Duration: 1 day
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$25

View details
Mini ninja experience

Mini ninja experience from Groupon

Play with the children at this play centre with warped walls, cargo nets, floating doors and steps, a spider wall, and more.

  • Duration: 1 day
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$5

View details
Shiny Star Play Centre ticket

Shiny Star Play Centre ticket from Groupon

Let the kids enjoy and play around Shiny Star Play Centre with facilities such as an indoor soccer field and climbing wall.

  • Duration: Flexible
  • Loaction: Sydney
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$5 (Child)

View details
Movie ticket

Movie ticket from Groupon

Catch the latest blockbusters with this general admission cinema pass.

  • Duration: Flexible
  • Location: ACT, NSW, NT and QLD
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$13.50

View details
Jenolan cave and Blue mountains day tour

Jenolan cave and Blue mountains day tour from finder.com.au

Visit the Blue Mountains and travel to the amazing Jenolan Caves – Australia’s largest and most popular underground limestone cave system where you will enjoy a guided cave inspection.

  • Duration: 11 hours
  • Location: Circular Quay, NSW
  • Price is per person
From AUD

$140

View details
38% off Sky High Indoor Trampoline Park entry

38% off Sky High Indoor Trampoline Park entry from Groupon

Let your kids run wild and release the energy on interconnected trampolines and ninja warrior course whilst you enjoy a coffee at the café

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Location: Brunker Road, Chullora

View details

11 kid-friendly summer school holiday events in Sydney

  1. Christmas in the city. From Christmas projections to giant Christmas trees, Sydney CBD lights up for the silly season. Take a wander. Until 25 December, Sydney CBD.
  2. New Years Eve. New Year's Eve in Sydney is something of a spectacular. The fireworks take flight at 9pm and midnight and are hailed as some of the best in the world. Our New Year's Eve guide has a wealth of information for you, including the best vantage points, hotels and restaurants to catch the action. 31 December, Sydney CBD.
  3. Woolworths Carols in the Domain (pictured). An Christmas institution, carols is a free event though you'll have to mark your spot in the Domain early for a top spot. 12 December, The Domain.
  4. Sydney to Hobart. When Christmas is done and dusted the annual Sydney to Hobart race starts. Book a spot on a ship to chase the fleet past the headlands or watch them sail off from numerous vantage points on the harbour. 26 December, Sydney Harbour
  1. Moonlight Cinemas: Attending at least one outdoor movie is a must these school holidays and one of the most popular is Moonlight Cinemas. The roving cinema is parked in Sydney all summer long, giving you plenty of time to book and pack that picnic. Kid-friendly movies this season include The Grinch, The Incredibles 2, Elf, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, The Greatest Showman Singalong, Smallfoot and Storm Boy. 29 November -2018 31 March 2019, Belvedere Amphiteatre in Centennial Parklands.
  2. Little Darlings Night Owls Kids' Film Festival: For something completely dedicated to kids (and that won't cost you a cent) the Little Darlings Night Owls Kids' Film Festival (what a mouthful) hits the spot. Its screenings include blockbusters, shorts in collaboration with Little Big Shots and live entertainment. 4-20 January, Darling Quarter
  3. Sydney Santa Spectacular. Rosehill Racecourse is celebrating the silly season in style with a range of activities and events including rides, ice-skating and interactive activities and crafts. 7-27 December, Rosehill Racecourse.
  4. Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens. Head north for a quick getaway to marvel at this annual Christmas lights event. If you thought you had the decorating thing down pat, you've another thing coming. 2 November - 26 December 2018
  5. School holidays at Botanic Gardens Mount Annan. They'll have no shortage of fun-filled options when you take them to Mount Annan these school holidays. From bush play groups and EcoArt workshops to wildlife shows and theatre performances. Fill that calendar here.
  6. School holidays at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Mount Annan isn't having all the fun and if you're closer to the city or want to use this as an excuse to visit town, the Royal Botanic Gardens has its own set of botanist workshops, bug hunts and theatre productions all school break.
  7. Mind Blowing Magic Show. Keep it local, Sydney with Julian Bull and his mind-blowing magic show. It's bound to astound and mystify. 22 and 24 January at 1-1.45pm, Balmain Town Hall Meeting Room, $20.

8 ideas for free school holidays activities in Sydney

  1. Wander around Royal Botanic Gardens and find the perfect spot for a sunny picnic.
  2. Explore Cockatoo Island and join one of the free events like the Convict Clues Challenge or the Ship Shape Challenge (both recommended for children 7-12 years old).
  3. Hit up a local beach like Manly, Bondi, Balmoral or Clovelly.
  4. Go for a bike ride or bush walk along the harbour, or through some inner-city parklands like Centennial Park or Sydney Park.
  5. Get active at Sydney Olympic Park, where Kids in The Park offers a range of free and low-priced activities for children including segway rides, drama workshops, disc golf and The Amazing Chase.
  6. Bushwalk in Sydney Harbour National Park, where there's plenty of tracks to choose from varying in length and difficulty.
  7. Have a blast at Luna Park. While you do have to pay for rides and games, entrance to the park is free and there's often events on during peak times..
  8. Explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales or the MCA's free exhibits.

Coupon codes and discounts for Sydney attractions and activities

Scoopon Scoopon

Up to 70% on local deals

Shop for dining experiences, attractions and more for up to 70% off.

Last verified

Get deal

Popular School holidays Sydney activities coupon codes

Last checked Code description Code
27 Nov 2017 Up to 70% on local deals ********

Feature image: Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens / Chris Elfes

Stephanie Yip

twitter facebook linkedin googleplus

Stef is the Travel Editor at finder.com.au and has been writing about travel for over a decade. She's visited over 50 countries and has had some incredible experiences, including hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, hitchhiking across Romania and seeing the Northern Lights (twice!). And while she’d never say no to a luxury escape, she's far more likely to stretch her travel dollars as far as they can go by keeping her ear to the ground for unbeatable travel bargains. And she'll tell you all about them, too! Stef has had articles featured on Travel Weekly, Escape and Hostelworld.

Was this content helpful to you? No  Yes

Related Posts

35 summer school holidays activities in Melbourne 2019

Catch a game, go to the aquarium or see Melbourne from the Eureka Skydeck. There's endless activity for the little ones to get stuck into these school holidays in Melbourne.

29 summer school holiday activities in Adelaide 2019

Ideas for planning a holiday where the entry fees and ticket prices are almost as priceless as the memories.

21 summer school holidays activities in Canberra 2019

Keep your kids busy in the capital with these sure-fire wins for school holidays activities in Canberra. Plus activities discounts to help keep costs down.

35 summer school holiday activities on the Gold Coast 2019

There's boundless activities available for kids this summer on the Gold Coast. Read on to be inspired.

Where to celebrate Christmas in July in Sydney 2019

The places you need to be to have a white Christmas in Sydney this winter.

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Ask a question
Go to site