Your guide to entertaining the kids in Sydney when school's out.
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 Easter break that fit the bill.
Let's get started.
Top activities for kids in Sydney
Book these now and sort out their school break early.
Outdoor activities for kids in Sydney
Luna Park rides pass from RedBalloon
Spend a day at Sydney's iconic theme park. It's free to enter but if you want to get on multiple rides you can purchase an unlimited rides pass.
- Duration: 1 day
- Location: Milsons Point, Sydney
- Accessibility: Short walk from Milson's Point station. Parking available.
- Ages: Participants must be at least 85cm tall
- Child price: $22 (85-105cm tall)
- Adult price: $55
Cables Aqua Park from Groupon
Prevent boredom with the wide selection of slides, bouncers, logs and other inflatable obstacles. Entry to the grounds is free however you'll have to pay to use the equipment. Ideal for kids' parties.
- Location: Cables Wake Park, Penrith
- Accessibility: Parking available
- Free to use facilities: BBQs, picnic area, playground, basketball court, viewing area and jumping pillow
- Ages: 6+ years. Kids under 6 can access the wet play area for free
- Price: From $15 per person
Eastern Creek Karts 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
- Accessibility: Parking available
- Ages: Children 6-18 must have a parent present to sign for them
- Price: $50 per ride
Soccer training sessions from Groupon
Introduce kids to soccer and let them learn the basic concepts of the game including ball skills and how to be a team player.
- Duration: Pass is for two sessions
- Location: Various locations across Sydney
- Accessibility: Varies per location
- Ages: 2-12 years old
- Price: $6 for two lessons
Capoeira Topazio Class from Groupon
Teach the kids a new skill as they get fit with this fun and challenging martial art style. Adult classes are also available so you can learn the skill with them.
- Duration: One class, however you can purchase a multi-class pack
- Location: Capoeira Topazio, Surry Hills
- Accessibility: Short walk from Central station
- Ages: 3-11 years old
- Child price: $9 per class
- Adult price: $11 per class
Hula hoop class for kids from Classbento
Meet new friends whilst learning all the tips and tricks to hula hoop with an experienced teacher.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Location: Within 10km of the Sydney CBD
- Accessibility: Near public transport
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $40 per person, less for larger groups
Skateboarding classes from Classbento
Learn how to skateboard and a few wheelie cool tricks as well. This experience can be customised and is great for birthday parties. BBQs can be organised if needed.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Location: Redfern Oval, Elizabeth Street, Redfern NSW
- Accessibility: Near Redfern station
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $30 per person
Featherdale Wildlife Park entry from RedBalloon
Spend a day getting up close and personal with all their favourite Australian native animals.
- Duration: Full day entry
- Location: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside
- Accessibility: Parking available
- Ages: 3+ years
- Child price: $17 (3-15 year olds)
- Adult price: $32
- Family passes: $88 (one adult, 2 kids)
Sydney Harbour cruise with Taronga Zoo entry - family pass from RedBalloon
Spend a whole day out at the zoo, including a cruise transfers from Sydney CBD. It's all sorted for you and makes for perfect day out for all. Bring a picnic to save on costs as zoo food tends to be expensive.
- Duration: 1 day
- Location: Cruise departs from Circular Quay, Sydney
- Accessibility: Cruise departs right outside Circular Quay train station
- Ages: 4+ years
- Price: $188 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Child must be under 15 years old
High ropes climbing course from RedBalloon
Be bold and take the plunge at the eco-friendly park where you can move from tree to tree on suspension bridges and jump from 20m in the forest. There are four courses to test out and you don't have to join in the action but can spectate for free.
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Location: Abbotsbury, Western Sydney
- Accessibility: Car parking available
- Facilities: Toilets, picnic spaces, BBQ facilities, general playground areas and drinks are available. Food is not, please pack a picnic.
- Ages: 10+ years
- Child price: $38
- Adult price: $48 (18+ years)
SCG Stadium tour from RedBalloon
Cricket fans will go ape over this insiders look at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium. It's a 90-minute guided tour and afterworks you can hang around the Entertainment Quarter which is packed full of shops and markets over the weekend. It also has a cinema.
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Location: Moore Park, Sydney
- Accessibility: Take a bus from Central Station or parking is available
- Ages: No minimum age
- Child price: $20
- Adult price: $30
- Family pass: $78 (2 adults, 2 children)
Blue mountains tour from finder.com.au
Spend a day out in the bush exploring the iconic Blue Mountains region. This tour also includes a trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park and a stop a Scenicworld.
- Duration: 1 day
- Location: Pick-up from Sydney CBD
- Accessibility: Tour picks you up free from a city hotel
- Ages: No minimum age
- Child price: $100
- Adult price: $135
Jet boat ride in Sydney Harbour from RedBalloon
Take a thrilling ride on the water where you'll experience 360 degree spins, power-slides and wave-jumps.
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Location: Sydney Harbour
- Accessibility: Departs from outside Circular Quay station
- Ages: 5+ years old
- Child price: $49 (5-15 years old)
- Adult price: $85
Indoor activities for kids in Sydney
Trampoline Park Entry from Groupon
Bouncers of all ages can jump, flip and soar across 1,400 square metres of wall-to-wall trampolines including wall runners and a foam pit.
- Duration: 2-hours
- Location: Flip Out, Prestons
- Accessibility: On-site car parking
- Ages: All ages
- Price: $16
Kids Intro Music Lesson from Groupon
Let the kids learn about the musical world at an early age, let them enjoy an age-specific introductory to music.
- Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
- Location: International School of Music Leichhardt and North Strathfield
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Ages: 2-3 year olds
- Price: $7.50
1-on-1 kids sewing class from Classbento
Let the kids learn about basic stitches and when to use them with this sewing workshop.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: 107 Redfern Street, Redfern NSW
- Accessibility: Drop-and-go class
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $120
Chocolate making class from Classbento
Let the kids get busy on making their own freckles, chocolate bars, lollipops and other kid-friendly treats on this chocolate making class.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Location: Middle Head Rd Mosman
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Age: 8-16 year olds
- Price: $80
Art class for kids from Classbento
Learn the basic drawing and coloring with pastels.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Sydney
- Accessibility: Teacher can also travel within 10km of Sydney for private classes with 10 or more students
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $100
French Little Chef cooking class from Classbento
Let the kids learn how to make French recipes with this 2-hour fun and hand-on class.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Maroubra, NSW
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Ages: 6-12 year olds
- Price: $60
Kids chocolate workshop from Classbento
Experience making your own chocolates in a real chocolate factory.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Kimberley Chocolates, 209 Lilyfield Rd, Lilyfield NSW
- Accessibility: This class can also be held at a location of your choice (extra fee will apply).
- Ages: Not specified
- Price : $75
Kids sushi class from Classbento
Learn how to to make sushi with top quality Japanese ingredients.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Location: Loft And Earth, 70 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction NSW
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Ages: Not specified
- Child Price: First child free, second child $50
- Adult Price: $150
Art kids workshop from Classbento
Learn how to paint, draw and the significance of fine art.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Location: Bondi Beach, NSW
- Accessibility: The teacher can also travel within 60km of Bondi Beach for private classes.
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $80
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
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Ages: 4+ years
- Child price: $45 (4-15 year olds)
- Price: $150
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
- Accessibility:
- Ages: Not specified
- Child price: $85
- Adult price: $150
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
- Location: Sydney
- Accessibility: On-site parking available
- Ages: Minimum of 2 years old
- Child Price: $5
- Adult Price: $10
4 kid-friendly Easter school holiday events in Sydney
- Sydney Royal Easter Show. It's the big event of the Easter break in Sydney with award-winning produce on show, baby animals for kids to pet and rides and showbags galore. Early bird tickets are available to keep costs low. 12-23 April 2019.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's the musical of the season and it's running all throughout the school holidays at the Capitol Theatre. Relive your childhood and start new memories for them. It's a great day out with the kids or can be booked as a treat with the grandparents. Until 9 June 2019.
- Sugar Republic. If the musical is beyond your budget, sink your teeth into this fun day out instead. It's a pop up museum that heroes all things sweets and lollies. Adult tickets are $35 on weekdays or $39 on weekends. Kids under 2-12 years old are $29 each. Until 5 May 2019.
- The Great Centennial Park Egg Hunt. The annual event is a treat for kids who get to scramble around in search of those delicious chocolate goodies. 20-21 April 2019.
8 ideas for free school holidays activities in Sydney
- Wander around Royal Botanic Gardens and find the perfect spot for a sunny picnic. It's a breezy day trip that won't cost you more than your transport into the city.
- 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).
- Hit up a local beach like Manly or Bondi for something iconic or visit a smaller beach like Milk Beach or Parsley Beach which are sheltered and offer gentle waves.
- Go for a bike ride or bush walk along the harbour, or your local park Sydney Park. They've got plenty of facilities and flat paths.
- 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.
- Bushwalk in Sydney Harbour National Park, where there's plenty of tracks to choose from varying in length and difficulty.
- 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..
- Explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales or the MCA's free exhibits. There's something for everyone and come equipped with cafes to put your feet up in after.
- Need more ideas? Here are 50 free activities to keep them busy these school holidays.
Coupon codes and discounts for Sydney attractions and activities
Feature image: Easter Show
