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School holidays are what kids dream about all term long. This leaves you, the parent or carer, with the task of finding the best activities to keep them entertained. So we've searched high and low for the best things to do whether you're out and about, at home or on an exciting day trip outside Sydney.
If your kids love animals, treat them to a day out at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Taronga Zoo.
There's no better time to learn how to surf than during the summer school holidays. Sydney showcases plenty of impressive beaches where your little ones can hit the waves and learn a new skill.
Adrenaline junkies and water lovers alike will no doubt enjoy an adventurous jet boating experience on Sydney Harbour. Whether you want a packed day exploring Sydney or just need to fill in a few hours of fun, this is a great experience your kids will rave about.
For a fun day out, set your sights on a kayaking experience on the water and explore some of the best hidden beaches that Sydney has to offer around Sydney Harbour and Manly.
Just because your little one is too young to drive on the road doesn't mean they can't drive around a race track. Ideal for older kids, go karting makes for a great activity when catching up with friends during the school holidays.
If you're looking for something new and interesting to do during the school holidays, you can't go past a ghost tour. If your kids like a good ghost story, visit historical sites around The Rocks and experience spine-tingling paranormal activity.
There's no better way to get out and about with your kids than by seeing Sydney from the best vantage point. Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge or flying over Sydney's best attractions is an experience your little ones will never forget.
Race against the clock with your teammates to solve exciting clues, riddles and puzzles, and make it to the end before the time runs out. This activity is perfect for kids who love problem solving.
Avoid having restless kids at home during the school holidays by signing them up for a virtual online class. Choose between individualised private lessons or group classes for a more interactive social experience.
Keeping your kids active during the school holidays is a great way to ensure they're away from their screens and getting some fresh air. Planning a play date with your children's friends? A small gathering at a park is a great option. Whether you have a park close by or you want to venture out to find a new favourite, bring a bike, scooter or skateboard along and your kids will stay happy and occupied for hours.
The school holidays are the perfect time to try something new. Take a break from Netflix and set up space in your house for your kids to delve into a creative project.
If you want to set up a cosy movie night with the family, streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix and BINGE offer unlimited shows and movies for your children to pick from. You can even set up parental controls on Netflix or set up a Netflix Kids profile to control which shows and movies your children can access.
Completing a jigsaw puzzle or playing a board game is the perfect way to keep your kids entertained and their minds active during the school holidays.
Kids love hands-on activities like cooking. Purchase a children's baking kit and get your little ones familiar with the kitchen. If your kids already have some cooking experience, there are plenty of kids cookbooks to choose from, so that your mini chefs can take the reins in the kitchen.
If you have a gamer on your hands, it's likely they'll want to spend some time gaming with their friends during the school holiday break. Whether their console of choice is a Nintendo Switch, an Xbox or a PlayStation, there are plenty of classic and exciting new games for your kids to get their hands on.
Travelling may not be on your list of things to do during the upcoming school holidays, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some quality family time on a budget-friendly camping trip in your own backyard or at a campground in Sydney.
There's so much of New South Wales to see, and the school holidays are the perfect time to explore. For more inspiration, check out our guides on the best family holiday destinations in New South Wales and epic New South Wales road trips.
Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour by car, or 2 hours and 40 minutes by public transport.
The Blue Mountains is a popular spot for hiking, bushwalking and lookouts. If your kids love nature and the outdoors, we recommend doing a day trip to the Blue Mountains during the school holidays.
Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, or 2 hours by public transport.
Known for its pristine beaches, adventure parks and coastal walks, a day trip to the Central Coast is the perfect way to spend a sunny day.
Distance from Sydney CBD: 3 hours by car, or 4 hours and 40 minutes by public transport.
Along the South Coast, you'll find calm bays, good whale watching spots and plenty of surf beaches. For a relaxing day out during the school holidays, the South Coast is the place to go.
Up to 30% off Australia experiences + Extra 10% off with code
Ends
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more experiences such as sightseeing cruises, hot air balloon flights, day tours and skydives. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Hunter Valley, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Extra 10% off NSW activities with code
Ends
Available until 28 February 2021 on all activities including hot air balloon flights, attraction passes, Tiny Homes and staycation packages. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and South Coast. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
Australia activities from $10
Available on select dates for activities like sightseeing tours, attraction passes, river cruises, hop-on hop-off tours and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Cairns, Hunter Valley, Perth and more.
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Available on select dates and activities like classes, spas, getaways, dining experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates and activities such as Sydney attractions tickets, SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge climb and more. T&Cs apply.
BridgeClimb Sydney from just $174
Book a 90-minute sampler BridgeClimb in Sydney for up to $134 less than the price of the full-length experience. T&Cs apply.
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates across Australia, including Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hunter Valley, Brisbane and Sydney. Activities include getaways, sightseeing cruises, hot air balloon flights, exotic car rides, dining, spas and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates on hot air balloon flights, scenic flights, aerobatic flights and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Sydney, Whitsundays, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Whitsundays, Perth, Broome and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Activities include hot air ballooning, skydiving, helicopter scenic flights. Destinations include Whitsundays, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hunter Valley, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Melbourne, Broome, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Experiences include tours, zoo and wildlife interactions, hot air balloon flights, skydiving and more. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives, whale watching cruises, dining, classes, spa treatments, and attraction passes. T&Cs apply.
Sydney Opera House tours from $42 + an extra 10% off
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more. T&Cs apply.
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Available for activities like soccer classes, driving experiences, hot air balloon flights, skydive, kayak tours, whale watching cruises and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates in Townsville, Whitsundays, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling, soccer training and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates, including school holidays, for activities like sandboarding, whale watching, jet boat rides, indoor skydiving, cruises, swimming, go karting and much more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates in Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available for 3, 5 and 7 attractions passes on select travel dates until June 2021. Attractions include SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Madame Tussauds Sydney, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select tickets when you book online. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates until December 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates until December 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Available until 30 November 2021 to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Available until 30 November 2021. Attractions to choose from are WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Available until 30 November 2021. Attractions to choose from are WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Available for travel until 31 January 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Available for travel until 31 January 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates in 2021. Includes sightseeing cruises, tours, attraction passes and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates until May 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates until 2021 on activities including dinner cruise, tours, zoos and animal interactions, attraction passes and more.
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Passes are valid for 12 months. Includes skip the lines at popular attractions including Taronga Zoo, Jenolan Caves, SEA LIFE Aquarium, whale watching cruises and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania and Gold Coast. Passes are valid for 12 months. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates. Activities include zoo and animal interactions, hot air balloon flights, sightseeing cruises, tandem skydives, sky walks and more. T&Cs apply.
Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.
Observatory Hill School Holiday Program 7 January - 15 January. If you've got a mini Picasso on your hands, check out these fun, creative school holiday activities.
Sydney Dance Company School Holiday Workshop 4 January - 26 January. Whether theatre jazz, contemporary or ballet is your little dancer's style, there's a two-day workshop for everyone.
School Holiday Basketball Camp 21 December - 22 January. Keep your kids active with a basketball camp that will have them learning new skills and making new friends.Spring School Holidays at Art Est 11 January - 22 January. Choose from a variety of workshops ranging from pottery to cartooning and drawing for kids aged 5 and above.
Vaucluse Amateur 12 Foot Sailing Club Holiday Camp 7 December - 22 January. Try something new during the school holidays with a sailing camp for children aged 7 to 16.
FDA School Holiday Football Camp TBA. Whether you have a child who is new to the game or wants to improve their skills, a football camp is a great way to keep your kids active during the school holidays.
Intensive School Holiday Swim Program Runs throughout the school holidays. Get your kids ready for summer with daily swimming lessons at Carlile Swimming.
When planning your family's school holiday activities, remember to maintain good hygiene and social distancing. If you're planning to visit an attraction in an enclosed space, it's best to book in advance so you don't miss out.
Favourites including Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo are open during the school holidays.
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