Circus workshop from RedBalloon
Learn the tricks of the circus with this interactive workshop run by qualified and enthusiastic trainers.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: 5-15 years old
- Price: $33
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40+ summer school holiday activities in Sydney 2020
Your guide to entertaining the kids with our top picks of things to do in Sydney when school's out.
School holidays are what every kid dreams of all term long. This leaves you, AKA the parent or carer, left to find the best activities to meet their excitement and energy levels.
The good news is that there's more than enough going on around the city to keep the kids entertained - and you don't have to shell out too much to do it, either. Here's what's going on in Sydney these school holidays, including a few free activities.
Top things to do during school holidays in Sydney
Less than $50 | School holidays activities in Sydney
Soccer training sessions from Groupon
Introduce kids to soccer with training sessions and let them learn the basic concepts of the game including ball skills and how to be a team player.
- Duration: The pass includes two sessions
- Location: Various locations across Sydney
- Ages: 2-12 years old
- Price: $6 for two lessons
High ropes climbing course from RedBalloon
Be bold and take the plunge at this 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, but if you don't want to join in on the action, you can spectate for free.
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Location: Abbotsbury, Western Sydney
- Ages: 10 years and older
- Child price: $38
- Adult price: $48 (18+ years)
- Accepts Afterpay
Event cinemas movie pass from Groupon
Treat them to the latest and greatest kids flicks for a fraction of the cost these school holidays.
- Duration: Varies
- Location: Event cinemas in NSW
- Ages: All
- Price: $13.50
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium pass from RedBalloon
Got an animal lover on your hands? They're bound to adore the close encounters with King and Gentoo penguins, Japanese spider crabs, grey nurse sharks and, one of the latest additions, the endangered White's Seahorse.
- Duration: Full day
- Ages: 3+ years old
- Price: $33 (child), $46 (adult)
Kids Spy Network from Groupon
Let them make their own adventure in your very backyard with this budget-friendly spy mission pack. It's ideal for parties of three so the whole fam can band together to sleuth their way to crime-solving victory.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Ages: All ages
- Price: $9
Illawarra Fly Treetops Walk entry ticket from Klook
Take a walk in the Australian rainforest and enjoy the look out towards the Pacific ocean.
- Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: 4-15 years old for children
- Child price: $10
- Adult price: $20
Mayfield Garden entry ticket from Klook
Check out one of the world's largest cool-climate gardens and walk around lily-covered ponds, lakes, grand bridges and more.
- Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: All ages
- Child price: Child aged 0-6 can visit for free
- Adult price: $20
Cables Aqua Park passes from Groupon
Have fun swimming and jumping on infaltable obstacles, bouncers, logs and slides.
- Duration: 50-minute session, 1 hour session and a full-day pass
- Location: Penrith
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $15 for one 50-minute session, $25 for two 50-minute sessions and $40 for a full-day pass
Flip Out trampoline entry from Groupon
Experience wall-to-wall trampolines, wall runners and a foam pit. Jump up to 1,400 square metres high!
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Prestons
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $17 for one person
Skateboarding classes from Classbento
Learn how to do cool tricks with a skateboarding class. This experience can be customised and is a great way for friends to catch up during the school holidays. BBQs can also be organised if needed.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Location: Redfern Oval, Elizabeth Street, Redfern NSW
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $30 per person
Manly snorkel trip and nature walk from Viator
They'll love diving beneath the surface with a local guide at their side as they explore the underwater world searching for groupers and cuttelfish. Kids as young as 8 can get involved and after the adventure is over you can relax on the sandy shores - with a picnic and blanket, naturally.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Ages: 8+ years old
- Price: $45 (child), $69 (adult)
More than $50 |School holidays activities in Sydney
Eastern Creek Karts from Groupon
A great school holiday activity for adrenaline junkies to experience being in control of a race car.
- Duration:30 minutes
- Location: Eastern Creek
- Ages: 6 years and above. Children aged between 6-18 must have a parent present to sign for them
- Price: $55(Child) View details
Art class for kids from Classbento
Bring your kids to an art class where they'll learn the basics of drawing and colouring with pastels.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: Not specified
- Price: $100
Bondi surf lesson for kids and adults from Klook
Learn about the basics of surfing and its safety measures. Take on the waves and feel confident on the board!
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: 12 years old and above
- Price: $85
Sydney Harbour jet boat adventure from Klook
Prepare yourself and experience swirling while making a huge splash as you appreciate Sydney's scenery on a powerful boat by Thunder Jet.
- Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: 5-15 years old for children
- Price: $68
Sail on an authentic timber tall ship from RedBalloon
Sail past Sydney's iconic attractions while having the opportunity to steer the ship and join the crew.
- Duration: 90 Minutes
- Location: Sydney
- Ages: 4-14 years old for children
- Child Price: $30
- Adult Price: $54
Morning kayaking and bushwalking Adventure from RedBalloon
Get to do a relaxing kayak on pristine Pittwater as you enjoy nature sightseeing. Also, swim at a beautiful secluded beach!
- Duration: 3 hours
- Location: Ku Ring Gai National Park, NSW
- Ages: Children under 12 years old should be accompanied by an adult
- Child Price: $40
- Adult Price: $80
Luna Park rides pass from Viator
Spend a day at Sydney's most 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
- Ages: Participants must be at least 130cm tall
- Adult price: $25
Featherdale Wildlife Park entry from Klook
Spend a day getting up close and personal with some of Australia's native animals.
- Duration: Full day entry
- Location: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside
- Ages: 3 years and above
- Child price: $18 (3-15 year olds)
- Adult price: $25
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
- Ages: Not specified
- Price : $75
Indoor trampoline and climbing entry from RedBalloon
If your kids have energy to burn, this is the place you want to take them. Enjoy a day out at Sky Zone where the whole family will be entertained with activities like dodge ball, climb walls and over 100 interconnected trampolines.
- Duration: 1 hour of climbing and 1 hour on the trampolines
- Location: Alexandria, Sydney
- Ages: Climbers must be at least 5 years of age or over 110cm
- Price: $185 for a family of four View details
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
- Ages: Not specified
- Child Price: First child free, second child $50
- Adult Price: $150
12 kid-friendly summer school holiday events in Sydney
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. 21 December, The Domain.
- 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
- 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 Lion King, Home Alone, Elf, The Greatest Showman, The Addams Family, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Frozen II and Jumanji: The Next Level. 14 December 2019 to 25 Janurary 2020.
- 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. January 2020, Darling Quarter.
- 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. 23 November - 26 December, Penrith Panthers Club.
- 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. 8 November - 26 January 2020.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kids Cooking class. This one is a sure to be hit amongst the kids these summer holidays. The free event will have your little ones decorating their own gingerbread with the assistance of a head chef. 13 December 2019.
- Luna Park Santa experience. Spend the day out enjoying Sydney Harbour, riding rollercoasters and meeting Santa. Get this year's Christmas card photos sorted with a fun day out for all. 1 December - 24 December 2019.
Free things to do in Sydney over the summer school holidays
- Bushwalk in Sydney Harbour National Park, where there's plenty of tracks to choose from varying in length and difficulty.
- Go for a bike ride or bush walk along the harbour or take a stroll through 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 activities including scavenger hunts, clean up days and bird watching.
- 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 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.
- 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. Although the weather is likely to be on the cooler side, there won't be large crowds and you can have enjoy a sunny day out with a picnic overlooking the beach.
- Get into the Christmas spirit with a free arts and crafts workshop. Located at Glenquarie Town Centre, your kids can create beautiful decorations for the Christmas tree. 14 December 2019.
See our latest coupon codes and discounts for Sydney attractions and activities
RedBalloon
Sydney Harbour cruise + Taronga Zoo entry from $59
Valid on select dates. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Sydney attractions multi-entry from just $56
Valid for use on select 2019 dates. Choose two attractions from Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, Wildlife Sydney Zoo and Sydney Tower Eye. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
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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Viator
Sign up for 10% off
Join the Viator newsletter and get 10% off your first purchase on attractions, food and drink experiences, sightseeing tours and more. Plus access to members-only sales, travel tips and more.
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Classbento
$5 off bookings
Sign up to the Class Bento newsletter for an instant discount.
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RedBalloon
2-for-1 experiences and activities
Buy one get one free on a range of experiences across Australia. Offers change regularly, but often include sightseeing cruises, abseiling, dining, hot air ballooning, quadbiking, jet boating, scenic flights, helicopter rides, flying lessons, classic car hire, driving and rally car experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Up to $30 off Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
Available daily through November 2019, the greatest discount available is for the Day Climb. Twilight and Dawn climbs are also discounted.
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